marker rod. What to look for?

[Dj13]

What makes a marker rod an official marker rod? whats the difference?? Ive used a cheap rod for a while and kind of getting into the market for a new en. But should I just get a normal 3lb test rod or ? I was using a 2.75 it was great I could feel every knook and cranny but obviously I was unable to get the distance required with some lakes. I didn't want to go to 3.5lb test idealy. I have tried my hi's rod and was unable to feel much at all.

Also will using a Higher breaking strain braid take out much of the sensitivity ?

Regards .dan

[Terminator]

get the free spirit 'searcher' dan, a mate has one and cannot rate it enough
failing that I have the greys 12ft marker and i think its superb, great casting properties and I can feel everything!! Also it's very tippy and gives great visual indictaion

[Dj13]

All this free spirit gears getting a dear do. ?? Dont tfgear do a free spirit alternative For cheap?

[carp junkie]

Originally Posted by Dj13

All this free spirit gears getting a dear do. ?? Dont tfgear do a free spirit alternative For cheap?

depends what you class as expensive but the free spirit is less than £90 mate they do 2 test curves 1 is around 3lb the other about 4.5lb
as for differences between markers and normal fishing rods a marker is designed to be much softer at the tip which makes it more responsive
they also have 1ft and 2 ft marks on the rod for acurate depth finding
the searcher apparently makes a superb fishing rod as well

[Terminator]

Originally Posted by Dj13

All this free spirit gears getting a dear do. ?? Dont tfgear do a free spirit alternative For cheap?

mate thats dead.

if you can spend £600 on 2 rods Dan then £90 on a marker is peanuts... I paid near to that for my greys!!

Get a boat dan

[Dj13]

Originally Posted by Terminator

mate thats dead.


Get a boat dan

I have a boat and scuba googlies.lol. I need an extended piece of bamboo stick.The 12ft piece I was using needs an extension. I dont think they sell them to 20ft .
I think I will go for the searcher in time . Gosh I need a J O B.

Hang on nah...Do I *%$*

[LeAtHeR CaRp]

Originally Posted by Terminator

Also it's very tippy and gives great visual indictaion

wouldn't have said you want a 'tippy' rod for markering, a really stiff tip that doesn't bend easily won't absorb the feeling that should be transmitted through the rod. i can't see the point in going to the trouble of loading your marker reel up with braid for it's non stretch what-dew-mu-call-it and then loosing half the feeling through a soft rod. hence some people reckon that pulling the braid through your fingers is more effective as you aren't loosing anything through the blank. but horses for courses i know a lad who gets on with using a soft marker rod but he's mainly finding areas of thick weed when i suppose it will naturally be a more positive indication anyway so it doesn't bother him.

by the way look at the esp marker rod i really rate it. nice and stiff

[booth91]

ditto what will said there. i know a couple of lads that use spod rods as there marker rods as they dont want to loose any feel through the blank.

[baitman]

agreeing with leather carp ere.
the marker rod must allow you to feel what is on the bottom, so must be a stiffish, high modulous carbon, so the little pings are transmitted down the rod and not absorbed by a soft tip.
using an old rod for a marker is ok if you only want to put a float out and use it as a baiting target. if you actually want to get a feel for what your fishing over then the rod must be a bit more specialised.
an old, lightweight but stiffish rod is all you need. it will be no good to have a 3.5lbtc rod thats through actioned. a bit of tape will do for the 12" mark.

if you fish big waters then you must consider that your marker must be able to outcast your fishing rods, so you can cast beyond your target area, and then feel the area you are fishing to.