[TFG V8 Fixed Spool Reel for saltwater use?]

In the end i decided to play it safe and went for the Salt XDS 080. The TFG V8 casts really well but it just looks a little too "delicate" for the beach!

[Shakespeare seatbox - what size?]

I'm looking for a new seatbox for beach fishing and I see there are two sizes offered by Shakespeare - the Beta and Team (large) boxes.

 

My question is what size do people go for - obviously the larger box will hold more but consequently it will also be heavier. I jsut think the beta looks a bit too small but I see people using both sizes.

 

What does everyone recommend?

 

Also i want to fit either a Shakespeare Seatbox Sherpa or the Breakaway rucksack frame converter - again any opinions on which to go for?

[TFG V8 Fixed Spool Reel for saltwater use?]

What i mean is - is the reel suitable for use in saltwater, i.e. will it corrode and fall to bits? The size of fish isn't an issue as this is a big carp reel.

 

If the salt is an issue for this reel then I will look at a purpose designed beach reel

[TFG V8 Fixed Spool Reel for saltwater use?]

can anyone tell me if the TFG V8 big pit reel is up to the task of beach fishing? I have one already and have been using it for carping and want to avoid buying another for saltwater use.

 

if this reel is no good then I was considering getting either a Shakespeare Salt XDS 080 or an Okuma Axeon big pit.

 

Decisions, decisions!!

[Quality Issues? - Matt hayes Limited Edition Centrepin]

It saddens me to say this, but I'm glad its not just me going mad!

 

I can't wait to read the inevitable glowing magazine reviews. Of course, they will be honest in their findings as it wouldn't be of any financial benefit to them if they give a unfair, biassed opinion?

[Quality Issues? - Matt hayes Limited Edition Centrepin]

I posted in a recent thread to say that I had one of the Matt hayes Limited Edition pins but was not impressed with the quality. I particular, when I spin the spool it has a slight wobble and makes a grating noise and doesn't spin for very long at all.

 

A few people advised it was probably just bad luck and suggested getting a replacement.

 

well, now I have a different one and it has exactly the same problem and i don't think its a coincidence. When i spin the spool there is the same very noticeable wobble and the same grating noise.

 

I really regret wasting my money, but I suppose you get what you pay for! I sold my trusty TFG Classic centrepin to help pay for this - I'm kicking myself now as that was so much better in every respect.

 

Everyone be warned - it might look nice and it has the name of a celebrity angler but I would avoid these reels!

[Matt Hayes centrepin?]

Mine arrived yesterday. not impressed - slight grinding noise when spool spins, not at all free spinning. spins for about 15 seconds! Can't really put my finger on it but it feels "cheap"

[Matt Hayes Limited Edition Centrepin - get yours today!]

Mine arrived yesterday. not impressed - slight grinding noise when spool spins, not at all free spinning. spins for about 15 seconds! Can't really put my finger on it but it feels "cheap"

[Portsmouth kayakers wanted!]

I'm really keen to get into kayak fishing and have the chance to buy a used kayak for a very good price. Although I'm an experienced angler I take the safety side very seriously and therefore I'm not too keen to go out on my own until i feel competent to do so (I will probably decide to never go out on my own!).

 

Are there any kayak people on here from Portsmouth? I'd bve very keem to get in touch with a few people to discuss safety etc and where to go, what kit I need etc. Ideally I'd be looking for a regular person / people to go out fishing with.

[Upgrading 7HT Bearings]

can anyone tell me if it's worth replacing the factory fitted bearings in 7HT reel? I consider myselfto be an average caster but was wondring if i would get any more distance by using "better" bearings.

 

Next question is - what grade ABEC bearings should I go for? Does anyone know what grade are already fitted by in a 7ht when it leaves the daiwa factory?

[Boat rod for cod - what line class]

I have a 12 - 20lb Ugly Stik boat rod but have been told it will be undergunned for cod and i need a 30lb class rod. Can anyone give an opinion on whether I need to shell out my hard earned cash on a 30lb rod?

[Fly or Spinning for bass from a harbour wall?]

i work in a naval dockyard and I've just seen an enormous bass working its way along the harbour wall. i'm thinking of fishing there one evening - Can anyone advise me on how to tackle it with a fly or spinner. There are very few casting restrictions but in particular I'm not sure if I should use a sinking or floating line. Should i use small redgill eels for flies or propper flies?

[shakespeare Salt Extreme Bass Rod vs Travel Rod]

has anyone tried teh new Shakespeare Bass Extreme rod? i was thinking of getting one to take on holiday as a general light beach rod. It comes in 3 pieces which makes it easy to transport. Alternatively I might go for the salt XT Travel Rod.

[Porthleven, cornwall in May]

I will be staying in Porthleven for a weeek mid May. Can anyone give me advice on how and where to fish? I will be in a cottage to the east of the harbour, at the start of the long stretch of beach. I've had a look on Google Earth and it looks like the beack is pebbles and not sand but I'm not sure.

 

Advice on what to expect, where to go and what baits woudl be very welcome. Will I get away with a bass rod and 15lb line or do I need to go with a standard berachcatser and heavier line?

 

thanks

 

John

[Commercial Fisheries near Shrewsbury]

The one I liike best is Wigmore Fisheries at Halfway House on the A458 between Shrewsbury and Weshpool £6 a day for two rods 2 pools one about 4 acres other about 1 neither too "commercial" put 4 maggot on a 16 hook when you have a bite may be 3" gudgeon or 12lb Carp also roach bream tench in the large pool they have matches on a sunday

 

Thanks Tangled - one of the guys in Total angling was very helpful (as always!) and told me about Wigmore. The only problem was that when I went to look for it I couldn't find it. i went back to TA the otherday and now have detailed directions. Looks like I'll be giving it atry ina couple of days.

 

Do you know what the rules are there? I want to fish one rod with float and maggot and the other with a method feeder.

[Commercial Fisheries near Shrewsbury]

Now that the rivers are closed I need to find some decent commercials. can anyone recommend some decent commercials near Shrewsbury?

[Carp Fishing Near Shrewsbury]

can anyone recommend a decent carp fishery near Shrewsbury?

 

thanks

[How big are the Okuma baitrunners?]

can anyone please help? I want to place an online order for an Okuma baitrunner and would like to know roughly how the sizes compare with the shimanos.

 

I want a reel roughly the size of the 6/8/1000 shimano (they all have the same size body, just different spool capacity). I was looking at an Epix Pro 50 or 60 but I'm a bit worried it will be the size of a big pit reel, which is not what I want.

 

Can anyone offer an info?

 

thanks

 

John

[Okuma Baitrunner sizes]

can anyone please help? I want to place an online order for an Okuma baitrunner and would like to know roughly how the sizes compare with the shimanos.

 

I want a reel roughly the size of the 6/8/1000 shimano (they all have the same size body, just different spool capacity). I was looking at an Epix Pro 50 or 60 but I'm a bit worried it will be the size of a big pit reel, which is not what I want.

 

Can anyone offer an info?

 

thanks

 

John

[Try again! - TF Gear V8 Distance Reel]

Ignore my last post - I got the name of the reel wrong!!

 

I am thinking about buying a TF Gear V8 Distance reel - has anyone else got one? If so how would you rate them? also, how do the sizes relate compared say to a Shimano baitrunner 6000, 8000 or 10000? Lastly, does it have a good drag system?

[Shore fishing on the mid to north Welsh Coast]

Can anyone recommend a decent venue on the mid / North Welsh coast? I would like to take my son with me so ideally it neds to have safe access especially at night.

[TF Gear Vanquish Reel]

I am thinking about buying a TF Gear vanquish reel - has anyone else got one? If so how would you rate them? also, how do the sizes relate compared say to a Shimano baitrunner 6000, 8000 or 10000? Lastly, does it have a good drag system?

[LMS fishing Club (Shrewsbury)]

I was thinking of joining the LMS club that has waters near Shrewsbury. can anyone tell me if its worth the £30 membership fee?

 

Alternatively I'm also looking at the Shropshire Angling Federation club but their waters look far more crowded.

 

I want to catch chub and barbel predominantly.

[Fox getting in on the Centrepin market]

The Okuma trent looks a bit heavy - does it spin freely enough for normal trotting?

[Fox getting in on the Centrepin market]

I saw Bob James using one at the Fox show at Willow Farm a few weeks ago. He said it was basically the same as the Youngs reel with upgraded bearings. It looked identical to the Youngs BJ reel (I have one) only sightly different colour and very slightly bigger.

 

A nice reel but in my opinion no beter than the original Youngs version.