Help? It's like another planet.

[Catnfiddled]

Hi all,

 

new to this site so not really sure what to expect but here goes.

 

In my youth i fished constantly for about 8 years 1978-86 mainly in Cheshire/Manchester. But when girls, bikes, beer, football etc came along the fishing took a bag seat and never really recovered - Until yesterday that is.

 

My brother (how never did fish like I did) has been taking his son fishing in the holidays to some of the old waters I fished as a lad. he's been asking me to come along and show them the ropes. So yesterday I dusted down my old takle, no I never sold anything, and went along to fish with them.

 

I had a great time and it really brought the memories flooding back. We were only float fishing for small roach, perch etc. But I hit four fish in my first four casts! (brother looked ready to throw me in). We only stayed for four hours and I did manage to show my brother and nephew my 25 year old knowledge of fishing! So they know how to tie a blood knot and what size of hooks to use, how to unhook safely etc. I was a great few hours and I'll will be going a lot more from now on.

 

Now here's the question. What the hell has happened to the tackle? I know it's been 21 years since I've been in a tackle shop but looking at the websites and how people fish these days I feel like Marty fro Back to the Future!

 

Yesterday I took my 25 yr old Shakespeare carbon (a big deal in 1982)Match rod and my Mitchell Match reel and used 3lb main line to 1lb bottom on a 22 hook. Considered by most to be the dogs in 1983 for the job in hand. Actually still considered by me to be exactly that! Chatting to my brother he says that Mitchell Reels are considered "vintage and antique these days" even worse "Mitchell reels aren't considered any good these days" Yeah right, I thought these were the ramblings of a novice. He even mentioned something about "Carp poles" Fishing for Carp on a pole rod?? Now I knew he'd lost it!! I'll check it out later on the internet I thought.

 

So last night I went trawling the web to look at what has happened in the last 21 years. I have to tell you I'm amazed at what's happened.

When I finished fishing I was mainly carp fishing and as such had two "Carbon" 1.75lb tc fast taper 11ft rods, a pair of Mitchell 300A reels (not considered quite as good as ABU cardinals at the time) a pair of Optonic alarms, plus all the other gear deemed necessary at the time.

 

Looking at today's gear though is really entertaining. On eBay Mitchell match reels are listed as vintage! Pole fishing seems to be the norm and you actually do go for carp with them! Poles go to 16m!! in length, that's over 50 ft. Mitchell Reels seem to have been replaced by Shimano, I've never even heard of Shimano! Diawa seem to make everything are are considered quality, when they were considered pretty middle of the road in the 80's. What the hell is a "baitrunner"? Optonic's seem to have gone? Now replaced by about four brands? And carp bait?? Good god, it looks like the you could buy "poodle flavoured" boilies if you so wished these days. I've never even heard of pre-packed boilies! The only prepacked carp bait we had was sweetcorn and luncheon meat! Does anyone use sausage meeting with Pilchard flavour cat buscuit in anymore?

We all had our "secret recipe boilie" that we'd never tell a soul. Now it's all prepacked and available to all.

 

The whole game is a lot more commercialised these days as most things are. The one really positive thing seems to be the cost of it all.

My reels cost me £45 each in the '82, the rods £200 each the alarms £35 each. It seems that similar kit these days is a lot less expensive.

 

So what is considered good quality kit these days and how much would it cost?

 

Thanks.

[dapper64]

If you feel comfortable with it and it still works alright why dont you keep using it,I bought a second hand float rod with swish eyes about 20 years ago and I use it regularly.

[Team Man]

Hi Catnfiddled,

 

First off, welcome to the forum, don't worry about what people say about your tackle being out of date, I'm still fishing with old gear, the fish don't really know the difference, still use my old Optonic that's been dunked in the water a few times and now sounds like a dying duck. You don't need to buy new gear to catch fish, I get a lot of pleasure using my old gear, but I understand what you say about all the modern tackle in the shops.

[Catnfiddled]

Thanks dapper and Alan,

 

You're right, I love my old gear and I certainly won't be swapping my reel for anything.

 

I took a trip to my local tackle shop today and after I posted.

The owner was really good, just as they always were, and advised on various issues and innovations. Float adapters seem to be an obvious and great new invention to me. I had a look at the new (to me) rods and was impressed to see that you can buy better than my old "carbon" for about £30! The new baits I find just bewildering. expanding pellets for pole fishing, pellets for match fishing etc etc. The boilies? Just amazing all round.

I was advised about a Rod License, we were always supposed to have them in the 80's, but nobody really bothered as no checks ever took place. Now it seems you'd better have one or face the firing squad? The enviro agency seem really hot on this? Seems like another new labour stealth tax to me?? Or do they actually invest the cash back in?

 

I left the shop with a new disgorger, a few new floats, some shot and a couple of bank sticks - just like I would have done in 1982!!

 

I'll be back though, not to replace my gear, I kept it cause I love it. But because the old fishing bug has caught on again!

[Errrm]

Hi,

 

I've done a similar thing I stopped fishing in 1996 and came back about 4 months ago.... and everyone is obsessed with carp, they were a exotic species when/where I fished :-).

 

Are Mitchell reels really that bad now? I almost bought one the other day for float fishing and light ledgering ( ~£40 ) it seemed good enough but would anyone advise me to stear clear of it?

 

Errrm

[Newt]

The Mitchell 300 series (300X and the brand new 300Xe) reels seem fine to me. I use them and sell them and I will neither use nor sell gear I don't like.

 

I used the original 300 version for years and except for bail spring issues, never had trouble with them either. I still have several but they have been retired from active service.

[carper_AJ]

welcome m8 to AN,

 

I'd just like to say it is whateva your comfortable with and also what type of tackle would suit your style of fishing.

 

light float work, with light lines, stick to a nice and light 10/11ft rod, maybe even a closedface reel to stop your delicate lines blowing everywhere. But i still prefer open.

 

feeder,casting a fair distance with a feeder packed with groundbait needs some power. Stick to 12/13ft rod with quivertip insert. And definetely open faced reel, but a reel with some power in the engine room!!! Maybe a little shimano 4000 spooled with 6lb,(can always use hooklenght if worried)

 

waggler, for small to meduim carp, tench and bream. Id stick to an avon style rod with a 1.75 tc. So you can give the fish some stick!Again same kinda reel, shimano 4000. or maybe Daiwa.

 

finally carp fishing. No less than a 12ft, at least 2.50tc to whack the leads out unless just generalist fishing, for example, floater fishing, stalking carp in shallow waters with float etc. And personally which i think is the most inportant part, the reel. Basically a freespin 50/60 will suit best, with good drag settings and a spare spool. Loaded with no less 10lb mono or maybe braid!!!!!!!

 

I really hope i've helped

 

Good Luck

[Unimexsol]

Pretty much would echo what others on here said. If you are comfortable with using your rod then why change? I would recommend that you change the line on your reel though as monofilament line deteriates over time. I would also recommend buying a license, it might never get checked but if it does and you don't have one then it's a hefty fine and you lose all your gear. For £25 it just isn't worth the risk.

[fishy_con]

I should be getting up in an hour for my first maggot drowning session in over a year! even before then my fishing had been pretty inconsistant with a new family and work i found myself having neither the time or money. I went out yesterday and decided to speculate on some new tackle as my old gear (which was budget in the first place) was looking tired and battered after storage and a house move.

 

My nephew has taken a liking to fishing so i thought i'd encourage him as i know how much i got out of it when i was his age too, the concentration, the craft of fishing and the feeling of acheivment after a good catch (not to mention infinite patience and the will to continue after a drought of any kind of fish! lol) are all valuable in my opinion.

 

Anyhow i decided to buy a coarse fishing bundle from Argos! (of all places i know...) im sure many have seen the stuff they sell in there but to be honest i always overlooked it as i preferred to use my local angling stores because of the service and advice that i got which was great for a novice like me. I've never really been a carp fisherman which i believe is where all the serious money seems to be spent (a fising friend of mine recently spent £700 on a remote controlled bait boat ) but for £100 i seem to have got nearly everything i need. I know that in time i will inevitably replace bits and upgrade, and some of the kit i probably wont find any use for at all but to have pretty much an ENTRE coarse fishing outfit (and a half decent one at that) for under £100 to me seems very reasonable and is making the sport more accessable for all

[rarepleasures]

Anyhow i decided to buy a coarse fishing bundle from Argos! (of all places i know...)

 

Theres nothing wrong with Argos per se, they sell the a limited range of same budget brands as you'd get online: Keenets, Zebco, Leeda and you wouldn't have to pay for delivery. But the range is limited and seems to be Carp focused. You could try local dealer for budget ranges such as Leeda, Dragon, Avanti.