Jason

Thanks for that, I forgot to specify that I will be float fishing. I would like to ledger a pop up bait as well, so that will be my next target. - I have a Drennan series 7 computational feeder rod with various different oz tips, would this be sufficient for Tench? And I have to admit, I have never used a pop up bait, I can understand the theory of it ok, but would it be better hair rigging the bait or having the bait on the hook and also how much should the bait "pop up" from the deck. Again Thanks. Jason

When I have fished for larger Roach or Perch I have had the bait sitting about 1" off the bottom, this has helped me in the past with getting alot of fish with the "raising float" bite. Would you forum members all recommend I try the same approach, or fish over depth or a little bit up in the water? Jason

Most sessions I plan on catching a certain species and at a certain size. This is not always the case tho. Other times Im happy to catch anything really. Take these last few weeks, Ive been trying hard to get on the tench @ my local water. I have not had the best of success but I did catch a lovely 2lb Roach on single sweet corn and a 5lb common carp on the same. If I can reach my goal or set target then I am happy and if I do not then its still all good because Im out fishing. When the weather is nice, even if Im not on the fish Im happy to just sit and watch what is going on around. To me that is still fishing, patience and serenity. But One of my favourite goals is to set a total weight of a fish. Eg: 6 hours of fishing 15lb of Perch or 10lb of Roach in the keep net. Good Times. Tight Lines Jason

Yes that rod should be no problem at all. Shakespeare make some really nice rods for the money. I have caught 90% of my fish on Match rods. Using 4lb line I have even caught fish up to the 8lb mark. Just play the fishes well and you will be ok. Alot better sport and more fun that a "Power Waggler" rod. Tight Lines Jason

Out of interest, has anyone used either pellets or luncheon meat (spam) as a hook bait for tench? - Any success? Jason

Thanks everyone for all your reply's. I would have replied earlier myself but i am on long shifts at work at the moment. Ill bear that in mind about the time of day when to fish add ill have a try with some of the alternative baits you have suggested. Fingers crossed I will catch them soon. Ive noticed that the bubbles and fizzing has disappeared these last few weeks probable due to the temperature like some of you mentioned. I will keep trying to catch these impressive fighting fish. And hopefully I will post up a picture soon. Thanks all. - Tight lines. Jason

I have had huge success over the last few years at targeting specimen silvers and perch, gaining high personal bests. After not intentionally, catching a Tench, I have become fixated on catching Tench these last few weeks. Ive been fishing a water that has confirmed tench in it but I have had no luck over the last few weekends. A couple nice 4lb carp but no tench.... Can anyone suggest any methods, baits, tactics for bringing tench in to the swim and increasing the probability of catching one? My current set up is 13ft match rod, 5lb main line, 3lb 8z hook to nylon, using sweetcorn one or double on the hook and float fishing on the bottom. I have also been using brown crumb for the loose feed. Fishing in the margins and/or close to reeds or other features. Tench is a totally new species of fish I am targeting, I am unsure if it is my set up, tactics, baits or a combination of them all. Feel free to share your experiences when locating and catching these fish. Any information is appreciated. Jason

I use drennan hook to nylon. Size 18 hook to 1.5lb line. I works well, I just cover the entire hook in the flake, so far Ive not had any problems. I prefer 20 on 1lb with an 8mm bread punch, but each to their own. Jas

The last few times I have gone to my local water, the Kennet and Avon Canal, I have been using joker as both the hook bait and loose feed and it has been working very well. I've been using 2x joker on a size 18 barbless, 1.5lb hook to nylon by Drennan. I inevitably get the odd roach and perch attacking the bait, just nibbling on it but when the float goes under it really does. I had dozen 1lb (give or take an ounce) roach in a matter of hours. I've always tended to use casters and larger bread punch for the larger sized roach, rudd and dace. Using worms for perch and bream with the odd maggot cocktail here and there. But I have got to say, I have never had this much success targeting the larger species of Roach without bagging 50+ smaller ones first. I strongly advise any Silvers specimen hunters to give this bait a go. I usually pay £1.60 for a plastic container equivalent to a pint. Cracking stuff, I reckon it could work well in a close ended feeder as well... Jas

It is indeed for the drinks for the ladies. But them must drink them outside the Fishing/camo beer shack. This is strictly a Man zone only, free from all weird women stuff, they got the house for that. Jas

Thanks!

Thanks. I do think it is a wonderful rod, that it is slightly tip heavy is the only flaw, but for the money its not even a concern. I don't want to sound like im advertising it, or suggest that everyone buy's one but if your just an average joe on just above minimum wage then like myself then this 1, does not brake the bank and 2 offers high quality and performance from a float rod for much cheapness. Jason

Is not far off that, Isn't it. As for the name change, I have not Idea how...... As for future plans, all I can say is there could be room for a 2nd level, what to put up there??? Watch this space.... Jas

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I used too be a Bench Joiner by profession so the skills came in handy. I liked to build it tough to last, its seriously solid, I could have built it cheaper but It would not have last as long. As for the chair & heating, there is a few deckchairs in there, not got a TV yet but that wont be far off. There is also a small wood burning stove in the corner that I use every now and then just for a few hours. This works a treat keeping the damp at bay. Being a reasonably new garage anyway there is adequate air flow and ventilation so this should also stop things getting stale and mouldy. The timber is also treated and the MDF is moisture resistant to help avoid any damp. Got a British MOD hammock to go in, so once the tv is in I will be able to pass out watching the Formula 1 or Nascar.... Jason

Thanks It has an alarm built in and their is also extra locking on the door. The garage can't be opened. I spot welded it, then sealed the whole thing with Fixing foam. Fingers crossed a break in never happens. Only down side is the fridge needs stocking up again......

I think this is the right place to post this, it is Course fishing related. Long story short my garage was filling up with my fishing gear, it was becoming hard to find my gear and I was not happy with how well it was keeping. So I decided to build a section in my Garage to accommodate my hobbies & Passion - Fishing. Below are some Pics I started last weekend, doing bits and bobs during the week. So far I have completed the frame work. Using 100mm x 50mm PSE European Redwood, 80mm Screws and plenty of glue I have my 3 wall bench, complete with under bench storage and plenty of rack space. Next on the list is 5x sheets of Moisture Resistant MDF to line the 3 walls and 3 table tops. Im well happy with it, its nice to keep the old skills in use. I've now lined the workshop walls and tables. I used 12mm thick Moisture Resistant MDF hence the green. This should help deal with any damp that can occur in the seasons. 4 & 1/2 sheets in total, not cheap stuff but It will last. I then quickly went around the joints and corners with a clear silicone sealant to prevent any water, gunk or fish slime from the equipment and fishing gear falling in. Pics below: In case anyone is wondering about doing this themselves, This has cost me so far £409 + VAT. Just over 35 meters of 100mm x 50mm PAR European Redwood, 5 sheets of 12mm MR MDF, 1x box of 100mm screws, 3x boxes of 80mm screws, 2x boxes of 25mm screws, 1x PVA MR glue, 2x Tubes of silicone sealant, 1x Irwin 12tpi Hard point saw, 1x 6mm SDS drill bit and 1x box of 60mm brown raw plugs. I bought these all from Jewsons as its the closest builders merchant. I do not have a trade account. If I did im sure there would be some small amount of discount. Finished. I got most of my Fishing gear in, with most of my tools. Needless to say its one of the best things Ive done, I had a great time building it and it was well worth it, Ive still got to put the rods up on the Left side of the wall along with some other equipment. Fishing 4 Life. Jason

I agree. It is nice to feel and hold the rod for yourself. My advice is that If you can find one to view then I would. They are not too easy to come by tho. Id you do buy of eBay or another Internet shop check to see if you can return the item if you are not happy. Its not a £250 Normark or Free Spirit rod so don't expect that, but for a RRP £69 rod, after fishing with it and personally having lots of success I would pay £100 for another. Each to their own at the end of the day, but Its a good one that I am happy to recommend. If your fishing style is similar to mine, mainly silvers, perch and the odd tench on a stick float this is a wonderful addition to anyone's fishing arsenal. Jason

I have tried different reels but with minimal success but this is due to most of my reels being very small and lightweight. My main line is usually between 1.5lb - 3lb. Typical reels are okuma and shimano. I did once put a shimano baitrunner on the rod to see the difference, which there was. Only down side of this is the reel is alot larger and bulkier. The size and weight was so different that It took a few attempts to get used to striking at the float when the rod is in its rest. This is not a problem but IMO I found this to be more of a set back than the rod being slightly tip heavy. I've not yet tried to add more weight to the rear of the rod, ill have a look at what I can do. If the butt of the handle unscrews then this should be not problem. Still the balance is not a problem for the money its just a personal observation. The quality for me more than makes up for this set back. Ill just Note that Ive compared this Multi Float rod to my Drennan Series 7 Silverfish 13ft and Normark Titan 2000 13ft. These are IMO suitable benchmarks for comparison. Jason

I know of the rod you speak of. I have that one all ready. It has its uses, I find it cracking sport on canals, fishing for silvers and perch. Due to the length you can easily flick the float out each time so you can get very accurate casts and presentation. I paid £45 for mine 2 years ago, it was also mint condition but I don't really need another one of the same type. Jason

Im suppose im collecting them but want to use them. I have used lots of new and used rods over my years fishing and both Silstar and Sundridge have produced a some great silverfish rods. Fast action, light tips, well balanced and high quality materials. These rods are between 10-25 years old. Their design and elegance is something that I can not find today. Its all matt colours and large un-attractive lettering on the rods. Im looking for float, ledger, feeder, avon, test curve up to 2lb, so if you are selling let me know what you got, send some pics and we can talk about price. They might be what Im looking for they might not. These rods are mostly overlooked by people and Silstars current rods are not much cop, but these older ones are particularly appealing to me. Jason

I just thought I would give an update on this rod for those considering buying one new or second hand. 6 Months on, 5lb of gudgeon, 5lb of dace, 20lb of roach, 30lb of perch, and a bundle of smaller tench and bream later and its still IMO a cracking rod. Smooth action and a joy to fish with. The soft satin finish still looks sweet, shining away in the sunlight. The quality in finish has not diminished after a hard winter of windy, wet fishing. The eyes and handle have held up well showing no sign of wear, the fuji reel seat is great. The only downside I have found is the weight and balance when holding the rod for long periods of time. The rod is a little tip heavy. I expect that if the rod was 12ft instead of 13ft then It would be ideal. I generally fish with the rod on the rest but at times when I hold it for those sensitive bites it can become uncomfortable. Still a cracking bit of kit for anyone looking for a silvers to 4lb match rod. Jason

If anyone is selling any old {Not New} Sundridge or Silstar Rods PM ME. I am looking to buy, all types of rods in all lengths in good to mint condition. Thanks Jason

Thanks for that. The tips I have are glass, I mainly use the 1oz, species I target are Roach, Perch, Bream, Tench. The Rod is a Drennan Series 7 Competition Feeder 13ft. I have had it a while, I am slowly changing from Float fishing to feeder even ledger over winter, I am aiming to get some nice specimens from the depths in the cold tempretures. Just out of interest, does anyone have a image of the best way to set up a feeder or ledger, just to make sure I have the basics. Thanks Jason

A few questions: When should I use the Slow Taper, or Fast taper tips? And what oz tip? 1oz, 1.5oz, 2oz and so on. If I use a 1.5oz tip etc what size or type of fish could it land? Thanks Jason

That's the stuff. They are priced ok, but they are of a high quality. Very strong as well, so providing the imitation does not come off they are hard for the fish to damage, so they last along time. One last method I can think of again is using the worm juices or liquidised worms. You need a closed end feeder, cut a sponge to fit inside it and then all you have to do is dip the feeder/sponge in to a contained with mixed worm juice/liquidised worms. It smells yuck, but it does attract the better fish. Jason