A fishing rod question
Discussion
That's fair enough GC, you should have just said that from the outset.
You must realise that a lot of things get said over the internet based on not very much!
ANyway, whether it seems it or not, I've taken a lot of useful advice from this thread including avoiding several potential crucial mistakes, thanks to you and others, so if what I read contradicts what you know then just say so. That's a normal conversation isn't it?
Where did your post go?
You must realise that a lot of things get said over the internet based on not very much!
ANyway, whether it seems it or not, I've taken a lot of useful advice from this thread including avoiding several potential crucial mistakes, thanks to you and others, so if what I read contradicts what you know then just say so. That's a normal conversation isn't it?
Where did your post go?
Edited by blindswelledrat on Tuesday 30th September 13:25
if anybody wants genuine Powerpro braid that is fresh from the US - not old stock sat on the shelf for years then contact
fishing tackle online - do a search and they will come up
I buy all my Powerpro from them - and will receive no discount for this post before some cynical person suggests otherwise!
fishing tackle online - do a search and they will come up
I buy all my Powerpro from them - and will receive no discount for this post before some cynical person suggests otherwise!
sorry, search powerpro uk and you will see fishingtackle online
also to lift the fish from the water have a look at Boga grips - used by most of the best anglers seeking fish with teeth
DO NOT buy the cheap ebay copies - the original will cost you $100 plus but they work and are safe
also to lift the fish from the water have a look at Boga grips - used by most of the best anglers seeking fish with teeth
DO NOT buy the cheap ebay copies - the original will cost you $100 plus but they work and are safe
Edited by grand cherokee on Tuesday 30th September 13:41
blindswelledrat said:
Funnily enough it was a book I read by Jeremy Wade 15 years ago that has caused this trip. It remains on my bedside and has been read about 15 times since.
FYI he doesn't have any of that sort of backup when he films his programmes. Its a small 3 man crew consisting of him, a cameraman and a sound man and none of the provisions you mention.
Although Im not being flippant- I know the risks and will be cautious.
Re the 'outfitters'- I may be proved wrong but I get the impression that all they are going to do is get me there. Im certainly not going to arrive being reliant on their knowledge and will consider it a bonus. The difference between this and other outfitters (like for Mahseer) is that tourism is nowhere near enough in the Congo for them to be doing regular trips and become experts.
I get the impression the main company that does it only does about 2 weeks a year or so, so they will have nothing like the expertise you get on more mainstream expeditions. LIke I said, I may be pleasantly surprised but Ill make sure I am prepared either way.
you know the risks? - very much doubt thatFYI he doesn't have any of that sort of backup when he films his programmes. Its a small 3 man crew consisting of him, a cameraman and a sound man and none of the provisions you mention.
Although Im not being flippant- I know the risks and will be cautious.
Re the 'outfitters'- I may be proved wrong but I get the impression that all they are going to do is get me there. Im certainly not going to arrive being reliant on their knowledge and will consider it a bonus. The difference between this and other outfitters (like for Mahseer) is that tourism is nowhere near enough in the Congo for them to be doing regular trips and become experts.
I get the impression the main company that does it only does about 2 weeks a year or so, so they will have nothing like the expertise you get on more mainstream expeditions. LIke I said, I may be pleasantly surprised but Ill make sure I am prepared either way.
like most tourists it happens to 'others'
well i'll give you a f
king big wake up call - it can happen to youI was sent to Nigeria in the late 1970's as part of the UN to assess the state of medical infrastructure after the civil war - all was supposedly safe but I arranged through South African contacts people who are called today PMC's
well lets just say I'm glad I did what I did - I'm alive and their bones are bleaching under the harsh African sun!
Edited by grand cherokee on Tuesday 30th September 13:51
grand cherokee said:
I was sent to Nigeria in the late 1970's as part of the UN to assess the state of medical infrastructure after the civil war - all was supposedly safe but I arranged through South African contacts people who are called today PMC's
well lets just say I'm glad I did what I did - I'm alive and their bones are bleaching under the harsh African sun!
]
Sounds fascinating. Full story pleasewell lets just say I'm glad I did what I did - I'm alive and their bones are bleaching under the harsh African sun!
]
blindswelledrat said:
Sounds fascinating. Full story please
nothing I'm proud about - war stories are boringbasically I went as said as part of a UN task force to assess the state of the medical infrastructure - we were going up country so I contacted former SA contacts for protection - paid for by the UN
all was fine until an attempted hijack - I'm alive - they are dead, I'm not proud about what happened - daft village kids
and when an AK 47 round hits a human - its not nice
its not like the films show - frankly it's bloody disgusting - intestines like sausages
but the thing that gives me nightmares is the kids - the visions of what I saw haunt me and will do until the day I die
Edited by grand cherokee on Tuesday 30th September 14:40
grand cherokee said:
what would you fking know?
Ok, apologies for any offence at my attempt at humour.king know?The "bleached bones in the harsh African Sun" made me think of Wilbur Smith, those books & films from the 70's about mercenaries fighting in Africa, and also the hair raising tales of the Rhodesian ciil war from my old english teacher. I can imagine it woudl not be too much fun being caught up in all that.
You could do without being so uptight over a thread that is, at its heart, about a bloke going fishing though.
Edited by prand on Tuesday 30th September 15:12
More questions please on reels
Im not really up on clutches etc, I have always switched off the anti reverse and done it manually.
Its something I need to learn though as I have no feel/instinct for the much stronger lines so a clutch is essential.
A couple of things:
My experience of bigger fish is using either baitrunners on fixed spool reels or lever drags on multipliers. The obvious advantage is you set the bait runner/lever so when you get a vicious take the fish can take line relatively easily before you engage the drag and strike (hence not losing your tackle and giving the fish little resistance when it first takes the bait). If you are using one without lever/baitrunner - what is the protocol for getting vicious takes? Do you just make sure your rod is secure, set the drag as you intend to and hope the fish hooks itself on the take? Or do people tend to set the star drag/front drag on very light and then faff about tightening it up once the fish has taken?
Im not really up on clutches etc, I have always switched off the anti reverse and done it manually.
Its something I need to learn though as I have no feel/instinct for the much stronger lines so a clutch is essential.
A couple of things:
My experience of bigger fish is using either baitrunners on fixed spool reels or lever drags on multipliers. The obvious advantage is you set the bait runner/lever so when you get a vicious take the fish can take line relatively easily before you engage the drag and strike (hence not losing your tackle and giving the fish little resistance when it first takes the bait). If you are using one without lever/baitrunner - what is the protocol for getting vicious takes? Do you just make sure your rod is secure, set the drag as you intend to and hope the fish hooks itself on the take? Or do people tend to set the star drag/front drag on very light and then faff about tightening it up once the fish has taken?
When fishing for Tope with a star drag multiplier, I preset the drag before I start fishing and leave it well alone after that. The reel is then left in free spool with the ratchet clicker engaged.
The fish can then pick up the bait unimpeded by drag and the ratchet gives the inattentive angler audible notice of the run.
At the appropriate juncture the angler can then flick over the bail arm lever and strike into the fish. A deft flick of the left thumb will disengage the ratchet at any state of proceedings.
The right thumb can be used to lock the spool or provide extra drag if this proves necessary at any stage
The fish can then pick up the bait unimpeded by drag and the ratchet gives the inattentive angler audible notice of the run.
At the appropriate juncture the angler can then flick over the bail arm lever and strike into the fish. A deft flick of the left thumb will disengage the ratchet at any state of proceedings.
The right thumb can be used to lock the spool or provide extra drag if this proves necessary at any stage
Edited by sparkythecat on Monday 3rd November 11:01
Star drags are, basically, pretty simple. You set them to what amount of drag you reckon is good by screwing in/out the star. In=more, out=less. You can have the drag engaged or not engaged ie spool in freespool at the flick of a switch. As a refinement, you can use the clicker to hold the spool when in freespool. It'll hold it for a small amount of pressure, not much. An educated thumb is a great asset with a star drag.
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