There’s an uncomfortable question that bubbles to the surface every time a rod range is revamped. Amid the excitement and intrigue generated around a new release, there’ll always be the few who cynically ask: “How exactly have they made it better?”.
I personally don’t like this question, not because of its accusing nature, but because I think it’s inaccurate. Rather, the question should be: “How have they managed to keep the price the same?”.
The quality of rods and poles we can now get is stunning, and the technology and materials do not necessarily step forward every single year. What is ever-changing, though, is how cheaply we can make these rods and poles.
The price may have remained the same, or risen slightly, but the manufacturer will now have included some of the processes or materials that were previously reserved for higher-quality models. To put it blatantly, you are now getting a better rod for your money.
Brilliant examples of this are the brand-new Drennan Vertex MK2 float rods. Although similar in looks and price to their predecessors, it is clear to see, when picking them up, 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.
Bait was dead simple – one tin of the finest Jolly Green Giant sweetcorn. Steadily pinging in three or four grains every minute – as far as I could with any degree of accuracy – created a regular patter on the surface, and an intriguing rain of brightly coloured baits that I was sure would get some fish moving in the clear water.
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.
COUPLE THIS ROD WITH ONE OF THE BEST FISHING REELS.
Verdict
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 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!
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.
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 consider 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.
Released alongside it is a 14ft model. Although I’ve not fished with it, I have taken a close look, and it’s ideal for Bolo, big stick or long-range waggler work. The word that hit me straight away, though, was ‘slider’.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS PRODUCT AND OTHERS FROM DRENNAN HERE.
Tech Spec
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High-modulus carbon blank
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Cork and contoured EVA handle
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Engraved butt cap
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Three-piece construction
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Suitable for reel lines of around 3lb-6lb
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Capable of casting floats of up to 10g
The perfect example of how things evolve, the Vertex Mk2 is reminiscent of a flagship rod 20 years ago for mid-price money. It’s slim, sharp through the tip, and surprisingly crisp through the middle section, more than enough backbone for big wagglers and bigger fish, yet soft enough up top to enjoy skimmers and roach without bumping them off.
It casts up to 10g with ease and handles 3–6lb lines confidently. At 13ft it has beautiful balance. Whether you’re loose feeding corn for bream, chasing shy bites on the drop, or stepping it up for chub or F1s, the Vertex Mk2 does the job without any fuss.
Built from high-modulus carbon and finished with a cork and EVA handle, it feels and fishes far better than the price suggests. It might not wear the ‘Acolyte’ badge, but it’s got more in common with that end of the scale than you’d think
Pros
- Traditional rod with tippy action
- Perfectly at home on naturals or commercials
Cons
- Unsuiatable for pellet waggler work
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
Best All-round float rod
www.fishingtackleandbait.co.uk
Daiwa's Connoisseur Pro Match Rods are the go-to choice for river enthusiasts. Crafted with precision from high grade carbon cloths, these Pro rods are reliable in any water setting, be it still or flowing, but really shines trotting floats on a river.
Sleek yet robust, these rods offer the perfect blend of comfort and performance. Their casting ability is second to none, handling everything from the feather-light stick floats to the weighty sliders with ease.
Crisp with near instant recovery, their rapid line pick up is perfect for long trotting. No wonder the Connoisseur Pro is revered in river fishing.
Pros
- Crisp and powerful action
- Long lengths perfect for trotting
Cons
- Suited to low diameter lines
The best float rod
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
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
Author Dan Webb first became involved in angling journalism in 2015 and has worked as Tackle Tester at Angling Times since April 2021. He is a fanatical all-round match angler and former England Youth International.