Barbel rod or will carp rod do?

[commieboy257]

As it says in the title. I haven't fished a river in years but when I get the chance to go on the Trent will the carp rod do it's a JRC 2.25lb 12 footer?

I potentially have the funds for a sub £100 barbel rod and just wondered if, under normal conditions, it would be a better tool than the carp rod?

 

[Dave]

It all depends how often you are planning on using it.
I can't see the point in rushing out to buy a new rod specifically for Barbel if you might not use it again.
A 2.25lb Carp rod will do the job just as well on the Trent, the only difference being Barbel rods tend to have more rings and finer tips so the line follows the curve of the blank better which helps for a smoother drag I suppose. The tip will bend regardless if you get a 'twitch'

 

[commieboy257]

I'll save someone else's money then thanks mate. It would probably only come out 4 times a year so perhaps it would be an indulgence.

 

[PureGenius]

I'd also say you are fine with your carp rods. At the end of the day you need the backbone to be casting 4/5/6oz of lead or feeder into the river. I'm currently using a pair of Daiwa Black Widow G50's @ 2.75lb for Barbel fishing the Trent.

I think the only difference you would notice is when playing a fish, the carp rods are more mid to tip section action, where the "Barbel" rods are probably more through actioned, all way to the butt.

 

[ukzero1]

I'd also say you are fine with your carp rods. At the end of the day you need the backbone to be casting 4/5/6oz of lead or feeder into the river. I'm currently using a pair of Daiwa Black Widow G50's @ 2.75lb for Barbel fishing the Trent.

I think the only difference you would notice is when playing a fish, the carp rods are more mid to tip section action, where the "Barbel" rods are probably more through actioned, all way to the butt.

So there you have it. If you feel some butt action, blame that dodgy curry.

 

[Lee Richards]

Only downside of using Carp rods is they are not as forgiving when Barbel decide to go again when under the tip/at the net.
Play the fish more gently and you will have no problems.
Use mine when flood water fishing.

 

[Northantslad]

As above, if a through action then ok and if needing to get across. However i haven't used my 2.2 tops for a couple of years now, with 1.75 tops on dedicated Barbel rods doing fine and in the sort of extreme water we have had on occasion in that time-most of my favourite haunts the Barbel are on the inside, more so in high water.

If you get into it, never known anyone to get one and not get the bug tbh, then look at dedicated rods. Which for me are Korum, then you have some change left over (if you buy one) to get what is essential on most Barbel rivers......plenty of leads, feeders and hooklength material.

 

[commieboy257]

So there you have it. If you feel some butt action, blame that dodgy curry.

I was gonna ask @Wise Owl if I fancied some butt action. Lord knows he has no standards

 

[Dave]

,...Hes had worse

 

[commieboy257]

,...Hes had worse

That I can well believe. Not sure I have though

 

[banksy]

Has anyone, ever, lost a decent barbel whilst using a carp rod and thought:
"If only I'd had a proper, dedicated barbel rod, I would have caught that fish?"

 

[Lee Richards]

No,but I have struggled at times (last time a month ago) and wished I had brought the Carp rods.

 

[Wise Owl]

That I can well believe. Not sure I have though

Yer in luck I’m tekkin newcomers in the new year ??

 

[Silverfisher]

Far from my area of expertise but for 4 trips a year surely it would be worth a cheap barbel rod seeing as there seems to be some perfectly decent ones around for well under £100? If your 4 trips all fell in the winter river conditions I’m sure you’d be fine with your carp rod but if they fell in the summer conditions surely you’d be wanting a lighter rod?

I only barbel fish once or twice a year and make do with a 1.25tc Avon as it tends to be in summer conditions but if I went more often I’d definitely get a barbel rod as would be a matter of time before I’d face conditions where I’d be seriously undergunned with the Avon.

 

[Arch]

Treat yourself, life's for living.


Even if you went down the second hand route, £100 will buy you a very good Barbel rod.

 

[rd115]

I believe in the right tool for the job.

Something that will at least lob a 5oz loaded feeder and bend through playing a fish.

If cost is a concern a cheap pike deadbait rod does all of the above

 

[Lee Richards]

We are still waiting for you to put that theory to the test ???
How is the double figure Barbel mission going?

 

[rd115]

Over for now until atleast February, getting some Pike fishing in ?

 

[Scribe]

Ian's Fishing Tackle for £93.51 you can get 2 Korum 12 Ft 1.75 Lb rods or just the 1 for £49.99.

 

[Lee Richards]

Looked at those this morning - a good deal