Golden Paws

Gotta replace my Shimano Spod reel it's almost ceased up 3 times now, difficult or impossible to turn the handle, but you can manually turn the front and it isn't old by any means, really disappointed in it tbh  My mates replacing his too as he's now expecting future trouble with it and has read other complaints online.  Seems they have lesser internals than the fishing reels.  For me it's like there's no grease in there and no local people doing servicing any more.  Will try to service myself and keep as a spare.
Think we're getting XTB's or something 200 each new, un-used but second hand that he's found online.
It's the most important set-up, I cast that more than anything every trip, so an upgrade seems sensible but an unexpected expense 👎
Money that I could be spending on go faster stripes for my baitboat lol - only kidding 🤣

My old 36" landing net got chewed by rats a good few years ago and I replaced the arms and net to a 42". Unfortunately I went cheap and got some plastic arms that sagged every time I went to lift a fish. Finally bit the bullet and bought a Trakker T3.

Although I have got a bivvy, I still prefer the speed and convenience of a brolly system. The ground sheet is a half size which is OK in the summer but with an overwrap being used in the colder and wetter months, the front area could be a bit of a quagmire. I've got the extra large which is 1300 x 650 mm which should be ample. I did try a couple of old rubber car mats out last time but they were heavy and dug into the ground and took a lot of washing off when I got home.
Well it is my birthday coming up soon and all the family don't know what to buy me so I've made it easy for them!

Spooled on this morning....



 
 
 
 

Everything I mentioned about stealth and accuracy doesn't apply here!

Yeah you should have mate, if I'm over Bluebell one time pop over if that's not too far, or on the next social - hint hint, get one sorted lol 😂👍

Where can I get one 😳

Everything I mentioned about stealth and accuracy doesn't apply here!

Thanks for the confidence boost! Got it off Dangling Erect so there is a branch not too far from me.

My old 36" landing net got chewed by rats a good few years ago and I replaced the arms and net to a 42". Unfortunately I went cheap and got some plastic arms that sagged every time I went to lift a fish. Finally bit the bullet and bought a Trakker T3.

Although I have got a bivvy, I still prefer the speed and convenience of a brolly system. The ground sheet is a half size which is OK in the summer but with an overwrap being used in the colder and wetter months, the front area could be a bit of a quagmire. I've got the extra large which is 1300 x 650 mm which should be ample. I did try a couple of old rubber car mats out last time but they were heavy and dug into the ground and took a lot of washing off when I got home.
Well it is my birthday coming up soon and all the family don't know what to buy me so I've made it easy for them!

Well, that was different!

Awesome mate. I stayed on there an extra year trying to catch the Patch Common but it was not to be. It never came out again so I think I was fishing for a dead'n!!
I was lucky enough to catch Scaley. Twice in fact. What a kipper that was!

 

A few from Kingy last week, 4 fish in shot, were loads in the snags.

2 from a previous syndicate, both mega fish Patch Common and Scaley mid 40 and mid 30.

Finally got that mirror 👊

They are on it today, caught one pretty much on the drop, just as I put my bobbin on it ripped off, then the other rod went a couple minutes later, haven't put any bait out this morning 🤣
Biggest of the two this morning was just over 12lb 👍

Getting bigger again, 15lb 12oz, there's a change in colour in the fish, looks wicked 👌
Fish number 12 lol

Had another 2 small carp, one about 2lb and then this one

Angry little carp 🤣 
 

Buzzing 👊 had this little beaut within 15 minutes of getting the rods out. Was just about to put the first spomb out and it ripped off. Real strong fighting fish, wondered what I hooked into at first 🤣 anyway lads I'm off the mark 👌👌👌

I thought that paint guns were being pressed into service, another gizmo that went straight onto the universal ban list!

Well it's nearly time for my session, will be there on Sunday 👍
Got a chest freezer full of bait

and have another 3 buckets soaking that will get cooked Saturday evening.
Tonight I will be respooling reels, tying up rigs etc.
Big shop tomorrow to buy some more gear and food 🤣

I thought that paint guns were being pressed into service, another gizmo that went straight onto the universal ban list!

The battle of brasenose 

Top tip! A few years ago my spod bucket got top heavy with the water after I'd used half of it so I tipped the excess into the lake. After 5 minutes I had several aggressive carp charging around the margins. I prefer using a spod to a spomb so use the liquid to make up my groundbait mix that plugs the spod.

I've only ever got a solicitor once in my old job about 10yr ago, apparently I'd taken twice as many holidays as I was allowed before I left, so he sent me a final bill, we tried to sort between out selves then I got a court letter.
BUT he was unaware I wasn't claiming any overtime during week /weekend, was a bout 4 hrs a week, so all comes to all after checking the trakker on the van and tallying with my mileage sheets, the solicitor also verified, he ended up owing me about 2minths wages + inconvenience as a pay out.

That's what half a 10l bucket turned into, got loads more to prepare yet 🤣

Top tip! A few years ago my spod bucket got top heavy with the water after I'd used half of it so I tipped the excess into the lake. After 5 minutes I had several aggressive carp charging around the margins. I prefer using a spod to a spomb so use the liquid to make up my groundbait mix that plugs the spod.