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The bait I use doesn't have any flavour added , just the smell of the additives, I really like the smell of it, and the carp don't seem to mind it either 👍

I can’t find fault with them tbh

We all have our own preferences mate, I love my fox torque rods and EOS 12000 reels, I can’t fault them, yesterday I managed to accidentally stick a 3oz on the far bank at 115yrds - I was looking at putting it at 90yrds but overcooked it somewhat!! Yet I’m not a fan of the fox alarms... except the micron minis, it’s purely a looks thing, I don’t like their shape!! As for the Exocet braid... I really couldn’t comment... I’ve never used it! I tend to buy braid that’s not “carpified” as it’s cheaper! I’ve got some nondescript black braid in 40lb on both spod and marker rod and it is pretty bulletproof, even if the black dye comes out all over my fingers when it’s wet 🙄RM gear I’ve not used, so no comment. Nash stuff, I’ve got one of their pods which is pretty good, their fang hooks are decent, Korda - I love their leadcore, especially the gravel one... I’m not so much a slave to a particular brand, I just buy what I need from whatever stable offers it, then I continue with whatever brand offers the best version of that product that suits my need best. I guess we are all like that really.

I use fox torques and did think about corking the handles, you can buy DIY kits online where you slide the individual cork rings on and then sand them down.

Everything I own that is ridgemonkey is a good product to be fair to them, but I have to think about it usually as the price is high, I've got some fox stuff that is OK, some I really like (tadpole lead inserts) but I don't think the quality is as good as when I bought the old mini microns years ago, and exocet spod braid isn't fit for purpose(did I mention that😂) 😔 I don't tend to buy Nash stuff either due to the titan that was weak and fell apart although I would buy a bushwhacker maybe, Basically I try to buy the best thing that suits the budget, reel wise I didn't get on with sonik, I do like diawa as they re always reliable, the shimano aerlex spod has slightly turned me to the darkside though it is a nice reel to use 😂

Followed by "oh no, not the Peanut Elite"

Well the EOS 12000 from your favourite makers of fine quality Exocet braid 😁 are a brilliant reel, I’ve got a set and they are the best reels I’ve ever used. Otherwise I doubt there will be much in the way of differences with the sea model you’ve posted above, is the retrieve rate the same etc? They may be more resistant to salt corrosion and designed to cope with the harsher conditions of beach casting, but so long as the drag etc is still smooth and positive, they should be ok. I used to use Shakespeare and Ryobi “beach reels” for carping as they were generally cheaper! They did the job ok.

Some brilliant flavours there, I’d forgotten the maplecreme, secret agent and plum royale! 3 flavours I had real confidence in years ago. The zing flavours I’ve read a lot about and heard how good they were but I never had the chance to use them myself. I had to go to richworth then nutrabaits to get a ham flavour I was happy with, the premier one was ace, but All of these ham flavours are discontinued now. I managed to get a bottle from nutrabaits in their discontinued line.

I still have a bottle of richworth blue cheese flavour that dates back to 1997... it’s like old smelly feet! ive made baits without any flavours at all and have had results on it, I think the smells and tastes inherent in the base mixes and oils etc are strong enough for a carps taste or “smell” receptors to detect. Although an addition of flavour made me more confident. I usually cut the dosages of the flavour right down though these days, the recommended dosage of my current flavour is up to 5ml per 6 eggs, I use between 1.5-2ml per 6 eggs (dependant on egg size)

Normally one size up annoyed with myself when I bought a set of breathable waist waders and shoes in my normal size and they hurt my feet when I put them on I listened to the manufacturers in that occasion lol

I used to drive my local tackle dealer mad by opening and smelling everything! “Matt! You’ve opened that damn monster crab again!!” god bless you Al! He’s still going strong after 25+yrs

DNA Waterproof Nylon Camo Carp Coarse Fly Fishing Chest Waders Includes Boot Bag https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B081DBGLQG/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_fabc_ZCCH6E3VGKWNZEFZMFM3?psc=1 Me n 2 other mates have these... Only used twice myself, got a size bigger, they ended up sending 2 sizes bigger, but glad they did as just fit right, only wear 1 pair of thick socks, some thin trakky bottoms.

My waders are a good size larger then my shoe size, I tend to wear a pair of thin cotton socks under thick woollen socks and wanted the extra space. I like my waders to be a bit spacious so I can get them on and off quickly and easily.