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Does this indicate you're after a rod capable of big distances? If so, I had a day with Terry Edmonds (record caster) recently and he highly recommended the Shimmy TX2 (less than 100 a pop) and the TX4 (130ish) to my mate.

I've just used my mini urnie for the first time, you were certainly right, boiled up some pigeon Conditioner, so much gloopier, I was thinking I would have a load of excess water to deal with but none, ain't no going back now will be experimenting with all sorts next year I think 👍

You can get a full range of tx2 and TX4 they do a 13ft intensity version of both, i guess the main difference is materials used,

Wouldn't know mate..... would have to look on the net for the spec ..... there's not a big difference in price though, so is one 12ft & one 13ft ?

I recently brought the shimmy spod rod. Very impressed with it. Only problem is I now want 3 new rods to match. Is there a lot of difference between the tx2 & tx4's? Apart from the obvious cost!

Terry's switched to shimmy these days so is bound to push their rods ..... was all about Trebuchet Lights when we met with him lol 😆 They must be strong rods though , as Terry would destroy them otherwise first cast. Man's a beast .!

Evening all 😎 I've ,organised a couple of meetings with Terry over the years normally 6 in a group. While I no doubt improved on the day as did everyone . It still took a fair bit of practice after to really dial it in & put into practice what he teaches you on the day . The penny only really dropped when I filmed my casting In slow motion & watching it back frame by frame . You can see when you get it right & wrong . Trust me ...what you think your doing through the cast is completely different when you watch it back in slow mo . So I would definitely recommend watching your casting back , look for when the rod starts to load compared to the timing of your release & where your body weight is in comparison to good cast & poor . I was releasing the lead before my weight was fully forward, didn't feel like I was but watching the video made it clear. These cast were hitting the clip at 40 wraps 15lb line straight through.

I remember John Holden from the 80’s with Paul Kerry big names indeed always in Sea Angler Magazine...FYI his son is Lee Kerry the match angler, and 125yds with 4000 reels 👍

Years ago I had casting lessons over the field at Gainsborough Park in Ipswich with Roger Mortimer and John Holden. (Big Beach casters of old) While not in the Terry Edmonds league of now, and with rods not as materially advanced as now, they definitely improved my casting. I got to 125yards with 2.25lb Armalites, 4000 Aero gte Baitrunners, 8lb line, shock leaders and 3oz leads. When I switched to 15lb, 2.75lb Century SP's and original Aerlex's, with 3.5oz leads, longest cast at Nazeing was well over 130metres, closer to 140. I haven't really practiced since then, but try to keep all the fundamentals in line.

Well worth considering a lesson mate. I'd watched all the YouTube vids and was pretty sure I had technique dialled. Turned out I was very wrong lol. It's all about weight transfer and timing. Not at all as easy as some people make it look.

Nice, well worth it then, if the big lake is empty today when I get there I may try a bigger than normal chuck with the lead, just to see if I can improve 😁

Exactly the same as I do summer, no difference in lead set-ups, rigs or bait, although I use less bait and hardly any particles if any at all. I nearly always fish with leads on run rings; I can fish them slack or tight line dependant on the water, I also prefer them over lead clips. The time I do put bait in is when I leave, during fishing I bait up only with stringers or mesh of boilies.

Yes and yes mate. Improved by nearly 30 yards!!

There are vids on the tube of him or his tutorials using them another reason why I didn't mind recommending them 👍, did you have a tutorial ? If so has it added yards to your casting, having not needed to really cast before it's something I need to get better at tbh, I fancy having a go on a big pit just to get better at it

If you want to stay with Fox pre-sale to Japan designed stock you wouldn't go wrong with a set of the Fox Torque might still be able to find a new set if you shop around. they really are a light weight slim blank. made for playing big fish the flex really does respond to what the angler is doing and the fish.

Set-up should be selected to suit the spot you're fishing, not the time of year buddy. For me, same as any other time of year, but with much less bait.

Shimano tx2 might be worth a look, I had a look at them in a shop and thought they were nice rods for the money

Think you may have to look either 2nd hand route or sonik or wolf when they do the 3 for 2

I'm not gonna be shy with the bait this winter I am thinking fish little maybe bags or single chods but pre bait quite big for when I am not there, it might not pay off but if I can get them visiting the spots then I may get a bite or two, I've got a bucket of pigeon Conditioner in the car for a spot that needs some TLC, will check it Wednesday or Thursday to see if it's any firmer if not will add another bucket elsewhere if I can, I am going to try and have 2 or 3 spots working for me and using mainly particle will hopefully keep them visiting, my old swim and that area will probably see a lot of pressure so I am thinking if they get pushed out into the open water I can keep them there for a bit with less pressure and freely available food. We can but try there can always be a plan B 😁

Boilie crumb/chops, liquids and pellet. Also gonna try frozen bloodworm soon.

I'd say it depends on the venue you chose to fish during winter and weather conditions that you are fishing in. High stocked venue then I'd fish lead clips to semi tight lines and fish for liners if I can't find them. 12mm - 16mm baits and I wouldn't be afraid to give them some bait. On my syndicate water I used to go the opposite regarding bait size, 18mm - 24mm baits. The bigger baits for pre-baiting to hopefully stop the tufties scoffing them. I would have also been baiting a swim or 2 for a good few months by now with particle and boilie. Plumbing the spots every now and then will tell you if the fish are visiting the spot.

I fished through the winter on Bundy’s pit around 10 years ago which has depths to 60ft. I caught fish down to 45ft and saw 1 caught from 55ft. Though I believe adjustable zigs are now successful.