Saturday 21 April 2012

Vorsprung Durch Technik

My sincere apologies for a lack of updates recently, unfortunately car troubles have meant that I have not been able to get time out on the bank like I would wish to and I am still waiting for car parts.
Cue much hunting about for prices and looking for a mechanic that doesn't wish to charge you an arm leg, kidney or two for labour and it finally looks like things may be being sorted in the next week or so, if this goes as planned some piscatorial pastime may take place again. Hasn't the weather been great lately? Rain and more rain, not a bit too soon either, lets hope for a fair bit more, as heaven knows many of the lakes and rivers have been gasping for this kind of rainfall for a while now and it's going to take a fair bit more of this before it has the much needed positive affect that many parched waters desire, just nice to see that April decided to turn up and deliver a very welcome deluge.


On another note I have received some new line, one which I had been meaning  to try a few years ago, as I had seen quite a few positive posts on forums regarding it, but I never got round to purchasing any as I was very happy using Berkley big game and over more recent seasons, Daiwa sensor clear. The new line in question is Yo-Zuri hybrid clear, a mixture of fluorocarbon and nylon, I decided to pick this up via a seller on ebay who had various breaking strains available and at reasonable prices too.




This in the 10lb rated breaking strain and tied with a palomar knot, is breaking at a very reliable 15lb+, the line feels smooth, very limp and seems to have excellent refractive capability, certainly a lot less visible than your usual monofilament, but obviously not as good as a product that is 100% pure fluorocarbon. Spools of this can be picked up for about £10.

On a sharper note, (excuse my terrible puns) I have been looking about for some strong hooks that can be put to use on rivers as well as stillwaters for both Barbel and Carp fishing. Like a lot of things with us anglers, much is down to having confidence in what we are using and I'm certainly no different.




After a fair amount of looking about and chatting with some anglers from across the channel, I noticed Ashima were doing a nice looking range of hooks and one pattern which I took a liking to were their "Indispensable Carp"  hooks.




 These come in a multitude of sizes and are very  similar in style to a Gardner talon tip, so I opted in ordering a few packets in sizes 8 and 6. They certainly feel strong and very sharp, fingers crossed they are are as good in use as they look.




Well that is about it as a fishing related update goes, I look forward to having the car sorted soon and putting both these items of tackle through their paces in due course. Tight lines and I hope some of you chaps are having a very enjoyable spring.

10 comments:

  1. Hi Mark, those hooks look like a pretty strong pattern, suitable for Barbel in the smaller sizes would you say?

    Car trouble is a pain in the ass, ive been having trouble since my focus blew up in February. Ive bit the bullet and been and bought a Passat this week, hopefully thatll put a stop to my motoring woes!

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    1. Hello there Leo,

      I would definately say the Ashimas would be a very good pattern for Barbel and that is what I plan on using them for, I believe the smallest size they do them is a size 8.

      Car trouble yes an undoubted nightmare mate, Did the engine actually blow up your Ford focus, that sounds the stuff of nightmares, that Passat should last you a while they are good motors, we recently took a look at the Skoda Fabias, have to say they looked very tempting, especially the superb mpg on the greenline models, but the boot space for fishing tackle was a bit lacking compared to our Caddy.

      Thanks for dropping by mate.

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  2. Hope that you get your car together soon so that you can enjoy fishing with your new gear. Looks nice and will probably perform that way too.
    Have fun fishing when the time comes,
    Mats Olsson

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    1. Thanks Mats,

      I really do hope so, would be nice to put an end to this car fiasco as it's getting rather long in the tooth.

      The tackle certainly seems to be looking like it will perform admirably, time will tell mate, lord knows I'm looking forward to putting it into use.

      Thanks for stopping by fella

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  3. Thought you'd emigrated Mark, hope you get bankside soon. I'm off to the Lot on Friday - really up for it!

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    1. Tell me about it Dave, emigrating might have been an easier option!

      Off to the Lot eh, you lucky chap, have a good one mate and I hope you get your line well and truly pulled by a kipper or two and I look forward to hearing all about your trip.

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  4. Mark, great to have you back.

    Were you unhappy with the Gardners or is this a cost cutting exercise? I've been using the Talon tips almost exclusively and I've not had one problem with them.
    Do let us know how the line holds up.

    Russ
    ps. Hope all is well with your dad (?)
    My dad has been through some dodgy times recently so I can relate.

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    1. Hello Russ,

      I was happy with the Talon tips and they have been very good, that said, the Ashimas are the more economical and this did help play a part when purchasing them, as well as the fact that they seem more than up to the task.

      I will let you know regarding the line and hooks be that positive or negative.

      Thanks for enquiring about my dad.

      His sugar levels are up and down daily, diabetes still not under what anyone would call proper control.

      Add to that the Parkinsons
      and it is quite a combination for him to manage, he has the shakes in his arms, wrists and hands, some days these are very light tremors other days more uncontrollable twitching. The Parkinsons is not yet at what would be called a severe level, but having spoken to specialists regarding it, there response was a rather ominous one at best, stating that it is the beginning of a rather bad journey.

      Every day goes by and you wonder where times gone, I can't begin to think how it is for my mum.

      Kind regards
      Mark

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    2. Very sorry to hear that Mark. I really hope he gets bankside with you some time this summer - it will be tricky 'where there's a will...'! Once the bait's in the water and that expectation begins it's a panacea that non-anglers have no concept of.

      I don't know him obviously but pass on my regards in any case if you get the chance.
      Russ

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    3. Thanks russ,

      That's very true it is very much a panacea that non anglers have no idea of, I have my fingers crossed that he will venture out bankside with me again, least that's what I am hoping.

      I will certainly pass on your regards to him in due course, thank you again for the kind words.

      Kind regards
      Mark

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