The Review: Episode Five - Float Rod Special

In this float rod special, Dave Roberts and Tom Scholey head to the banks of the River Severn at Bewdley to put three float rods through their paces.
The Preston Innovations Supera 13ft, Garbolino Essential Match 13ft and Drennan Acolyte 17ft all come under scrutiny, as the boys put together a mix of species for the camera.

[@easyfishing1936]

Hi Tom, just wanted to tell you how much i enjoy your reviews, serious but fun as well, with some great banter. Unfortunately cancer has put a stop to my fishing for the moment but i do hope to get out again, but getting my fix from youtube to keep me going. One point, i would love to see you do a review on cheaper rods that pleasure anglers would buy, ie Drennan's Red Range, the cheaper Preston models etc, more ' affordable' models that sell very well. Kindest regards Bill

[@robertwren8878]

All the best to you bill.👍

[@aaroneccles1122]

This comment should have more likes. Your videos are amazing Bill, informing and helping the pleasure angler in all of us. Take it easy Bill, my prayers are with you old friend ❤️

[@69cookieboy1]

Would love to see a review of the browning spliced river rod. One thing re: bait from the local tackle shop....... these guys need our support as there closing at an alarming rate. If I’ve had any issues with my local tackle/bait shop and it refunded or replaced no questions. Worth every penny

[@minkyandbear]

Excellent stuff chaps, very informative and first class joshing. Roll on episode 6. Oh and behave yourself Tom as you must now realise the Daiwa is truly a Prince amongst reels!

[@richardbarrett7544]

No disrespect meant, but you could see the angler that has mastered the stick float. Smooth and very efficient, Tom is jerky and rushed, working too hard at the line mending. Nice video, I brought the Supera on seeing this video, thanks both of you.

[@garryfish7426]

Hi Guys bit late to the party but ive got one of the 17ft drenans, used it once and couldnt get o with it had a 15ft drenan that i loved great balance etc etc just realised that the point of balance for my pin on the 17ft is a foot in front of the reel gonna add a little weight to the butt and see if i can get it to balance tight lines to all 😀😀

[@alansandom5057]

Love the banter!

[@garryhudson8384]

I have always thought of Tom and Dave being special and there is nothing in this review to change My opinion.

[@christopherjackson5275]

brilliant lads .

[@shauncorless8965]

Yeh support your local tackle shop never buy of eBay ,my friend bought a rod and top ,6 in was missing 😳

[@davep6286]

Great banter and a few fish, what’s not to like with you pair😂 just wondering if the next weight up Preston 13ft rod would be as good as the garbo for the waggled, for the one brand folk? 👍

[@markcarolan3169]

Hi Tom and Dave. Can you tell me what pound or diameter line you where using on the 17ft Acolyte, what gram bolo it was and how far out you where fishing. Great reviews lads by the way.

[@grahamnash9794]

Remind me not to get in a debate with Dave. Not many people I know could run rings around Steven Hawking. Talk about quick witted. I've had a few rods over the years from Garo', and never had one fail me, and I'm not talking hidghend either. Loved the laughs in what would otherwise be a rather bland show, if kept on subject. keep 'em coming.

[@beachcaster56]

Nice review............what is that little reel ?

[@davep6286]

Bazz Leaveblank: Think the reel on the bolo was a Daiwa 1657DM, Went to a Tom Pickering evening at Ludlow race course in the late 80’s and he was singing its praises over the Mitchell match, were the arm turns the wrong/ long way round, to pick up line of your finger, after the strike. Another big plus over the MM is you can use it like a standard reel, you don’t have to dab bail arm if you didn’t want to. Just two pegs upstream from were this was filmed my son had his first Barbel on the float. Thank for the memory’s 👍

[@anglingescapadesdaverobert2513]

The little reel was a Preston Innovations PC-R in 3000 size. Lovely little reels.

[@hfkokooo6077]

What is the rod in the video thanks

[@garethwinstanley8843]

what is the song in this episode

[@robertwren8878]

Where tackle shops let their custom down is this,you send your lad in while you wait in the car to get a pint of maggots and they give him the shit so you don't go there again. They have themselves to blame and high prices that kids just can't afford,they need to understand the kids are the future of angling and the internet is cheaper.

[@anglingescapadesdaverobert2513]

That’s based on your experience which is a shame and shouldn’t happen. Gladly that’s not the norm. As for prices, by the time you’ve paid p&p I don’t think there’s a massive online saving but a tackle shop certainly has the larger overheads. As our debate concluded It’s all about what works for you. 👍

[@robertwren8878]

Thanks David I hear what you say but it needs to be recognised that many venues now supply tackle and bait so if you visit the venue you bypass the local tackle shop,so that works for the majority then? My point was about the young people but by you and Tom reviewing high end gear does nothing to help that trade or the parents that can afford to buy it for their kids.maver and middy have moved on this issue. You need to follow cos the kids and needy are non existent. Regards Robert.

[@anglingescapadesdaverobert2513]

Robert wren Totally agree but a tackle shop is a tackle shop whether it’s onsite or on the high street. There’s still a choice between that and online. As for the gear we review, we do as we’re told. We don’t request the gear, the manufacturers send what they want highlighting. I’m all in favour of what you’re saying and it would be nice some time to have some mid range or starter gear to review. Let’s hope that happens. Like you say, for the future.👍