Afishionado

I dare say that those items would be included if you were buying at full retail. My atitude is shop around for the best deal. People that only sell localy seem to think they have a captive market and act accordingly, If one is selling into a open nationwide market one has to be competative. I would sugest that you get a competative quote showing those items as included and take it to the dealer you are talking about and ask if he wants to match it. As a point we saved

Yes thanks Bob, now all I need to do is understand it I'm going to ask my sons girfriend who is doing IT at college to do the do for me............PC coward that I am Mad Mike

It isn't very fair but if you are on a limited buget go to tackle shops and have a real good feely touchy with all the reels that you think you would be interested in. Doing this will firm up your mind and give you an idea of what you would have to pay retail. Then have a look at what ebay has to offer (don't forget to add the post and packing charge to what you would have to pay). Having said that I buy ALL my stuff on e-bay and have saved a packet. Just get an idea of what's what first. The other thing to do is look at the sellers feedback (that's the number in brackets next to their name). See what other people who have delt with him think. Mad (but not daft) Mike

Dan has a cunning plan................. a live, freelined crab. Not for the purest though! Sod the purist mate a crabin' we will go!! Thanks for the tip I will certainly try it. Mad Mike

Sam, I would tend to agree with Coddy. There are many inexpensive reels that are very good. Mind you inexpensive is not to be confused with cheap. One does not have to spend a fortune to get a reasonable quality. And even more importantly just because something is expensive does not mean its good or 'better than'. One thing ALL anglers do is amass fishing gear. Reels particularly, so it is inevitable that you will in time buy more reels. So whats the point in spending

Very interesting Coddy, thank you. Mad Mike

Unfortunatly not he ate it Mad Mike

That's what was in my mind Charlie, but it's nice to get other information too. And who the heck is this biddy Dental Floss? Is she a relative of Slack Alice? Mad Mike

Is that like mercury poisioning? Or a bacteria? And I didn't know that 'cuda were an eating fish. Thanks for the info and if you have any more tips do please pass them on. Mad Mike

Right lads, your opinions please........ As I keep name dropping, I am off to Cuba for two weeks in mid Oct. Where we are going there is plenty of fishing both on the 'flats' (crystal clear 12" to 24" deep over acres of white sand) where sports fishermen spin or fly fish for bonefish (sorta like predatory mullet with a top speed of 200mph). In this area they say fish fine and far off so that's that. But there is a deep water channel crossed by several low bridges and in the channel are Barracuda to 4ft long, permit (like super dreadnaught bream) to 30lb, and tarpon (humongus herrings) to 100lb. Now here's the thing. No arguments that if one solely goes after permit or tarpon a 30 to 50 lb mono trace is ok. but at any time one can get a hit from barracuda or shark. Some folk on the American/Canadian fishing sites say one should use 100lb mono others say no it's got to be wire but of a lower breaking strain ...... say 30lb. The easy answer I supose is to take some of both but I wondered if you gus had any advice or opinions. Mad Mike

Ther is also one on ebay USA New Bait Cast Net 5' -Bait-Shrimp-Fishing Item number: 7100676449 Shipping to UK isn't a lot. Mad Mike

Bridport Gundry at Bridport Dorset used to sell them Mad Mike Bridport Gundry Marine The Court, West Street, Bridport, Dorset, BT6 3QU. Telephone: 01308 422222 Fax: 01308 428079

Actualy I am only 52 ..............plus VAT of course Mad Mike

Yes, a huss is where a Scotsman lives and he might have it a ling time. Mad Mike

Adam, Charlies advise is right on the button there are lots of deals out there. Also your engine is not worthless. It still has a parts value and will sell easily as a none runner. Talking about that, ask around there may be a 50 with a shot leg which could be rebuilt using your engine. Finaly do not dismiss buying a seconhand engine, a lot of us do not have 3K let alone 5K and buy a well looked after used unit. I have never spent more than

My favourite steak house (B'mth Steak House) is shut for renovations. Can anybody recommend a realy good steak restaurant in the Bournemouth/Poole area? Mad (and hungry) Mike

An employee of my wife who knows next to nothing about fishing (His words not mine) caught a beautiful bass of about 6lb drifting in Poole harbour down from Lake pier at Rockly towards the RoRo. His method was towing a bloody great heavy spoon fixed directly to his line. He was out there this morning at 7am. Mad Mike

Thank you kindly guys. Mad Mike

Sno prob's PM me for address and time etc. Mad Mike PS you OK with dogs? We have four so you will get your arse sniffed

I can't comment on the boats, but the engines yes........ Force is the renamed Chrysler brand and have very old technology, are thirsty, don't wear well, have a poor resale value and are generaly thought of as crap! Tohatsu are primarily made for the (our) far east market and need to be bullet proof as there are not too many main dealers in the Mekong Delta. Not sophistixated as a Mercury but likely to last 20years or more. Mad Mike

Yes can do no problem. But do you wanna wait to see if Paul J's boat floats first If you bring it round I'll get my little yellow thingy out to test it Mad Mike PS More haste less speed

Adam Questions.......Makes you wonder extactly how you can miss a charter boat??? The answer is to arrive late Mad Mike

Tell them to wear coloured belts, then I'll know which dan the are. Ahhh So Glashopper Mad Mike PS Ta everso

If you can't find one retail they can be made. Don't worry too much about the cable length one can make an extention. OR try ....... http://www.towsure.com they will have what you need for sure Mad Mike You shoulda asked here first

Happy birthday!!! Mad Mike