Phil Adams

New deffinately isnt best, I'm hating the new Shimano range with a passion at the moment, especially the GTM series (GRRRRRR! total waste of money that was IMO) Personaly I have a liking for mid to late 90's Shimano's, whilst not "old" I find they are the best built of the major mainstream brands during the past 10 years. I've not used Mitchells or Abu's but they appear to be built like tanks, which is a GOOD thing......Take the hint Shimano!

Hooked into anything large on yours yet? if so how did it cope (never used a rod this slim before lol)

Yes mate it is, and I cant wait to use it lol, its the first Drennan rod Ive owned. Thing is, I have a range of rods (dont we all) two of which are soft 12ft 1lb test avon types. So I figured a nice slim match rod for general use, and if need be to use the avons for larger fish as normal.

Just to let you know I have just bought a Drennan Competition Float 13ft, reel lines from 2-5lb and I think its just what I was looking for and cost just under £75 There is a "carp" version, but this felt too stiff for my liking. I'm going to try it out asap and I'll let you know.

Part of my confusion has been to do with line ratings, since there is often only a "lb" difference between the ranges. I think I might just choose one that I like and have done with it lol, I doubt I would struggle to land a slightly larger fish on a normal rod anyway given a balanced setup. If I do then I'll revise my setup. Off to Leslies tomorrow methinks! Thanks to both of you.

Hi all, My dad and I have been looking to get new float rods due to ours being very old and somewhat tired. Looking around at the vast choice avaliable is driving me mad. Even when I find a rod at a suitable price with all the features I like..........they spring another choice on me! i.e the normal rod or a "power" version. I'm looking for a general 13/14ft waggler rod to be used on the local lakes and ouse, mainly for decent bream, tench, chub etc. The problem is, i dont know if I should go for a power, or normal version of a rod. Although I'm not looking at breaking any records fish wise, there is always a chance of a rampaging middle ouse chub or chunky lake tench to be had. Equally I dont want to be dragging in smaller fish or missing bites with a broomstick. So what should I go for?

Its exaclty that, a box which radiates certain frequencies of light in order to give the benifits of the summer sun etc. It can also be set to come on gradualy in the mornings to give the feeling of waking up to sunshine. According to my workmate it improved her daughters mood within a week, just spending an hour or so in the evenings and a short time in the mornings absorbing the light.

Join the club! I've been wondering about this too, my mood etc starts going downhill as soon as the clocks change and the nights draw in lol, and I can be very up and down energy wise, hyper one minute and totaly lethargic the next. A friends daughter was going through a very depressed state for weeks, until he got her a "light box". Its worked wonders in a very short time for her. Weird init

Im not a fan of the original series mainly due to the magazine style of program. I watched this new series last night hoping that it would be better. Matt Hayes and Mick Brown were fishing at a well known commercial fishery for the main part of the program. I was pretty shocked by the quality of the fish they caught. Most had mouth damage, along with split fins and one looked as though it had ulcers. I dont fish commercials myself, and see this to be another reason not to. We all hook fish and play them till they are landed, and I accept that this can take its toll. Im OK with that, but I was very unhappy seeing what I saw. As a side note, was it me or did the program look to be made up of "extras" from the Great Rod Race and Record Breakers? Just my thoughts

Get some molyslip (molybedinum paste sp?) from the motorist centre etc, its great for reels. Less is more in most cases.

I take your point about this, but when done correctly the lift method can be very sensitive. Although you fish overdepth, the line between the float and the shot near the hook can be quite tight. Since this shot is the only weight on the line, when it is moved a bite is registered by the float. In fact it can be one of the most sensitive methods when setup properly, i.e dont use to much weight on the line, just use enough to barley cock the float 1) Dont use to much shot/weight on the line, use just enough to cock the float 2) Fish it a foot or so over depth 3) when cast out, the float will lay flat due to being over depth. Slowly wind in till the float cocks and keep the line taught. It can take some practice but its well worth while

I cant see how an unshotted float laying on the surface can offer less resistance than a folat that is shotted so that only a very small part is showing above the surface...... Thats what confuses me................I'm going to go and do some looking up! and try it for myself asap, not that I dont belive people, I just cant get my head around it lol

It's not quite in the same league as Spiderman is it.............I'm wondering if their market research has been done very well lol I'm not sure how many kids would take it seriously, I'm a teacher and honestly dont think the kids I work with would give it the time of day........but in the end that not the point. These antis are getting on my t1ts. There seems to be anti this, anti that for everything thesedays. I feel as if I need to protect myself and fight back, but to be honest I dont know how!

Right! Thats it! I'm on my way! lol I wish

I've seen this in books etc but never done it, I just cant see how bites will be registered effeciently with a bow in the line or with the float laying on the surface. Unless Im missing the whole point lol Might have to find a good diagram and have a go!

To be honest almost anything can catch perch, a simple waggler set up too fall slowly through the water will get you bites. Perch can be wary of resistence though, so shot the float till its a "dimple" on the surface (conditions permiting) but dont be frightened of using a large float, aslong as its well shotted. To make a bait fall slowly though the water, place the bulk of the shot around the bottom of the waggler and then just a smaller dropper shot a foot or so away from the hook. If you are using larger baits, small deadbaits, lobworms etc. Use the same waggler setup but fish it over depth by roughly 18" so that the bait lays on the bottom. Then continue to loosefeed maggots etc over the area. Remember that if you do use a small deadbait to use a wiretrace, as you may hook up with Mr pike. hope this helps a lil bit. Phil

Pm sent Thanks for the replies, I'll check them out.

Ive plugged this rod many times for many methods/species but.... I love my fox 1lb tc specialist, lovely through action with plenty of backbone, but a nice tip for smaller fish. Although its 12ft it has a short ish handle and feels just right in my hands. The added quiver top is a bonus too and perfect for tipping for chub and roach etc. I've used it for everything with the exception of pike and small "bit" fishing. I would try both of your rods and decide which works best for your methods and venue, although I doubt it will make tooooo much difference.

Hi all, with a budget of around £100 could someone recommend me a new float rod? minimum of 13ft length, mainly used used for fishing wagglers in rivers and lakes, so I dont want a rod thats too "tippy". I was looking at the greys power float but know sweet FA about them lol Thanks

"such anti social fishing habits need to be publicised to a point where those who behave in such a manner are made to look small and stupid.......I reckon its the only language such people understand." Now thats a form of education I'm all for in these particular circumstances. A damn good idea in my eyes, although it would seem to be non PC in some peoples eyes...........but thats just tough lol. Accidents happen, I'm sure we have all lost line and hooks in waters through sheer bad luck or misjudgement some one time or another. It's the disregard of the enviroment around us that gets my hackles up. Good lil discussion!

Thats fine, I totaly respect your views. However I still belive that more can be done to educate people about the dangers of leaving litter etc behind. Especially those new to the sport, who may not have peers to show them how to behave and teach a general respect for the enviroment. I'm glad that you both feel this way, and I'm sure that everyone on this bbs shares your thoughts and feelings, but the sad fact is that whilst we practice what we preach, many do not. My point was mainly regarding the need to drum in these sentiments to every angler at every oppertunity and hopefully make such acts "the done thing". Just because you and I never needed to be told how to act, does not mean that other people dont need a shove in the right direction. Just my thoughts and ramblings, I'm glad we both (and everyone else here) have similar feelings and act appropriately. Thanks for reading, Phil

I read the news story and the first post but not all of the replys, so forgive me if this has already been said. I honestly dont think there is enough "information" or "guidence" for anglers on fish care and general do's and donts. Many of us take it for granted that fish are to be handled with wet hands, and to take all litter, line, hooks etc away from the bankside, whether it belongs to us or not etc. However, I do think that these rules need to be hammered home and then stuck to. Both in fishery rules, and in all angling publications be they weeklys, monthlys or internet publications. I cant remember the last time I read a general angling article to find the writter pushing these rules, maybe I glossed over them or maybe they just were not there to begin with. Accidents happen, line and hooks get lost and lazy arsed muppets will always be just that, but more can be done all round. Just my ramblings

while we're on the subject. does anyone know of any good areas around Bedfordshire for river carping? sorry for the slight hijack.

I've had success in the past fishing pretty big chunks of mackrel on big single hooks, floatfishing the chunks in or just over the marginal shelf. I copied the idea from a catfish rig, and although I never caugh a lunker, the method worked well.

Excellent replys I must say. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to explain and help me!