Commercial fisheries have surged in popularity over time, sparking a trend in fishing rods. Nowadays, some of the best float fishing rods are shorter, two-piece rods and are edging out traditional three-piece rods in sales. They've become a favourite among anglers frequenting smaller venues, proving their worth in casting, manoeuvring, and playing fish.
Yet, there's something to be said for the time-honoured 'match rod.' A three-piece, 13ft rod, once the go-to equipment for casting a float across lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and canals. Nowadays, these rods are now increasingly only available as premium models, with dwindling demand. However, they still serve a great purpose especially for more specialist forms of float fishing.
In this piece, we're going to delve into the best float rods on the market, tailored for a variety of techniques. We'll discuss everything from the telescopic bolognese rod, a favourite for river fishing, to the ever-popular short pellet waggler style rods, a staple at commercial venues across the UK.
Best float rods at a glance
Best Float Rod: Daiwa Tournament-S Float Rod - View Offer on Total Fishing Tackle
Best Float Rod for Commercials: Drennan Acolyte Commercial Pellet Waggler - View Offer on Total Fishing Tackle
Best Pellet Waggler Rod: Daiwa Airity X-Slim Float Rod - View Offer on Total Fishing Tackle
Best Mid-Range Float Rod: Drennan Vertex Mk2 Float Rod - View Offer on Total Fishing Tackle
From budget-friendly to high-end, the market is teeming with rods from various manufacturers, each tailored to specific fishing styles and venues. While some rods may carry a label or marketed for a particular technique, this guide will introduce you to a whole spectrum of float rods and highlight what they do well and how they can be beneficial to your angling. A good float rod can significantly enhance your fishing and can be used for several different techniques. So, let's dive in and discuss the best float fishing rods.
Best Bolo Float Rod
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The Daiwa Connoisseur Pro Bolo rod, your secret weapon for tackling the toughest river conditions. Choose from 5m, 6m, and 7m models, all designed for precision and control.
If you do a lot of river fishing on particularly big, powerful rivers like the Trent and the Wye, and need to be able to control a big float in the middle of the river, this is a rod for you. Despite its length, it is incredibly light and stiff.
Some telescopic rods of this length do sacrifice some of the performance which can result in a slightly 'floppy' action, resulting in missed bites, this is not the case with the Connoisseur.
Constructed from HVF Nanoplus carbon fibre, this rod combines exceptional strength with lightweight ease. The V-Joint Alpha joint design provides seamless strength and sensitivity, delivering unmatched performance. The Fuji fixed reel plate ensures a secure connection, while the SeaGuide Zircona guides reduce friction for optimal casting incorporating numerous rings to ensure snag free line travel.
Pros
- Simple to transport and pack away
- V joint gives unbelievable action for a telescopic rod
Cons
- Specific rod may make unsuitable for any other float tactic
Best Float Rod for trotting
www.ebay.co.uk
If you enjoy a days trotting, then the Drenann Acolyte Ultra range of rods are seriously hard to beat. There is probably not a rod on the market that is lighter than they are, making them easy to hold and use all day without any fatigue in your arm. The tips of the rods are lighting fast too, which will help you hit even the most sensitive bites.
We use these rods ourselves and we can tell you, they are fantastic for all rivers and species. They will run a big Avon float downstream as well as they will a delicate stick so regardless of conditions the rod will cope superbly well.
Available from 11ft to 17ft, the range will cover anything you need from your river fishing. The rods do perform equally as well for waggler fishing on a stillwater too, but they really excel on flowing water
Pros
- Lightweight, crisp, and responsive
- Instantaneous line pick up
Cons
- Not suitable for big floats and commercial carp
Best Beginner Float Rod
www.ebay.co.uk
With four distinct models, the Guru A-Class offers something for every angler. It includes three 2-piece rods designed for commercial pellet waggler fishing and a versatile 3-piece 13ft model suitable for all styles of float fishing.
Crafted from 24T tensile carbon blanks, these rods strike the perfect balance between strength and flexibility. The stainless frame guides feature durable titanium oxide rings, minimising line friction and enhancing your casting performance.
The standout model, the 13ft Pellet Waggler, weighs just 180g and handles a line rating of 2-8lb with a casting weight of 3-15g. This rod is perfect for targeting carp and F1s in commercial fisheries as well as silvers on natural venues. If you want a good quality rod that will do a bit of everything without breaking the bank, look no further!
A comfortable rod that feels like a natural extension of your hand. The downlocking DPS style reel seat and cork handle provide a secure grip, allowing for maximum control.
Pros
- Capable and versatile rod
- Equally at home on stillwaters as rivers
Cons
- May be a little too heavy for some silverfish anglers
Best Pellet Waggler Rod
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The Daiwa Airity X-Slim Float rod, has been designed and engineered to cope with demands of the modern angler. A rod that marries the strength and precision of X45X Full Shield technology with the slim elegance of a reduced diameter blank.
The slimmer profile of this rod helps them cut through the air, allowing you to cast further with smaller floats—perfect for targeting big, wary commercial carp that may spook at larger floats. The slim design also aids in striking, making it ideal for species like roach or situations where every bite counts. The stand out model is the 11ft model, this capable rod will handle anything a commercial fishery can throw at you.
With the V-Joint Alpha technology, the rod bends smoothly, evenly, and effortlessly which will reduce hook pulls, and allow the use of lighter mainlines. Fitted with a Tournament reel seat, stainless steel Zirconia guides, and a striking two-tone EVA handle that turns heads.
Pros
- A perfect rod for modern-day commercials
- Confidence inspiring action
Cons
- Not the best rod for silvers
Best mid-range Float Rod
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
If you are looking for an all-round float rod but don't have or want to spend a fortune on a premium model, the Drennan Vertex Mk2 Float rod might be the rod you have been looking for. With a crisp, fast tip action it’s perfect for reeling in small silverfish, but with plenty in reserve for landing hefty chub, carp and barbel.
Whether you’re trotting or targeting F1s and carp with the waggler, these rods have you covered. They're comfortable with 3lb to 6lb reel lines and can send floats soaring over 10g distances. The Float rods come in 13ft and 14ft versions, but there are carp waggler and plus models in other lengths to offer you a bit more power or options.
Pros
- Improved version of popular rod
- Available in long lengths
Cons
- Longer lengths make it unsuitable for smaller waters
The best float rod
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The Daiwa Tournament S Float Rod. Enhanced with advanced technologies like HVF Nanoplus and V-Joint Alpha, this rod is designed specifically for natural venue fishing. Available in 11ft 6’ to 17ft lengths there is a model to suit all float fishing situations.
These rods emerged from the growing demand for winter silverfish competitions and the needs of anglers targeting small rivers and drains. It has quickly become a firm favourite and top-selling float rod, perfect for smaller wagglers and ideal for casts ranging from 15m to 25m.
The rod features high-quality Seaguide TYG and TDG skeletal guides, perfectly complementing its fast yet forgiving action. The result is a sleek, lightweight blank that is not only visually appealing but also a pleasure to use.
Pros
- Instantaneous line pick up
- Firm crisp casting action
Cons
- Too soft for large floats and bigger fish
Best Commercial Float Rod (2024 National Angling Awards Winner)
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
The Drennan Acolyte Commercial is a high-performance tool designed particularly to tackle large carp on commercial fisheries, the rod is powerful yet refined that makes it a joy to use even in the most demanding situations.
The rod exudes power whilst remaining sensitive, this is in part due to the slim blank profile that enhances casting accuracy. An advancement on its popular predecessor the Acolyte Pellet Waggler, the rod benefits from larger oversized guides which also aids in casting due to vastly reduced friction action on the line.
Capable of handling the biggest pellet wagglers this rod lends its self to targeting the biggest fish in commercials.
Pros
- Oversized guide and crisp action make it a joy to cast with
- Durability, built specifically for the rigours of pellet waggler fishing
Cons
- Although a sensitive rod, may be slightly over gunned for small carp and more delicate biting F1's
Best All-round float rod
www.fishingtackleandbait.co.uk
Daiwa's Connoisseur Pro Match Rods are the go-to choice for river enthusiasts. Crafted with precision from high grade carbon cloths, these Pro rods are reliable in any water setting, be it still or flowing, but really shines trotting floats on a river.
Sleek yet robust, these rods offer the perfect blend of comfort and performance. Their casting ability is second to none, handling everything from the feather-light stick floats to the weighty sliders with ease.
Crisp with near instant recovery, their rapid line pick up is perfect for long trotting. No wonder the Connoisseur Pro is revered in river fishing.
Pros
- Crisp and powerful action
- Long lengths perfect for trotting
Cons
- Suited to low diameter lines
Best budget float rod
www.total-fishing-tackle.com
Where power meets precision, the Korum Omega Rods offer a smooth fast taper with exceptional balance. The rod provides fast tip reactions and incredible line pick-up speeds making it most adept at all float fishing techniques. Capable of snaring roach and skimmers on a stillwater, with plenty in reserve to deal with chub and barbel.
These versatile rods are designed for both fixed-spool and centrepin reel enthusiasts. For those who appreciate vintage tackle, the timeless design and superior craftsmanship will surely catch your eye.
These rods are the perfect choice for anglers who don't have a massive budget or space to have multiple rods for various scenarios.
Pros
- Ultra fast tip reaction for excellent line pick up
- Perfect for pairing with a centerpin
Cons
- Specifically a running water rod, unsuitable for still water work
What to look for in the best float rod
When selecting a float fishing rod, consideration needs to be given to length, weight and action as each attribute will play a part in the effectiveness of the rod when used in your style of fishing.
Length is a vital consideration, a 13-foot rod serves as an excellent all-rounder for stillwater fishing, while a longer 14-foot or 15-foot rod grants you extended reach and enhanced line control for river fishing. In contrast, for the smaller waters of commercials, a 10-foot or 11-foot rod is the perfect choice.
The weight of the rod is also important, if you are going to be holing the rod all day it must be lightweight because a rod that is cumbersome and heavy to use will ruin a days angling very quickly.
The rod's action describes how it behaves during casting and playing a fish; a fast action rod excels in precision casting and hook setting, whereas a more powerful rod proves advantageous for subduing larger fish like carp.
Remember, although the temptation of the cheapest rod may be strong, by investing in a quality rod that endures through time will serve you far better.
Glossary
Action: Refers to the way a fishing rod flexes during casting or while reeling in a fish. A fast action rod primarily bends near the tip, which enhances accuracy in casting and facilitates hook setting. In contrast, a through action rod bends more towards the butt, making it more suitable for playing larger fish.
Power: Indicates the weight capacity that a rod can accommodate. A lighter power rod is ideal for fishing with smaller baits and hooks, whereas a more powerful rod is better suited to using larger baits and hooks.
Blank: The core component of the rod, typically constructed from carbon fiber. Higher quality carbon fiber results in a rod that is both stronger and lighter.
Guides: The rings through which the fishing line passes. They should be crafted from durable materials, such as stainless steel or titanium oxide, to ensure longevity and performance.
Reel Seat: The reel seat is the part of the rod where the reel is attached. It should provide a comfortable grip and securely hold the reel in place.
Handle: Should offer comfort and a reliable grip. It may be constructed from materials such as cork or EVA foam for optimal usability.
Frequently asked questions
What is a float rod?
A float rod is a specialised fishing rod built for float fishing. They tend to be very lightweight and feature a long slim blank with a sensitive tip designed for precision casting of floats.
What are the different types of float rods?
Float rods come in a variety of forms, each tailored for distinct fishing styles and environments. Some are designed for float fishing on rivers, others for pellet waggler fishing for carp as well as more traditional options for catches silverfish in natural venues.
What type of rod is best for float fishing?
When float fishing a waggler rod or match rod is best, these rods are usually between 11ft-15ft in length with the longer rods designed for stick float fishing on rivers. The shorter, more powerful rods are designed to cast heavier floats for catching carp.
How long should a float rod be?
A standard float rod should be around 12-13ft long. This gives you enough length to cast a float with ease and accuracy without being too cumbersome, it also serves as a great length to control a float on a river or lake for better versatility.
How do I choose the right float rod?
To find your perfect float rod, contemplate these guiding factors:
-
Length: Longer rods offer greater casting distance and superior line control, while shorter rods offer more manoeuvrability.
-
Action: A rod excels in accurate casting and swift hook-setting, whereas a powerful action rod is ideal for playing larger, spirited fish.
-
Material: Most float rods are made from carbon fibre, providing a blend of strength and lightness.
How do I maintain my float rod?
To ensure your float rod remains in great condition:
-
Clean the rod: After each fishing session, gently wipe the rod with a cloth to remove any dirt or grime.
-
Dry the rod: Ensure the rod is thoroughly dry before packing it away.
-
Store the rod properly: Transporting the rod in a protective tube or case, guarding it against harm.
-
Avoid extreme temperatures: Extreme heat or cold, may harm the delicate blank.
Author Jonathan Longden, is an experienced angler. With over 20 years experience in the tackle trade specialising in match and coarse fishing he has an extensive practical knowledge of the latest equipment and the specific needs of anglers. He currently occupies the role of digital content writer at Angling Times.