BUYERS GUIDE to the best feeder rods for autumn action on lakes and rivers

Our top kit for autumn lakes and rivers

“In an all-round feeder rod, most of us are looking for versatility”

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Our team of tackle experts use their years of angling experience to test new gear to its limits. Mark Sawyer, Tackle Editor

LOVE your feeder or straight lead fishing but not sure about that next rod purchase? Then read on.

Pick two feeder rods at random and in terms of what they can do they can be like peas in a pod or as different as chalk from cheese. But the fact is, most of us are looking for versatility, something that’s as much at home casting a rolling lead with a lump of bread for river chub as it is carp bagging with a flatbed Method feeder on a commercial.

You might fancy having a bash at bream on a large open water. That would mean chucking an open-end feeder a decent distance, so the rod would need a degree of casting clout. That bit of added steel built into its butt and middle areas would also cope on a bigger river, using heavier feeder tactics for hardfighting barbel.

So, what should you be looking for in an all-round feeder rod? Well, a two-piece build is essential, making it quick and easy to pack away or carry around ready made-up. A high-modulus carbon fibre construction gets the thumbsup as it’s stiffer, lighter and more responsive than other materials.

Good-quality branded line guides such as those from SiC, Fuji or Seaguide are always advisable, as they are superreliable. The same can be said of a Fuji reel seat, although most modern screw-down style seats these days are pretty good too.

You should expect to find three (not two) graded carbon pushin quivertips for full tactical flexibility. I would add that a spare 1.5oz or 2oz glass-fibre tip (as opposed to carbon) will give the rod a softer, more mellow action to suit bream and silvers.

Look for a casting action that loads the weight of the feeder or lead around three-quarters of the way along the rod’s top section (with the quivertip removed). That way it will get your end tackle out without the rod feeling too much like a broom handle.

My own preference would be for an 11ft rod as an all-rounder, with 12ft as my next choice. Both lengths offer a bit more casting performance and line pick-up speed than the shorter style feeder rods.

The action for an all-round feeder/straight lead rod should be progressive, meaning that when it’s under stress the blank will bend from the tip towards the middle joint area. The harder you pull, or the bigger the fish, the more pronounced its fighting curve becomes.

Rods with a more through action won’t cast all that far, but they are ideal if you only need to fish at close range.

There are plenty of bargain rods to be had for well under £75, but the more you pay, the better the build, design, fittings and performance will be. This week, then, we are showcasing eight super examples of the best all-round feeder rods currently available…