Martin56

I used to have a friend over 25 years ago, a Spanish teacher in a south Yorkshire school, the home of Flapping Tracks (That's unlicensed Greyhound racing) Two dog trainers got together - one of whom trained the dog which was the very obvious Favourite for a certain race & they colluded that the other would win with more than a few quid bet!! Many years ago I had an insight into the world of greyhound racing. Unbelievably corrupt. I have no reason to believe that horse racing is any better. Why would I wager money on something I have no control over? A game of poker on the other hand..... So, the Fav' was kept in its kennel for days on end before the race, not exercised & fed Pork pies ............ It still won!! The trainer was the Dad of one of the teachers pupils.

Many sports/hobbies are now very much "Dressing Up" affairs with stuff "To be seen Wearing & Using" & stuff maybe Not!!

Thanks Paul, will do. Just got back from Croatia, fishing was ok but not great - a few small snapper types from wall outside the hotel.

Yep' I've seen them for up to & over £600 or so. That's a lot for something that does very little else but store the fly line. Maybe the legacy from the idea that Fly fishing was a more gentlemanly pastime and who's participants historically enjoyed more disposable income than us mere mortals.

Steve, I thought sites like eBay had sites worldwide??

Phone, it's best to use Gripper Stops on the floats in your photo' (which we call Loaded Wagglers) rather than shot either side of the float. The clear type you have are called Loaded Crystal Wagglers, but same applies as above. Here's the Gripper stops I use, but there are a few names out there for them & are attached same way regardless. https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjM9MiB3ojeAhXMk-0KHZZnDrEYABAJGgJkZw&ohost=www.google.co.uk&cid=CAASEuRoRBdURBZcNZ0-o1T_FTdYEQ&sig=AOD64_1LhseBfiVuF1lpAlD_lQIYxjJdvw&ctype=5&q=&ved=0ahUKEwjKy8KB3ojeAhWRT8AKHWpaAnwQ9aACCDQ&adurl= I only use shot either side if I'm using Unloaded Wagglers.

Hi John, please PM me re that - would that be somewhere on Hunslet road?? I'm off on hol for a week tom'.

John, I just use plain faced shot pliers (1970's aluminium type) but also use artery forceps for same (curved forceps are more versatile & both double as a disgorger) I've used Dinsmores for years Dave, and never had a problem, the new stuff I bought, just didn't compare. I have a pair of plastic shot pliers, with cut outs to match different shot sizes, they prevent me using too much force. I really struggled to close the shot, especially the No6 shot. I got about one in six to stay put, then when I opened it to adjust the shotting, it either wouldn't close again, or closed very loosely, and it was back to trying another half dozen. I can see me having to use several No8s in place of the No6s, if I don't find a better make. I agree totally with the fine wire hooks when there's a good chance of hooking a carp. John.

Yep' phone - I've also given away loads of holiday tackle away to kids & Hotel bar & garden staff etc.

It does actually have one ball bearing (which is like jewels in a watch, so not 17 jewels then) & is a quality reel which conforms to it's requirements. Chesters1, In all likelihood that reel does not have a single bearing. You could spend more on a proper lube than the cost of the reel. I didn't look. I thought it looked like a polished pot metal casting and of course some sort of plastic guts. Phone A Reliant Robin is also a quality car - which conforms to its requirements - as is a Rolls Royce!! The definition of "Quality" is conformance to requirements - regardless of price!! ie, the reel will do a Job that's expected for a Tenner

Hi John, you could try these - Stotz apparently these SUPER STOTZ are better than the old ones?? I've used Dinsmores for years Dave, and never had a problem, the new stuff I bought, just didn't compare. I have a pair of plastic shot pliers, with cut outs to match different shot sizes, they prevent me using too much force. I really struggled to close the shot, especially the No6 shot. I got about one in six to stay put, then when I opened it to adjust the shotting, it either wouldn't close again, or closed very loosely, and it was back to trying another half dozen. I can see me having to use several No8s in place of the No6s, if I don't find a better make. I agree totally with the fine wire hooks when there's a good chance of hooking a carp. John. Should be able to get away with shot pliers or might need the Stotz ones?? (which are really just plain small tongs)

I'm off to wet a line in Croatia soon, & bought this from my local tackle shop for just £9.99. Not too badly made for a Tenner - Including Line which looks about 12 Lb. Runs smooth with no detectable backlash & rear drag works well (for now anyway) I'll be taking a couple of better reels as well, but can chuck this in bin assuming it sees out the week (reckon it will) https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Sert+aka+301rd+fishing+reel&rlz=1C1CHWA_enGB610GB610&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=v-5ZTMbEIpAD9M%253A%252CRoI0bSAofycs4M%252C_&usg=AI4_-kSakyQLbXWtR6V8AQLI3GfcTmgZTA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjl-Kq4rPDdAhWEasAKHW4EAr4Q9QEwAnoECAUQBA#imgrc=v-5ZTMbEIpAD9M:

Yep Ken, that's part of the problem - not enough people care!! Best Regards, Martin - (working class type chappie!!)

What IS Rocket science is that - in a Zero Hours contract, the agency will remember the person that couldn't work on the given day because kid was ill & "NOT RELIABLE" will be recorded on file & placed on bottom of list!! Turn up outside the factory gates every day to see if your name is called out to work - then if your name isn't called out, go home & come back tomorrow!! Zero hours Contract = Load of Bo*****ks.

So, is Ronaldo being targeted for rape simply because he has a few bob, or has he abused his position of arguably being one of the best players in football history?? There's only two people know the real answer to that - Him & Her!! The only people "Sitting Pretty" here are their Liars - sorry, Lawyers!!

I heard the copper that pulled him was from "Special Branch"

There were just the 2 I believe - Ronnie & Reggie

Mayyyyybe - you can never be sure, there'll be Knock, Ring, Letters through your Nose!! (my son used to sing as a nipper)

John, here's another useful Link about setting up your box re your back problems. About 5 min's into the vid's the bit to see. https://youtu.be/QIGOESIQjmM I found it helped me.

This may sound a bit off the wall John, but have you thought about a Shooting Stick?? This one has adjustable height/Telescopic, so can fish ALMOST stood up whilst taking the weight off your legs at the same time. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alloy-Adjustable-Shooting-Stick-Leather/dp/B002WIG0L6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1538173070&sr=8-5&keywords=telescopic+shooting+sticks There's loads of others below the Link.

The Robin Red Drilled 8 mm hard Pellets take Bream & Carp on commie lakes, so no reason for them not to take Bream where you are!!

Phone, all I'll say is this ...........

The drilled Robin Red 8 mm pellets are deadly for Carp & Bream (they're drilled in 8 mm & upwards & loads in a bag) I pull bait band into the pellet or quickstop into the middle (they generally break in half if you try to get a quickstop all the way through) Either way the frictional grip is more than enough to keep the pellet firmly attached. Presentation is much better these ways than external band IMO. These 3 inch Drennan quickstop hook links in 8 Lb are the ones I use (The Korum ones are too fine a wire & will often straighten out on a big fish - these don't!!) Also available in 10 Lb. https://www.northeasttackle.co.uk/barbel-fishing-c31/barbel-hooks-c207/drennan-quickstop-method-feeder-rigs-p1340

Can't speak from experience mate, but from what I've seen on telly/YouTube, Pre baiting with large balls of groundbait seem to be the thing (I'm talking Grapefruit size here, loaded with chopped worm, maggots, casters, corn etc) Then top up with same on the day. Just don't do it in full view of other anglers or they be in there before you next day. A cocktail of worm & maggot on the hook seems to go well. I've found a new (to me) Method Mix which works GREAT on the Method Feeder. It's Sonubaits SUPER CRUSH SPICY MEATY METHOD MIX, 2 Kg bag (a bit extravagant & not so cheap for loose balling in though so go for something cheaper for that!!) https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwj55_mbntTdAhXKtO0KHS0FBVQYABAOGgJkZw&ohost=www.google.co.uk&cid=CAASEuRonnM50_-ZXViapa8J4RENLA&sig=AOD64_1mrkLLimPaTM5rONqql8EL6c2PzA&ctype=5&q=&ved=0ahUKEwj7gvWbntTdAhXNRMAKHUZ0DLgQ9aACCFc&adurl= Hope this helps?? Martin.

John, I was born in the Peppers - Pepper Place, Hunslet, Cobbled streets with the most amazing Bonfire Nights on the planet. Chumping - collecting wood for same, started around back end of September & kept the wood in cellars till near in case of Raiders! Mams did pie & peas & Jacket potatoes etc for all the street. Windows near the fire almost melting!! - maybe not quite, but childhood memories!!