I have no problem telling you that I was initially sceptical about Old Ghost. It was a range of products that I saw last October at the Tackle & Guns Trade Show. But, up until the end of June this year, I’d not seen any of it in the flesh!The fact that you couldn’t get hold of the product after such hype, and the uncertainty over how yet more ‘foreign’ baits would be received, were the sources of my scepticism. I didn’t even think it would make it to UK soil, but it’s here!As with any new firm there is, no doubt, a battle lying ahead of the China-based bait giant if it’s to make an impact.
Poles – there are literally hundreds to choose from! Browning seems to be pulling no punches with its fantastic Xitan range, though. Alex Bones tests the £1,699 Z8 Power. When I took Browning’s flagship Z12 out for a spin last year I was exceptionally impressed. Not only was the pole’s performance outstanding, the spares package and entire concept was faultless.
The Perfect Reel?Joe Carass gives the Shimano Aero Spin reel the once-over… that’s right, a spinning reel for match fishing!You may recall I had the chance to use and review the Shimano Aero Match last year. It is a superb reel and fantastic for all-round match fishing – particularly float fishing. When I was asked to have a look at the Aero Spin I was excited but reluctant to change from the Match. However, two of the Spin models were already in the post and I couldn’t wait to see how they differed from the original.
Bait-Tech seems to go from strength to strength and its two latest Method mixes could be right up your street. Let’s be frank, there has been a resurgence in groundbait popularity, thanks largely to the undeniable impact of fishing with it loose down the edge – hallelujah!The majority of anglers fish 2mm softened pellets around or inside the feeder these days, spelling a slump in its use for the feeder, but what if there was a mix that could give you the edge over pellets?Well that’s exactly what bait specialist Bait-Tech set out to create with its latest Tuna & Krill Big Carp Method Mix and spicy Super Method Mix. The impact and popularity of krill can't have failed to grab your attention and that’s exactly what’s packed into the powerful fishy-smelling Tuna & Krill mix. When you open the bag you’re hit with one of the smelliest mixes available; it really stinks.
A quality combo! Check out the latest rod-and-reel combo from Shakespeare!There was a time, many years ago, when a Shakespeare rod was the very object of my dreams! I remember as a young 11-year-old walking by the tackle shop on my way to school and looking longingly at the purple blank on the Shakespeare Quo 12ft feeder rod. Of course, the rod was way out of my price range and no matter how hard I saved my pocket money I could never quite get there. That all changed, though, when one Christmas my dad bought me the very rod I had dreamed of, and it is a rod I still own to this day! Every angler in my town used Shakespeare gear and it was the stuff to be seen using. However, it has now been a long time since I have fished with a rod from Shakespeare, so when editor Alex Bones gave me the new Agility 12ft Feeder rod and matching 40FD reel I couldn’t wait to see what they were like.
Despite the ‘Method’ tag these rods are far more than one-trick ponies! While they’re perfect for the bolt-rig tactic that has taken a stranglehold on commercial waters they are just the ticket for many styles and not just carp traps either. The 8ft, 9ft and 12ft Method rods, which form part of the extensive Carpmaster range, have already proven popular with many anglers around the country. Those people, and newcomers to the unique Matrix concept, will find the 11ft and 13ft models equally as appealing and allow avid fans of the blank design and bespoke way in which the rods break down to increase their artillery for all occasions. Let’s not forget that the Carpmaster feeder and float range already offers six rods before these two new additions.
Preston’s best-ever pole? Joe Carass gives the Absolute XS the once over to see if it is any good!The Preston Innovations Absolute XS is the latest in a long line of GiS poles. These have long been used by some of the biggest names in the sport and when Des Shipp tells you that is it the best pole he has ever used, you have to take notice! For those of you who don’t know, the previous two flagship poles from Preston received rave reviews by our team. I use them and cannot rate them highly enough. However, technology advances, and the Absolute XS is the result of that.
Pole ranges from Sensas have received more than a warm welcome over the last couple of seasons and editor Alex Bones was recently handed a new 445 Carp’X Power to review. Here goes…The 445 is one of the poles from the new Series 5 range, which is centred around using a slightly larger section diameter than Series 4 models such as the popular 774 model. This diameter difference actually increases stiffness and offers better balance, so although the pole is a little heavier it’s remarkably stiff and manageable. But that’s not the best bit… it’s the strength of this mid-priced tool that should be recognised.
I have been very impressed with Marukyu bait over the past two years and have had some very memorable days when using the stuff. This bait, however, is something completely different to what Marukyu has produced before in that it is specifically designed to target silver fish. I have been fortunate enough to be involved with this mix before it was released. I have used it on several occasions after Roy Marlow showed it to me on a feature I shot with him several months ago.
The Preston Innovations stand was extremely impressive as always. The Absolute Station was a real standout product in my eyes but I loved the GXR 3600. I have used a Preston pole for two years now and my current One XS model is by far the best I have used. I must admit, though, that I thought the new GXR 3600 was something special.
I was privy to a sneak peek at the company’s latest tackle gadget some time before the T&G Show – its micro match lead clip. But before you say you’ve seen it all before, this is something a bit different! Having designed the micro version for the Guru range I know a little bit about lead clips, but this version is better as it features a slot along the underside, allowing it to be removed from the line in under a second! Nifty, but consider that the existing Method feeders, and the soon-to-be-launched pellet feeders, feature the same slotted attachment system and you begin to see the result – an ultra-versatile system that allows you to change between all styles of presentation without breaking your rig down completely. A major benefit for some will be that you don’t have to set up multiple rods when you want to fish the bomb and a feeder on the same session. That also means carting less kit to the bankside – something I’m all in favour of! Plus, the rigs are all super-safe when they’re assembled as intended!The arm of the clip will easily house a swivel, meaning you can mount a lead, open-ended or blockend feeder onto it with ease.
Joe Carass lifts the lid on the brand-new seatbox from Preston that has been two years in the making!For two years Preston Innovations has being teasing us with minor details of a new seatbox. It has been a constant source of frustration for me, as I just wanted to see it! Well, now we have seen the Absolute Station and all I can say is… wow!I am fortunate to be close friends with a number of Preston consultants and although never telling me the secrets of the Absolute Station, they kept me in the loop as to what to expect when the box finally arrived. However, I’d heard so many rumours that I have to be honest and say I didn’t know what to expect. My chance came to see the box at a recent press day and as soon as we walked into the room all of us instantly flocked to the revolving table that the box was displayed on.
Alex Bones checks out the all-new range from MAP that’s got designs on ripping the pole market to pieces!In the corner of a dimly lit office sat Mike Robinson, brand manager of MAP and the man charged with the task of keeping innovation in motion for the Redditch-based tackle giant. Success seemed to follow success with its previous TKS 225 to 825 Competition and Professional models, but he sat head in hands wondering how an already impressive range could be bettered. But from the mysterious depths of a creative mind sprang a well of innovation, leading to what we believe will be a booming success. If you’ve ever handled the existing models, and you liked what you saw, then the new TKS 101 to 801 versions for 2012/2013 will have you, quite simply, head over heels!My first experience of these models, that supersede the existing range, came at a recent trade show hosted by the company.
Joe Carass runs the rule over two new seatboxes from Si-Wi Tackle!It is fair to say that seatbox design hasn’t moved on much in the last five years or so. The famous Rive seatbox system has really taken the market by storm and, despite its high price tag, it still surprises me just how many you see on the bank. Understandably, many other manufacturers have followed suit and made seatboxes along similar lines to the Rive system. But I must admit I have been waiting to see something new and different, and the Quad Box might just be it.
“Mention the letter M and figure 3 in the same sentence and my heart starts racing,” says Alex Bones. . . Imagine my delight when I received a call from the manufacturer asking if I wanted to test the 2012 M3! I thought: “£2,476.
