pikergonecarpin

Pre 72 my choice would be a Reliant Scimitar GTE Paul.

Give these guys a try http://www.masonmap.com/htm/main_htm/services/services.htm Should be an outlet near you. I have used them for big A1 size copying in the past. Paul.

I like the martini cars, but if we're talking rally porn here, well this floats my boat http://6r4.net/mg/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=4 Paul.

I make my own using pebbles for carping. Not because i think they look more natural, just that i fish with my clips set very light and i expect to lose a weight every time i get a run. I don't really like the idea of leaving lots of lead in the water. Also compared to the cost of buying lead weights, these cost next to nothing. Only the cost of a swivel and a minute of my time. Paul.

Looks like a smelt to me

I know what you mean, i wouldn't use my 6000 size shimanos on my 1lb tc avon rod either. They would just be that bit too big and heavy. On my avon i use an old 4010 baitrunner which balances it really well. Unfortunately i don't think Shimano make anything that size with the baitrunner facility anymore Paul.

Probably a bit blinkered yes I've used various shimanos for coarse fishing since the early 90's and had no trouble whatsoever with them. The only other baitrunner type i've tried, were a couple of Okuma interceptors (used them on stalking rods for carp). Nice enough reels, but the free spool system had a nasty habbit of not engaging properly. Not a good sight seeing rods being dragged towards the water . I eventually replaced them with a pair of 5000re's. Paul.

I wouldn't look past a shimano. For only a fiver more than your budget you can get one of the 6000re bairtunners. There's even the newer one, the ST baitrunner i think it's called and it's about £49.99 for the 6000 size. See : http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/Affiliate-Offe...unner-reel.html Paul.

Ebay's message system is notoriously poor, half the time messages never arrive. Don't blame sellers for the lack of response, half the time it's not their falt. http://forums.ebay.co.uk/thread.jspa?threa...835&start=0 This is a regular occurance on the new glitchy ebay

I was fishing Loch Awe for a weekend all bivvied up in a farmers field. In the morning my alarm went off. I usually do this so i can get the rods cast out a few hours before the sun comes up. Well half asleep i unzipped the door on the titan and stumbled out into absolute chaos as dark shapes flew everywhere screeming..... Bloody sheep were using my bivvy as a wind break for the night Paul.

Slightly O/T but hey. C.F. Tunnicliffe also illustrated my favourite fishing book "Going Fishing" by Negley Farson. Brilliant book that i would highly recommend. Paul.

I use Shimano Technium for most of my pike and carp fishing, it comes in a nice metal tin keeping it away from those nasty rays. Paul.

I just compared my 4010 and the 5010's. The bodies are exactly the same size, only the spool holds less on the 4010.

I've got 5010's in the house too, i'll have a look later on tonight.

I use an old Shimano 4010 baitrunner on my avon rod. I'm not sure if it's much smaller than a 5010, but it balances well on my setup. Paul.

What a great post Leon! I've been thinking about something similar for a while, i've just never got round to doing it. What concerned me was the size of hook/hooks i would need as i regularly use rainbows 8oz to a lb. Perhaps using the sea angers double hooking arrangement would be ideal for baits this size? Paul.

That's not a loch i've ever fished. Locating perch on the bigger highland lochs can be a bit hit and miss sometimes. Best locations i've found personally were wherever water enters the loch, these areas seem to attract them, maybe due to the water coming in usually being slightly coloured, especially if it is a peaty area. Also the marginal reeds/weeds can be good. I've never had that much luck for perch in the really deep water, anything over 15ft and i seem to struggle. I fish lobs almost exclusively due to the jacks, but if you're there to fish for pike too, well that's not too much of an issue. I've also caught some cracking eels on lobs from these big lochs, even during the day. One more thing while i remember. If anyone is looking to fish the lochs in Scotland, this site can be invaluable to you : http://www.nls.uk/maps/bathymetric/loch_order.html The information is fairly old obviously, and some of the loch names have even changed, but most of the lochs are still very similar in layout and depths, even now. It gives a good head start when breaking new ground. P.s. You can zoom around the maps and take screenshots for future reference, very handy. Paul.

It's cheap and easy to file a small claim in Scotland, i sued my bank (HBOS) for charges, and got 3 grand out of them The paperwork was pretty easy and it was only £60ish to file. Although if the claim is under £200 the fee for filing is only £15 You simply file the claim at the court nearest to him, and you can post it to them. Oh and don't forget to add you expenses to the claim too

Strange, i just gave it a try using the "quick quote" service. I got it to take a 160x20x20 2kg no problems. There are a few services it says you cannot use, but lists 4 that will take longer parcels. Price varied from £21.51 for standard 1-2day delivery (10.32 surcharge for length!) to £34.00 for ultra next day delivery.

I use Parcels2Go They'll pick it up (usually ends up being DHL with me) and they're cheap for normal parcels. Usually only about £7.00, but your length might be an issue I used to use them for my ebay stuff, best bit is they take Paypal so you can just use the money paid by your punters Paul.

I used to sell collectables on Ebay, no more, not since the last round of changes. They're gradually driving out the small sellers to make way for the big corporates with purely BIN's, something it seems ebay is keen on. Just have a look at Ebay Community Forums They are awash with complains. What ebay fail to see is that most of these selles are also the buyers, drive one away and you'll drive them all away.

I'd agree with that, and maybe tag on fly casting accuracy, something i've been useless at for years

I was a member of the carp group for a season, but only ended up fishing their waters once due to joining another water shortly after. That was a few years ago now, and the other water that i've been fishing for 4 years has been shut down by Scottish Coal unfortunately I may end up joining again soon, once i've made up my mind what fishing i'm going to do this year. Paul.

I can envisage worse effects to our sport if we start proclaiming no-one should eat course fish.

Good news that the fishery is doing well , just sad that the wildies are no longer there. They must be rare creatures these days. Paul.