Dick Dastardly

But is showing a nicely made film with some good fish .......being handled VERY BADLY really setting a good example to anglers who don't know any different and as such may emulate this a good thing? What other anglers get up to in other parts of the world is none of my business or concern....but I wouldn't want to see British anglers copying this down my local lake or river!" You may all to easily think the battle is over and thanks to the likes of the PAC and many other un sung pikers who have battled to "educate" over the decades that bad practices have been eliminated? everyone knows that gags are unnecessary (in fact a hindrance) and not good for pike? that all know that intentional deep hooking is bad? that deep hooked pike can be safely unhooked without leaving gear in them? that weigh slings/un hooking mats (in the correct situations) are good? Even that gaffs (all though now happily illegal) are not good? THINK AGAIN! Sadly it still goes on and so does the battle to educate against it. I honestly believe that despite some arguing that the presenting of bad practices (such as this film) are a good opportunity to discuss, point out the error and correct that sadly the un initiated will just see all us as "knockers", "Jealous", "key board warriors" and of course "Pike Police" as after all to them we and our experience are unknown where the "hero" in the film is establishing his credibility with the captures shown. So I ask should we be showing such stuff and therefore unintentionally promoting bad fishing practice?

You still got this Neil?

Never been a better time in my lifetime than now to buy good quality very usable equipment at very low prices! Just look around you can buy a set of three JRC Defender carp rods new for less (£90) than you could buy one BLANK for in the 80's! Todays £30 rods from the likes of JRC, TFG etc etc are just as good as the £130 rods we used! Only thing you pay for (unnecessarily) now though it seems is the name or totally uneeded "fashionable" extras such as over sized butt rings etc etc. To get the best deals either buy quality well looked after second hand or if buying new buy last seasons model! Often exactly the same just different name/cosmetic details! I use some pretty (well what most would regard as old!) tackle such as Match Aerials,Mitchell 300S's and even my B&W Pike rods are now 20 years plus! but I use GOOD older gear that in most cases hasn't really been bettered BUT IMHO just using old gear (such as the mentioned Taperflash) that ISNT good is just plain daft! Just because its old and well known don't make it good! I still like the "feel" of my Sharpes split cane fly rods and despite weighing many more times the weight of a modern one its not really the issue on such a small rod but even though I loved and caught plenty of fish on old classic match rods such as ABU All Englands, B&W CTM's and Hardy Matchmakers I have NO desire what so ever to go back to them! Yes I understand the odd session for nostalgia or for collectors to actually see what their prized items were like to fish with but to use them full time when there's plenty of FAR better (and often cheaper) alternatives is beyond me!

Richard, trout anglers used to use a method called "on the rudder" to control the boat whilst trailing/trolling big lures (fly lures) on fast sinking lines at depth for big trout. (Might have been Hanningfield Reservoir or Rutland but cant remember). they used/use over sized rudders to both steer and I believe slow the boat to do this. Might be worth looking into. My drogue is homemade from a trailer tarpaulin! not sure of exact size but must be around 8x 6' flat. When making your own be sure to include a line going to the centre of the bottom of the drogue so you can "collapse" it when you want to retrieve it else its hard work! also a safety feature if in case you need to use the motor quickly. Wychwood do a reasonable commercial made one but like most they are made to the International Rules sizes. Might be worth asking over on the fly fishing forum.

A single size 4 single hook in a whole Herring Mick?

By all means use single hooks if you don't mind missing the odd run or only use small baits. Circles are a slightly better option. BUT PLEASE DONT use big singles (1/0 +) as these are pike killers simple as that. The depth of penetration on a big single is far more likely to kill a pike than the relatively shallow depth a (for example) size 6 treble will. A semi barbed treble is the time proven choice of most experienced pikers. By all means have a play around with alternatives and learn this for your self (as indeed we all did) but lets not kill fish unecessarily whilst learning these lessons! BIG singles are killers simple as! Now I can here many of you saying but treble hooks can be swallowed and be equally dangerous/hard to remove... yes true but you can avoid deep hooking and learn correct unhooking techniques to negate these issues....no matter what you do with a BIG single you can never avoid the depth that it will penetrate possibly puncturing vital organs. Lastly can I ask why you want to go to singles and not stay with the proven treble hook?

Great.......until we are treated to the pike being weighed off the hook of the scales.... I appreciate (probably more than most) that different countries different strokes but don't think we should be showing stuff like this as people who don't know better may try to copy it thinking this is acceptable practice.

Just leave your anti reverse off! simple as that!! Its called "churning" and was used for years before baitrunner mechanisms were introduced. Far less problematic than slackening the drag and instant control. Also helps to be in control of your rod and not zipped up in a bag asleep or twenty yards away chatting with your mate.......

Same as Rich's diagram shown above but put a length of rig tube above the lead. It can be "fixed" to the lead with the tail rubber and should be a few inches longer than the hook link minimum.

Set your float up "lift method" style (ie a larger shot that's enough to sink the float near the hook) set it up so the float is just below the surface (two inches or so) and only strike when the float surfaces. Simples!

DOH!

Yes it works. Most "pro" boats have it done like this as the transducer is better protected. On a "portable" set up I used to use a simple baton of wood with the transducer mounted on just "G" clamped to the gunwhale. I've got a purpose made aluminium mount now that looks and does much the same. However I have used the shoot through the hull method with a portasble set up and it works fine as long as you can get it somewhere you ain't going top trip over the lead or kick/stand on the transducer! boats with duck board floors are perfect as the unit is protected from your clumsiness and can have water in without your gear getting wet. I don't know about the Grafham boats but a lot of TR's have them set up like this. As I mentioned I've not fished Grafham but have fished a lot of other big reservoir for Pike. It always pays to take a good drogue, extra mud weights/anchor and anchor rope.

With transducers you can "shoot" through most fibreglass hulls. Just make sure the transducer is sat in water In the bottom of the boat.

Yes got a portable finder, not got a spare anymore though. Weekdays is best for me. But can do weekends

Yes them big old Cobles are good boats to fish from Matt much better than our ones at Wingham. Cushions/boat seats etc are a must but I tend not to take ass much food with me these days......

You still Guildford/Aldershot way L|yn? If so could pick you up? also might just be able to scrape together enough Zed gear for you

3-4lb depending on how big you/your net are! Perch often have a Blue tinge some even have a very unmistakeable blue patch on the throat. You need a set of Avon dial scales (32lb or 40lb) can grab them on Ebay cheap enough and for the smaller species don't bother with a weighing sling a good strong carrier bag (one of those with the re enforced handles) is far better/more accurate. (Suit shops often have good ones in and will let you have one )

Matt don't worry they are stable boats. I know where your coming from though as some boats just aint good for us "larger" guys! OTIB I used to do a LOT of fishing for BIG Zeds but not done so for many years now, partly due to the fact I had a long period of poor health that some what limited me but also due to having been lucky to have experienced some very big Zed fishing with a small group of mates much else was a let down. The Severn though has long attracted me (since Armstrong's lump) so would be most interested in coming up with a few of the regulars for a go.

Not pretty but all run sweet and totally usable. Tommorow will take a few pics of top end "collectors" models and "Done up dogs" to show you what I mean" LOL As Rusty said for a good "collectors" with the bulk of it ORIGINAL paint and running true (but not necessarily perfect!) £180 is about right (although Ive see them go for a lot more if perfect and with box/papers etc) "Done up Dogs" seem to be all around the £120 mark, I think because they appeal to those who don't really know much about them! £75 seems to be the bottom line but unless very lucky work needs to be done.

We nock "workers" like these out for £100 delivered all week long and cant get enough in

Ive brought a lot of MA's off Ebay in recent years. A lot are "tarted up" but frankly despite looking nice very poor runners. As such it makes me wonder if this is indeed why they have been sprayed up! Most I get in are pretty ropey but most can (if you know how) be sorted. BEWARE though of all the "easy fix" or "spare can be brought for a few bob from Gary Mills" type adverts! simply not true in nearly ALL cases! Gary has very few spares left (ratchet knobs etc) and I believe any he has got are in reserve for his own renovations! and who can blame him! Quite simply if theses "easy fixes" were so easy and these bits got "for a few bob" why hasn't the seller done so and added a lot of value? Aint rocket science! The "Pin Snobs" look down their noses at the Crouch models but I've found a lot (for the price) to be better buys (for using) than most of the true MA's. However I've had some great buys on some MA's that have needed very little work and despite having next to no paint left have turned out to be crackers after just a quick wipe and drop of oil! But although I hate to admit it for just fishing a used Okuma Aventa Pro is probably the best bet! BUT anyone who spends £150- £180 on a Bewick, Swallow or similar when they can get a half decent MA needs their bumps feeling!

Why to late OTIB?

Yes please

Thanks guys. I don't suppose it really matters but I just feel I should know! There is one swim I fish on the Thames just down from Shepperton Weir where I seem to catch mainly small chub and dace I can tell the larger fish instantly,the medium ones after checking a bit closer but the real "dinks" (for my old mate Phone ) its nigh on impossible! even the gobs look similar! chuck in a few small skinny roach and Im totally lost at this size! I don't think I've ever caught a Roach/Rudd hybrid either Dave. Roach/Bream and Rudd/Bream (I believe) but not a Roach/Rudd.

Might be worth watching Nic- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181472255798&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:3160 Paints not original (by the look of it but still might be what your looking for)