Let’s wind the clocks back four years. The cost of shipping from China had just passed an all-time high, due to the global pandemic, and we were all bracing ourselves for a huge hike in prices.
Then, out of nowhere, Daiwa, a brand credited with producing some of the very best and, of course, most expensive rods and poles around, released a set of sub-£50 float and feeder rods.
By rights, Matchman rods should have been utter rubbish, but in reality they were bloody brilliant!
Daiwa are not magicians, they had simply taken advantage of one of the few things that had dropped in price, that being carbon fibre.
Then, using their expert design skills and some clever advances in rod-building technology, the company had achieved what seemed like magic, and produced better rods for less money.
When I heard that the Matchman range was going to be updated this year, I was initially expecting a few tweaks, a change in cosmetics and potentially a higher price. What I was greeted with, however, was an even better set of rods and, incredibly, no change in the asking price.
The original rods weren’t ugly by any stretch of the imagination, but their look did match their price point.
To help stiffen the lower end and counteract the inherent softness of budget-priced carbon, a glossy finish was applied to the bottom half, along with an increased taper.
These new models have gone one step further, though, adding an additional carbon wrap just above the glossy finish, which is now silver in colour, giving them a striking new livery.
The result is a set of rods that are a touch more progressive in action, faster recovering on both the cast and the strike, and looking spectacular too.
While the difference in tip speed is noticeable on the shorter rods, it becomes even more apparent on the longer models, which is why I decided to put the longest of the lot, the 13ft Waggler, through its paces.
If a dedicated pellet waggler rod is what you’re after, there are four in range from 9ft to 12ft. Although my chosen tool for this live test could be used for pellet waggler fishing too, the extra length of this model lends itself perfectly to the lighter duty work of traditional styles on lakes and rivers – so that is what I was going to use it for.
Rigging up a straight waggler, and armed with corn and maggots, I fancied a day targeting everything that swims at Springvale.
Starting on the bottom in around 6ft of water was a mistake, as it was only when I shallowed up to just 2ft deep that I started to catch a procession of ide.
On the pole, these are quite easy fish to catch, but you need to be quick on the strike and in direct contact with your float to catch any number of them on the waggler.
As sport slowed, which it always does with ide, I switched to feeding and fishing corn on the bottom, where a few tench, skimmers and carp got in on the action too.
Verdict
I’ve fished with a fair few 13ft waggler rods costing under £100 in my time, and while they’ve always been OK for the money, the action on most hasn’t been quite right. They’ve done a job, but I’ve left the bank feeling that I wanted a bit more from them.
The 13ft Matchman, however, has the near-ideal action, and the fact that it is priced under £50, let alone less than £100, means that Daiwa have not only scored a home run, they’ve smashed the ball right out of the park!
The rod’s guides are obviously not off the very top-shelf, and the rod’s tip speed and post-strike recovery rate are of course slower than what you’d find on a top-end model.
There is, however, no doubting that this is the best 13ft waggler rod costing under £50 that I have ever fished with – and, I might add, by a pretty long way.
Given a choice, there’s no way I’ll be parting with my top-end float or feeder rods, but the fact is that the gap between budget and flagship rods is narrowing significantly.
The 13ft Daiwa Matchman Float Rod gives the latest Matchman range a proper conventional float option, and for anglers who still enjoy waggler fishing on open water, bigger commercials or even running a float down a river.
This is a three-piece rod, so it has that more traditional 13ft feel, with the extra length helping with line pick-up, float control and presentation. Ideal when you are fishing at range, especially when you need to mend line, and lift into bites quickly and cleanly.
Like the rest of the updated Matchman range, the amount of rod you get for the money is impressive. The HMC carbon blank feels crisp enough for accurate casting and positive line control, but it still has the progressive action needed to cushion lunges and protect hook holds when fish are under pressure.
The X-WRAP reinforcement through the butt section adds strength and stability, but it also lifts the finish of the rod. The silver detailing gives it a sharper, more refined look than the plainer previous Matchman models, making it feel far more polished than the price would suggest.
Finished with an Armlock cork and Duplon handle, the 13ft Matchman Float Rod is a capable, well-balanced option for anglers wanting a longer float rod without spending heavily.
Pros
- Great for stillwaters
- Lovely through action
- X-Wrap reinforced
Cons
- Not the best for rivers
| HMC carbon blank | |
| X-WRAP braiding reinforcement | |
| Stainless steel guides with ceramic liners | |
| EVA reel with locking foregrip | |
| Downlocking reel seat | |
| Hybrid cork and EVA rear Armlock grip | |
| Weight 200g | |
| Casting weight 1g-12g |
Our pick of the alternatives
With four distinct models, the Guru A-Class offers something for every angler. It includes three 2-piece rods designed for commercial pellet waggler fishing and a versatile 3-piece 13ft model suitable for all styles of float fishing.
Crafted from 24T tensile carbon blanks, these rods strike the perfect balance between strength and flexibility. The stainless frame guides feature durable titanium oxide rings, minimising line friction and enhancing your casting performance.
The standout model, the 13ft Pellet Waggler, weighs just 180g and handles a line rating of 2-8lb with a casting weight of 3-15g. This rod is perfect for targeting carp and F1s in commercial fisheries as well as silvers on natural venues. If you want a good quality rod that will do a bit of everything without breaking the bank, look no further!
A comfortable rod that feels like a natural extension of your hand. The downlocking DPS style reel seat and cork handle provide a secure grip, allowing for maximum control.
Pros
- Capable and versatile rod
- Equally at home on stillwaters as rivers
Cons
- May be a little too heavy for some silverfish anglers
Although similar in looks and price to their predecessors, it is clear to see, when picking
the brand-new Drennan Vertex MK2 float rods, that they are slimmer and better balanced. They feel slightly more responsive, too.
To see how much of a step forward they’d taken, I took one to Manor Farm Leisure, near Evesham, for a session on Bottom Lake. With a consistent depth of around 5ft, it’s perfect for a 13ft float rod fished with a traditional waggler approach.
With some big old carp present, along with F1s and roach, almost any size of fish could have taken the bait but, on the day, it was the bream and skimmers that decided to feed. Good fish between 1lb and 3lb, too, and very good fun on the waggler.
Bites were slow dips, giving me just enough time think about the bite before deciding to hit it.
A very simple way to describe the rod’s action is ‘traditional’. The soft top end plays the fish, while the firm middle casts the float and sets the hook. What I found most impressive about the rod was just how crisp the middle was.
I’ve always believed that cheaper rods perform at their best in their shorter lengths, as the longer they are, the more cumbersome they feel, and it’s the mid-section that seems to suffer the most. I did not get any of that with the Vertex MK 2. The blank was definitely thicker than a top of the range Acolyte, but the action was surprisingly similar – a feat that a rod at this price point should not be able to achieve!
In fact, I’ll stick my neck out and say that this rod has the exact feel of models that were selling for nearing £200 twenty years ago. When you take into account inflation, that really is impressive.
Yes, it isn’t quite an ‘Ultra’ rod, but it certainly isn’t a ‘Plus’ either.
It sits in that lovely sweet ground where it can be used for all sorts of fishing. Light enough for roach and skimmers on stillwaters, yet with enough power to handle bigger floats and powerful chub or barbel on rivers – it’s a ‘go to’ rod.
Pros
- Improved version of popular rod
- Available in long lengths
Cons
- Longer lengths make it unsuitable for smaller waters
The best silverfish float rod
Total Fishing Tackle
The Daiwa Tournament S Float Rod. Enhanced with advanced technologies like HVF Nanoplus and V-Joint Alpha, this rod is designed specifically for natural venue fishing. Available in 11ft 6’ to 17ft lengths there is a model to suit all float fishing situations.
These rods emerged from the growing demand for winter silverfish competitions and the needs of anglers targeting small rivers and drains. It has quickly become a firm favourite and top-selling float rod, perfect for smaller wagglers and ideal for casts ranging from 15m to 25m.
The rod features high-quality Seaguide TYG and TDG skeletal guides, perfectly complementing its fast yet forgiving action. The result is a sleek, lightweight blank that is not only visually appealing but also a pleasure to use.
Pros
- Instantaneous line pick up
- Firm crisp casting action
Cons
- Too soft for large floats and bigger fish