pablo7uk

Great thank you, I'll give it a try next time I'm on that venue. I was really wanting to give the spot a try on that day as I'd had nothing all day. Once I can get the lead 23 wraps next job will be the spomb 😭 I have 30lb braid with a leader on a Grey's distance spod rod with a daiwa emblem spod reel so just gotta go for it!!

Well I have it a go on Saturday and it does seem quite good and is nice and flexible for tying knots easily. If I'm fishing a bit of a distance out would I need a leader or will it be strong enough? I've never really fished at distance but a regular on the lake I was fishing said there was a good gravel spot at 23 wraps. I felt apprehensive trying to cast that far. I only managed 22 wraps with the market float set up.

I opted for Gardner hydrotuff in 20lb in the end. One spool filled all 3 reels with a little left over. It feels pretty soft and flexible for such a strong line. I'm looking forward to giving it a go this weekend.

Thanks I think I'll give it a go. Certainly good value and a reputable brand.

Haha it's not like wire though is it?

Looks like the GTHD is the only one available above 15lb? It says high abrasion resistance in the description? I've also found Fox eos which seems cheap for a mainstream brand. Also fox soft steel which I actually think it what I had on my previous reels for years - didn't realise they still made it.

Just found the GTHD on Angling Direct for £20 at 18lb. Should be enough to fill all 3 spools with 830m too or near enough anyway at 0.39 diameter. Thanks for the recommendation. I think the fox stuff and korda stuff I was looking at had carp tax added as they were going to be £50+

Hello I've just recently bought 3 new reels and it's been a long time since I've bought mainline. They fit about 330 yards of 15lb on as a guide but I'm looking for recommendations. They each already have a spool of 25lb braid so I'm looking for mono ideas. I'm thinking 18lb as there is a venue I want to fish that has catfish in it with a 18lb minimum rule but I'm also unsure I want to base my kit on fishing just one venue when there are many others I fish which are 15lb recommended. Thanks Paul

Yeah I agree, I thought the process through and I'm sure you're all right. Half a turn on the front drag whilst picking up the rod is hardly any different to flicking a baitrunner switch whilst picking up the rod for a take. I think I'll be fine and can't wait to get that first take and feel that nice smooth drag as the fish roars off haha

Thanks for all the replies, I've just bought 3 X daiwa Emblem 35 SCW 5000C QD for £100 each so I'm happy. Just bit the bullet and thought I'd go for it!! Particularly thanks to Yonny for the recommendation, they have fantastic reviews for the money.

I've been having a look around and just can't decide haha. I really can't get my head round QD which seems to be on the majority of carp reels. I'm not sure how I feel about no visual sign that the reel is set to free spool and also yes the drag is quickly engaged but never to a precise level as you would just turn the dial right? So it would be down to me to turn it exactly right every time? Whereas baitrunner you set it before you fish and when you click it on then it's right?

I always felt like QD seems a bit of a fumble when you get a fish on, baitrunner is one click as you're picking the rod up and your drag is set perfectly rather than twiddling the front drag on a QD until you think it's right and those few seconds could lose you the fish. I think I have this mindset due to when I was younger losing one or two decent fish almost straight after the take due to having the drag set wrong. I've just recently got diawa emblem apps reels for my spod rod and marker rod. Thinking there could be a decent diawa that could convince me to part with some cash. Over £100 each maybe. There are so many different models within even just diawa though I'm honestly overwhelmed.

Willing to consider all options at the moment. I bide my time and buy a lot of tackle second hand to save a few quid. I just feel like I don't know where to begin with a reel upgrade. What's your opinion on quick drag Vs baitrunner?

Hello, I'm looking to upgrade my current reels which are many years old and don't have spring loaded line clips and the other modern features of good reels. I have always used baitrunner reels so looking for a good upgrade with this feature... unless someone can convince me that quick drag big pits are the future haha My current reels are diawa regal Z Thanks Paul

I think I can safely say that wearing them all day made me cold too despite having 4 layers on 😂 the damp is no fun! In summer they'll be like that viral weight loss idea of wrapping cling film round your stomach haha. Super slim legs haha

The reservoir is known for some big bream so yes I think you've got a good point. The reservoir has a nature reserve at the shallow end and lots of snags. My thoughts are to target this end from the nearest peg to the reserve. I'm gonna have a few walks round through spring to watch for them spawning etc. Does anyone know of any good YouTube tutorials or similar for feature finding with a marker set up? I haven't done it before but got all the kit together over the past few months so I'm ready to give it a try.

Hi all, I've recently joined a syndicate which covers a couple of local reservoirs. I joined mainly to do some winter pike fishing but one of the reservoirs contains carp so of course this has caught my attention for a summer challenge and a change from the typical more commercial venues I've fished in the past. Has anyone got any good tips on where to begin with such a huge venue, low stock, nuisance fish etc It's close enough to home for prebaiting and spodding is allowed (despite a no balled groundbait rule). I'm thinking stick with natural baits like sweetcorn and hemp. Possibly chod/helicopter rigs to be as anti tangle as possible for long casts and to cope with a possible sketchy bottom as when I've been pike fishing even fishing as far as I can cast a deadbait I still occasionally bring in leaves on the hooks.

Thanks both, I thought so. I'll keep this in mind for next time. It's all a learning curve - even for the simplest of things!!

Well I have to say using them on a local reservoir definitely gave me the reassurance I needed. Easy on and off but not loose perfect for when you are wet and muddy. I really am impressed with these waders but I was a little damp with condensation at the end of the day since they aren't breathable but I couldn't justify paying 2.5x more for the breathable ones. How does everyone manage with this issue? Wear them when required and swap for wellies or boots the rest of the time?

I ended up just buying a 3 rod version at renewal. It wasn't possible to change from 2 to 3 mid season.

Thanks for the reassuring replies haha I'm trying them out "in the field" today so hopefully that will give me some assurance I made the right decision too. I have to say though very pleased with the quality of them, would definitely recommend.

Hello, Just bought myself a pair of these. I bought a shoe size larger than I would wear in trainers as I thought thick socks/double socks is pretty standard when wearing wellies or out in the cold all day. Now they've arrived and I've tried them on they do fit but seem a little spacious - might be solved just with some insoles to be honest. Opinions? Do you have waders and if so what size did you buy compared to standard shoe size? Paul

I haven't checked yet but I think once your a member you have to then apply for a night syndicate. Not sure if there is an extra cost or just a waiting list but you can definitely do nights on this one but not anglezarke. Yeah will do sounds good.

I don't know how they got in there but they definitely are even if the website doesn't mention it. My brother and two of his friends have seen them basking in summer and also in the shallow conservation area in spawning season. He's also long time friends with a local tackle shop owner who organises pike matches on anglezarke and there have been numerous mentions of large carp caught from upper rivington reservoir. Looks like I'll just have to put the time in and hope to bag one haha no doubt I'll drag in a few bream first though haha Yeah it's still Southport ticket (SDAA). I joined just recently because they stopped the day tickets on anglezarke so thought I'd start giving this reservoir a go too.

Hello, just joined this place on an annual ticket and have heard there are some big carp in. No info online though at all, anyone fished this place for carp? Thanks Paul