Recent content by Christian Tyroll

Hi Russ, it will depend how freely they spin. I’ve had a handful of trudex and rapidex over the years and a couple of them could trot a float. Most of them were a bit stiff but nice enough for other types of fishing. It’s possible they’ll just need a bit of tlc.

Not sure what the difference is between say 5oz and 8oz, once you’re lobbing a big lead or a 4oz loaded feeder, you're lobbing a big weight.

I’d like one too, can’t afford one though 😂

Well done Steve, that’s some fish.

Sometimes there’s more to life than fishing, no point forcing it and health permitting, it will always be there.

Hi Steve, hope everything is ok. Once a brother of the angle, always a brother of the angle.

I managed two short after work sessions on the Ribble last week. The first session resulted in one just under 9lb, the second session was a blank. The wind had swung round and I was shaking when packing up. I don’t think I’ll ever take for granted catching a winter barbel.

The weight difference between the 5000 and 4000 xr is really negligible as well, so in my mind there was no reason not to get the slighter bigger one. The 5000 is much smaller than shimano 5000 reels of old, more like 4000 size but with a nice wide spool.

They feel much lighter.

If you're not fussed about a baitrunner the Shimano Aero XR 5000 is nice. Sometimes on offer for about a £100, I paid £95 a while back. Its much lighter than the OCs. The ninjas are decent but personally I like the XR a lot more.

I really like Dave’s, they’re no nonsense, understated, but done well. I’ve got or had carp rods from both Tacklebox and Johnson Ross and wouldn’t hesitate to use either of them again either. Although imagine I’ll never buy another pair of carp rods.

I’ll be out tomorrow after work. Can’t wait.

I always had Drennan as a benchmark for quality, aside from an acolyte I haven’t been able to convince myself to buy a Drennan rod since the series 7.

I’ve got two barbel rods with shrink wrap. I wish they were both cork tbh! The only duplon rod I own is a 10ft ballista carp rod, it’s been done really nicely and in that instance I like it as much as cork. On balance gotta be cork though.

I’ve got a chimera 3 with 9+ tip and it feels like one too many rings to me. If I was choosing the ringing I think I’d go for 8, or even 7 plus tip.