Tank radio aerials converted to fishing rods

[Missingfishing]

I was reading the obituary of Tim Benn in The Times (28 October 2019) in which it was reported that he started off his fishing career using a tank radio aerial as his first fishing rod. I am of the vintage who can recall seeing these advertised in Exchange & Mart and other publications. How I longed for one, but was told that my parents could not afford one and I had to make do with the top section of my father’s sea rod with a brass reel taped to it.

Does anyone on the forum have experience of using such a rod?

I blame this disadvantage in my early years for the rod collecting habit I have now acquired.

[spawny]

I used one in the sea but unfortunately the eyes are all corroded. Have new eyes to put on it but have not got round to it yet! Quite a soft action but nice feel to it.

[budge]

I remember my dad's kicking around the garden shed when I was a lad, can't remember trying it though

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[Bruino]

First rod I owned was made in a coal pit workshop from a tank arial along with a small brass reel

[AlanT]

I still have one. It was my uncles. They were common post war as surplus.
Apparently all tank aerials came out of the same factory. I can't remeber which one.
My uncle knicked his when in korea and brought it home
I've never used it but will take a photo when I get back home.

[rodbender]

I remember being jealous of my cousins tank aerial! you could buy them at a stall at Glasgow barra`s

[kimbo]

Used one for coarse fishing many years ago

[Elibank]

I still have one. It was my uncles. They were common post war as surplus.
Apparently all tank aerials came out of the same factory. I can't remeber which one.
My uncle knicked his when in korea and brought it home
I've never used it but will take a photo when I get back home.

Accles and Pollock Ltd of Oldbury

[AlanT]

Accles and Pollock Ltd of Oldbury

Thats the one

[mcminnow]

My first spinning rod in 1960 was an 11ft tank ariel. It corroded just above the butt so I had it adapted to a 9ft rod. I landed 8 salmon using it before I received a fibre glass rod for a Christmas present. I used it with a Mitchell 300 reel which I ended up using for 40 years.