Have I chosen wisely?

[Stormflex]

I am new to coarse fishing, although already fly fish, and have probably spent so long looking at which tackle to buy that I just ended up confusing myself!

 

In the end I've gone for a Greys Prodigy 12ft float rod (reel line rating 3-10lb) matched with a Shimano Exage 3000 size reel and have some Daiwa Sensor 4lb and 8lb line on order.

 

I will most commonly be fishing the Basingstoke Canal but will try out some of the local fisheries from time to time. As an idea, one nearby quotes: "The lake holds approximately 5000 fish including Roach up to 3lbs, Carp from 1lb-8lbs, Rudd up to 1.5lbs, Tench up to 8lbs and Perch up to 4.5lbs"

 

I also intend on picking up a feeder rod at some point in the future, so will look to use the same reel with it.

 

Should I have gone for a 13ft rod? (I could still change)

Should I have gone for a 4000 size reel? (I could send it back for a swap)

Are the lines I've chosen sensible?

 

Thanks for any advice

 

Richard

[lutra]

I am new to coarse fishing, although already fly fish, and have probably spent so long looking at which tackle to buy that I just ended up confusing myself!

 

In the end I've gone for a Greys Prodigy 12ft float rod (reel line rating 3-10lb) matched with a Shimano Exage 3000 size reel and have some Daiwa Sensor 4lb and 8lb line on order.

 

I will most commonly be fishing the Basingstoke Canal but will try out some of the local fisheries from time to time. As an idea, one nearby quotes: "The lake holds approximately 5000 fish including Roach up to 3lbs, Carp from 1lb-8lbs, Rudd up to 1.5lbs, Tench up to 8lbs and Perch up to 4.5lbs"

 

I also intend on picking up a feeder rod at some point in the future, so will look to use the same reel with it.

 

Should I have gone for a 13ft rod? (I could still change)

Should I have gone for a 4000 size reel? (I could send it back for a swap)

Are the lines I've chosen sensible?

 

Thanks for any advice

 

Richard

Their a stiff powerful rod and i wouldn't fancy it for the rudd and roach fishing or with the 3lb line it's rated from if there was good sized fish knocking about.

 

For carp and good tench with 8lb line it should be fine.

[medwaygreen]

Now asking for advise after you have already bought the items is never a good idea . As said the rod has a fairly stiff action and may be over gunning for canal work, but for small Carp and large Tench it would be ideal on the upper BS lines, when using the rod for your canal fishing try finding a 3lb BS line with some stretch and use a light hook length this will be more forgiving on strike and once you get used to the rod action you will be able to judge the striking action needed to have success.

Good luck.

Edited October 30, 2010 by medwaygreen

[chesters1]

just because theres fish to a reasonable size doesnt mean you will catch them ,some fish all their lives and never catch a specimen fish (myself included) if they dont specialise for them.

the tackle seems fine but for the crayfish of the canal a little heavy

if you join farnham and fish stockbridge the fish will laugh at such heavy gear

Edited October 30, 2010 by chesters1

[Stormflex]

Now I just have this sort of sick feeling in my stomach

 

Anyone want to buy a brand new Greys Prodigy float rod?

 

I can see this is going to get me into trouble.....

[Austin]

Now I just have this sort of sick feeling in my stomach

 

Anyone want to buy a brand new Greys Prodigy float rod?

 

I can see this is going to get me into trouble.....

 

Just keep hold of it if needs be you can go get hold of a cheaper alternative and use that. I bought a shakspear omni and a shimano 5000rb reel to start off with and have enjoyed myself using it. Plus its not all about the gear its about the different black arts of fishing that some on here seem to be jedi masters.

Trust me give it a while and you'll find a good use for it and the want to travel further afield. This fishing malarky is a constant learning curve from bait to box bungees just enjoy the journey and get used to swearing at the water like a tazmanian devil XD

[larsagi2010]

Now I just have this sort of sick feeling in my stomach

 

Anyone want to buy a brand new Greys Prodigy float rod?

 

I can see this is going to get me into trouble.....

 

I will add I use a rod/line on occasional that is extremely wrong for the fishing its used for.

 

I for example have a telescopic Pike rod that is extremely strong with little flex. It has 15lb line on it and I have in the past tied on a size 14 hook, a small stick float and fished the margins close in....

 

In the summer I had a PB of 58 small course fish on it, pretty much every one was banked with ease as it was lift and un-hook.

 

So you may find it will do much better than expected.

[Stormflex]

All may not be lost - I have the option of a Greys G-Tec 13ft Float for the same price as the Prodigy.

 

http://coarse.greysfishing.com/en-gb/produ...g-tec-13-float/

 

From what people are saying I'm guessing this will be a better option for me?

 

Thanks to all who took the time to respond. I just had this feeling inside that I hadn't chosen the right rod.

[watatoad]

That's incredibly heavy tackle for a canal or even most rivers. My canal rods take lines from 1.5lb, even my river rods go down to 2lb lines, but I will admit I am an exceptionally light angler so far as my tackle goes. The rest of me is another story...hehehe

 

Give my old website a look http://www.watatoad.com for a few rod tests

[Rusty]

Now I just have this sort of sick feeling in my stomach

 

Anyone want to buy a brand new Greys Prodigy float rod?

 

I can see this is going to get me into trouble.....

 

No need for that, use your new kit and enjoy it. If you do find that it's really unsuitable for light work (and I very much doubt you will) then you've bought a rod that'll be useful in future. Forget the numbers and theory, it's a float rod so try it and see how it goes.

 

I bet it'll be fine.