Know Your Marks - A TFT Guide to Marker Rods
- By Andy Grenfell
- |
- 19 October 2022
Possessing a good marker rod and using it correctly and knowing what you are fishing over not only makes a huge difference to your session but can potentially make your season!
Yes, we've all been there and 'pub chucked' into the pond, or cast out at showing fish, and felt the lead down, and got the drop but markering a spot can make such a difference. I have lost count of the number of hours I have invested into taking the time to investigate a spot with a marker rod, to build a picture of the area, and then have that information to help inform me of the best way to fish it effectively.
The ability to know what you are fishing over, such as how clean the spot is, is it clean gravel? Does it have low-lying weed on it? Is it hard clay or silt? How big is the area? Is there any depth variation? This is all vital information and can help you make an informed decision as to your rig choice, line lay, and also whether it is an area worth investing some time into and revisiting, either later in the year or potentially why you may have caught from there, or is there more you can do to get more bites from there.
A standard marker set-up will comprise of a stiff rod, with a powerful enough blank to first of all get you out into the pond, casting heavy leads, and marker floats, whilst being powerful enough to pull in the weed when you do inevitably land in it, but also be able to feel the vibration through the blank.
A large big pit spod reel loaded with braid to a strong braided leader is essential, as you will be casting and winding in regularly, you require the braid pass on that feel, due to the lack of stretch, and at the terminal end, a heavy lead, and then a very buoyant marker float on a boom.
In this blog, I will look at the 5 best marker rods in a few different price points, to help you not only get out there but also possess the feel to find those all-important spots.
First on our list is from someone who you might not instantly think of for producing carbon, in Gardner Tackle. However do not let that perturb you, as their Covert Application rod is a superb tool.
This rod is like a couple of rods on this list and falls into a dual spod and marker. With a powerful 4.75lb test curve, and through action blank, this rod can accurately hit the spot at a distance, time after time.
Capable of casting large spombs with ease, this rod is equally suited to plumbing your swim, offering an incredible feel through the blank, as the action acts like an extension of your arm carrying that vibration and feel down through the blank.
With its 3k mat carbon finish, mat black seat, American Tackle Vortex air guides from a 50mm butt ring through to a ceramic anti-frap tip, this rod is understated in both looks, as well as price, making it a brilliant rod in your armoury!
Next on our list is the Daiwa X45 TT Spod, however, whilst this rod is designed for hurling large spombs of bait towards the horizon with deadly precision it makes an incredible marker rod for feature finding.
With super fast action, reduced diameter blank, and X45 compression zones mean the X45 TT spod is capable of delivering astonishing power, to propel spods and marker lead/floats to great distances, making feature finding those long-range spots an ease. This in turn delivers the crisp resonation of the drop on the lead, the pluck of weed, or machine gun tap tap tap of gravel through the blank with breathtaking clarity, leaving no doubt as to what you are dragging back over.
Constructed in the UK, and finished with 50mm butt guides, 4 minima guide to reduce weight across a reduced diameter blank to reduce weight, an anti-frap tip, and a low glare finish, rounded off with red whipping, collar and butt cap this rod is a canon in encased in refinery.
Following the success of the X5, Fox has moved to update and improve what was arguably their best Spod and feature finding rod to date, with the X5-S. The X5-S has been constructed with cutting-edge technology with thinner multidirectional layers of carbon cloth using nanotechnology that are electro-bonded together to give the X5-S superior recovery, whilst aiding accuracy and distance.
This means it can not only get you out there, but you can interrogate those spots you find with pinpoint accuracy, and the fast recovery will transmit that feel straight to your fingertips.
Available in a 12ft or 13ft models, all with understated cosmetics, gunsmoke K-series anti-tangle guides from 50-16mm, with re-inforced carbon joints complete the build, providing a rod suited to the power and rigours of both feature finding and spod work.
Next on our list is the Shimano TX Extreme Spod Marker rod which combines lightness with remarkable casting power for such a light blank ensuring you can reach your chosen fishing area whether that be with a spod or float, whilst being able to retain the sensitivity in the blank to give excellent feedback of underwater features.
The High Pressure Carbon (HPC) blank really puts the power firmly in your hands and combines extreme power in the butt, with a responsive tip section for faster recovery on the cast.
The rod has a 3K carbon wrap up to the 5th guide for additional strength, fitted with depth marker wraps for accuracy when raising the float, and finished with super lightweight PacBay CSV Minima guides, to keep the weight down. The result is an excellent combination for both your spodding and marker needs to deliver that feel directly into your hands for accurate underwater feature detection.
We couldn't have a rods list without a Century rod on it, could we? And you would be right, and what a rod it is. Graphene reinforced matrix system, Autoclave Technology, Generation 2 Anti-Twist Technology, Titanium Gunsmoke guides, and an Ultralight blank makes this rod sounds like it should be used for space exploration rather than feature finding on your local lake.
Century has pulled out all of the stops to deliver a rod to compliment their breathtaking range of Stealth Graphine rods with the S50 Marker, which is what you would expect from someone with a manufacturing pedigree steeped in World record casting, aerospace, and motorsport (inc F1) carbon composite technology, right here in the UK.
Offering the same incredible build and technology, the S50 Marker is made from a bespoke combination of the resin matrix and Graphene. The resin matrix carries the loadings generated on the rod by casting and playing and when fortified by Graphene creates resilience and toughness.
This means the rod will take the abuse and rigours a Marker rod is subjected too far far longer than some of its counterparts.
Coupled with Century's Anti Twist Gen2 Technology to improve accuracy and reduce line wrap and friction, you have a rod capable of achieving huge distances with considerably less effort.
In short, the Century Stealth Graphine S50 marker rod is the perfect no-compromise addition to either your existing Century rods or for those who want the best and latest in a feature finding rod.
Yes, we've all been there and 'pub chucked' into the pond, or cast out at showing fish, and felt the lead down, and got the drop but markering a spot can make such a difference. I have lost count of the number of hours I have invested into taking the time to investigate a spot with a marker rod, to build a picture of the area, and then have that information to help inform me of the best way to fish it effectively.
The ability to know what you are fishing over, such as how clean the spot is, is it clean gravel? Does it have low-lying weed on it? Is it hard clay or silt? How big is the area? Is there any depth variation? This is all vital information and can help you make an informed decision as to your rig choice, line lay, and also whether it is an area worth investing some time into and revisiting, either later in the year or potentially why you may have caught from there, or is there more you can do to get more bites from there.
A standard marker set-up will comprise of a stiff rod, with a powerful enough blank to first of all get you out into the pond, casting heavy leads, and marker floats, whilst being powerful enough to pull in the weed when you do inevitably land in it, but also be able to feel the vibration through the blank.
A large big pit spod reel loaded with braid to a strong braided leader is essential, as you will be casting and winding in regularly, you require the braid pass on that feel, due to the lack of stretch, and at the terminal end, a heavy lead, and then a very buoyant marker float on a boom.
In this blog, I will look at the 5 best marker rods in a few different price points, to help you not only get out there but also possess the feel to find those all-important spots.
Gardner - Covert Application Rod - 12ft 4.75lb
First on our list is from someone who you might not instantly think of for producing carbon, in Gardner Tackle. However do not let that perturb you, as their Covert Application rod is a superb tool.This rod is like a couple of rods on this list and falls into a dual spod and marker. With a powerful 4.75lb test curve, and through action blank, this rod can accurately hit the spot at a distance, time after time.
Capable of casting large spombs with ease, this rod is equally suited to plumbing your swim, offering an incredible feel through the blank, as the action acts like an extension of your arm carrying that vibration and feel down through the blank.
With its 3k mat carbon finish, mat black seat, American Tackle Vortex air guides from a 50mm butt ring through to a ceramic anti-frap tip, this rod is understated in both looks, as well as price, making it a brilliant rod in your armoury!
Daiwa - Basia X45 TT Spod - 4.5lb
Next on our list is the Daiwa X45 TT Spod, however, whilst this rod is designed for hurling large spombs of bait towards the horizon with deadly precision it makes an incredible marker rod for feature finding.
With super fast action, reduced diameter blank, and X45 compression zones mean the X45 TT spod is capable of delivering astonishing power, to propel spods and marker lead/floats to great distances, making feature finding those long-range spots an ease. This in turn delivers the crisp resonation of the drop on the lead, the pluck of weed, or machine gun tap tap tap of gravel through the blank with breathtaking clarity, leaving no doubt as to what you are dragging back over.
Constructed in the UK, and finished with 50mm butt guides, 4 minima guide to reduce weight across a reduced diameter blank to reduce weight, an anti-frap tip, and a low glare finish, rounded off with red whipping, collar and butt cap this rod is a canon in encased in refinery.
Fox - Horizon X5 - S - 12ft Spod / Marker - Full shrink
Following the success of the X5, Fox has moved to update and improve what was arguably their best Spod and feature finding rod to date, with the X5-S. The X5-S has been constructed with cutting-edge technology with thinner multidirectional layers of carbon cloth using nanotechnology that are electro-bonded together to give the X5-S superior recovery, whilst aiding accuracy and distance.
This means it can not only get you out there, but you can interrogate those spots you find with pinpoint accuracy, and the fast recovery will transmit that feel straight to your fingertips.
Available in a 12ft or 13ft models, all with understated cosmetics, gunsmoke K-series anti-tangle guides from 50-16mm, with re-inforced carbon joints complete the build, providing a rod suited to the power and rigours of both feature finding and spod work.
Shimano - TX-Extreme Spod & Marker - 12ft
Next on our list is the Shimano TX Extreme Spod Marker rod which combines lightness with remarkable casting power for such a light blank ensuring you can reach your chosen fishing area whether that be with a spod or float, whilst being able to retain the sensitivity in the blank to give excellent feedback of underwater features.
The High Pressure Carbon (HPC) blank really puts the power firmly in your hands and combines extreme power in the butt, with a responsive tip section for faster recovery on the cast.
The rod has a 3K carbon wrap up to the 5th guide for additional strength, fitted with depth marker wraps for accuracy when raising the float, and finished with super lightweight PacBay CSV Minima guides, to keep the weight down. The result is an excellent combination for both your spodding and marker needs to deliver that feel directly into your hands for accurate underwater feature detection.
Century - Stealth Graphene Titanium S50 Rod - 12ft Marker
We couldn't have a rods list without a Century rod on it, could we? And you would be right, and what a rod it is. Graphene reinforced matrix system, Autoclave Technology, Generation 2 Anti-Twist Technology, Titanium Gunsmoke guides, and an Ultralight blank makes this rod sounds like it should be used for space exploration rather than feature finding on your local lake.
Century has pulled out all of the stops to deliver a rod to compliment their breathtaking range of Stealth Graphine rods with the S50 Marker, which is what you would expect from someone with a manufacturing pedigree steeped in World record casting, aerospace, and motorsport (inc F1) carbon composite technology, right here in the UK.
Offering the same incredible build and technology, the S50 Marker is made from a bespoke combination of the resin matrix and Graphene. The resin matrix carries the loadings generated on the rod by casting and playing and when fortified by Graphene creates resilience and toughness.
This means the rod will take the abuse and rigours a Marker rod is subjected too far far longer than some of its counterparts.
Coupled with Century's Anti Twist Gen2 Technology to improve accuracy and reduce line wrap and friction, you have a rod capable of achieving huge distances with considerably less effort.
In short, the Century Stealth Graphine S50 marker rod is the perfect no-compromise addition to either your existing Century rods or for those who want the best and latest in a feature finding rod.
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Andy Grenfell
Senior Sales Advisor