gilby

Harrisons make the "baby ballista". 11 foot in either 2 1/2 or 3 lb test curves. Incidently, I saw a couple of nash "jungle sticks" (10 footers) go on Ebay for very silly money. Wish I had put some bids in, could of used something like them today.

Can't say about the new BRI from Daiwa but I have some of the older ones (4550) which I have used for about 4 years now and they are fine. I've "upgraded a while ago but they are still in use for my tench and bream fishing. Not as smooth as the shimmys and the line lay isn't as good but as long as you are not expecting to cast big distances they do well enough. I would assume the newer Daiwas would be an improvement though. (Incidentally, the rgz 4550 reels can be picked up for peanut money on E-Bay, Shimanos second hand around the £45 mark for 6000 or the older 6010)

I'm just using vitalin with micro pellets, some times putting in dead maggots and a little bit of corn. If you use boiling water to mix it the vitalin binds quite well. If you don't want to play around some of the Van de Eyne method mix binds it well. Cheapest place I have found for vitalin are the pet super stores like "pet city"

I think the easiest way to identify is the lips. Roach has a top petruding lip, Rudd has a bottom petruding lip, hybrids don't have a petruding lips. There's more to it though, scale counts on the lateral line and spines on the dorsal but I can't be bothered to check it up. Cracking fish what ever the species, not sure if you are looking at recoerd size but close. Google up british record fish comittee.

If you see anything dodgy on the Lea Valley, (fish removal, nightlining etc) telephone 07974696931 for the park security people. They will do their best, (got a couple of nightling poles busted last year) but only use them if you are sure they are upto no good.

In my teens I tried a lot of confectionary baits for carp. Liquorice allsorts, jelly babies and the likes. Never feed them as freebies as I wasn't to sure how healthy it would be for the fish so just one bait on the hair. One particular favourite was strawberry bonbons, I'm sure they would be worth using today, get a nice fizz from the sherbet coating and they are hard enough to deter crayfish. (who need richworth baits?)

Agree with Andrew in regards to the RE5000 Shimano. N.W.A.C. were offering them for £40.

Hmm, think my wife saw something similar for sale at an Ann Summers party. I'm assuming that the shad is 6", then in that case the curlytail has to be about the same diameter as akalin big un. A friend of mine has tried on and off for a couple of years and still hasn't been able hook up a hit. He's using a size 10/0 single (barbarian jig hook from sovereign superbaits) and two trebles set up either side as stingers. One of these towards the end of the body, the other closer to the front. I have used the smaller version of that grub with a light size 7/0 jig head, with or without a stinger depending if the pike are "having it." Incedently Peter, I'm very interested in the way you are using a circle hook for the shad. I've tried circles once for livebaiting which is an odd situation letting the pike move off and then winding down. (don't normally live bait in the summer, was a one off experiment) Do you disengage the reel on the take and let the fish move off and then wind down?

Ssssshhh, they do work but you are right,they can be poor hookers but then pike often miss surface lures. If you want to invest in some google up jennifields tackle, think you'll find then a bit more reasonably priced.

Thanks for the welcome. Gerry, the plastic was doomed the day I took up lure fishing Vidar, really pleased with the Fenwick I bought from you. Nice rod, does all I ask of it.

Never posted on this forum before but often look in. I must say Vidar, every time you post, I seem to end up checking my bank account