Tackle Review’s

TACKLE REVIEW

I am going to review my fishing tackle over this year.  I will be reviewing some of my other item’s that my friends’ use. These review’s will be open and honest as I am not sponsored by anyone, hopefully they will be a great help to fellow fisherman.

ITEM 1 – Stainless Steel Bank Sticks

The bank sticks that I use are handmade by Defiant MPS and are by far the best I have ever use.  He makes heavy duty or standard stainless and also titanium versions to order.

I have 2 x 9- 1/2 in to 14in and 2 x 12in to 18 – 1/2 in sticks with an auger on the end which will screw into any surface you would find on a fishing lake even wood.

                                                              THE AUGER

They have a hex head, so a box key can be used to drill them into the ground.  Which can be made to order as well, no need for all that noise with the hammer any more.

                                                               Hex Head

                                                                 Box Key & Bar

I have also had  bobbins and stag ear’s made as well which I will cover in another review

ITEM 2 – Steve Neville buzzers

I have used this make of buzzers on and off for 15 years or so.  From the first model until this one, which I believe is not the latest.  I have used other types, but found issues in the past, with rain getting in them, to the remotes not working.  However, I have had none of these thing’s happen with these.

The buzzer on a set up

There is one latching led and one flashing led, if you double-click the on/off switch you can turn the sound of the buzzer off and only have the remote sounding.  The remote works at a good distance even in a wooded area.  I would never recommend that you go to far away from your rod, due to the fish’s safety if you get a take.

   The wireless remotes box With 4 led’s

This is a great peace of tackle that I would recommend to anyone to buy.

ITEM 3 – Shimano Ultegra 14000 reels

For most of my carp fishing I use Shimano Ultegra 14000 reels, which I have had since new (some 10 or so years) with no issues at all.  In fact, they have never been serviced in that time and they work just as good as the day I got them.  I have 5 of them, all with spare spools. There is a line clip on each spool.

I do feel a bit odd using big pit reels when I am on small lakes, but as I have so much confidence in these reels I use them anyway.

Item 4 – Century SP 12ft SU Rods

I use Century SP 12ft SU Rods, which I have found to a very good all round rod, from bags to margin fishing.  They will cast a lead a good distance and with the correct method they handle playing fish very well, even under the rod tip.  I have not had any hook pulls when playing fish. I would say these rods would be a great buy.

ITEM 5 – Rod’s

For my river fishing I use 3 types of reels, depending which species of fish I am after.
(1) Shimano 2300 for smaller river species (Roach & Dace)
I find these reels match up very nicely with my John Wilson Avon rods.  They have a bait runner and a clutch which are both fantastic (and very smooth).  They have a good line capacity for their size, I have two spools for each one, one has 4lb line, the other has 6lb line and an extra one with 8lb just in case.

(2) Shimano 9000 GT for Barbel/Big Chub & Pike
These are great reels, as I have used them for most of my carp fishing, until I moved on to the big pits.
They also have a bait runner and a clutch, which can be adjusted very easily when playing fish. The spools have a very good line capacity. I have many spare spools for these, to cover Barbel and pike fishing with the odd big chub thrown in.

(3) Centre Pin For Trotting
I had not used a center pin reel since I was a children, until the other year.  I started fishing on the rivers again, this reel only costs around £30 and got great reviews in a lot of magazines and on the internet.  I thought this would be a good starting point.  I would say they were spot on, this is a great reel and for the performance that it gives it should cost a lot more (£100+)!  It is very smooth and the line runs over without any jerking to the float, I may have a go at ledgering with it this year, which will be fun.

ITEM – 6  Bobbins

I have upgraded my bobbins to the latest version from MPS

They have updated from magnets to springs, which makes them maintenance free.  This is good for me, as I don’t get out great deal for me to take care of my tackle as I should.

These bobbins allow you to have a slack line, without the need to put the bobbins on the floor,  however, you will need some kind of line clip.

The other nifty thing they have done, is made them in different colours, they have a shroud each which is also coloured.   This fits below line clips (and above the weight if you use one). I have got the black one’s on  There is a lot choice and you can mix and match, so the world is your oyster.

Item 7 –  River Rod’s

(1) John Wilson Avon Quiver Rods

I like the John Wilson Avon rod, as it’s a great all round rod. It’s been continuously developed over the years and in its latest model, is an exceptionally versatile rod. The basic rod is 11′ long and comes with two tops – an Avon top and a quiver top with three push-in quivers rated 1.5, 2 & 2.5 ozs.  You can target anything from carp and tench to chub, roach and dace.  It has great control in faster flowing waters.  The rod comes with a dolly section, which slots in above the detachable handle to enable the rod to be fished at 13′.  I use this alot with my center pin reel.

(2) Diawa dictators

I have had these rods from new (a number of years ago) and they have served me very well, from carp fishing to pike fishing.  This is what I mainly use them for nowadays, they are 2-1/2 test curve and not too soft.  They will put a dead bait across the river, this is all I ask of them to do now.

(3) Diawa powermesh

I have also had this from new.  I did have 2, but sold one to a friend.  He still has it and we both use them for stalking carp on rivers and lakes.  It’s a 2 1/2 test curve and very soft

Vision Quick Rib Bivvy Review

I have had this for some 4 months now and I have used it a great deal over the winter.  The main reason that I decided on this brand, was my friend had been using one for 4 years and it was still in perfect working order with no leaks.

I was looking for a better option other than my old faithful brolly for the winter time, I am getting older and I need my home comforts more e.g. bit warm, keep out the wind.  After looking at his over the years, looking around on the internet and not wishing to spend a bucket load of money on something that would sit in my car all day, after a night out, all wet & damp.

Top 10 Points

 

Quick to put up & pack away

100% Waterproof

Option to remove front or partly have open

No need of 100’s of pegs

Very light

Very steady without any support pole (less tackle to take)

Packs away small

Fits on the barrow much easier

Can be set up very low

Will fit in small swims

 

I have always been a bit optimistic regarding these types of bivvy’s, as I truly love using a brolly all year.  These can be set up in any swim.  However, I have found that over the past 4 months, I have continued to fish in my normal swims with no issues at all and in fact it’s much quick than a brolly system.

 

Hope this helpful

Richard

 

 

 

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