What Does This Mean?
When rating the build quality of a rod, consideration has been given to the basic components.
These include the materials used in the blank, handle, reel seat and line guides.
We also take into account any additional features that make life on the bank easier for anglers.
What Does This Mean?
How a rod casts is one of the key fundamentals that determine a great rod from a mediocre one.
Easy, frictionless casting that provides accuracy is all rated in this category.
What Does This Mean?
The ability to play fish effectively is an important feature of any fishing rod.
Fishing is a sport, and as part of this sport, feeling the pulls, lunges and the fight of a fish is an exhilarating feeling that adds to the overall experience and enjoyment of angling.
As such, this is all taken into account when rating fishing rods.
What Does This Mean?
How much any fishing rod costs is always going to be a key factor in an angler’s final choice.
A rod can have all the bells and whistles under the sun but if you have to re-mortgage your house to purchase it then all of a sudden it isn’t the best choice for some.
When rating how much value for money a rod brings, consideration has been given to how the rod performs in all the other categories vs its price point.
| Name | Overall Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Daiwa Airity X Match Rod | 9 | £389.99 |
| Daiwa Matchman Pellet Waggler Rod | 7.6 | £40.00 |
| Drennan Acolyte Float Rod | 8.6 | £219.00 |
| MAP Parabolix Waggler Rod | 8.4 | £124.99 |
| Korum Glide Power Float Rod | 7.9 | £64.99 |
| Daiwa Connoiseur Float Rod | 8.5 | £194.99 |
| Preston Supera X Float Rod | 8.3 | £274.99 |
The Drennan Acolyte Plus float rod was introduced as an upgrade from the acclaimed Acolyte Ultra series and has addressed the need for a stronger, more powerful rod suitable for larger fish.
The original Acolyte Ultra models were renowned for their lightweight and thin design and excelled in catching smaller species like bream, skimmers, roach, and smaller carp. Despite their success, anglers required a bit more robustness when targeting larger species such as carp, barbel, or chub.
This necessity led to the development of the Acolyte Plus, which retains the delicate balance and lightweight feel of its predecessor while offering enhanced strength for quicker fish retrieval and more efficient handling of bigger fish.
While the rod remains impressively light—just slightly heavier than the Ultra—it delivers a stronger performance, particularly useful when fishing for sizable carp or tackling powerful river species such as barbel. It casts really well thanks to its ‘tippy’ nature and SiC guides that help reduce friction.
An example of the Acolyte’s power was seen during a match last year when an angler using the Acolyte Plus, successfully landed 250 pounds of carp in 3 hours, including two impressive specimens weighing 15 pounds each. This point highlights the rod’s capacity to handle significant weights without compromising on performance or control.
Furthermore, the versatility of the Acolyte Plus makes it an excellent choice for various fishing techniques, including pellet waggler setups. The 13ft model, in particular, proves to be highly effective when fishing for carp and F1s, combining the advantages of length and strength.
The Acolyte is a good-looking rod as well with pleasing aesthetics that are nicely finished off with a flared cork handle and a metal butt cap.
Whether used for targeting large carp in still waters or pursuing hard-fighting river fish, the Acolyte Plus demonstrates remarkable adaptability and reliability. In my opinion, the enhanced model caters to anglers seeking both finesse and power and is superb across a diverse range of conditions and targeting a wide range of species.
The Elephant in the room is the rod’s premium price point, but having said that, the rod’s durability, versatility, and superior build justify the investment if it’s within budget and is one of the reasons it features in a guide to the best float fishing rods.
Drennan’s official specifications: – https://www.drennantackle.com/products/rods/acolyte/acolyte-float-rods/
If you would like to see more fishing tackle reviews as well as compare prices with various tackle shops then you can do so here.
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