Barbel fishing is definitely one area where you can't compromise on rod choice. If it's not up to the job you simply won't land this hard-fighting fish! Here's our guide to the best barbel blanks to go for on a £100 budget.
KORUM BARBEL ROD 13FT 2.5LB, £83.99
WE SAY: At its 13ft length and with power in abundance, this is the ideal big river rod for somewhere like the Trent or Wye for example, where powerful flows and big feeders are the order of the day. With a highly visible white tip for excellent bite indication.
TECH SPEC
•2.5lb powerful tip section
•High modulus carbon blank
•Low profile silicone lined guides
•Full cork handle
•Maximium casting weight: 8oz
•Line rating: 10lb – 15lb
DAIWA POWERMESH BARBEL 12FT 2.75LB, £100
WE SAY: A rod which is at the more powerful end of the barbel spectrum with its hefty 2.75lb test curve rating. It will cast 4oz weights with ease, we recommend this one for big fish, big rivers and even floodwater conditions.
TECH SPEC
•High grade carbon blanks with 1K woven carbon
•Fuji DPS reel seat
•Full cork handle
•Stainless steel frame guides
•Lightweight LS ceramic rings
•Aluminium butt cap
•Supplied in padded rod sleeve
SHIMANO ALIVIO AX BARBEL CLASSIC 12FT 1.5LB, £74.99 |
WE SAY: Fantastic action but definitely one for smaller rivers and close range work, due to its soft middle. Fantastic action, this is a lot more than just a barbel rod as a 1.5lb test curve makes it ideal for chub or stillwater bream and tench work too. We love the choice in tips too and a power version of the rod is also available.
TECH SPEC
•XT30 blank
•Stylish cork handle
•Three push in quivertips
•One Avon tip
JOHN WILSON QUATTRO 12FT AVON QUIVER (25TH ANNIVERSARY LTD EDITION), £99.99
WE SAY: We'll never tire of the sight of John's Avon rod bending into a barbel in his famous Go Fishing videos, followed by his infectious laugh! In all seriousness his Masterline range of rods are worth a serious look and this limited edition 'traditional-style' Avon is a good choice for smaller rivers and short chucks. Definitely fit the heaviest 1.75lb supplied tip for barbel though.
TECH SPEC
•Two piece construction
•Spigot joints for improved actions
•Quality AAA cork handle
•Four full length 6ft tips included
•1.25lb and 1.75lb Avon tops
•1 3/4 oz + 3oz spliced quiver tips
•Fully lined guides
FOX ROYALE SPECIALIST BARBEL 12FT 2.25LB, £84.99
WE SAY: A real powerhouse of a barbel rod, perfect for when you need to cast large feeders, big PVA bags or heavy leads to hold bottom in strong flows. Another plus point we noticed is the large and evenly-spaced SLIK guides, which will go some way to stopping debris jamming the guides in flood conditions.
TECH SPEC
•Lightweight low resin carbon construction
•SLIK guide system
•High quality 17mm reel seat
•Understated cosmetics
•Gunsmoke cappings
•Matt black finish
•High grade cork handle
JW YOUNG BARBEL MULTI TIP TRAVEL 12FT, £99.99
WE SAY: A handy little travel rod for anyone thinking about sneaking in a spot of barbel fishing when they’re on holiday or short on storage space. Ideal to tuck away in the boot of the car, the five-sectioned 12ft carbon blank has a powerful through action, able to deal with good-size barbel. A standard non-travel version is also available at the same price.
TECH SPEC
•Slim and lightweight blank
•Full cork handles and fore grips
•DPS style reel seat
•With quivertips of 2.5oz, 2oz and 1.5oz
•Avon-style tip
•Fully lined guides and hook keeper ring
•Rod tube
•High quality guides and overbindings