robtherake

The Chapman's budget tip rods are very cheaply made - I've seen and handled one. The push-in ferrules with rubber end plug on the female section reminded me of the low-end glass rods from the late seventies! In fact, if the blanks had any carbon in them at all I'd be surprised - if you check out the ad, they don't mention the rod material at all. I would imagine that their budget float rods have a similar construction, and that you'd be quite disappointed. Of course, I don't know this to be true, but it's worth bearing in mind.

There are several references to this technique in older angling books.I've used it to good effect on the Swale a few times but didn't imagine that it might be verboten.

A pva bag of bait with a stone in gets the bait down. Only works with dry(ish) baits though; maggots and pellets are fine.

Just joshing, bud. To my eternal shame, my crucian pb was caught on feedered worm.

Philistine! Light float rod, 'pin and canal dart shotted to a dimple is the only way to catch a crucian. Anything else is cheating.

I'd have been far more impressed if he'd been floatfishing - bolt rigging for crucians seems rather wrong, somehow..

I once saw a guy catch a perch on a spearmint Pacer sweet. As a lad, I caught perch on eyeballs taken from other perch.

Now that's a nice thing, Rusty. Much more practical than a standard creel and a more sensible size.

A baptism? Whatever they're doing, they're still quieter than the carp lads.

My daughter's boyfriend has the Abyss and loves it. I've had a couple of goes with it and it seems like a lot of rod for the money. However... If I was in your shoes, I'd be spending the whole of the money on a second-hand rod (which may have retailed at twice that amount, or more), which would be a considerable step up from what you have now, and keep the Hyperloop reel (which isn't bad at all) for the time being.

What size tyres were they? My local garage (not a tyre specialist) almost always has the right size for my Mondeo estate (195/50/16) and on the odd time they haven't they can get them within a couple of hours. You need a new supplier, mate.

No help here Adam, just popping up to say hello, mate; hows the wee bairn? BTW, the floats I did for you ages ago and forgot to collect for - you can call them a present and pass them on to her when you teach her how to fish All the best, bud.

Are they hard scrappers, those condoms, Dave? Nice tench, BTW, there's something very special about big fish from small ponds.

Look at the price though, Tigger. Did they retail for any more than that? I suppose it shows how well regarded they are.

Steradent, old mate? Thought you had it on caster Or are they for your exploding stringers, maybe... A cracking roach anyway, HA

An accident? Maybe he wanted to be an only child - who knows what goes through a 5 year old's mind.

Link with a little more info - http://www.anglinggazette.co.uk/world-record-100lb-common-carp-landed-in-france/

Did you win it?

You did too! I sold one without the right bag or tube and a German guy paid over 60 nicker for it. It was in good order, but not quite as good as yours, judging by the pics. It's a really good rod - very forgiving with a smooth, progressive action - you will definitely be impressed. Let us know how you get on with it, Rik.

Worms is your man. http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/4455616-mitchell-reels/&do=findComment&comment=5408721

They look so drab from a distance but close up - wow! Those metallics are fabulous, like oil on water. Triffic pics too - the one in the first one looks like it's really going full throttle! Did you know that they're talented mimics with a wide repertoire? It's amazing what they can do.

It's from a French lake (Etang de Saussaie), Phone, follow the link on post #6 for venue details. Sorry, Bud, that's all I have so far.

http://www.carp.com/carp-forum/viewtopic.php?p=606066 Not a belly with fins either - what a whopper!

You beat me to it, Nick. I suppose it exposes their unpopularity, beyond that I don't suppose they give a stuff as long as they're elected.

It could have been worse, mate - they could have charged as much as you used to .