yonny

Shimmy use cheap Chinese blanks and Avid aint rod builders, I'd go with the Free Spirit, all day bud.

100%. These are a hell of a lot of rod for the money. Apparently there's not that much difference between these and the 400 quid Hi-S rods. Free Spirit knew they had to bring a rod out in the lower price range so used cheaper materials but they're that good at rod design/building the rods still ended up fantastic.

Fished it once a few years ago. Was on the island casting right into the reeds on the bank next to the reserve bit. Had a few commons. Not much help I know but better than nowt. I seem to remember finding loads of info online prior to that trip so worth persevering fella.

Bulin T4. Very good stove. i recently got one off amazon for 24 quid delivered from the uk. from here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00V344YJA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491233325&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bulin+t4+stove

That. shimmys are lush out the box and stay that way with a service every ten minutes. Even the old long casts, which were the most solid reels shimmy ever made, die after a few years proper use. I too have infinities, replaced shimmys with them. Never serviced them, they just go on and on and on and.....

I'm with Dicky on this one. I used to use a Barbel rod for fishing on top but was forced to use an old 2.5 carp rod once due to the barbel rod being round my brothers place. I actually much preferred the carp rod, has a bit more backbone and the stiffer blank seems to offer more control for me. Think it's an original Fox Warrior, must be minimum 15 years old, only £50 when new, boy has that had some use over the years. Still good as new, bargain. A lot of it is personal preference IMO.

I don't think any top end alarms are worth the dosh but they are very good alarms, as long as you don't end up with duff ones which does happen from time to time.

I've used these for dealing with extreme weed with zero problems even when chucking big. I rate them.

+1 for the Wychwood Tactical. They last as well (which was my only fear looking at the price). Nearly 2 years on and mine's still going strong.

Yup. I actually already bought another spool of 18 lb before I heard your feedback for my annual re-spool - but I don't need to! There's nowt wrong with the stuff that's been on for a year! So in another year or two I'll go for the 15 lol...

It's still a snag line at the end of the day so it's not the most supple line you've ever seen but it's miles better than most. I wouldn't particularly say it coils off the spool, I've certainly not had any issues and I'm using the 18 lb version (have been for a year now)!! I now use it as my every day line, it's the toughest line I've ever known but it casts OK, it's fine to well over 100 yards. I put Chillfactor on to it (he went for the 15 lb) and he's already seen the benefits when he got snagged up - I'm sure he'll comment at some point. He's cast 140 with it which says a lot. Crusian is on the 12 lb - not heard feedback from him yet but I fully expect good things. I cannot recommend this stuff enough mate, it's just brilliant. I can honestly say it's the best line I've ever used. I'm going to France in a couple of weeks to a water that's all 100 yards +. Normally I put a casting line on for that but this year I'm not bothering. I don't need to. At the shows last summer Rig Marole were doing a demo where they were sawing through wood with this line!!!! It's that tough.

Do not load up with the same line, it's pointless fella. Go with something that achieves something different to give yourself options. GT8O is an all-rounder so go with either a casting line or a snag line, depending on which one you might use the most. For casting check out the pre-stretched lines (Fox Exocet is a good'n) or semi pre-stretched (Technium, GT-HD etc.). For snag lines look no further than Rig Marole SLS Specimon Tough (awesome stuff) or Gardner Hydro Tuff.

Goddamnit.... another one on the 'must check it out' list.....

That stuff looks great Vik. How's it look on/off the deck? Does the blurb ring true?

Try again: Last year I ordered one each of several leaders. I needed some to suit rules on a French water so checked out a load including the Carp R Us, Korda Safezone, TFG Lok Down, and another (I can't remember which one now). The Carp R US 'won', followed by the TFG. I didn't think the TFG looked quite as good as the true fluoro leaders on the deck but they were pretty good all the same.

No 30 or 50 lb fluoro will be limp bud. Fluoro is stiff in nature. You rely solely on the weight to pin it down. The 50 lb is brilliant stuff, I recommend it. Very heavy, pins down great, very good option for clear water.

Or you can get 30m if you want to make your own: http://www.carprusdirect.com/product/clearwater-shockleader-30m-50lb/ Edit: 3 turn blood knot for the swivel, you don't need owt special.

These: http://www.carprusdirect.com/product/flourocarbon-leader-92-cm/ You get 2 in a pack so not as expensive as they first seem. Very good leaders.

Nowt wrong with that IMO fella.

Have a look at Carp R Us Clearwater fluoro leaders. I use the 50 lb version where leadcore is banned. Also available in 30 lb I think. They're fused at one end so have a loop already. I just tie them on with a grinner and never had problems.

Is that just a HSR with a long shank? If so, I'd go semi stiff.

+1 for the Tungsten Loaded. Bangin' stuff.

Hence the name?

Fox don''t offer a repair service but there are loads of places that do.

Spot on.