Exactly what I use

 

@fnb ...

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I was hoping a carp rod would be ok, I think I'd have problems with a conventional beachcaster nowadays...so, tackle shop here I come.

Thanks again...

 

Over-gunning matters with a big pit reel, a flattie rod and any medium size reel will be fine. Shorter rods are easier to use on piers etc, you will seldom be casting more than a couple of ounces.

 

Ok, point taken @anglerben...thanks.

 

Float fishing for what bud? If it's for mullet a soft action avon type rod is perfect. If it's for bass or pollock then as above, a flattie rod or an estuary bass rod might be better if you plan on using livebaits like joeys etc.

 

Hi mate,

Well, float fishing for anything really, just be nice to chuck a bait out off the piers over here, or in the harbours and esturaries...not after anything special, just whatever comes along really.

 

Hi mate,

as Anglerben said above, there's really not any need for a 12ft carp rod/big pit reel for float fishing. Most carp rods aren't that well balanced as most of the time they are sat on rests so might be a bit tiring to hold for any length of time, especially with a big reel. A lighter balanced set up won't cost you any distance with float fishing.. in fact, it would probably increase it.

A 9/10ft spinning rod might suit you, with a 4000 size reel.. if the rod was rated upto, say, 40 or 50g, you could use it for lure fishing, float fishing, surface fishing with bread for mullet, and some light touch ledgering (holding the rod) for flatties and bass.

Because i don't do enough of that sort of fishing to warrant buying a rod specifically for it, i tend to use a 9ft carp stalking rod i already own for general close in stuff.. it's rated at 2.75lb tc which is a bit overkill for light stuff but it does a decent job for lobbing out small livebaits for bass under a sliding float, or with a 2 or 3oz lead and peeler down the edge of rocks. Stalking rods are usually quite well balanced as they are meant to be held.

You've got a lot of options really.

 

Thanks for that, Marc...very informative. I'm hoping to get time to go and have a good poke around the local tackle shop here, he normally has a good range of stuff for local fishing, so whilst OH is having her hair done, I can walk across the road.

Thanks again mate.. .

 

I use an old Maver 12ft Carp rod & a Drennan Bait Runner reel, for me I find this set up quite balanced and not too heavy.
Some may say this set up is a bit over kill. but my local harbour arm has a quite wide lower walkway. Now I am not able to climb the ladder to the lower level so the length of rod helps bring in rigs & hopefully fish without fouling anything on the way up. Also the distance from my fishing platform to the water sometimes is quite a high, so the beefier set up allows me to winch up the garfish that can nudge 2lb and the bigger mackerel without fear of tackle failure a lighter setup may present.
As an aside my floats are either 8g, 12g or 18g (for casting from a beach in a head wind)
As with all tackle choices everyone has a preference

 

I use an old Maver 12ft Carp rod & a Drennan Bait Runner reel, for me I find this set up quite balanced and not too heavy.
Some may say this set up is a bit over kill. but my local harbour arm has a quite wide lower walkway. Now I am not able to climb the ladder to the lower level so the length of rod helps bring in rigs & hopefully fish without fouling anything on the way up. Also the distance from my fishing platform to the water sometimes is quite a high, so the beefier set up allows me to winch up the garfish that can nudge 2lb and the bigger mackerel without fear of tackle failure a lighter setup may present.
As an aside my floats are either 8g, 12g or 18g (for casting from a beach in a head wind)
As with all tackle choices everyone has a preference

@fnb...that's brilliant mate, thanks so much for posting that, full of useful stuff. I think I'll check out a second hand carp rod and reel from ebay and see how I get on with it.

I didn't get to go into the shop today, OH's hair do didn't last long enough, but ebay seems a evening alternative to peruse.

Thanks again...

 

I just use the shakespeare omni mackerel rod (£20) and a lineaeffe carp 60 baitrunner reel (£13).

 

Thanks @Rock Marks...I had an Omni 13' beach rod not long back, but it was too heavy for my shoulders to cope with. The mackerel one is...what, 9' I believe?

 

I think they just do them in 10ft. Definitely no where near as heavy as the beach rod (I have the surf rod too). I manage sessions up to 6 hours long holding the rod almost constantly. I think I've had over 400 fish on it to over 5lb in the 5 years I've had it (Float fishing and feathering).

 

Sometimes I use a carp rod with a baitrunner reel or I use my flattie rod with a size 50 reel but my favourite rod this year has been a 4.8 m bolegnese style rod rated 10-45g its good fun even small fish give a good fight had a 3lb pollack no problem

 

@BF60 ... and @Rock Marks ...and everyone else who has commented on my question: thank you all so much, gentlemen, I appreciate every word. You've given me so much valuable information and food for thought, I thank you all profusely.

 

If you go down the carp rod route I personally would look for one between 1,5lb and 2lb tc through action rod, it will be more enjoyable playing the fish compared to a 2.45lb tc -3.5lb tc fast taper carp rod.
I use one when surface fishing for carp amongst Lilly pads, hope this helps bud and TIGHT LINES