Tony U

I much prefer front drags on my fixed spools where practical. Front-drag systems generally feature multiple, large drag washers that offer increased durability and performance in comparison to rear-drag models that is why I would not entertain a rear drag model for fishing for the likes of Tarpon, Dorado, GT's or for butterfly jigging and any other heavy-duty saltwater applications. I have an Okuma Cedros which can happily exert over 10KG drag pressure, it might not sound a lot but try doing that on a rear drag Model. Granted non of our UK coarse species will make such demands on a reel so the difference between front and rear drags is marginal, but once you get amongst the blue water babies the difference is significant.

Barry I look forward to that. Tony

Barry You will have to invite me to one of these trips, particularly if you do a bit of fishing for Pollack over the wrecks, I fancy a change fron uptiding in the estuary. Tony

I have coverted mine to use the Gardner run clips as well much less fiddly than the gate thing they come with.

Like JV44 my Titan II snapped Just below the tip ring, (at Timsbury on that wet weekend Budgie et al will no doubt remember), I just hot melt glued the tip ring back in place and did not notice any difference, I only lost a cm or so. I have had no such problems since, but I now always carry it in a rod tube. I also have a Normark Camero and have had no problems with that. Tony

Sue and I want one of those (at least we would if we were still Carp fishing, or even coarse fishing).

Lucky enough to have this fly over the house last year. Don't rate the foto, just the content. Arn't i fortunate. YES

See if you can pick up a Greys Popper Rod, though not strictly a travel rod it will fit in a suit case; I have used it for trolling for Sailfish and Vertical jigging as well as casting out big Poppers for Cubera Snapper.

I have been away for a few days and I have only just read the news and I am completely overwhelmed by it. All I can do is offer Sue and my deepest condolences to Newt and our thoughts are with you at this time. Tony and Sue

For Trout? I think you will find that we are well into the close season for trout on rivers, are you having a shot at Grayling?

Vagabond I wondered if I would see any Smelt but it was wall to wall Whiting even though Sue did manage a small Pouting. Tallking to the locals (or should I say regulars) one reported catching a Weaver like fish that was not a Weaver back in September...... so was it a Smelt? Also on our recent visit to Cuba, Sue caught a nice Bahama Snapper, I will put the pictures on the sitye when she gets round to downloading them. Tony

I had a nice evening session, Whiting Bashing, down at Gillingham Pier. It got Sue interested in doing more beach fishing; coarse fishing is in abeyance for the time being.

I used to get bulk bags of groundbait at Decathlon for around €4.00 for 2kg, is this no longer the case?

Looks to me like it has an interchangeable cassette spool, a bit like a few fly reels.

We had a boat capsize on us in Cuba, not as dangerous as Vagabond's escapade with the pirogue; but a bit worrying at the time. Tony

Darn it I have visitors from France coming over this weekend otherwise I would have made the trip along to the Thames. I can reinforce Budgie's and Sportsman's endorsement of AGM Most of my dropshot lure have come from there; that is until my US cousin brought me over a couple of Dropshot sets from Basspro and they are excellent. Finally I have just bought the Savage Gear Dropshot Rod to go along with my Mitchell Mag Pro outfit, I will let you know my comments once it turns up. Tony

Ziggy Brilliant you made me realise how much I like West Bay

Well I am off to kick start my predator season; you know the usual stuff Baracuda, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Grouper, Cubera Snapper etc. will post when I get back.

Back on Topic I have got to say George's later videos are rather good, nice to see how much he progressed. Keep up the good work. Tony

Phone are you aware of any "Gator" Gar in the Red River around Shreveport La. we have been invited out there to stay with relatives in 2013. Tony

Newt How has this effected the fishing? I f at all. Tony

I am thinking of heading to Tenterden tomorrow, to have a go fishing Daddy's on the top and then have a wander round the Folk festival. The it's off to Cuba on Tuesday for a bit of salt water stuff. Tony

Done

Leon Was that at Iwade? Tony

Yes we are found at http://www.kapscoarse.co.uk