There was a time, when the feeder fishing revolution was still in its infancy, that I would have scorned the very idea that an 11ft rod could, or even should, be considered for distance work.
The fact is that the longer the line drop – the distance from the rod-tip to the middle of the blank – the greater the speed of the cast, and therefore the further the rod will chuck. But carbon technologies and tactical evolution have led to many match anglers wanting, or needing, an 11ft rod that will allow for a decent cast while still being able to handle big feeders and big fish.
Such rods are rare beasts indeed but let me introduce you to one – the new Daiwa Tournament SLR 11ft Feeder, with a 90g maximum casting weight. This is a rod packed full of technical wizardry, but ‘what’s new about it?’ I hear you ask. Well, for starters it has a new handle shape, making it easier to grip on the cast, and the handle profile is thinner than before.
A further improvement is the new super-lightweight, forward-facing anti-frap American Ti guides. But, between you and me, I reckon Daiwa has played around with the construction of the blank with respect to its full-shield X45X build. Somehow it just feels crisper than ever, with zero post-cast tip recoil, and there’s a ridiculous amount of power oozing through its lower section. Basically, its casting potential has gone through the roof!
Our live test venue, Woodlands Waters, in Lincolnshire, is a fairly big natural lake full of bream and skimmers and holds a decent head of big carp too. But our day was intended to be a distance-casting affair, no matter what fish species came our way.
Although I had any one of the six new SLRs to choose from (including the turbo-charged 13ft Power model that replaces the old 14ft SLR), I jumped at the chance to use the 11ft version – mainly because I wanted to prove, once and for all, that an 11-footer shouldn’t be classed as a distance casting rod.
There’s an island in the middle of Woodland Waters’ specimen lake that, according to Google Maps, is around 83m away from the peg Dan and I had opted to fish from.
That’s quite some chuck for a carp rod, let alone an 11ft feeder rod!
Verdict
The moment of truth had duly arrived. Now, surely, I could dispel the myth that 11ft rods can’t go the distance, so to speak. I’d loaded my Daiwa Tournament 25QD feeder reel with the firm’s new SLR mono line (8lb, 0.23mm), which is due for release any day now. This was attached to a 12lb mono shockleader, terminating in a 50g N’ZON Hybrid feeder.
I proceeded to clip up the rod at 20 ‘wraps’, which is exactly 80 yards in old money. I’ll be honest, I’d never even attempted to cast an 11ft feeder rod that sort of distance before, and with a 12lb shockleader and a micro pellet-loaded 50g feeder, I knew that any hint of a mis-cast or a pre-chuck tangle would end in shards of carbon. That’s not what you want to happen with a rod costing around 50 quid a foot!
With the rod held horizontally above my head (big-carp casting style) I let it rip... and rip it did!
To my amazement it hit the clip with a lovely pinging sound, a bit like winning a prize at the fair. The rig had hardly hit bottom before the quiver pulled round and then released as a fish moved the feeder toward me.
I picked up the rod from the rest and wound down a few times before catching up with the fish and feeling a somewhat weak resistance. Clearly it was a half-decent skimmer, but at 80 yards range with a 50g feeder, a four-inch hooklength and size 14 hook, getting it to the net wouldn’t be easy. Surely it would shake the hook as it neared the net?
Nope, not a bit of it – the blank has an inherent softness, despite its fast, progressive action that had just hurled a feeder further than I’d ever thought possible using such a short rod. I unhooked the fish and tipped it back into the lake. Then I just sat and stared, slightly mesmerised, at the alchemy of the new third generation SLR.
So, do I still think this is the best all-round feeder rod we have ever seen? Nope, it’s even more than that, it’s also a seriously good distance caster, fully deserving of the title. Never mind ‘Super Long Range’, SLR should stand for ‘Simply Lovely Rod’
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS PRODUCT AND OTHERS FROM DAIWA HERE.
Tech Spec
-
X45X Full Shield - Bias Carbon Technology
-
HVF nanoplus - High Volume Fibre with nano technology
-
V-Joint α
-
American Tackle TiForged AIR anti tangle guides
-
Fuji VSS Reel Seat
-
Laser Etched Duplon
-
Cork/Duplon Armlock Handle
-
Three sided Handlock butt grip
-
Hook Keeper
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The Daiwa Tournament SLR has long been the yardstick for high-performance feeder rods, and this third-generation ‘CU’ model proves that even the best can be improved. Daiwa’s X45X Full Shield torque-busting technology and HVF Nanoplus carbon blank still deliver the crisp recovery and effortless distance that made the SLR famous, but now with subtle refinements that make a tangible difference on the bank.
The big upgrade comes in the form of American Tackle TiForged AIR anti-tangle guides. They’re lightweight, silky smooth, and help your line fly cleaner than ever, reducing the risk of wraparounds on those all-important long distance casts. The handle has had a thoughtful makeover too, a slimmer foregrip for better finger placement, the familiar Armlock for stability under load, and a new three-sided Handlock butt that sits naturally in the palm when winding up for a big chuck.
Pros
- Packed with technical innovation and impeccably furnished
- The six-model SLR range covers plenty of tactical choices for a huge variety of venues
Cons
- Extremely pricey
Our pick of the alternatives
Designed for ultra-long range fishing the Matrix Aquos Ultra-XD Method Feeder Rod can handle heavy method feeders with ease. Available in various lengths, 12ft (130g), 13ft (160g) , and 13ft 8” (190g).
First thing I noted was the blank’s thickness. To get the correct action with a longer rod with a cheaper carbon, you normally have to thicken the butt right up. If anything, the section just above the handle seemed thinner than the middle of the rod!
An illusion created by the strip of arty-looking matt paintwork and graphics it might be, but the taper was far slower and the action far more ‘through’ than I was expecting. Great for playing fish, but what would it cast like? Although it’s not the crispest rod I’ve ever used, the Ultra-W did a great job of slinging out my Method feeder.
The softer action gave me confidence to go for it on the strike, knowing it had plenty of cushioning to prevent a breakage on the take. This facet proved most welcome, as fish number one was a carp! As were numbers two, three and four! There is no doubt Matrix is on to a winner with this rod. It ticks all the boxes for the natural water and commercial angler on a budget!
The rod features durable oversized guides to reduce friction on the reel line to achieve distance, and a comfortable cork and EVA composite handle to enable the rod to be levered quickly to achieve maximum distance. It is also supplied with 2 x 3.4mm carbon tips and spares available in various test curves (3oz, 4oz, 5oz, and 6oz).
The 12ft 130g model is the standout of the range, Ideal for distance on commercial venues, an excellent starting point for anglers looking to add a distance casting tool to their armoury without overspending.
Pros
- Impressive rods for the budget minded angler
- Suited to distance method feeder fishing on commercials
Cons
- Could be too powerful for some angler preferences
Preston Monster Extreme Distance Feeder Rod feature strong, powerful blanks capable of casting feeders over 100 meters with ease. They are more than suitable for both commercial and river fishing, great if you are fishing different venues frequently.
I took this rod to Boddingtons as it has both the tremendous size tho cast as far as you want and the massive carp to truly put the rod through its paces!
This rod is a beast, it is longer and more powerful than the majority of feeder rods out there, a big asset when used at long ranges when there’s a realistic chance of encountering some very big carp to over 20lb that take off like rockets.
Rigged up and ready to go, I made my first exploratory casts into the lake. Starting at 80m, which is still a fair old cast, especially with a relatively thick 8lb mainline, but the rod ate it up. My first observation was the action of the rod – it all felt ery familiar. Although having favourites isn’t ideal for a tackle tester, I do have a soft spot for the Preston Distance Master. Not only can this rod cast exceptionally well, but it still retains a well balanced fish-playing action, which is important as its alright getting out to the fish, but useless if you can't land them.
The soft top end, powerful lower section and high loading point made the Monster X feel just like a beefed up Distance Master, which is high praise considering it costs less than half the price!
The Monster X 12ft was exactly what I was hoping it would be. Yes, it’s a pokey distance model that will chuck a feeder well over 100m, yet it will land carp without fear of hook pulls, handling big fish beautifully, without sapping all the enjoyment from the fight. It’s forte is carp, but you could happily take it onto the river for barbel and chub or a large lake for bream and tench. It might be from a range a few years old now and a little lengthy for a standard commercial, but it’s still a very relevant and reliable companion for anglers wishing to visit bigger and wilder venues.
There are 3 rods in the range, 12ft (150g), 13ft (180g) and 14ft (200g)
Pros
- Powerful rods able of achieving huge distances, 14ft capable of 160m+
- Versatile rods not only suited to distance but equally at home on the river
Cons
- The action and power maybe too much for some
Best Distance Feeder Rod (2024 National Angling Awards Winner)
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
An evolution of the popular N-Gauge range, the N-Gauge Pro rods feature the latest carbon construction technology and improved key features that truly earn them their "Pro" designation. The distance model range offers four lengths.
I kicked off the test session with a small Method feeder, cast as far as the blank could hurl it alongside the island. The rod will deliver casts of 80 yards easily enough with a 30g weight, but I wouldn’t want to push it much further than that. With very few anglers on the lake, the carp seemed willing enough to have a munch, and I didn’t have to wait long for one to put a healthy-looking curve in the rod. But what a surprise that curve held in store.
Yes, it’s progressive, but then, once you start piling on the pressure, the blank morphs into a faultless through type of curvature that absorbs all lunges without being overly spiky or, even worse, floppy and soppy. A quick change to bomb and corn upped the ante a fair bit in terms of fish size, but the rod never once felt as if it might bottom out.
I reckon the Guru N-Gauge Pro Distance Feeder is a rare creature indeed. Every now and again you’ll find a very special rod that’s all but faultless in its design, specification and build. But does it have that ‘wow factor’? Well, this rod has it in spades.
The N-Gauge Pro rods are equipped with a high-quality cork Armlock handle and a bespoke Guru EVA rear grip, providing maximum support and comfort during casting. The anti-tangle stainless Sea-Guide frames, featuring super slim LS Zirconia ceramic rings, significantly reduce tangles and potential crack-offs during casting. This results in super smooth casting and fish-playing properties while ensuring maximum durability and longevity.
With four distance models in the range, from 11ft (90g) to 14ft (180g), there is a rod to suit most distance feeder enthusiasts. The 11ft and 12ft models come in a two-piece setup, ideal for commercial distance fishing, while the 13ft and 14ft three-piece models are capable of achieving greater distances. Each rod is supplied with 3 x 3.5mm carbon quivers.
Pros
- Progressive action offers a balance between fish playing action and accurate distance casting
- Premium looks at a competitive price point
Cons
- Longer lengths lose the progressive action
Mark Sawyer holds the position of Tackle Editor at Angling Times, boasting more than thirty years of experience working within different fields of the angling industry.