This article is produced in partnership with Daiwa Sports
When Daiwa set out to develop their new Theory Specimen rod range, the goal was to create a collection of rods which would cater for the modern specialist angler covering a range of tactics, venue types and species.
After extensive development and rigorous field-testing from Daiwa's expert team of consultants, the result was a range of six Theory rods. These include 14ft and 15ft Speci Float rods, the Speci EXT Quiver Tip in lengths of 12ft and 13ft and 1.75lb and 2lb test curve 12ft Speci Barbel & Tench rods.
The Theory Speci Float rods are sensitive enough to target big roach, chub and grayling in the depths of winter on tiny hooks, but are also at home trotting a large stick or bolo float for hard-fighting barbel thanks to the reserves of power in the butt.
After extensive development and rigorous field-testing from Daiwa's expert team of consultants, the result was a range of six Theory rods. These include 14ft and 15ft Speci Float rods, the Speci EXT Quiver Tip in lengths of 12ft and 13ft and 1.75lb and 2lb test curve 12ft Speci Barbel & Tench rods.
The Theory Speci Float rods are sensitive enough to target big roach, chub and grayling in the depths of winter on tiny hooks, but are also at home trotting a large stick or bolo float for hard-fighting barbel thanks to the reserves of power in the butt.
The 12ft and 13ft Theory Quiver Tip rods are perfect for everything from using light link legers on running water for perch, roach and chub through to more traditional stillwater feeder tactics for tench and bream. Both feature Daiwa's space saving telescopic EXT butt sections which means they can be packed down at a shorter length, making them easier to transport and store.
A carefully thought out selection of quiver tips are supplied with each. The 12-footer comes with a selection of fibreglass quivers as light as 0.75oz as well as couple of carbon tips which are perfect for fishing in faster flows. The 13-footer has a similar selection but starting at a 1oz fibreglass tip.
According to Daiwa's specifications, the 12ft rod is rated for mainlines up to 8lb and weights of 50g, while the 13ft version can handle loads of up to 80g and has a line rating of up to 10lb.
The two conventional avon top 12ft Theory Barbel & Tench rods complete the range. With test curves of 1.75lb and 2lb both are rated for use with mainlines up to 15lb and maximum casting weights of 90g and 110g respectively.
Features such as stainless steel Fuji Alconite guides, EVA/cork handles with Armlock and reel seats large enough to hold 'mini pit' style reels are found across all the Theory rods.
I recently took the rods for a day out on one of my favourite stretches of the River Trent at Fiskerton. I started the day targeting barbel, and faced with a low and clear river, I decided to kick proceedings off using the 2lb Barbel & Tench rod alongside maggot and hemp tactics. With the stated casting weights for these rods I would say, when it comes to barbel, they are undoubtedly more suited to smaller rivers and low water conditions than tidal or floodwater conditions. For tench, however, they look absolutely perfect for casting out the small leads and Method feeders that many anglers use when targeting them.
Unfortunately, the barbel didn't want to play ball, so I made the decision to swap over to one of the EXT Quiver Tip rods and use bread feeder tactics to have a go for the chub. This proved to be far more fruitful and it wasn't long before I was attached to River Trent chub. The rod definitely has a progressive playing action with plenty of feeling in it. I really like the selection of four quiver tips supplied with the rod as this offers plenty of tactical variation depending on where and how you're fishing. The telescopic butt section also makes it more compact and easier to carry and manoeuvre when roving along the river.
After extracting a second chub from a fairly snaggy swim, and with an hour or two left of my session, I thought it would be remiss of me not to have a little go with one of the Theory Speci Float rods. The 15-footer had caught my eye when I first looked over the range so it was this model that I armed myself with. I did have some concerns that the rod might be a bit heavy in the hand, but I was pleasantly surprised how nice it felt when holding it as I ran a big stick float through a smooth glide. The tech spec states that rod is capable of casting floats from 1g - 20g, and although I don't think I even own a 20g float, the rod certainly had enough prowess in it to leave me in no doubt that it would happily handle really big floats.
Despite my best efforts, the barbel were having none of it. I really enjoyed sampling the different rods in the Theory range, though, and in terms of tactical versatility I think it covers pretty much all the main scenarios specimen hunters are likely to encounter over the course of the year.
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Available in 14ft and 15ft lengths these powerful, three-piece float rods are designed to handle floats from 1g - 20g and are rated for use with mainlines between 3lb and 8lb. Suitable for taming a wide range of species, from big roach through to hard-fighting barbel.
Fittings and furnishings include HMC High Modulus Carbon blanks, stainless steel Fuji Alconite guides and an EVA/cork handle with Armlock for improved stability while playing fish.
Pros
- Added power through the blank's mid-section makes them ideal for bigger, hard-fighting fish
- Suitable for use with the heaviest floats up to 20 gram
Cons
- The added power comes with slightly more weight than found on a normal float rods
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The telescopic butt section of the two EXT Quiver Tip models allows for a more compact pack down size which makes the rods easier to store and transport.
Both the 13ft and 12ft models come with a selection of four quiver tips, including two fibreglass ones and two carbon ones.
With a maximum casting weight of 50g and a mainline recommendation of 3lb - 8lb, the 12ft version is more suited to use with light link legers and smaller feeders. The 13ft model can handle slightly larger feeders with it's 80g maximum casting weight and 4lb - 10lb mainline recommendation.
Pros
- Easy to transport, they also provide plenty of tactical flexibility
- Both models have faultless, softly progressive fish-playing actions
Cons
- While capable of fishing at decent ranges on stillwaters, they are more suited to close-quarter work on rivers
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Available in 1.75lb and 2lb test curve versions, these rods, as their name suggests, have been designed with barbel and tench in mind.
Suitable for smaller rivers for barbel they have maximum casting weights of 90g and 110g and can both be used with mainlines up to 15lb if required.
Their progressive action will easily cope with the powerful fights both species deliver and quality fittings such as stainless steel Fuji Alconite guides, EVA/cork handle with Armlock and screw-down reel seats which will comfortably hold larger specimen-style reels complete these impressive rods.
Pros
- Well suited to smaller rivers for barbel or weedy waters for tench
- Nicely built using quality carbons and excellent furnishings
Cons
- Limited casting weight potential on both models