Phil Adams

Monster Crab is an awesome flavor! I heard my girlfriend swear for the first time after using some of that in the kitchen lol, its great for a practical joke or two, a drop on someones tash when they are snoozing...

You can also try using the crays to your advantage... Fish with a method feeder using a good method mix, the crays will home in on the method ball and begin to attack it withing minutes, breaking it down and creating a trail, that in turn will attract barbs and chub etc. Also if you mix the method mix quite stiff, the crays will break off peices and actualy chase them downstream with the current. Appart from this, maybe try using fake baits?

Interesting one this, lots of different options. Keeping with float fishing, most of your current tackle will/should do the job nicely, however you may want to up thebreaking strain of your mainline, somthing around the 5-6lb mark would be ideal, with hooks to match. Should your current rod not be up to the task, take a look at some of the carp waggler, power waggler rods avaliable, perfectly suited to fish of this size and quite useful for other tasks too. Other than that, I cant think of much else to change tackle wise. Baits, this is the interesting part! you can catch them on pretty much anything. I would be tempted to go for one of two main options. Stick to baits such as maggots and casters. Constant, regular feeding of these baits will draw carp in make no mistake, and you can create a real feeding frenzy. The important part is to keep the bait going in, imagine a curtain of bait falling through the water. Most bites will come on the drop at this point and can make for hetic fishing....not one for the lazy angler! Bigger baits such as pellets and meat. These can be used in conjunction with the above approach or on their own. A bigger bait fished on thew bottom can be a great bait and can often pick out a bigger fish. Learning to fish the lift method can be a real advantage here. Just a thought, as you have seen fish rolling....why not try floating baits? casting at rolling fish or getting them feeding after locating them. I wont go into location at the moment, since you are seeing fish roll im guessing you arnt too far away!

Part of the problem when looking at rods is that their casting range is so wide. I also personaly like a longer rod, somthing around 8ft. I may change the 5501 to somthing more suited, but I guess this new rod, coupled with the Abu will be better than my current 9ft 2lb test stalking rod that I use lol

Hi all, I was thinking of buying a rod from a friend, its 8ft, 15-50g casting weight, trigger grip, fast actioned and very nice. Would my Abu 5501c3 suit it? The reason I ask is that I know multis arnt really the bestest choice for casting lighter baits, but would it cast 20g ish lures? Many Thanks

Youve hit the nail on the head there. I have bought course fisherman since the early years and have seen a very clear change in the way in which articles are composed. In just the ast few years its has become evident that the magazine or the people featured in the magazine are sponsored by certain companys. Personaly Im sick of hearing pallatrax this, fox that, sonus baits......the list goes on and on. There are occasional articles that are both well written and interesting, I also like John Baileys monthly piece but all in all, its going downhill fast as more and more of the regulars push certain brands. I do like reading Carp and Course Angler as it seems to be a higher quality magazine, but for the most part, the monthlys and weeklys are getting worse. Excuse and spelliings and typos im struggling to type this on a tiddly little netbook! Phil

Ok thats fair enough, all valid points. The main reason for not buying somthing like an Okhuma is simply that it is a one off birthday gift and will be kept for a lifetime, because of that I have swayed more towards somthing less mainstream if that makes sense. At the same time I want to have somthing that is suitable and can be used. I'll admit that I love the design of the Conquest but if it is not 100% suitable then asthetics dont count. Ive used a pin for a good few years and simply want another that can be used for trotting with heavy cubbers/avons, barbeling and close range carping. I think I need to get into Leslies and have a play with both the Conquest and a King Pin and any others I can find. Thanks all Phil

Hi all, My stunning gorgeous other half has offered to buy me some new gear for my 30th birthday, originaly I was thinking of a pair of Harrison carp rods but now I'm thinking of a nice new centrepin. Ive got upto around £300 for the pin, and the only stipulation is that it is new (warrantee etc) I really like the look of the Hardy Conquest but am slightly put off by a review saying that the ratchet is made of plastic??? The King Pin Classic also appeals. I want to be able to use the pin for trotting and also for close range carping/tenching. Does anyone have any ideas or oppinions? Many Thanks

I still use mine, its so old it doesnt even have the windows at the front lol

I tend to use lures from 25g upwards, but dont tend to venture into the heavy jerkbaits. I like the look of the rod that you have for offer Budgie, I may have to get in touch when payday finaly arrives. I was also thinking of using the rod for shore based plugging for bass etc...never done it but it really appeals. I spoke with a few guys from a sea fishing forum who told me that not many people use a multi for the job, prefering fixed spools...apart from the ease of use I just cant think why not. I did think of using one of these... http://www.leslies-luton.co.uk/store/produ....5lb-TC-CW-4oz/ But Im thinking that it maybe to heavy for lure fishing, dispite its name and since I dont fish from a boat... The grey matter is whirring!

Hi all, what would you say was the minimum lure casting weight when using a 5500 series multi? Im looking for a rod to suit it, but im unsure as to which casting range to go for since I dont usualy use the heavier end of the lure range. Any thoughts? Thanks

I think Vauxhall fishing club have part of the stretch too, Id check but the websites not opening for me at the mo. Have been meaning to take a drive and go and check it out for ages though. Phil

Im planning on a trip there sometime soon, im only half hour (ish) away in Luton. Ive seen the John Wilson episode where he caught some lovely fish, also read Bob Roberts piece in Course fisherman (think Matt Brown was fishing with him??) Does look like a great place to fish! Also, Ive heard good things about Emberton Country Park for the tench, Ive only fished the lakes for the carp myself but Im sure it was mentioned a few times on Tenchfishers forums. Both quite good places for a fish in, if theyve not been done already! Do excuse and typos/grammar etc, im trying to type on my missus netbook........give me a full size keyboard any day!! Phil

As the title says really, was looking at the DK Bladerunner and it seemed very nice.....but £90??? Anyone got any info/thoughts?

Im still leaning towards a longer rod, many of the places I fish on the Ouse can have some big nearside snags and reedbeds etc, leaning over these with a shorter rod can be a real nightmare. I like the look of the Uglystik and also a Berkley that Ive found. To be honest though, unless there all hiding theres a limited range of longer triggergrip rods around. Phil

I keep mine marked, it just makes sense to me to do so. Ive had a set of Shimano Solstace carp rods for over 10years which are marked with a dot of tipex and its never worn off once lol. Have done the same to my greys barbel rods recently too. If in doubt, id mark them!

Thanks for the email Jeff, Ive replyed to you That would be great if you could let me know about the rods etc Budgie. Thanks for the help everyone

Its deffo not line slippage, I did wonder if it was, but I can see the spool revolving as the line comes off the spool. Ive owned multipliers before but never used them for anything lol so Im just unsure if it should do this or if the gearing or drag needs a proper service. Thanks for your reply though its well written and interesting. Phil

Cheers budgie, i might have to pop along to the fish'in and say hello Im not totaly against short rods, i just find a longer rod more comfortable........mainly because its what im used to i guess! Ive been playing around with the 5501 and have a quick question..... Should I be able to wind in and have line going out from the clutch at the same time? Reason I ask is, I noticed that when the drag is set to its minimum setting, if i wind the handle the spool does not revolve and have to tighten the drag to get the spool revolving. I then played around with this and have found that if I pull line from the spool against the drag, and turn the handle at the same time the handle turns but the spool does not wind line back in (im guessing this is right because if it did it could cause a lock up and lose a fish!) Is this right? P.s could you pm me with details of the rods you have? or email me at phils_wicked@hotmail.com Many Thanks again

Hi all, I want to load an Abu 5501 with some powerpro, probably the 30kg version (unless anyone can suggest anything better How much braid should I put onto the reel? I want to back with mono then spool up with 150yrd of braid, I just find it so hard to work out how best to go about it without putting too much backing on! Any help? As to the rod Im searching for... Im not a fan of short rods since there can be quite a bit of bankside veg around the places I fish, so have been looking for a rod around 9ft long, trigger grip for multiplier use and a casting weight around 85g max (ish) Does such a thing exist......Dave Lumbs rods look fab but I dont have that kinda cash right now lol I know Im asking alot here Thanks all

Honestly Budgie ive no idea, I won it in a competition on here a few years ago now. Myself and Jeff have agreed a swap.

Reply sent.

Hi all, I have an Abu Ambassadeur 7000c, Ive had it for about 2yrs and its never been used. Its brand new, boxed with the bits it comes with etc. Ive no real use for it, would like to get a 5501 or Cardiff etc, that I could use for lure fishing (think the 7000 is a lil large) Soooo, any ideas what it is worth? or where the best place to sell it would be? (im not a fan of ebay). Thanks all

Where is the Kempston section? is it the section of river near to Bleak Hall fishing tackle shop? I fished there many years ago, didnt think the barbel had moved into that section in any great numbers. Might have to find out!

Thanks mate, that looks to be very nice as do all of the others lol Thanks again