Houseplant

Interesting point, float tubes haven't caught on with the average coarse angler, wonder why? Guess it would be hard trying to assemble a rod pod on one

Here's a piccy! Not a zed, but a jack taken from the Leam yesterday (21/07/05). I also had a few perch up to about a pound. Since I had something planned for the evening, I fished 4 - 6pm, guess this explains the lack of zed action. http://images5.theimagehosting.com/River%2...Leam%20Pike.jpg Photo was taken on my mobile, hence the quality. [ 22. July 2005, 02:57 PM: Message edited by: Sipadan ]

is there anyway i can put pictures in posts on this forum without having them on a website somewhere? e.g. can i attach pictures directly from my hard drive? Cheers

Thing about the zeds is that they're all absolutely perfect, not a scale out of place or a torn fin, whereas most of the pike look a bit ropey. In fact, all of the really small pike have bite marks on them. Wonder if the zeds are eating them? Should add that all the fish from the last two trips have come out the river, not the canal. Hmmm, eel on a lure, that would be interesting! [ 21. July 2005, 03:35 PM: Message edited by: Sipadan ]

Hi Ratty. Photos are a good idea, maybe I'll take a snap or two on my mobile, difficult though as I fish alone. I dabble at everything, but pike fishing on rivers is really my thing. Looks like zander are gonna become my thing too. Tonight has also convinced me about softbaits. Should think they'd be pefect for fishing deep since you can stay in contact with the bottom most of the time without too much fear of snagging up.

Today's Report - 20/07/05 Don't want to go on, I'll stop if requested, but it keeps getting better and I can't believe it! 3lb pike 2lb zander 6lb zander 0.25lb zander (Weights are approximate) All caught within a couple of hours fishing on a Storm softbait, zander hooked in a very short space of time just after sunset.

Well, I wouldn't say that, it's hardly big league stuff, but a lot of fun nonetheless.

Thanks! Was out again last night, had a 4 lb jack on a spinner and a chub, maybe 3.5 lb and probably a personal best on a Storm softbait. That was in a 1.5 hour session. These waters are pretty urban, but OK. It's so nice to have water on your doorstep.

Your point wasn't missed at all, but I do believe that your statement regarding inevitable locking up of rods and damage to fish was simply incorrect.

Have to respectfully disagree, in this instance, you can set the reel drag according to the rod, thus no locking up and no damage to rod or fish.

Double handed reels have grown on me. BTW, Ratty, you wouldn't want to buy a pair of immaculate and single handed 6010's to go with those rods you've just bought, would you?

A very odd thing happened last time I went carp fishing in Cyprus. Each time a cloud briefly passed in front of the blazing hot sun, I got a run, one time on both the rods I was using. Coincidence?

They certainly are, that's why I was buzzing so much after that little trip It's markings looked much more impressive in reality compared to photos you see in the weeklies, to me they just always looked like washed out pike. It also kinda reminded me of mangrove-type species that I've caught in far off places. I know it was only a tiddler, but it seemed to go better than pike too. Think I'm a new zander fan. Imagine catching a double!

Don't know if this adds anything to the debate, but I use 20lb Fireline. Having said that, I prefer lightish lure fishing, the lures I use are 20 - 28 oz combined with a traditional-style spinning rod, for no other reason than this is what I enjoy. I have 30 lb Fireline on my heavy sea (boat) fishing reels and I can see that it might not be all that nice to use on a fixed spool reel.

I've just bought a new reel, thought I'd try it out on a short spinning session. I'm also living in a new area, so still exploring. Walked 10 minutes from my place to the River Leam and caught a 1/2 pound pike within the first few casts, good stuff, I like pike of any size. Continued along the river until I came to a canal (Grand Union?). I'm not a big fan of canals, always thought them to be pretty boring, but it's water, so I cast into it. First cast, couldn't believe it, caught... a ZANDER! 25 years fishing and I've never even seen one, so well chuffed. Only about a pound, but an impressive little fish that was quite heavily striped. Maybe the midlands isn’t so bad after all! Anyway kept walking and came across the Warwickshire Avon, had a few casts and caught a nice perch, as well as a couple more very small pike. So, 3 hours fishing, 3 different venues and 3 different predators. Not a bad way to christen a new reel!

Price is relative As for preferring a two piece, the Whisker/Lochmor comes in two piece as well or you could get a 4 piece and use it as two piece - you wouldn't be able to tell the difference and you never know when it might be handy.

Just my opinion: Rod - Daiwa Whisker spinning rods are superb and not too expensive, think they have been superceded by the Exceler. I have a 4 piece and it is sweet. Reel - Anything Shimano, mid-range upwards, I wouldn't go for anything too large. Line - Berkley Fireline

Don't want to start an Okuma vs. Shimano war, but are you sure the line is the issue. My Shimano reels are fully loaded with Fireline and it's never been a problem.

I'm pretty sold on Fireline, it's on all my reels and I would use it for EVERYTHING except waggler fishing on a still water. How does PowerPro compare?

It looks completely wrong to me, it's just not cricket, however American striped bass anglers swear by teasers - a small fly or rubber lure tied 6 - 12 inches away from a larger lure on the end of the line. The theory is that a fish chasing fry isn't too concerned about being eaten by a larger fish at that moment in time and therefore becomes more attractive to predators. Anecdotally it seems to work.

Another vote for fireline, seems to kink less than mono when spinning.

Drag seems fine after having a quick play, but the proof will be in use of course, not that I hook a fish that takes line very of often. Anyway, thought everyone uses the drag nowadays, surely no one still backwinds do they?

Here's how things turned out (sorry barbless!). Managed to track down a dealer (Climax Tackle) who sold the old GTE, decided on this because it's a bit lighter, more of a known quantity than the GTE-B and is in tasteful black. Incidentally they were the same price, 70 quid and I found another dealer who sold the very old 5010 GT (Walkers). Anyway, placed an internet order with Climax and received a parcel this morning. Guess what? A nice new GTE-B was contained within. Normally this kind of thing p*sses me right off and I'd be on the phone demanding this and that, but I've got so much going on atm and how much time can a man waste thinking about a reel? Think I may late fate decide this one.

Think you did the right thing

Steph, I can't say no to that, thanks! Will send you an email in due course. Cheers