Marc Coulson’s verdict. . . If Carlsberg made monofilament main lines…
I’m always extremely wary of saying that any version is my favourite in a category of product, but I’m hard pushed to remember using a monofilament main line that has impressed me more than Exocet.
When I first joined my syndicate earlier this year I was greeted with the sight of a 15-acre lake absolutely choked with weed.
To be fair, choked might be a bit harsh, but it was weedy. Very weedy. I knew the first thing I needed to do was get some sturdy line that would cope with the job in hand.
The TC boys get to grips with tackle and bait, testing them to the limit out on the bank. Here’s what they think…
Fox F BoxRRP: £17. 99 to £96. 99Website:www.
Try as I might, I cannot trim my gear down to the paltry amounts that other anglers seem to carry, particularly when it comes to terminal tackle. Yes, I’ve finished sessions thinking: “Well, I didn’t use this,” and “I needn’t have brought that,” but ultimately the just-in-case side of my brain wins and I still take it all the next time out. The one concession I have made is to swap my large Double F Box for a medium version, albeit still the double-sided one. This has made a big difference, not least to the weight of my rucksack, yet it still swallows up plenty of tackle, including a few bits that I will probably never need.
This style is a little dated compared with some these days, but it remains an exceptional light when that’s all you want it to be. The output is impressive and, although some prefer a rechargeable light compared to one that works from batteries, if ever you are caught short and it runs out, at least you can usually get your hands on some batteries. There isn’t very likely to be a plug socket in your swim!The upright style lends itself to being sat on a bivvy table or suchlike, while there is an easy to use carbiner-style hanging loop. Three white-light modes include bright, dim and flashing, which you’ll see my thoughts on elsewhere on this page!The single-button operation is easy and the button itself sits on the front of the unit so is easy to locate.
This is a purpose-built solution for all those fiddly rigs that don’t currently have a home; yes we’re talking long zig and curved chod rigs.
Supplied with six discs – two of each size of large, medium and small – as well as 18 pins to ensure your rigs stay in place in perfect condition.
The largest of the three discs is ideal for use with zig rigs, with a measured diameter of six inches, so two wraps around and that’s a foot.
The smaller of the discs, which suits chod rigs, can also be used to help you steam the perfect curve time and time again.
I’ve wanted a Fox box for many years but have struggled to justify the price tag. However, Fox’s Royale version is much more keenly priced, although thanks to TC I didn’t have to pay for this one and was delighted when asked to review it. It’s been great so far and I can get loads of tackle and essential items into it. Although it sounds a bit of a cliché, it is literally a TARDIS for terminal tackle.
For many years the System Boxes from Fox have lead the way in tackle-box design, but that quality and innovation has come at a price. Now, thanks to the new Royale versions, anglers on a tighter budget can own one of these brilliant storage systems. With multiple compartments and internal system boxes, both the medium and large versions will hold plenty of terminal tackle and more. Price: £24.
Super-sharp blades in a rugged pliers-type design. Spring-loaded for ease of use, with retaining clip for storage. The blades cope easily with mono, fluorocarbons and even braided lines. For more information go to www.
The Tackle Box’s Lee Jackson says: These 2ft-long sections are designed to fit the middle of the rod to make casting and landing fish easier when using a long-hook-link-type zig rig. Additionally, they can be used to extend ‘reach’ from the bank when fishing close in to the left or right of the swim, extending the rod upwards when using a beachcaster-type rig or potentially increasing casting distance. At present they are available for most of the Free Spirit Hi-‘S’ and ‘S’ range carp rods, with versions in the pipeline for the ‘E’ Class and CTX models.
£34.
While the material that these replacement washers are made from are kept a closely guarded secret, what I can tell you is that they transform the drag of compatible big-pit reels immeasurably. Initially, they make the clutch exceptionally smooth and reliable, but they also ‘convert’ a standard drag to be much quicker. Essentially, you can, with the addition of the three washers (three are needed for each spool) take your clutch from locked up to free spool in half a turn or less of the drag knob. They’re easy to install and require no tools whatsoever.
There are loads of these lead-free leaders around these days, including some good and some not so good ones. Fishing a lake that’s infested with weed, I fancied trying this one out because I felt that it would sink a little less quickly than leadcore, settling on to the weed more, and obviously the colour would blend in. On the subject of colour, and this is not unique to this material, why are all green leaders and hook links so dark? Pull most types of fresh weed out of a lake and it’s a much more vibrant green and, unless it’s old, is rarely as dark as this. Maybe it’s one of those angler perception things, but I’d much rather the material matched the weed and not just conformed to trends.
Carbon version of the classic Skorpion design
Swept design for maximum efficiency
Suitable for boilies up to 22mm
Weighs just 50g
£79. 99
WWW. GARDNERTACKLE. CO.
£4. 99
This supple leather fingerstall is essential when casting at range or spodding out bait, protecting your casting finger on high-impact scenarios With the majority of braids being low in diameter, unprotected fingers more susceptible to being cut.
The Gardner fingerstall is minimal and lightweight. A Velcro fastening strap ensures it stays on your wrist and in position cast after cast.
Comfortable and lightweight Brown lens ideally suited for ambient light levelsLenses are finished with an anti-scratch coatingComplete with hard case and cloth
£29. 99
WWW. GARDNERTACKLE. CO.