Rods for Match fishing / Float

[Lunker]

This topic can go on forever because there is so many brands out there and every single angler has his or her preferance on what equipment they like to use so what I am going to do is give you what the norm is for match fishing and what is better suited for the style of fishing that you will be doing.

Everyone talks about pole fishing and the float fishing method I do and many other guys do as well but the difference is clear, Pole fishing requires a 20m multi segmented pole that has no eyes and does not use a reel. This thread is about float fishing / match fishing with rod and reel and would be awesome if there is pole fisherman that would give their input because of how pole fishing has grown and the knowledge required to do it is awesome and the axact same method as if you were doing it with rod and reel.

Rod / This is not rule, it is a guideline.

1. LENGTH: Minimum 10ft / Max 17ft. 2 to 3 piece[/*]
2. BLANK: Graphite or Carbon / [/*]
3. DIAMETRE: Generally a thinner rod is better equiped for casting out floats a longer distance where as thicker rods make casting a float almost imposible [/*]
4. HANDLE: Little or no handle between rod and first eye, and a long back handle for fighting the fish / Comfort thing. [/*]
5. TEST CURVE / TC: 1.7lb to max 2lb. A heavier TC can be use but you need a softer fast action tip for casting the float further and also it helps with fighting the fish better from the start because you have contact from the word go[/*]

Bellow picture shows you more or less what a good quality rod has. There are plenty manufacturers that do not say what TC rod it is but that is why we have the internet, most websites will advertise tackle and will tell you the full specifications. 
 

 

[DJP]

We use old flyrods with an added but section. I've converted a broken flyrod, which is about 7.6ft long and it does the job perfectly. Only problem is the guides which impedes ones casting ability somewhat. The reel is a shimano AX UL-SA 500 with 5 lb line. (the rod is a working progress hehehe)

 

[Lunker]

I saw that from your previous reply on the first thread, was gonna ask you if it was a fly rod.

I tried that exact theory witha 12wt fly rod but started fishing closer to reeds and structure and go broken off everytime because there was no way I could turn the carp so went and got myself the above rod, the tip is just as soft as a fly rod but has the back bone to stop a bull. The one thing I did find awesome about the fly rod idea was that it cast the float quite far but the down side was that you need to use a much thiner diametre line and I was tired of loosing fish.

Targeting Kurper and bass on very light float equipment is hair raising but its just not same if you are using a heavier rod so to have 2 rods with you at a session (1 light, 1 heavier) is pretty much what one should do thats if there are kurper ofcourse.

 

[Lunker]

DJP. I see you do saltwater and artlure. What do you think of using the Berkley Cherrywood as a float rod? The longest I have seen is a 9ft, not sure if they come in 10ft but I recon it would be a deadly rod for a big carp.

I use to have a 8ft for drop shot and used it many a time off shore and it had serious back bone.

Did you do the handles yourself on the fly rod? Looks good. Your picture has just made me want to make up another 12wt fly rod into a float rod for kurper and smaller carp. I spoke to a freind of mine, you can get smaller eyes and put them on a fly rod. But at that cost you can just buy yourself a BERKLEY CHERRYWOOD.

 

[100% African]

Lunker wrote:

DJP. I see you do saltwater and artlure. What do you think of using the Berkley Cherrywood as a float rod? The longest I have seen is a 9ft, not sure if they come in 10ft but I recon it would be a deadly rod for a big carp.

I use to have a 8ft for drop shot and used it many a time off shore and it had serious back bone.

Did you do the handles yourself on the fly rod? Looks good. Your picture has just made me want to make up another 12wt fly rod into a float rod for kurper and smaller carp. I spoke to a freind of mine, you can get smaller eyes and put them on a fly rod. But at that cost you can just buy yourself a BERKLEY CHERRYWOOD.

Hey, I asked about the Berkley Cherrywood.... They do come in 10ft, 2 piece, throws a 1/8oz to 3/4oz wt. Fits the specs you gave perfectly. Only not sure about the TC. Very thin and got good back bone. They go for between R530 and R550 in Dbn. Going to get one this weekend.

 

[Lunker]

100%, you wont be sorry buying one. The TC on those are about 1.5lb to 1.75lb and that is perfect for float. Its just an awesome all round rod.

You lucky to get it that cheap, I checked a price on a 9ft and it was just over R800.

 

[DJP]

Lunker wrote:

DJP. I see you do saltwater and artlure. What do you think of using the Berkley Cherrywood as a float rod? The longest I have seen is a 9ft, not sure if they come in 10ft but I recon it would be a deadly rod for a big carp.

I use to have a 8ft for drop shot and used it many a time off shore and it had serious back bone.

Did you do the handles yourself on the fly rod? Looks good. Your picture has just made me want to make up another 12wt fly rod into a float rod for kurper and smaller carp. I spoke to a freind of mine, you can get smaller eyes and put them on a fly rod. But at that cost you can just buy yourself a BERKLEY CHERRYWOOD.

I've seen the Berkley cherrywood and it does seem like a great rod but the price is a bit steep... it's one of those oneday rods for me.

I have a 14ft limited edition bluemarlin carp rod that I use when fishing at longer distances with 4.5-5.5kg line. I dont use it as often because its a one piece rod yet it its great because it pics up slack line so fast. Of late we fish 2-10m range so flyrod is OK but the lack in backbone is a negetive factor.

Rod handles are realy easy to make. All you need is some Champaign corks, glue and either a wood-turning-table or a bench drill. Will put up a post later on how I make the handles.

 

[Lunker]

Cant wait to see the post on the handles.

I was digging through my fishing stuff last night and found a bag that had not been opened in a long time and found one of my first float fishing rods. Its a IM9 CARBON TELESCOPIC 11FT 1.5TC.
This is one style of rod that was built for float fishing and every float fisherman should consider getting one, when not extended it is only 50cm long and when extended 11ft. You can have your rods set up all the time and the transporting of the rods is awesome, the best part is that it works just as well as a 1 piece or 2 piece rod.

In europe this is one of the style rods that they only use. In U.K they started developing the 2 to 3 piece float rods because of the bigger carp that they started targeting.

Send some pics on monday.

 

[100% African]

Hey guys, I feel sorry for you up in jhb. Everything is more expensive there. Basil Manning Got the 10ft rod for R550. I know that one of the members here works there, i'm sure if you speak to him they can make a plan to post it up to you. But best tell them to put it in a tube and send it up. It doesn't come with one.

 

[DJP]

I've put a post in the DIY section on fly rod conversions, it's not very extensive but i'm a bit out of cork so will complete it asap.

 

[Carp king]

Hi all

I currebtly have 2 shakspeare ugly stick light rods in 8'6 and thees rods can cast light weights as well as have great backbone.I have as well tried the shimano solora bass rods they are fiberglass and as well work well. i have notdone much float fishing for carp but i know they work well in lagoons for catching mullet.

 

 

[Lunker]

Carp King.

8.6ft is fine. The only thing to take into account is your leader length from hook to float. If you fishing a shallow venue of 2m it is fine but once you target a venue that is 3m deep you will struggle casting the float out.

Check out this post, should make more sense.

Cheers

http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=20182&forum_id=75