ianfrog

Hee Hee excuse the rain but what's not to like about these lol. You would be amazed at how many people rate these even some who are paid to promote other brands wink wink ) Cheers Ian

I am with Yonny on this one which is why I ended up with the 3.25 t.c XS in 12ft. 4 years later and I still think I made the right choice fish of all sizes on them and since my day with Terry Edmondson I am comfortable up to 130 yards fishing and let's face it that's enough for most places. Give them a look. Cheers Ian

Really pleased to be able to compliment Reuben Heaton on their service. My digital scales wouldn't turn on when I changed battery so suspecting cheap battery terminal I contacted them. I was advised a service would include fault finding for £28 , so last Tuesday I was in the area so I dropped them off. Just answered door to postman who delivered scales, when opened job ticket says "scales not turning on replaced scales" so I have a brand new replacement set of scales at no extra charge. Thank you Reuben Heaton.

Hi there I have the Angling Intelligence pole and would definitely recommend ! On some waters it isn't just for getting adjacent to snags or cover but I find it a great way to be pinpoint accurate on the same close in spot with very little disturbance. Cheers Ian

Fill the pipe with lead ! You will need something to push it in to the deck. By the way the better the rake the more people it takes to retrieve. Cheers Ian

Hi Jamie Sorry for delay ! I use the Aqua M and bought it after I had worn out my second Trakker Armo. Apart from a hole in the front panel caused by a rat trying to get to my bait I cant fault the actual bivvy. One of the tension elastics in the lowest support pole has snapped and when I contacted Aqua they said they were temporarily out of stock but I could have one when they were in again. I confess I havent been back to them yet as so far it has caused me little inconvieniance. Great carry bag loads of options how to use it, maybe a tad heavy, definately a barrow job and not one to carry miles! Not cheap but overall I like it and would probably replace with the same if I had to. Cheers Ian

If I may add my tuppence worth. Since I took rhe plunge and had some casting tuition from Terry Edmunds I can assure you your stature is way less important than your technique and using balanced gear! I hope that helps? Cheers Ian

Over the years I have done fairly well with cats to mid seventies and have always favoured 18lb line as previously stated, I have never found a need for a wire trace and have almost always used 45lb Quicksilver as a hooklink size 2 barbless singles and liver or large halibut pellet (usually wrapped in big ball of paste). Rods etc as per my carping currently Free spirit X.S and long cast baitrunners. Most important is get yourself a decent size mat as although they are usually docile on the bank that can be quite a weight bearing down on internal organs, finally learn to chin them out as the ease with which they can swim backwards out of a net is breathtaking literally! Good luck. Cheers Ian

Well I gotta ask did you buy one (or both) or did you find something better? Cheers Ian

I found it online from a dealer in London (cant remember who) there are two sizes and the larger of the two has a pocket on the top which is ideal for buzzbars with alarms. Also of interest is there are two access zips for the main compartment one conventional round the top and oe across and down to allow access through the front. Badly explained but I am sure you will work it out lol. Mine is the ic2 85ltr which can be seen on the fishing republic site now priced at £39.99 Cheers Ian

This year I bought the Daiwa large carryall which has turned out to be an ideal barrow bag well worth a look and from memory it was about £49 as well. Cheers Ian

As already mentioned with the onset of colder weather both species become less active but I think it would be fair to say if you get any indication at all the odds are it will be a carp. In my experience your chances of getting a run out of a catfish after about October are similar to your likely hood of becoming pregnant lol. Cheers Ian

Kev I believe the same publisher does one explaining how women work so they must be geniuses lol Cheers Ian

Just in case it helps I have been pleasantly suprised with the new Chub pod with 5" and 7" chunky banksticks. Check it out and I would be interested in what yu think. Cheers Ian

For what its worth guys check out the Wychwood bib and brace I find with a fleece under my normal Carpy jacket I am toastie warm and my mobility isnt as compromised as when wearing a one piece suit. Cheers Ian

Holy cow £300 quid Wow. I know its a very well made piece of kit but I cant help wondering if you could find something cheaper (or secondhand) that would do the job just as well and then spend the difference on bait for example ? I am not normally a tightwad and use Rods by Freespirit, Delkims, Shimano (even Solar lol) Etc but I cant help feel that is a little OTT.

Gentlemen (oops and ladies) Has anyone got any experience with the "new" floorit fluorocarbon from Daiwa? I am seriously tempted as it is time to replace my Tiger line which I have been happy with but I cant ignore the price difference. As an aside I have a friend who tried the ordinary Floorit and he was reasonably happy with that but he never fishes at anything resembling range because of his local waters and he lives too far for me to nip round and have a chuck. Be grateful for any info. Cheers Ian

Hi Steve Autumn will be good. I had a good few out during August but only managed 3 twenties. Pleased I kept the losses down but can always improve. I look forward to Sept and Oct as I still believe they are the best months if the weather is kind. Cheers Ian

Yes Matt was involved with TFG but Lee did an article for one of the monthly magazines and was pictured head on with his rods fairly high clearly showing the colour of the line and he went to great lengths to say it would disappear first in changing light conditions. Cheers Ian

Didnt Lee Jackson from the Tackle Box in Kent get involved with promoting a red line a few years back that was apparently going to be the next big thing because it vanished underwater ? I may be wrong but I seem to remember it being marketed by TFG (what could possibly go wrong lol). Would someone please tell me if I am remembering wrong ? Cheers Ian

am with most on here when I say the Drennan is the best of a bad bunch. Contrevesially I have done alright with an old Fox swinghead which has been through many elastics and at least a couple of pouches but I like it and it gets me on the knuckles less than all the others (worth looking out for if any old stock still out there). Cheers Ian

Hi Adam I hate to play the old git card but I used to strip the black sheathing from "firetuff 2000" it was the cable we used to rewire the fire alarms for London underground and because it was silicone rather than plastic a metre at a time was easily doable, hard on the fingers mind. Sorry I ain`t a spark but I always kept my eyes open lol. Cheers Ian

At our age you are a lucky man lol ! By the way in case you are interested I hope you are doing well and the fish I just stuck in the tail end of July catches came from the swim I met you occupying at Steve`s social.

OK you may have a point but I would like to think that the principle stands lol !

I am afraid that bivvystreet has it spot on. If you buy cheap or combo type outfits I absolutely know that if you get hooked on this absorbing hobby you will be replacing everything as soon as possible. If in doubt get the best you possibly can and don't be afraid to go secondhand because if you don't fall in love with the fishing quality can always sell (after all you bought it ! ) As with cars bikes women and golf clubs quality always holds its value better. Cheers Ian