Peter Waller

I have a cracker of a baitrunner that I got from Lidl! Just don't expect admiring glances from those with all the 'right' labels!! As for Shakespeare & Okuma, you pays your money & takes your pick, both make good, and often underrated tackle.

Kids are our future. Wild water angling may not be quite as Korda & Robson Green portray it but it still provides its share of Tenna Moments!

School holiday, okay so the weather is total turd, but where are the kids? On my home ground I would normally see scores of 'em fishing, access is easy, but this year it seems the young 'uns have hung up their rods. There were more fishing in the close season than there are this summer!

It might make very durable garden canes so don't throw it out, unless you hate gardening! In reality it is probably worth very little, as has been said, but it could allow you to try pole fishing, you might just like it and then go onto better things. On the other hand you might not like it and your trial won't have cost you much.

Back to the original question, I'd start off with just one discipline so to speak, and go for the canal. Wander along the bank & I rather expect you'll find most anglers using poles. Not my cup of tea but for simplicity's sake your step-son might find a basic set-up easier to master than a rod & reel. Ask in your local tackle shop, am sure that they will advise.

Re Shimano I have had various rods & reels over the years, the rods have long gone as being nothing special, as have all but one reel, a superb, flawless gem, a Scorpion 1000. To Steve's list I would add Maver, excellent rods, well worth considering and exceptional value for money, in my opinion.

Auitchy, this is a hard one, bit like advising folk what shoes to buy. Lots of answers too. I have a small ABU Suveran reel that I use with a feeder rod, great reel but no longer available so my recommending that would be a complete waste of time! However, I'd invest in a half decent reel, man enough for a swim feeder and for chucking lures. I would then buy a 9 or 10 foot long feeder rod, £30 to £40. I would also buy a 7 or 8 foot long lure rod, similar prices. I would then buy, just for the sheer pleasure of using it, a 13 to 15 foot long stick float rod, along with a centre-pin, but that is a personal obsession!

John, in my own case I'm fishing the Yare & the Waveney and my results are far better than they have been for a long time.

The the gripe about the carp industry moving in is sound & proven, good natural waters have and are being destroyed by the carp obsession. As for pike, too many pikers and not enough pike, or more particularly, not enough competent pikers. All that aside silver-fish angling on the Broads is excellent!

After sixty years of lure fishing I have become obsessed with stick-float fishing for roach! Does this mean that I have grown up at last?

All is well, apart from the dreaded C word! https://www.facebook.com/AnglersMailMagazine/photos/a.172739655185.124087.10329570185/10153203045105186/?type=1&theater

I'm blowed if I am going to pay £2.90 for Anglers Mail, despite the complementary spool of line! What are they thinking of? Is it a death wish? From £1.90 to £2.90. that is one heck of a jump in price! AM, why?

NewToFishing, please excuse Phone, he's American.

You can sometimes pick up a John Wilson twin tip Avon off e-bay for a reasonable amount. Dependable bit of kit.

Whilst the bits that are not missing will please us all immensely!

Dick,spot on. Chesters, just do it, or the heavies will be round.

Roll on 65 & bus passes!

Something would be better than nothing.

You'll just have to title it the 'Incomplete History of K.P.Morritt!' Bug#er the critics, at least you will have created something worthwhile whilst they sat on their arses.

69 and seemingly younger than Chesters!! Chesters, re that book. Perhaps you could publish it as an 'E' book. I only say that because I doubt that there would be sufficient interest to warrant a printed book. Trouble that us old tw#tts that were weaned on Intrepid tackle are now dying off. Be a pity to waste all that hard work.

Only 62 years old, I always thought that you were bloody ancient! A mere spring chicken.

Would probably have gone for a telephone number bid on E-Bay!

Are these the mutt's nutts? http://www.dragoncarpdirect.com/black-zero-centrepin-fishing-reel-943338?colcode=94333803

Personally, after much thought and comparison, I've just bought a Maver Abyss X series 9' feeder rod. Having looked at, and waggled a few much dearer offerings I really don't understand how Maver can offer such a cracking rod for the price, or how dearer companies have the brass neck to charge what they do!

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/relocation_project_for_more_than_100_000_fish_in_the_norfolk_broads_as_algae_kills_thousands_1_4031023