The ‘Dr Redfin’ (Dr. Mark Everard) 15 foot float rod

[Tinca Mad]

Hello Folks
Has anyone purchased and used one of these rods?
It'd be great to hear your thoughts on it.
It's retailing at an introductory price of £199 and looks a nice rod.
Regards
John

'Dr Redfin' rods - Cotswold Rods

AVAILABLE NOW! The ‘Dr Redfin’ 15 foot float rod Dr Mark Everard, aka ‘Dr Redfin’, is well known for his passion for roach, as a scientist, author and as an angler with a track record of well over 1,000 2lb+ roach (including 14 of 3lb or more) ‘Dr Redfin’ approached us to create the ultimate …...

www.cotswoldrods.co.uk

Limited edition Dr Redfin 15ft Float Rod - Cotswold Rods

The perfect trotting rod for roach, and can also be used for many other specimen fish! Premium quality, hand finished and super responsive!

www.cotswoldrods.co.uk

 

[Silverfisher]

Seen it mentioned in the mail and times etc so be interesting to hear if anyone has taken the plunge and got one.

 

[squimp]

I know both Tom Pollard from Cotswold Rods and Mark Everard as they live close to me.

i was shown a prototype blank a while back and the finished article 2 weeks ago. I was offered use of a finished rod last week - but a flooded river put a stop to that idea.

it is very well built with quality components - lovely rings, good cork and a neat cork shrouded screw reel fitting. Also a very understated build which suits my taste.

The blank suits a specialist style of fishing (unsurprisingly) it is not particularly tippy and has a progressive action. It appears (a waggle in Tom’s office) to suit fishing with biggish floats for decent sized fish i.e bigger roach and chub.

it is priced to compete with the Acolyte Plus which is the current rod of choice for river specialists.

i plan to try one next week, I don’t own an Acolyte so can’t make direct comparison. I have a couple of old 15 footers which need replacing, so I’m tempted.....

however I do have a 14ft Daiwa TP LD which I like, so it will have to be good.......

 

[Silverfisher]

Interesting to hear of such an action for a trotting rod. Let us know your thoughts if you get out with it.

 

[Sam Vimes]

I'd not seen this rod before. I'll be interested to hear more about it. For starters, what the blank is and what the bare weight of the rod is would be good to know.

 

[Silverfisher]

Potentially another float rod for your extensive armoury there then Sam

 

[Tinca Mad]

@squimp Cheers for your indepth reply.
I have read articles about Mark's style of fishing and he tends to fish heavy Bolo's in winter river floods in the boiling water in the edges using liquidised bread and flake on the hook.
This would probably explain it's less tippy but more progressive action to help control heavier floats in such situations.
I have no need for such a rod at the moment but it does look like, as you have confirmed, a very well built rod and suited to it's purpose.
I hope it is a big success for Cotswold Rods and Mark.
I may buy one on the 10' 6'' Quivertip Rods when they are released though.......

 

[Sam Vimes]

Potentially another float rod for your extensive armoury there then Sam

Probably not, but it's nice to know what's out there, especially for 15'+ rods.

 

[squimp]

Tom is understandably coy about the source of the blank.

it is not the lightest blank, but given its intended use (and price point) that isn’t surprising either. It balances fine with a reel on it.

With regard to the quivertip rod; that is still under development. The local specimen roach anglers down here use a ragtag collection of virtually antique quivertip rods . Hence the perceived need for a modern purpose made replacement. Watch this space.

p.s. I have no connection with Cotswold Rods apart from being a happy customer.

 

[trotter2]

Anything heaver than a 15ft acolyte I just lose interest.

 

[frothy]

I'd not seen this rod before. I'll be interested to hear more about it. For starters, what the blank is and what the bare weight of the rod is would be good to know.

It’s weight is given as 240g

 

[Sam Vimes]

It’s weight is given as 240g

Hidden under one of those daft tabs that often get overlooked!
I know it's not the be all and end all, but the bare weight figure doesn't look particularly inspiring for a 15' rod aimed squarely at trotting.
72g (2.5oz) heavier than a 15' Acolyte Ultra.

15' Drennan Acolyte Ultra ---------------- 168g
15' Drennan Acolyte Plus ----------------- 169g
15' Maver Signature Pro Classic ---------- 179g
15'6" Browning Sphere Splice Tip River - 184g
17' Drennan Acolyte Float ---------------- 199g

 

[Silverfisher]

240g blimey! No thanks that would be a recipe for arm ache!

If that’s right how can it weigh that much more than a 17ft acolyte let along your average 15ft float rod and expect to compete regardless of the price.

 

[MarkW]

240g blimey! No thanks that would be a recipe for arm ache!

If that’s right how can it weigh that much more than a 17ft acolyte let along your average 15ft float rod and expect to compete regardless of the price.

Must give you a day's fishing with my state of the art 1971 ABU Mk 6 which weighs in at 410 grams. As a 9-stone weakling back in 1974 I could manage it for 6 hours hard trotting on a fast river for dace....

 

[Silverfisher]

Rather you than me, sounds hard work!

 

[Chevin4]

Hidden under one of those daft tabs that often get overlooked!
I know it's not the be all and end all, but the bare weight figure doesn't look particularly inspiring for a 15' rod aimed squarely at trotting.
72g (2.5oz) heavier than a 15' Acolyte Ultra.

15' Drennan Acolyte Ultra ---------------- 168g
15' Drennan Acolyte Plus ----------------- 169g
15' Maver Signature Pro Classic ---------- 179g
15'6" Browning Sphere Splice Tip River - 184g
17' Drennan Acolyte Float ---------------- 199g

This rod is a similar weight to the Harrison 15ft GTI which I seldom use for river fishing but fine it makes a decent tench rod. I would not be surprised if it is built by Harridon on a similar blank to the Gti

 

[Tinca Mad]

It does seem a bit wielding as a Trotting Rod!
I have the Maver Signature Pro Classic 16ft Float Rod (194g) which is 46g lighter and probably better suited.
I got it for £154 when they were on offer at Angling Direct.