Don’t tell em PIKE! 🤦‍♂️

[Russ Pike]

Thank you for letting me into this wonderful BFW!
I am learning so much already! (Ref my surname, No Dads Army jokes please guys, if I had a quid for every time I’ve heard… )
Being Nottingham born and bred, I spent most of my childhood on the Trent but over the past 40 years I’ve been in and out of fishing with the usual commitments in life.

I still consider myself a newbie to the barbel fishing world and especially after reading some of the knowledge, wisdom and tackle you guys have.

So, I’ve spent a few quid on various amounts of kit to help improve my course fishing and what I thought was half decent gear, until I arrived here! My current barbel arsenal primarily consists of 2 x 1.75 12ft Drennan Specialist Barbel rods paired with Diawa GS 500s and 2 x 2.25 Drennan Specialist Barbel rods paired with Guru specimen 6000 reels. Along with all the other kit, accessories and terminal tackle, etc…

Obviously, I’m not anywhere near a seasoned pro like many of you guys. But my question is and my thinking is now: have I wasted good money on buying into commercialised crap! Is this kit fit for purpose. I am enjoying using it but now reading some of these threads on various tackle topics, I’m questioning my judgement. Not trying to run before I can walk but have been thinking… hmmmm!

Any response or criticism is welcome and appreciated.

Warmest wishes

Mr Pike

 

[Simon Archer]

Welcome, Russ.

I'm no expert either, but I think what you've got kit wise is pretty good to be honest. As you go along you'll know if something isn't right. That's the time to change it. Nothing wrong with what you've bought IMO.

Only thing you may want to consider is a beefier rod if you plan to fish in the floods or Tidal reaches of the Trent. 2.75lbs TC for chucking out those really big weights.

Tight lines.

 

[Russ Pike]

Welcome, Russ.

I'm no expert either, but I think what you've got kit wise is pretty good to be honest. As you go along you'll know if something isn't right. That's the time to change it. Nothing wrong with what you've bought IMO.

Only thing you may want to consider is a beefier rod if you plan to fish in the floods or Tidal reaches of the Trent. 2.75lbs TC for chucking out those really big weights.

Tight lines.

Thanks Simon for the welcome and reassurance. I’ve not ventured onto the tidal Trent yet, maybe next season. I’m currently reading the Bob Roberts book on the Mighty Trent

 

[Graham Elliott]

Your tackle looks fine to me.

As Simon says, after a time if you want to treat yourself to a few tackle changes if¹ you can. However most gear will only really give you a minor advantage, if any, and if most told the truth, many of us buy because we enjoy it!

Being a Seasoned Trent angler, I would suggest you learn from those that you meet that are successful on the banks as well as here, and sometimes have a break from barbel and try catch some of those enormous ZANDER now showing .

 

[Russ Pike]

Thanks Graham, it does become rather addictive, doesn’t it! “What! More fishing tackle!!?”

I’ve been watching that kid on YouTube “lures only” I think he’s an ambassador for Fox now. He pulls some clonking Zander out!

I’ve just joined the BMAA so hoping for a few Dove Chub before the season ends.