Why the Long Rod? The Recent Rise of ‘Bolo’ Fishing...

We’ve seen a massive uptick in interest in Bolognese fishing (or ‘Bolo’ if you’re in a hurry) at Fenland Tackle Exchange. It’s a continental import, sure, but it’s finding a very natural home right here.

The best part? You don’t need a £2,000 pole and a van full of top kits to boss a big river. You just need the right bit of stick and a bit of "old school" craft.

What’s the Craic with Bolognese?

When you’re fishing a deep, wide river with a bit of pace on it, a standard 13ft float rod struggles. The current grabs your line, drags your float out of the "feeding line," and generally makes a mess of your presentation.

With a 6- to 7-metre Bolo rod, you can keep almost all your line off the water. This allows you to trot a float down the river with incredible precision, holding it back or letting it run through at exactly the speed you want. It gives you the reach of a pole but the fish-playing safety net of a running line and a slipping clutch.

Target Species...

• Roach & Dace: The bread and butter. The Bolo allows you to keep a light float pinned in the flow where these fish dwell.

• Chub: If you’re tucked under some overhanging willows on a breezy day, the extra length of the rod lets you "flick" a bait into spots you’d never reach with a standard waggler setup.

• Bream: In deeper water, being able to settle a heavy float quickly and hold it dead still is the secret to a net full of slabs.

The "No-Nonsense" Kit List

You don’t need to break the bank to get started. At Fenland Tackle Exchange, we steer clear of the trendy "game-changers" and stick to the brands that have earned their keep.

1. The Rod

Look for something around 6 metres. It needs to be light enough to hold all day but have enough backbone to strike at a distance. While we’re big fans of brands like Maver and Sensas, the likes of Lineaeffe and Mitchell offer robust, dependable bolo rods from just £25.00.

2. The Reel

You don’t need a high-tech winch. A dependable Mitchell fixed-spool or a smooth MAP reel in a 3000 size is perfect. The key is a smooth drag. When a 4lb Chub decides to head for the opposite bank, you want a reel that lets line out without a stutter.

3. Terminal Tackle

• Floats: You want "Bolo" specific floats—usually featuring a chunky body and a hollow tip for visibility at distance.

• Line: Stick to a floating mainline. It makes mending the line on the surface much easier.

• Shotting: Forget complex "shirt-button" patterns; usually, a bulk of shot (or an olivette) placed about 2–3 feet from the hook is the way to go to get the bait down fast in deep water.

Get Fixed Up in March

If you’re curious about giving the Bolo a go, don't go wasting your 'hard-earned' on overpriced carbon that’s more fashion than function.

At Fenland Tackle Exchange, we’ve got plenty of dependable, affordable gear to get you sorted. Whether it’s a proven reel from a brand your grandad trusted or a bundle of floats that won't cost a king’s ransom, we’ve got the lot.

Remember, we aren't a fancy boutique. We’re a warehouse operation in March, Cambs, focused on getting you the gear you need without the fluff.

• Free Local Delivery: If you’re in the Fenland region (Cambs/Norfolk), we’ll drop your gear to your door for free on orders over £25.

• Click & Collect: Order online and nip over to our City Road trade counter in March for a pre-arranged out-of-hours collection.

• Weekend Clearance: Pop down to our warehouse sales every Saturday and Sunday to see what bargains we’ve dug out.

Stop by the webstore and see why more Fenland anglers are ditching the hype and returning to the "old school" ways.

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