Recent content by Tim Marks

Use virtually anything - as long as it fills the crimp.

I use an improved Albright for proper combi-rigs. But the simplest way is to up the thickness of the nylon/Fluoro a bit and then crimp it. Then tie the hook knotless style with a loop of braid and you can add/change hooks at will. See the recent Korda video on ‘combi-rigs’ for more details.

Done. Keep up the good work.

If you buy stockingfoot breathables you can save money on boots by buying a cheap pair of walking boots from an outdoor shop. I took my (Vision) waders to ‘Regatta’ (other stores are available) and then tried various cheap rubber soled boots to get the best fit. I ended up with a pair for about...

The best Fluoro out there is probably still ‘Soft plus’. It is reassuringly expensive; but it is very good stuff. If, and that is a big if, I actually used it for barbel fishing I would start at 13lb and work up from there.

According to Darryl Peck (carp angler extraordinaire and Korda employee) the best braid for his combi-rig is called ‘slip d braid’. It is a newish Korda product; read into that what you will. Allegedly it is stiffer than ‘supernatural’. I tie my (occasional) combi rigs with 25lb supernatural...

That suggestion got rejected decades ago - allegedly for environmental reasons.

Local BBC news this morning is reporting another ‘attempt’ to build a new reservoir at Abingdon (near Oxford). To my knowledge this is the fourth time (in about 30 years) that this plan has been up for discussion. When is this country going to start taking water supply seriously ? The last...

You are exactly right. It is a potential can of worms. I could name one well known bait that was/has been/maybe still is available in about 5 different versions. IF you get the best version then it is significantly more productive than the run of the mill stuff….a little bit extra of the ‘right...

Same here; I always use alarms for zander, but almost never for barbel.

PM incoming…….

They are of great interest; I’m just trying to resist……..

If you get hold of some big hollow tips you can simply glue them over the top of narrow ones. Not a very elegant solution, but it works.

Thanks, that's super helpful. AD here I come. 'Cast' is another word for lob ! I'm careful with my 1.75 rods; but with my C3's, Chimera 2.5's and Torrix 2.25's I can fish big leads at close-ish range. I tend to go home when I need 6oz on the Thames. My mate has a horrible habit if using...

The lake holds carp to over 50 - if I hook one I want to stand a real chance of getting it in. I’ve had them there to 43 (on purpose, years ago). Same on some of the river stretches we fish - we have had upper 30 carp and there are bigger……And we use up to 6oz leads.