yonny

It's Solar Weed Effect hooklink.

Unless we can see it, we don't! Same with any hooklink or rig I guess bud! My trials have been very good. You need to make sure it's straightened well (you can do it without steaming - just pull it really hard). A couple of blobs of putty might help but I don't bother with this stuff.

From what I heard I think that means they (TAG - who recently bought Kryston out) found a cheaper alternative to sell at the same price lol.... I expect to see 'upgraded' versions of most of their products in the near future. IMO - yes, a coated braid will help reduce tangles with any bait, not just a pop up (although for resetting a pop up is defo best). That is quite an extreme measure; Boom is just about the stiffest link available, only suitable for clean bottom IMO. I think a coated braid would be a better option, more forgiving on most substrates. ESP Tungsten Loaded is the best coated braid I've found, it's not cheap but it's a step above the others on the market IMO.

Funny you should say that, I was in there a few weeks ago getting some maggots and my mate asked me to pick up a few Korda bits for him - they had none of it. In fact most of the displays were half empty. Not tried any Kodex stuff I'm afraid. Is there something specific about their hooks that you're interested bud?

I was using these horrible snap link type things with a plastic ring attached (not sure what they're called, for sea fishing I think). Didn't look great but worked really well.

I used to use an old pike float for this before there was such a thing as zig floats.

Yes, they're better, nearly twice the price new, I'd not complain if I were you lol......

That's where I get mine from

In terms of casting, on a 10 acre lake there's no spot you'll not hit with it either.

You need Rig Marole SLS Specimon Tough mate. Hard as nails, they do a demo where they saw through wood with it. Sinks great and casts reasonably well. Tricky to find but worth finding. I've been using it for over a year now, it's amazing stuff. Chilfactor on here uses it, as does Crusian, and a couple of others. I know that Chil can testify to its abrasion resistance having battled with a snag only to find the line in perfect condition afterwards. If abrasion resistance is the one then this is the line you need IMO.

Unfortunately you can't have everything lol..... No line does everything bud. You get the pre-stretched lines which are good for casting but lack abrasion resistance, the all-rounders that do everything quite well, or the snag lines that are hard as nails but lack elsewhere i.e. casting. The fluoros sink well but behave terribly. So with that in mind what is genuinely important to you? How far do you actually need to cast? What are the waters you fish like?

Hate to say it but I don't rate either of them. Old tech...... much better lines available nowadays. What characteristics are you looking for in a line buddy?

Very good alarm.

You'll struggle to get decent alarms with tone adjustment for 30 quid bud. Plenty of cheap Chinese options, although quality will be poor. If your Dad can live without the tone adjustment the Fox Micron M+ is a top quality alarm for 30 quid a pop. Nash S5 might be worth a look @ 20 quid but again, no tone adjustment and IMO not as good as the Fox.

Think that's only for the UK made models Ian, the CTX is imported fully built.

Check out the Free Spirit CTX. Head and shoulders above anything else in that price range IMO. They do a 2.75 as well.

I second what Ian said! What kind of money are you looking to spend Vik, if you don't mind me asking?

What's your budget?

I agree. I find if you keep the link taught during tying you'll not struggle with the hair creeping round the shank.

Yeah the wychwood has it on the ends, it's the same bed fella. You can just about see it here: http://www.bristolangling.com/wychwood-tactical-flatbed.html

Same here, brilliant bed, very light. It's been re-branded by Cyprynus, same bed for 80 quid. Absolute bargain. https://www.cyprinus.co.uk/collections/beds-seating/products/base-camp-flatbed-camouflage-bedchair-compact

You did. As a fishing rod the XS is far more suitable.

Casting yes, playing no, IMO. They are a casting rod at the end of the day and a very, very good one at that. However, if you're looking for a fishing rod there are miles better options.

I've found glugged wafters wrapped in tights with extender stops to be effective while allowing baits to perform really well (in terms of attraction). One of the least inhibitive solutions to crays. Savage - I've never encountered them on that level.

I bought a pair of the NGT too, my first run on the snags saw one of the 'ears' tear from from the base, nearly lost the rod and by all accounts the fish should have been snagged (luckily I managed to extract it). They are rubbish, a liability and not fit for the purpose of actual snag fishing. Bin them mate, a fishes life could depend on it.