WHACKING out a feeder into the middle of next week isn’t everyone’s idea of fun. But on spacious open-water venues, whether you’re after a net of silverfish or chasing carp, the simple fact is that you’ll need a rod that can do just that.
WATCH MARK'S REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/5T8chT2cySk
No matter how big and brawny an angler you may be, without the right tool you won’t get the necessary distance.
In my book, distance and accuracy rule the roost when it comes to long-range feeder fishing. Sitting between two anglers who are out-distancing you is an unnerving feeling in a match and, if they’re catching more than you from the start, you’ve almost certainly begun by fishing too short. From that point on you’ll only be playing catch-up and, sadly in most cases, it’s ‘game over and thanks for coming!’
It’s much the same for carpers on big pits. The fish nearly always gravitate towards the centre of the lake, and only those with the right kit and casting skills to reach them will reap the rewards.
One thing to note when feeder fishing at range, especially when you’re targeting silvers, is that even when you’re spooled up with braid or a decent pre-stretched mono reel line, spotting bites can be a pain.
You see, to achieve the required distance, you’ll have to use a reasonably stiff quivertip, one that won’t flap around as you make the cast.
If you don’t believe me, just take a look at any distance-casting carp feeder rod and ask yourself if it would register a bite from a roach or skimmer.
But help may be at hand, as Middy has just released its stunning new Quartix Zero Limits Distance Feeder rods. These beauties have casting power to burn, yet come with simple, super-effective hollow spliced quivertips down to a 0.5oz rating. With these you’ll spot the meekest of indications, even at extreme range.
The rods – there are three in the range at 11ft, the 12-footer on test and 13ft – all come with tips that are matched to suit the test curve.
These tips measure a tad over 23ins long and feature a unique cross-weave strengthening that Middy calls Spiratech. They differ from all others with the inclusion of an 8.5ins spliced-in solid carbon or glass end section, resulting in a quivertip that casts smoothly and accurately at distance without shattering or splitting.
According to Middy, you’ll enjoy “insanely sensitive bite registration”, especially when using the ½oz ‘Super Sense’ glass spliced into carbon tip.
I had to test this out for myself, in this case in the sumptuous setting of Buscot Park on the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire border. This manicured estate lake sums up how all fishing should be – solitude, peace and quiet, and ancient trees dressed in their autumnal best.
This rural idyll was soon rudely interrupted, however, as the 12ft Middy Quartix Zero Limits rod propelled a 40g Distance Feeder full of casters, chopped worm and groundbait bullet-like across the skyline, landing it three-quarters of the way across the lake. The commotion scattered a flock of geese in all directions and they honked noisily at having their leisurely morning cruise so abruptly terminated.
After a dozen or so quick casts to get some snap down for the bream and skimmers, it was eyes down to look for the first sign of a bite.
It didn’t take long – bingo, the rod ripped round, and the obligatory carp was, as ever, first on the scene. To be fair, it was indeed a winsome specimen, and gave a great account of itself. This was a good test of the rod’s progressive action, but a carp wasn’t exactly what I was looking for.
Things settled down quickly after that opening salvo. The weather took a definite turn for the worse but, with a steady stream of hand-sized skimmers shimmering the tip, a picture of just what this rod could and should be used for was emerging. Then, with the cameras rolling, came two almost indiscernible knocks on the tip, followed by the tiniest drop-back.
Was that a bite? Would it develop into more? Or was a fish already on? Gingerly I picked up and wound down, and was stunned as the rod jolted into life immediately. Moments later I slid the net under a decent enough hybrid, hooked by virtue of the tip’s unparalleled sensitivity at range.
I can’t claim that I wouldn’t have seen that bite had I been using another tip rod, because I was fishing at around 80 yards and just maybe would have spotted something – but at that moment I was sold on the concept of the Middy Quartix Zero Limits 12ft Distance Feeder and its outstanding performance.
There was no flat spot at the splice area of the tips, and the ½oz version I had on stood up to the rigours of the cast. Most rods with light quivertips fitted either break or suffer drastically reduced distance casting, but not with the Super Sense.
It’s quite an expensive rod, but it would be just as much at home on a river as on a natural lake or commercial. The big plus point has to be its long-range capabilities matched to a peerless bite spotting performance – and its softish top section action is just made for silverfish.
Price: £350 (but shop around)
TECH SPEC
Quivers: 0.5oz, 1.5oz, 2oz and 3oz
Hooklengths: Up to 8lb
Reel lines: Up to 12lb
Sections: Three-piece true cast design
Guides: C-Pulse Cast Assist
Handle: Full cork with True Crank design
Max casting weight: 90g
Special feature: Spiratech carbon technology at critical stress points