Dan G

It was the common one I caught... a bit duller than that one in the pic

Thats the one! Almost irredescant blue with a 'flag like' dorsal.... anyone know anything?

I caught a fish which a local called a "dragonet" whilst bass fishing with a mackeral strip. It was small, about 7 inches, with spiny gill plates and a flatish head... it wasn't a weaver, or anything like that, but it was a weird looking beast... anyone know anything about this species?

I have a shimano STC 3.0m - its a great sea trout/salmon rod, and splits into six pieces with a great travel tube... I believe RRP is 80ish quid. Really nice action - light enough to flick a lure, but with plenty of reserve power.

Well - went last friday. Had 19 yes NINETEEN(!) between me and my dad from a boat drifting down and anchoring along the stretch to the dam wall. Nothing hughe - 2 1/2 lb biggest. Awesome fishing - had about half on small brown dries and the rest on a Cats Whisker stripped back on floating line - they were really switched on! Perfect overcast conditions... lovely... will be back!

Has anyone fished the above this year? Was wondering what flies were working and whether it is floating or intermediates which were doing the damage?! Any tips welcome!!!

That is very interesting... If you think logically, rust is oxidisation and needs oxygen to occur. There is far more of it in the air than the sea, hence greater rusting out of the tank.

I'd like to ask something - if your fishing in salwater, and a fish is deeply hooked, can you cut the hooklength and free the fish... i've been told the hook disolves, and gives the fish a fighting chance of survival... what does anyone think? I use an Orvis Catchum Release tool - its a fly fishing gadget, but I always use it when sea fishing for sport. Particularly for pollack, Bass and Mackeral. Very effective and absolutely no need to touch the fish and it stays in the water.

Thanks guys - I've got my girlfriend in tow, so will probably try Gorran and Chapel Point.

John Arthur is a legend... I too have been out on Venus. Very good, but was looking for something a bit different... maybe more inshore? Maybe i'm being too picky... I've caught all sorts from the pier - black bream, mullet, plaice, turbot, sea trout - plus hundreds of mackeral/gars/wrasse/pollock... but never a bloody bass! Any hints greatfully accepted... also, I've seen John Dorys down the side of the pier, but never caught them - any methods for them?

The best method ever invented. Works a dream, and the only metod I really use for tench and carp. I always use fresh mussels or cockles (from supermarket, not pickled) and have had such success. Big roach, tench, bream and carp. Word of warning - do not put any shot anywhere other than a couple of inches from the hook. I always lock my floats both ends with rubbers, to stop the need. Other shot will ruin the technique as the weight won't be taken up as quickly when 'lifted'.

I'm looking for a good shore spot for Bass near the above. Anyone got any ideas? I've caught loads of fish from the Quay - all species except bass!! Really want to catch one this time around. Also, anyone recommend a boat out of the above?

Cockles and the lift method - a killer tench method

I used to sell them when I was younger and had a saturday job with an aquarist... we got loads brought back because they had outgrown their tank. Maybe they are in other water where irresponsible owners have chucked them into a lake or river? I was told that they were genetically altered to stunt them, but it obviously didn't work as we got so many back.... either that, or its relative as Sturgeon grow to 500 lb +!!!!!!!!

Dave Was your bid on that ebay lot - daiwa rod etc successful?

Dave Airflo lines are famous for having memory i.e. you cast it lovely and straight and it starts retreating towards you in big coils!!!!! Cortland are great lines, although apparently Airflo sinkers and meant to be ok. If I were you, i'd get a floater and imtermediate. I'd also spend some money on the rod - or get a very good used 2nd hand rod. After all, you probably spent fortune on 3 tricast carp rods?!! You only need one fly rod to start with. I'd start on a small water to get some confidence - then head to somewhere bigger. I used to fish ladybower & Carsington in Derbys, which is a nice fishery but can prove very daunting if you were new to the sport. You will definitely have a day ticket water near you and it'd be good to give your new stuff an airing and get some fish before tackling a reservior or river which are different beasts altogether!!!!

In general, as Ian says, the more you pay the better you get. I quite like the Shakespear lines which are really well priced but good - I think they come under the 'Worcestershire' brand. I believe you can pick them up for thirty quid. That link to ebay is a cracker - the rod is a nice rod - I know as I have a couple of the Whisker Daiwa rods. They RRP for £90ish.

Any idea of tactics? I've always spun for them... I have been told a float fished prawn can be good... any tips on rigs (not just for the Thames!!!!) greatfully received.

My advice - have a look on ebay. There are some great 2nd hand fly rods - look for a 9ft+ rod with AFTM #7. That should cover you for the most general fishing. A good quality line is vital otherwise it will coil and no be that pleasurable or effective to fish with. You can save money on the reel as they essentially hold line and no more - it's nice to have a good reel, but not a neccessity. I'd concur with every other posting re:fly choice. Collect as you go and fish more waters. This would be a great start (click on this link): http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...7164296329&rd=1 Hope it helps.

All very handy tips guys, thanks. The reel is for a few things to be honest - Salmon (lure and worm), maybe a few pike, light sea/pier fishing and as a travel reel for when I go on my hols.

The plastic I was refering to is like a guard over the top of the drum - it appears to serve no purpose. It definitely doesn't look like the guards on the silver one. Are the Abu's ambidextrous (is that the right word - can you turn them from RHW to LHW)?

Looks like the red one. Maybe it never had one?

So its not a bad thing by the sound of it? IS the 5000c a good model? I don't really know.

Hi all I'm considering buying an abu 5000c multiplier off my mate, but he's had the 'thumb rest' factory removed. Does this affect the performance of the reel? I thought this rest also doubled as an anti tangle thingy? Excuse my stupid question, but i've never owned a multiplier before. Cheers

Hi all I'm considering buying an abu 5000c multiplier off my mate, but he's had the 'thumb rest' factory removed. Does this affect the performance of the reel? I thought this rest also doubled as an anti tangle thingy? Excuse my stupid question, but i've never owned a multiplier before. Cheers