crazynewt

Hi all, Looking for a reasonably priced 2nd hand multiplier/baitcaster in left hand wind. Hopefully someone can help? Alternatively, any advice on reliable models aroung the £60 mark new OR 2nd hand would be greatly received!

Peter - I'm with you on this one. Has nobody stopped to consider the Pigeon population of London (I'm purely thinking of self preservation here of course)?? If bird flu is as dangerous as they make out, surely they would be a greater threat than extremist groups?! Sweet FA anyone could do about it.

My bird has girlfriend flu.

Hi Ken and all - thanks for the jokes... much appreciated! Ok, to be brutally honest with you, I am only dealing with residential property but the principles are the same... The first thing I would do is instruct a different valuer/surveyor. Who knows, you may even find a commercial agent who will do a free valuation, depends how the market/competition in your area is! I would recommend a company called Nelson Bakewell but they are based in London (where I am) so finding another established, local commercial property specialist would be wise. Of course, this will cost you a few hundred quid (maybe more) but compared to the potential loss due to the difference in the figures you have already been given I would say it's worth it. Keep me informed with how you decide to proceed and hope I have been of some help...

Ken - I am an estate agent! Before you electronically asassinate me, can I help at all? What's happened? I spend A LOT of time sorting out my colleagues cock-ups so maybe I'll be of some use to you...

Thanks for the help guys. Checked eBay and there's nowt for me at present. Also contacted Daiwa now but was put off by their website earlier and took the easy option of asking you lot! Lazy I know but I do sell houses for a living....

Thanks for the advice zedhead. Is that Orton near Rothwell? What license do I need or is it covered by WDNAC? (I would check but I'm currently in London and my license is in Corby!)

I've got a bid in with the intention of taking her livebaiting for Pike on the river. Could do with someone to catch them and hook them on as my hands get very cold at times.

Anyone know where I can buy extra spools for Daiwa BR reels?

Hi Steve - I'm a newbie to the forum too but welcome aboard! I have often asked the same question and it appears that sinking or floating is entirely down to the anglers preference. It's a shame it's expensive otherwise I'd advise buying a spool of each and seeing what you prefer. I have only recently ventured into braid too and I bought a spool of Fox Gravitron and have found it very good for lure fishing. However, obviously my experience in braid is very limited and as I have a bulk spool of Spiderwire (80lb) on the way, I will know more shortly! From what I can gather, the recommended line weight for braid fishing lures (inc. very large jerkbaits) is around 80lb, with bait fishing around 30-40lb. This is merely a guide so as I understand it, these breaking strains should be adjusted according to conditions - i.e. if you are fishing a snaggy/weedy area etc. I would say that 50lb braid would be a wise idea for wobbled deadbaits and static bait fishing provided the waters you are exploring aren't too snaggy. Hope that helps

Forgot to also mention the Pike article(s) by Andy Little in both last week's and this week's Anglers Mail where he is fishing close by Hampton Court Palace. I lived within walking distance of that bit of water for 3 years and can't tell you how GUTTED I am that I never so much as wetted a line there! Something that did confuse me though was that he said he ran out of bait - the guy who's back garden he was fishing in was a tackleshop owner, who's shop is within spitting distance!

Anyone else read Anglers Mail (AM) this week in particular the part about the crayfish baits? Made me laugh really as we all know Crayfish are banned as bait whole, whether dead or alive, but a bait manufacturer had recently launched (or was about to launch) a range using the little blighters in their 'liquidised' form. However, the EA are now quoted as saying that even this use of them is infact illegal but it didn't seem to stop one of the AM team using this range of baits in an article also in this week's issue! Maybe the new wave of 'Eastern European' fish poachers could also be educated to take them rather then everything else that swims!? Does anyone know if Pike eat Crays?

Thanks for all your help chaps! I have now resigned myself to having to wait until Christmas is upon us to get a 100% legal "fish" finder! Has anyone fished the Nene for Pike and in particular the stretches around Ringstead?

Don't panic, I wont jump down anyones throat! Just asking questions to see what other people think really! I'm with you on the thinking that more prey fish could mean larger Pike populations but at the same time, Catfish are also predators and therefore they are not just food but competition also...

What are other peoples views on the idea that the increasing Catfish population will have detrimental effect on our Pike populations?

No, you misunderstand me! I'm just saying eat fish like you eat meat or anything else - From farmed/reared stocks. Everybody should pay for the right to fish whether that be on a club water or even just an EA license controlled 'free' water. If we all took home our catch, there would eventually be no catch.

They can take as many fish home as they like so long as they pay for the right to do so! Many trout waters allow this because the re-stocking is paid for by the membership/license fee. Alternatively, if you are intent on eating fish, and don't want to pay to join a trout club or similar (or even pay for the EA rod license!), what's wrong with Tesco?

Bummer - looks like the cheap option is all but flown out of the window - Time to consider the merits of an RF15 at twice the price I originally hoped.... Ok, I've had time to consider it and I still want one! Must sell more houses....

Forgive my ignorance but do the 'normal' fishfinders provide a more detailed image?

Thanks! No matter how much money you have it's never enough though is it?! Especially not when you've just re-discovered piking! lol I've had a couple of Jacks from a stretch of the Nene which both came during a 1hr session which inspired me further, especially as there were some guys who had been sitting there all day and blanked. I'm guessing my watercraft aint so rusty afterall!

Shouldn't affect your bill unless you are actually using the GPRS content! That symbol just means that you are in a receptive area.

I have recently returned to pike fishing following a long absence and have truly re-discovered my passion for angling! I now consider myself to be totally obsessed but find I have VERY little time to wet a line (due to being a scum-of-the-earth estate agent!). I have moved to a new area and have joined the local club (Wellingborough and District Nene Angling Club), and am now presented with the task of finding the best spots for good old Esox! As my time is so limited, I naturally want to learn the club waters as quickly as possible and over time, build up a detailed overview of them. To aid me in this task, I am considering investing in a Smartcast Fishfinder, specifically for the task of feature mapping. The model I am after is the Humminbird Smartcast RF15 and have discovered that I can pick up the US version very cheaply. I have heard rumours that it is in fact illegal to use these US spec models in this country but wondered if anyone knows if that is actually true, and what potential consequences one might face if one were to (theoretically!!) use one in UK waters?? Also, anyone who has experience of the club waters I have mentioned and is willing to share any information on tracking down Mr E. Lucius, that would be very much appreciated!