Ducktape Corkfeet

http://www.foxint.com/catalogues-products....&section=62 plus a good split ring! Brilliant for fly fishing! http://www.dlstshop.co.uk/shop/category_38...ram=cid%3D44%26 best there is - period!

Sorry Andy, but I spat coffee all over my screen and fell off my chair when I read your post! It was a joke! Like any rod, they have their applications. For lure fishing I actually find them completely unwieldy, so much so I haven't used one for some years. I much prefer a tool designed for the job. There is absolutely nothing wrong with anyone using a spinning rod for anything other than spinning, unless, to be honest, it's a 7-21g model and it's being used for dead-baiting for pike I agree with everything else you've said.

http://www.babelfish.org/ ????!!!! Too many school kids have caught 5lb'ers for it to become trendy. Nowt wrong with being able to get hold of the specific gear for them though, would stop numpties fishing for them with spinning rods

Thank you for the offer, but I do actually have loads of different oils here, just need to know a preference. I wouldn't actually ever use WD40 for anything other than cleaning, as it's not a lubricant. The reel, I'm not sure the make(no name on it), but is ball bearing, and it's aluminium bar stock. Was thinking sewing machine oil? TG Rocket Fuel Yellow? 3 in 1? Thanks

No, although you can buy some very light lures, that as well as having a balsa wood body, have fibre/feather/fur tails, that mimic "flies". You need a dedicated fly rod to fly fish, as it is the line that makes the weight for casting, unlike most other types of fishing, where the weight is on the end of the line. Would recommend nothing less than a ten weight for pike.

Just make sure that you spool a little mono backing onto the reel before you put the braid on, otherwise the braid will slip on the spool. Join with a double overhand knot, and soak the braid before putting it on. Make sure the braid is wound on under a good bit of tension, and I would pack the spool up to about 2mm from the lip. This will slow the spool greatly, and is lesss likely to cause birds nests. A round profile braid like Power Pro will aid the job immensely, as there are some flat profile braids which aren't as easy to get one with.

..........and fireline is the worst line I've ever used. It is truly terrible. Many people think it is braid, which it is not! The noise it makes in the rod rings is truly scary, and I'm sure puts off! Frays like bu**ery too!

50lb Power Pro is about the same thickness as 15lb mono. Braid is less abrasion resistant than monos, and that's one reason for the higher breaking strains, the other main reason being that you'll get your lures back every time. There is absolutely no need to use any kind of mono leader with braid when lure fishing, with exception of maybe perch, chub or zander fishing. Just always use a wire trace if there are pike in the water. Braid has almost no stretch, which keeps you in contact with the lure, so why put more stretch into it, and effectively handicap yourself?

Another Power Pro vote from me, it'll pay for itself time and time again. Lightest I'd use is 30lb for lures up to 2 oz, 50lb for lures up 3oz, 80lb for lures up to 4oz, and 100lb for normal lures, anything over that!

My reel is starting to squeak a little, and I was wondering what type of oil to lubricate it with?

All my baitrunners, from the originals, have had a lot of abuse, and are still going strong. The new XTE-A's are the best yet in my opinion. I've also never had a problem with Shimano service (other than a couple of dour, condecending welshmen!).

Honda CR-V Diesel Nissan X-Trail Ford S-Max (with sliding boot floor option) Any of the three vehicles above are fantastic cars for fishing. All come in reliable, quiet (especially the Honda!) diesels, and all very good to drive. I get anywhere between 40-50mpg in the CR-V, and it's quick as hell too! They all have boots over 500 litres, with great access. Best of all, they are brilliant for the rest of the time when you aren't fishing, especially if you have a family.

http://www.foxint.com/catalogues-products....1&section=1 I've been using these for a while with some success.

Simple - Shimano Stradic Front Drag 4000.

That's only one spool though, the other is an altogether more normal looking silver and black, much the same as as the older spools you've mentioned.

Excellent tribute to the man. Shame I couldn't download it.

Shimano Super Baitrunner 5000 XTE-A http://fish.shimano-eu.com/catalog/fish/pr...D=1213898909591 The perfect reel for the job.

Only after buying a Fox Duo-lite Avon. Brilliant rod, and for the price it's a steal. Couldn't believe that the 1lb top section would be so versatile, and it's a beautiful tool to fight a fish with. Billy will also do you a good price on it Jeepster

Chub Lo-Lite, just try one!!

In the winter, the pike will shoal together, and once you are on one, you are on the most of them. They will gather near food sources, so they don't have to expend so much energy in searching for food, and hence are able to put the weight on necessary for spawning.

Petzl Zipka, the one with the retractable kevlar cord. Small and light with the benefit of being able to put it around anything you need to, such as your wrist. You can also get a red lens which is a must for night fishing, as it doesn't cast a beam, and when you switch it off, you are not blinded by white light. The batteries last for ages too. Whatever you do, you must not use lithium batteries with LED's, as they will kill them. I've been using one for four years now with no problems, and most of my fishing is at night.

No, forget moon boots...................buy Muck boots instead!!!!!!! Much better!!

When you are to be entrusted with the life of any creature on this planet, I believe you should have to complete some form of competency test. This would not have to be just for pike, it could be a general handling course.

Sundridge Sleepskin, just simply amazing peice of kit.