InteraX

I have a Trakker brolly system that's been stored in a shed for the past couple of years unused. I think it's got damp in storage at some point and now has an acrid smell to it with white patches all over it that I think is some kind of mould. I've tried washing it off with plain water and airing it for a few days and whilst it's a lot better, the marks and smell are still there. What's the best way to clean the whole lot and get rid of the smell?

A few new purchases for the new year.... NGT XPR Brolly System - I got my old Trakker brolly out to check it over and it was covered in mould. I've been trying to clean it, but can't seem to get rid of the acrid smell. 3 x Daiwa 22 Whisker 45 SCW QD OT reels - It's time to replace my old Shimano 5000 baitrunners that I've had for 18+ years. They are great reels, but I need something to pair better with my current rods and I felt they were starting to affect my casting distance, so some big pit style reels were called for. I've only had them out for a few test casts on a local pond and I'm definitely feel like I'm getting further. OMC 3 Rod Wide Elbowz in stainless. I've got the standard width version but they were a little bit narrow for my baitrunner reels and they won't sell just the longer cross bar to convert it, so had to go for a new full set. I'll probably sell the old set now....

I visited a local commercial fishery yesterday to visit the on-site tackle shop. Driving in, the lake next to the entrance was 'closed due to spawning'. I know a lot of things feel to me like they're happening early this year, but I would have thought it's far too early for spawning. Doesn't spawning usually happen around May time?

I've had a bit of a lead around the past day or 2. It's definitely very deep compared to other places I've fished, with an occasional clump of weed in places but I'm not sure 100ft is quite true, unless it's a hole I've not found yet. Someone I met on the bank yesterday said 60ft which may be more accurate. There's definitely some shallower slopes and ledges around the edge and people have said they've had fish up to 22lb in the past couple of weeks, so maybe it's not as hard as I expect. The difficulty is going to be making sure I'm not too deep.

Hi all, I've got a local water I want to target. It's the nearest water to home with decent fish in it, but it's very deep from what I read. On the surface, it's about 200m by 130, but it's apparently up to 100ft deep. It's an old brick works and there's apparently some old buildings and machinery at the bottom, so it I want to try to avoid the deepest parts. I can only access about 1/2 of the bank as there's housing around the other side and we aren't allowed to cast near the gardens. How would you target this type of water? Thanks for your advice.

Do we know where the spammers are coming from? Can they be geo blocked? What about new user moderation? Whilst I know this will put more work onto you moderators, it seems to be getting worse ATM.

That's why I only bought 1 to try it out. Damn expensive for what it is. I said so. Apparently they have a patent on it, otherwise one of the other tackle companies would do a cheaper clone.

Hi all, How much does line diameter affect casting distance? Is there any empirical evidence or tests that have been carried out? I was out a few weeks ago and found that I couldn't cast as far as I expected, but then when I checked my line, I found that I had 18lb (0.4) loaded on my spools. I think this was because I was struggling to get any 12lb (0.33)/15lb (0.37) Daiwa Sensor Brown line last year. I have a feeling that if I use 15lb or 12lb line, I should be able to cast significantly further.

I've bought myself one of the new Reel Rapz at the Big One. It seems like a great idea if it does what it says on the tin (makes monos much more supple and heavier), but there are a few questions I have that you outstanding gent might be able to help me with. Firstly, does soaking a line affect it's diameter or breaking strain in any way? Secondly, does a soaked line cast any further/differently to an unsoaked line? Looking at The Tackle Box line tests and the stated line strength, I'm guessing those are based on dry lines. Does anyone know if breaking strength has been compared when dry vs when soaked?

It's been a long hard 6 months of Autmn & Winter. I haven't been able to get out since last August. Glad to finally be back at it again. Its a rock hard water, but today's not about catching. It's about being out and enjoying life for a few hours. Tight lines anyone else out there today. I hope this isn't a false spring......

I'm not on social media, except for the professional one. I much prefer the chilled out vibe we get here. A lot less 'look at me' and agro.

I found a lovely new happy place half way down France on holiday over the summer. It was a lovely place in the middle of the countryside, space for the family, a pool and a lovely little lake and enough around to keep the family amused as I get a load of fishing in. I think I unlocked the key just as I was running out of time. Coming back to work has been the hardest it's ever been. TBH, I'm sat here looking at the weather and thinking 'what the hell's happened'! I suppose it couldn't last.

I try, but am struggling to get out fishing ATM.

Terry's still with Sticky. They released a video with him not too long ago and talks about the in this months Carpology. There's far more than just those I mentioned, but I always got the impression Nash and Dynamite were some of the bigger brands. I guess that UK manufacturers may be struggling selling into the EU now we've left.

With the loss of Nash Baits, it seems like 2 major bait brands are exiting the market. What do the likes of Sticky C C Moore etc do? Are they producing in the UK still or have they all setup manufacturing in the EU?

Does anyone know what's happening with Dynamite Baits and their boilies? I haven't seen anywhere with Complex-T in stock this year and their presence in tackle shops seems to be waining. Its such a shame as Complex-T was great and I had lots of success on it, it was my 'go to' bait. I know Terry Hearn left them a couple of years ago now. Maybe they've decided they can't compete.

Hi guys. I've just joined a new club with a water I'm very interested in, but they have a rule for that water that says 'no boilies & no nuts'. I'm not allowed to take tins to the water, so can use sweetcorn, but I'm looking for alternatives that will allow me to focus on the carp. The lake is an old brick works and is very deep (30m/100ft) with an old building and machinery at the bottom, so I'm going to have to try and keep to the margins. It's going to be an interesting water to explore.

I read their advice at https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/categories/12502999419409-Permitted-Items-On-Board#What items are prohibited on board and in Check-in Bags? And it looks like you should be ok with Ryanair. Airport security may ask some questions until they find another fisherman. There may be an issue with customs at the far end though. I know it's not food, but check the rules for your destination, otherwise it could get confiscated there.

I don't understand those that fish without, yet spend loads on tackle and bait. A 3 rod license is the cost of a few kg of boilies, a couple days fishing at a commercial or something similar. Then getting violent when caught, what did they hope to achieve? Absolute scum. Self entitled <censored>!

Hi guys. Has anyone on here had any experience in using Cotswold Rods? Thanks.

I understand why this petition was created (catapults being used to attack animals), but it is certainly a sledge hammer to crack a peanut. Whilst it is abhorrent that any animal is targeted by anyone, I'm glad that those in power recognise the importance of their use in a legitimate pass time. Criminalise the action and enforce the penalties, not the tools. Get more police on the streets and get them out of their cars. I can't remember the last time I saw a bobby on the beat. It's probably too late for the local police stations. There's been too many efficiency drives for the police to truly be able to crack down on antisocial & criminal behaviour in towns, let alone in the countryside.

That's great news and a sign of a good company. The last thing they want is an unhappy customer.

I wouldn't be worried about contacting them about the issue. I'm sure they'll be more keen to know about potential problems ASAP than getting upset. How a company deals with issues tells you what they are like and whether you should support them in the future. Give them a chance to put it right.

Some fox rage gloves, a selection of halibut pellets from 3mm to 30mm and some rig tubing. My son who's never really shown an interest in fishing want to catch a catfish. The nearest local for catfish requires you to have gloves and tubing if fishing for cats, so I'll give these a go.

I finished my couple of days with a blank unfortunately, but it just reminded me what a loss the place is. The jungle on the old lake was supposed to be fantastic for tench. That was the part that was only accessible by boat. I also had some really nice tench and bream whilst fishing for carp on the old lake. Apparently the old lake's been netted and most of the specimen fish have been removed and the new owners have plans to use it as a retreat for people who have social issues. They don't need to run it as a fishery. I think it's unlikely fishing will ever return there now. So sad, but so many great memories.