Recent content by Tim Marks

I have an Acolyte Specimen rod and think it is excellent. I’ve never previously owned an Acolyte; partly because of their perceived reputation for fragility. I have no knowledge of breakage issues with the Specimen version.

There are very similar products on the market but aimed at dog walkers.

Very good advice from Richard I. To me the key difference with home made bait is the fact that you can make it unique. On pressured venues I am convinced that using the ‘best’ bait is a big advantage. Just look at heavily fished carp waters for evidence. The flip side of that is that there are...

PM incoming.

I have thought similar about the Thames for several years. One stretch I used to fish regularly started to smell after it got dark. There appeared to be almost no chub there, yet the stretches close by had plenty....and the few barbel that we used to target there seem to have vanished...

Either high summer or the last month of the season would be my pick. Somebody I know catches them in the summer whilst barbel fishing. My own experience is that roach (any roach!) are very catchable on the Thames right through the colder months as long as the water is reasonably warm and is...

Could be an early Century blank - I had some from Paul Boote (Tristar) that looked like that. They did have spigots. And he did a 12ft 2 1/4.

For feeder fishing they are much more user friendly. You can set the standard drag as ‘normal’ and then use the fighting drag to dial out current etc. For stillwaters, cast out having set the standard drag, then set you bobbin and lastly slacken the fighting drag to allow a fish to pull line...

The Shimano XR’s are great reels. I have 2x 5000 size. I use them for float work. However for a feeder set up I would use a Shimano 4000 Gt-Rd. Primarily because it has a fighting drag which makes it super versatile. I’ve used various similar Shimano fighting drag reels since about 1990 for all...

The Sabre compact is a fantastic Small rucksack. Highly recommended.

Just phone Dave Lumb. He has a selection of suitable blanks 10/11/12 ft and 2.5 - 3lb test curve. On a budget I would look for used 2.75 or 3lb test curve Harrison Chimeras.

Soft Plus is excellent; but I only use it for hooklinks - so the unit price isn’t such an issue.

Phil; PM incoming.

Same for me, Tiger line in 16lb was really good. I tried X-line before that and didn’t like it. But bear in mind that was a few years ago. I would probably try Hybron these days.

Happy New Year 🍷