Total Carp Staff

The 15th annual Tackle & Guns Trade Show saw a number of top carp companies launch their 2015 product ranges, much of which was met with critical acclaimFox, Shimano, Gardner, Taska, Avid, ACE, Sonik, Rod Hutchinson, Dynamite Baits, Crafty Catcher, and Reuben Heaton were just some of the headline companies showing their wares, with dozens of other companies showing products of interest to the carp market. There were plenty of highlights including some fabulous new rods, breathtaking reels and some extremely interesting developments in the world of bivvies, all on display for the first time at the Stoneleigh Showground event, hosted by Total Carp parent company DHP. Some famous faces were seen strolling around the show and we caught up with many of them and got their opinions on some of the new gear, all of whom were enthused at the prospect of what lies in store for early 2015 and beyond. The Total Carp team were busy on both days, checking out loads of new gear and getting some UK exclusive reviews on much of it, all of which will appear in the December issue of the magazine – on sale November 28th.

A visit to Isle Of Wight was overdue, so me and a few lads got together for my 18th. Even my parents came with the three dogs. We headed to Rookley Country Park for a 72-hour session. After arriving around midday, we got set up ready for our first night.

Although Shimano is keen to avoid comparisons with GoPro, the new Sport Camera is an obvious competitor for the market-leading video camera, which I was told recently was now the biggest-selling camera worldwide. If Shimano can take some of this market away from GoPro I imagine they’ll be very happy indeed. More importantly, from what I have seen so far, it certainly could do so. Much more compact than a GoPro (sorry, I did it again) the Shimano camera was first launched for the cycling market.

When compiling this month’s ‘Essentials’ feature I was drawn to explain my choice of solid bags to one of the TC team. I happily use two or three brands, but I have found these Avid bags to be my favourites. The PVA itself is strong and the seams are extremely reliable. I have yet to have one of these bags break on me, which has definitely not been the case with some other bags I have used in the past.