Fans of the Drennan Ultralight rods said they were sure they couldn’t be bettered. But we believe the new super slim Acolyte Ultra rods are another step forward in rod design. Both blanks are exceptionally slim, high modulus carbon with a new design cross weave carbon overwrap. The 13ft Acolyte Ultra weighs just 4.75oz(135g), is beautifully balanced and when paired with a compact float reel, it tends to sit up in the hand at an angle above the horizontal. The blank feels very rigid and has a light, crisp action with little or no bounce, so it provides excellent line and float control. At the same time, the tip action is soft enough to act as a gentle shock absorber cushioning the strike and preventing hook pulls. Designed principally for the reel lines from 2.5lb to 4lb plus (approx. 0.12/0.14mm up to 0.16/0.18mm) Ultra light hook lengths to below 1lb 0.08mm can be fished with confidence. Peter Drennan said ‘I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about this 13ft. It’s a thing of beauty!’ With a total weight of 5.25oz, just 149g, most of which is in the butt and handle, the 14ft Acolyte Ultra feels better balanced than most 13ft models. It also has a fast, crisp action with little or no bounce and this rigidity combined with the extra length at 14ft provides exceptional line and float control. At the same time, the tip is soft enough to act as a gentle shock absorber, cushioning the strike and preventing hook pulls. This allows the lightest hook lengths down to below 1lb 0.08mm to be fished with confidence. Reels lines are 2.5lb to 4lb plus, approximately 0.12/0.14mm up to 0.16/0.18mm. On both models, you can push the monofilament breaking strain up beyond 4lb and land a bigger fish with confidence because there are considerable reserves of power.