richiew

I got the Greys Prodigy in the 2.75lb version. Very nice rods, not too stiff and not too soft. You get a lifetime guarantee too, excellent value for money.

Definately the Trakker Big Snooze. Excellent value for money.

I use Longshank Nailors for 90% of my fishing. Have never had a problem with mouth damage and I doubt I ever will. As long as they are used correctly there won't be a problem.

barblesss, you are thinking of Wet Nets with Matt Hayes and Mick Brown.

The Hyperloops are nice rods for the money. They looks the business too, but going by what everyone else has said I would stick with the Maver Jurassic Carp rods if I were you.

I have had a set of Greys Prodigy 2 3/4lb for 5 months now and haven't had a problem with them yet. Very slim and nice looking with a classy stainless butt cap. I got the Prodigy X version with the full duplon handle which looks very nice indeed! My mate just got a set of 3lb Prodigy's and he is well impressed with them. They are considerably more beefier than my 2 3/4lb and can chuck a fair old distance. The lifetime guarantee is a nice touch too.

I used to have the Trakker Armadillo, very nice bit of gear. I would steer away from the Cabrio if I were you - its just an imitation of the Dillo and it isn't as good. The Aqua Dillo is virtually the same as the Trakker one. Although the material is of a higher standard on the Trakker bivvy. Aqua don't make sh!te though so it's up to you. [ 10. August 2003, 04:38 PM: Message edited by: richiew ]

12ft 2 1/2lb or 2 3/4lb rods would be alright for a 30. I would opt for the 2 3/4lb rod myself as you have a chance of landing a 30 without sacrificing the feel of playing smaller carp on the rod. I always use 15lb mainline because all of the waters I fish are snaggy. I'd advise you to do the same if your lake is snaggy, but if it is relatively un-snaggy then go for 12lb or 14lb. I can't see a 30 breaking 12 or 14lb line if you take it steady and there aren't any snags. As for hooks got for ESP Raptors or Carp 'R' Us Long Shank Nailors which is what I use. I would say the longshank nailors for snag fishing and Raptors for open water work. As for hooklengths go for Kryston Mantis or the Sufix stuff which are both similar material.

Me and a mate did 3 day session on Windmill Pond last Monday to Thursday morning. We had 15 carp between us ranging from 9lb 8oz to 15lb 8oz, and losing another 3. You have definately got a chance of a carp of over 10lb at Windmill. They average 14lb in there and there is a sprinkling of twenties too. The days we went where the hottest of the year so far so it goes to show that you can catch in bad conditions there. Take plenty of bait, I can recommend Trigga. They also love a few pellets at Windmill. You should be able to catch from every swim, but try and get a bait next to the stick in the middle of the pond - fishing about 10 yards off it because it is fairly snaggy right next to it. Whatever you do, don't forget the margins. They are the biggest feature on the lake and probably the most productive one. Don't forget your floaters too. Take a few chummies and a shedload of bread! When we went we spent 4 hours looking round for fish activity. What we did was look for fish crashing (which they do regularly) and look for the direction in which they are heading and get your baits out before the fish arrive. The carp in Windmill also travel in groups of about 20 or 30. Also, they scrap like hell when you hook one so be prepared. The average 8-10 feet in open water and 3-4 feet in the margins. Despite there being loads of carp in there, don't bait heavily. Fish for one fish at a time - i.e.handful of pellets and 4 or 5 boilies. Hope this has helped, Rich [ 10. August 2003, 01:24 PM: Message edited by: richiew ]