duncan

if you are out Sat I will come down just to look at you bobbing about! ps did you get the commode?

my lower back is shot to shit - surgery etc etc I've yet to meet a situation that reguires such an arrangement I can understand a butt cap (well my balls appreciate it) but for chisrt sake enjoy fighting a decent fish don't regret it!

Jck, the implemetation of any EU compliant solution lies 100% with this government and is nothing to do with the EU. bottom line - EU says you have to add about 13p/pl duty to comply with EU regulations what actually happens is another matter.....................

was a commode a standard fitting on Mike's new boat or an optional extra?

hidden deep in the main document is the news that the Govenrment will implement the changes re derogation on 1 November 2008 - after due consultation as to how etc etc This seems a reasonable period for both personal adjustment and appropriate consultation.

all the best Jas - one more 'long range and overnight partying capable boat' in the fleet!

don't understand Mike? specific records exist rather than 'generic'

funny - saw the Tom was responding to a thread on Skate and imagined he was recomending use of a 6lb class rod and a FS reel for soe bizzarre reason...........I clearly need a drink too

stayed out so far and won't recommend a rod (very personal thing) but going back to your original post................. imho the first 30 pays for the fixtures and fittings the next 30 gets you the construction/blank/quality control/r&d from then on you are getting improvements in both paying 60 makes sense for a rod you are going to use and want to enjoy using - beyond that you actually have to have a fish on the end to get much benefit but (1) they will both land it if you can (2) you can't put a price on such feel factors. it's not like golf clubs or badminton racquets where better equats to improved performance capability. finally don't underetimate the value of a real bargin - hours of enjoyment here and in the bar or alternatively rarity value - PJ's tuna stick is a must have item you simply can't get! all the recomendations above are great rods, athough I really would get a 30lb downtider not heavy uptider against your stated requirements.

it's already posponed from April - and effectively it's on hold indefinitely given the reason..............any such evaluation could take a long long time!

it's not rated but I would have it up in the 4lb TC class. It's a more modern rod that has a recomended line - 8-14lb, casting weight and power rating - med/heavy. I like it 'cos it weighs almost nothing! Matched to calcutta 400 the whole thing still weighs nothing............but as you say it's powerfull.

hmm my Team Normark is an IGFA rated 12lb - which has a test curve of 2.25lb 'cos I tested it when I got it and didn't belive the matching 20 was that different (it was!). an interesting discussion none the less - however there is unfortunately no real alternative to 'good usage' in establishing what a particuler rod does well at - and any weaknesses. oh to have the opportunity to actually test a rod with a fish on the end of the line - last years flattie drifting sessions were without doubt the best opportunities I have ever had with clean ground, 3oz leads and up to 160ft of water; guess I will have to go back and try again with different gear..........

1381/015 8'6" still got mine - wouldn't swap it. It's brilliant with braid and a LD reel but.................................. ...............heavy

I have to say this was the extremely obvious conclusion when reading your review. If they made the butt extender a twist lock - slide back in - affair they cover off the balance (to a degree) and avoid two butts...........

I know what you mean Adam Tom's review does highlight very well the issue of line ratings ie it's just not that simple from a users perspective. My best 'all round rod' is my Team Normark 12lb at 7'6" but the bulk of the AFCO braid rollers on a thin blank is always a little offputting. Anyway why would anyone want a single all round rod? Anyone tried suggesting to their better half that one pair of shoes is all that's needed????

sounds an interesting hook - will look into it ta

well there are hidden on this site somewhere so I'll give you a clue - later................ alternatively 1. if you are looking to replace the number will be stamped on the existing bearings 2. calipers

looks nice too Tom......................

sounds like a good trip but hard work m8 nice fish though

cheers Terry - yep rub offs are the real danger of fishing in amongst the wreckage - where the bigger eels seems to live! can't always lure them out with a scent trail.........

Currently on reels Suffix 28lb (not really a true braid as it's spektra fibres with a spun sheath) Dynon 2000 - 16lb Spectra Tiger Braid - 35lb Berkely Fireline - 14, 20 & 35lb Berkely Fireline EDS - 60lb Ron Thompson Dynabraid - 20lb Berkely Whiplash pro - 20lb

Mike, as you imply the addition of stiffening to a flexing panel can be a cause rather than the solution to cracking - this really is an expert issue! As Mike (the other one) points out the OP is an imact cracking not a stress crack and it's a matter of evaluating the full damage and reparing appropriately. Stress cracks associated with flexing need expert evaluation The stress cracks associated with 90 degree radius mouldings under tension are generally cosmetic (well apart from the waterproofing I supose all the gell is cosmetic!) and are often sucessfully removed for good when properly repaired after the mouldings have settled with time.

great fishing and excellent pictures guys - impressed with the pick it up and hold it brigade my 46 was happy in the boat but went loopy when we tried to pick it up! all these bite offs - what's the trace doing in their mouth any way - although I accept that smallish circles and large baits don't mix that well for these guys unless you are fishing fresh mackerel when the tail root gives a great hold and hooking potential or a couple of calamari hung on the bend. clearly just a question of when, who and how big for the conger record this year if we get any good weather!

emotive subject but one I will confess facinates me - it's also a facination I can actually afford to indulge myself with which makes a pleasant change! I have been sorting out the hooks I intend/aim to use this year and was struck by the wide range of manufacturers and styles I am looking at - hence this thread. Where once I had Mustad BLN3261's in 8 to 8/0 plus some O'Shaunasey 'hooks' for those monsters of the deep I know have a diverse range from different manufacters that have caught my eye (and wallet - although they aren't that expensive..........) Grauvell's titanium long shank hooks in 3/0 seem the perfect sand eel hook being thin,strong and light but this year I plan to use a small strong treble at the end of a pennel to rig launce in conjunction with this through the lips. Possibly two slightly larger trebles for small mackerel. Will experiment with a range of trebles I have aquired - all claiming to be strong, sharp and light! If the Grauvell are found wanting in the strength area I will happily revert to the Mirabeau Trolling hooks in 3/0 and 5/0 that worked so well drifting for flatties last year as penells or singles. Main dowtide fishing will continue to use circles and semi circles mainly from Gamahatsu (thier Octupus circle range) with which I enjoy a great hook up rate to rays, conger and tope and I haven't lost a hooked fish in 3 years since starting to use them (circles). I will be exchanging the heavy Mustad's I have been using with the new Gamahastu in slightly thicker wire. For bream I have gone full circle ( ) and it's back to Kamsan standard aberdeen patterns in small sizes and 'striking'. thin wire circles worked but wern't as much fun and inevitably ended up bent when unhooking fish Reading the above makes me wonder why I actually have around 30 distinct models in the bag at the moment........... How about you?

as already suggest check the tip ring carefully - Dave lost 4 sets of tackle because of a hairline crack in the tip ring that cut the braid in certain circumstances ............ secondly please name the brand/line because this may be relevant to the possible issue finally some of the softer braids do seem to be suceptable to 'weathering' for want of a better word - Dynon and Tiger Braid in my case; whereas the tighter braids like Ron Thompsons Dynabraid and polymer coated braid such as Fireline EDS seem impervious to anything! Fused (Fireline) wear the coating away and look 'worn' but seem to retain their strength although I tend to chuck the odd metre from time to time 'just in case'. Finally the really fine ones (Whiplash pro etc) are simply so fine that any visible imperfection etc will cause significant loss of strength...........