I was wondering if anybody could advise if the new Hardy Marksman float rod would be suitable for trotting for trout/salmon (even bass?) with a centrepin? I was thinking 13' as a good all rounder?

I was in a tackle shop looking at one and it felt very nice and was recommended by the shop - but I am a novice to all this and confess that I struggle to understand all the jargon (such as test curve, action etc) and to know what I'm talking about. I didn't even know what a centrepin or trotting was a week ago!!!

I've been give some great advice about reels, I just need to sort my rod choice now.

I notice Greys do a "bait rod" - Is this more appropriate?

Any help appreciated.

13 ft is a decent float all rounder. When trotting you will get better control with a longer rod. I have a Greys 14/16 ft float rod (two butt sections) which I enjoy using. If you do choose a longer rod the important thing is the weight - holding 16ft of heavy rod all day is damn tiring. Unfortunately this means extra cost. If you can, go to a decent tackle shop and ask. Not sure where you are but it would be useful be able to pick up a rod and see how it feels.

I must admit, if I was thinking about spending Hardy sort of money on a float rod, I'm not sure I'd actually be considering a Hardy! Most definitely on the audition list though would be either a Harrison or one of the BFW rods built on Harrison blanks. Also on the list would be Normark (I think the Microlite's the trotting rod) and the Drennan Floatmaster. That said, my old John Wilson Avon/Quiver (just a fraction over twenty quid from eBay) is quite good enough for most of my river fishing most of the time anyway...

So is a trotting rod and a float rod the same thing - just by another name?

Trout salmon or bass, you are talking the really heavy end of the float rod spectrum. An avon style rod might be more suitable. I have a Drennan series 7 avon/quiver style and it is a brilliant piece of kit. Powerful, but still with the progressive feel of a traditional float rod. Light and well finished.

I'm with Yorkie - there's loads of choice of good float rods for a lot less. Preston Innovations Carbonactive or the more expensive Sentient range, and Greys are all very well regarded. However, if you want one for bigger fish you'll need a "power" or "specimen" type one, rather than a standard float rod. The one I actually use for big chub and some carp fishing is a cheapo Zebco Rhino 13' (£40-50 on various offers if you can still find them), bought because they are cheap and said to be almost indestructible without being too beefy. They're not the lightest around but boy you can put a bend in them I also have a Normark which is superb, but for much lighter work.

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fossil-fish

I think you have hit the nail on the head re my concerns. When I held the rod it felt light and quality but I thought what the heck would happen if something big landed on the end? Would it snap? What size of fish could you expect to handle with it?

I'm just browsing at the Drennan - it looks a fair saving.

I have the one and a quarter Drennan and it is rated to 8lb line, but still has the feel of something that will fish down to 3lb size 16 hooks. There is a one and a half option but I really like the all round feel of mine. In this in between match and carp/pike tackle segment, Drennan really are the business.

John Wilson Avon/quiver already mentioned are great blanks and actions but I have always found them poor on finish. Drennan are top quality products.

The old Dick Walker rule of thumb was that the optimum breaking strain line for a coarse fishing road was about 5x the test curve, but lines up to 2lb eithe side of that would be ok, so the 1.25 tc Avon (I think that was the test curve of the orginal Avon rod design that RW himself invented) would ideally suit 6lb line, but would comfortable handle 4-8lb line. You could fish go lighter if you wanted, but the power of the rod would snap the line before it really got into its power curve, so not ideal. The only thing with a true Avon style rod rod is that it will have a through action, maybe tip/middle, but not the fast tip action you really need for a fast strike when trotting, at least for smaller fish (eg roach, dace, small chub). Saying that, if you're fishing for bigger fish a fast strike is less critical and the softer action of an Avon is better for playing the fish.

An Avon style rod can also be used for legering, so it is very versatile. I also have a slightly more beefy version - a 1.5lb tc Fox light barbel "duo" rod, which has two top sections - one straight through for a heavy Avon style rod and one which takes 4 different size quivertips - a brilliant rod and only about £75 -I use it mainly for big chub at the moment. As always, there's no rod that will do everything, so it really depends on what you want it for. I agree with fossil fish that the John Wilson Avon/quivers are great rods (I had one for years before it got nicked), but the finish could be better - v good value though. However, Drennan and Fox are excellent quality and also good value. I think Korum and Maver also do some good ones too.

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