Lure Addict!

Waders!

2012-02-12T15:42:00.001Z

After a lot of deliberation on what waders to get for the season ahead, I have finally gone for the Scierra CC4 Stockingfoot Waders along with the Scierra Riptide Wading Boots.

CC4 Stockingfoot Waders:
- 4-layer construction
- Breathability: 3500g/m2/24h
- Waterproofness: over 20,000mm
- Membrane: Finetex
- Inside pocket
- Two waterproof front pockets
- Adjustable waist straps
- Adjustable suspenders
- Felt or cleated soles for the boot foot
- Build-in mesh gravel guards with lace hook

On a personal note, I am not that large a size (those that know me, keep your comments to yourselves, yes I enjoyed Xmas cake!) I did have the large size ordered which on paper fitted, not quite when in reality! I have gone for the next size up being X-Large for comfort to move around in.

Scierra Riptide wading boots are constructed from a mesh/nubuck combination upper, with a felt sole. Features draining holes to quickly drain the boot when you leave the water, and a high collar to provide support and comfort on the ankles. The model I went for are the ones with stainless studs in them on the felt, made sure there are no metal parts to rust away if I forget to wash off after! The top lace loops are made of plastic, so all looking good for the price.

Where to purchase?

Looking for a good deal then look or ask no further than Chesil Bait 'n Tackle

OR ask them via Facebook

Very helpful shop in Weymouth with an ever increasing selection of tackle for the bait & lure fisherman. Check daily or weekly for new stock arriving.

Labrax Squad

2012-02-05T18:43:00.000Z

About: LabraxSquad is an online collective of several passionate bass fishermen. LabraxSquad.com is the platform they use to share their thoughts, insights and of course, the cool stuff related to bass fishing.

This is a recent review by one of my customers on the LabraxSquad - Custom Light Weight Bass Lure Rod.

"To be totally honest - the end result is great and goes beyond expectations! The finishing and details are really fantastic, and the rod is really, really light without feeling cheap or weak. The action of the blank is progressive, but recovers very quickly to its former position. Exactly what I had in mind and hoped for… "

Dorset Fishing Rods

New Website

2012-01-21T09:42:00.000Z

The new website is up and running!

There will be a lot more to come as the site grows, lures, tackle and information on fishing in Dorset.

The Specialized areas for rods and what still remains at the heart of my angling is with lures, carp rods and other rods are still available.

Please contact me for any feedback you would like to give about the site or areas you would like to see added.

www.dorsetfishingrods.co.uk

Chesil Bait 'N' Tackle / Facebook

2011-12-24T15:13:00.001Z

Well they finally got the shop on Facebook.....

Chesil Bait 'N' Tackle

Pop in and visit a local shop for your lure fishing needs, but don't forget they stock more than lure tackle! Speak to Mike & Gill & Andy(fish) & Mandy.

Saltwater tackle & bait - Freshwater tackle & bait

STOCKING BRANDS BELOW

Savagear - Major Craft - IMA - Megabass - Lunker City - Hokkaido - Maria - FTEC - Evergreen - Keitech - Snowbee - Redgill - Sidewinder - Berkley - Sakura - ABU - Penn - Mitchell - Shakespeare - IMAX - Okuma - Alcedo - Prologic - Ron Thompson - Dip - Ultima - Sakuma - Korda - JRC - Mainline - Sixthsense - Led Lensor - Coleman - Waterline - WSB - Tronix - Lureflash - Breakaway - Gemini - Profish - Kamasan - DAM - Zebco - Quantum - Fin-Nor - Van Staal - Browning - Rhino

Lots more to come!

St Croix 10-50g Lure rod

2011-12-23T20:35:00.000Z

St Croix ~ 9ft 6' ~ 10-50g casting ~ 12/25lb line class lure rod.

Fuji seat, Matagi rod components, Pac-Bay minima 4 guides.

Harrisons Torrix P2

2011-12-23T20:19:00.001Z

The P1, P2 & and P3 Torrix Beachcaster range from Harrisons Advanced Rods.

There are three models in the series, P1, P2 & P3. They all have parallel butt sections with put in tip sections, but smaller butt diameters. They have the Torrix lay of high modulus UD carbon, & a diamond cut tapered joint.

Harrison P1 Estuary Blank
The Harrison P1 is the lightest & slimmest in the range. The P1 is the starter in the series making an excellent match rod. Casting 3oz to 4oz leads with ease, and will cast up to 5oz. This is an excellent estuary rod, at 14 ft it allows longer traces to be cast.
Tip dia 3.8mm
Butt dia 21.5mm
Weight 500 grams
14ft, 2 sections
Harrison P2 all rounder beachcasting blank
The Harrison P2 blank in the middle of the P range. Casting 4 to 6oz & is an excellent all rounder for most beach fishing work, great power to weight & sensitivity. Reel up or down this blank won't let you down, whether you are match fishing or leisure, this blank is a pleasure fish with.
Tip dia 3.9 mm
Butt dia 22.5 mm
Weight 640 grams
14ft, 2 sections
Harrison P3 Tournament Blank
The Harrison P3 is a strong fast actioned rough ground rod developed with top tournament casters. Excellent power, casting 5-7oz.
Tip dia 4.0mm
Butt dia 23 mm
Weight 783 grams
14ft, 2 sections

Below are pictures of the P2 unground, Fuji 'K' guides (polished frame / Alconite centre).

Not just lure rods!

2011-12-23T19:51:00.000Z

Harrisons ~ Torrix ~ 12ft ~ 3.25tc
These blanks from Harrisons are truely one of the best carp blanks on the market today. Capable of the English and european carp fishing giants, but don't forget they'll tame those cats to!

Fuji DNPS seats, Pac-Bay Minima 4 guides, minimal design shrink wrap rear grip & custom decals.

DFR Lure Rod - 8ft 6’ ~ 5 – 22g CW ~ Line class 0,6 – 1,5 PE

2011-12-11T21:23:00.001Z

Dorset Fishing Rods ~ Bass Lure Special

Length 8ft 6'

Casting weight 5-22 grams

Line class 0.6-1.5 PE

Japanese spigot joint fast action slim blank.

Time for a catch up!

2011-11-01T22:06:00.001Z

It's been a while since posting.

Appologies to people I have missed with phone calls and emails, but due to a family illness and work changes other priorites have had to come first.

I have made it out fishing a few times, which has produced a few good bass, including a new PB!

Sunday 25th September:
Produced the PB 6 1/2lb fish along with a few other smaller ones.
Wet & windy with a building sea gave me the prize, then put back to swim away.
One of the 'Hokkaido' lures from Chesil Bait 'N' Tackle tempted this one.

6 1/2lb Dorset PB.

Sunday 9th October:
Got out early today, a bit breezy, but fish about.
Not big numbers, & conditions were getting worse as the morning went on. The sea was going greener and dirtier (well water clarity was sh***. Lol), wind picking up to 20mph plus!
Managed to catch, off the top and below. No blank.
Only small fish, but conditions dictated the choice of lures.With the water clarity not being great, looking for something with more noise (rattle, vibration etc).
Complete mix, bright sun and low clarity!
The colour for me was one that would pick up better on visual in low visability, but something the sun would pick out. Bright chartreuse colour, pearl rainbow, gold/orange. Also needed something to cast into a 20+mph wind, Could look at the jig type or the more airodynamic minnows around a weight of 20g+, my personal choice. Zonk 120 chartreuse.
On the top, gunfish virtually works everywhere, just the colour variations.
The ghost colours normally being the opaque clear allowing more light to filter through.

Saturday 30th October:
Finally got the chance with a couple of friends that has taken a while to sort dates!
Met with Andy Philips / Hooks, Line & Sinkers
Nobby & 1 of his work mates. An early meet up in the car park then the long walk!
Expectations were fairly high, but then I hadn't been fishing for a while and just getting out was a bonus. In the dark the smell of sea weed washed up on the big tides made for promising fishing, but as the light levels came up so did the colour of the water. The 1st fish was a small pollack followed by a bass of around 3 1/2-4lb. The water was some what green in colour with the clarity declining as the tide was rising. The wind was always increasing and colouring the water even more. Andy got one out from the dirty weeded water on a Komono II.

So the next trip?
Don't know yet when, but as long as the tide rises nd falls I will be back out......at some point!

Almost forgot the new Tiger Wrap!

31 bass, 10 macky & 1 scad! 9/9/11

2011-09-10T23:39:00.002+01:00

The first trip in a while since having the operation on my hand proved very worthwhile! A lot of time & fish to make up for.

About a 7 mile walk in a freshening wind saw more than any other session I have ever had. The sea was quite clear, which was surprising after the southerly/westerly winds that have been blowing onto the south coast. A gap of a day or so in between saw the only opportunity for me to get out. Clear water with just a small amount of weed floating about.

Nothing big, most around 2lb with the better ones going 3-4lb. Very spirited fights by all fish in a slightly choppy sea.

Natural coloured lures worked well -

Above, Tackle House Nodes in 150 & 130. Custom Feed Shallow Plus! An old lure that leaks, so sinks a bit, battered with a pearl coating.

Used my Hokkaido lures for the first time, worked well and fish landed on them, for the money what more can you ask? Very good lures with a finish to shame some of the more expensive ones out there. The local tackle shop in Weymouth, Chesil Tackle N Bait has them in stock.

Used the Trio that was stripped and cleaned! Well after this session, it has given up, worn away and knackered gears!Lol. New reel on its way in a couple of weeks, can't wait!

Ever wondered how close trawlers can come in the shore?

All legal........The distance & being legal to trawl so close in did surprise me, but the Fishery Officer said they weren't doing anything wrong.

Okuma Trio (orignal) - Strip & service

2011-08-26T20:22:00.001+01:00

The saga continues!

Nothing to loose now, the orignal has ceased, the new model has gone back (got a refund). And the living hell of internet shopping taking it's time to answer questions! Certainly won't be using the internet shop I bought it from again.......

Strip & service of the original Trio. On this service I am not taking apart the bail arm assembly or front drag.

Try and make sure you have evrything at hand.
Plenty of kitchen roll (or alike), lighter fluid, reel oil, grease, & tools. This will depend on the reel you are working on.

Remove the spool.

Remove the washers from under the spool, remember the sequence and place them down on some paper in the position they need to go back on in.

Undo the screw in the picture.

Undo the rotor nut in the picture.

Remove the rotor.

Undo & remove the handle.

Remove the 3 screws that hold down the bearing plate.

Remove the 2 washers.

Take the spring off, be careful for it not to fly off.

Remove the side plate casing, 1 screw & 3 alum key screws.

Remove the drive gear & bearings.

The transmission gear has a red arrow on it. This will need to be linned up to the drive gear when putting back together.

Remove the oscillation slider plate.

Remove main shaft, bearings, washers & rotor nut.

Remove the transmission gear.

Remove the ball bearing plate.

Remove ball bearings, be aware that now the cover holding the ball beariings in can now fall off and the bearings fall out.

Make sure you lay the parts out logically as you took them off. This will allow you to put everything back together with alot more ease.

Flush out bearings with lighter fuel. I use small plastic lids for this, means you don't waste alot of fluid!

Everything separated and being cleaned.

Drying out.

Going back together.

Drive gear cleaning.

Flush out bearings, and allow to dry.

Clean main shaft and bearings as in above pictures.

Rust in the housing, needs to be cleaned out.

Start putting back together.

Transmission gear first.

Make sure the red dots on the transmission gear & drive gear line up.

Slot the slider over the raised 'knob' on the transmission gear.

Screw back the oscillating slider plate.

Start putting the main shaft, bearings, washers & rotor nut back in place.

Screw down the pinionbearing fixed plate.

Don't forget to clip the spring back in.

Oil & grease.

Grease on the main shaft where pointed & gears.

Oil the bearings, not to much!

Screw the side plate casing on.

Washers back down.

Rotor back on.

Lock the rotor nut back in place.

Tighten down the screw.

Washers back on.
Spool back on.

Reel back together.

No problems with doing the above. Just take your time and work logically.

New bait rods?

2011-08-21T11:25:00.000+01:00

Due to the last operation on my hand, it has now got me thinking? I know, impossible some of you would say......

I may have to switch to fixed spool for a while until I have full strength back to the fingers & left hand. The rods I have & use are 14ft, due to the weight of these a change of plan is needed. I am looking at the Century range, the low diameters in particular which on paper appear to tick the required boxes.

The two that have the edge are the Tip Tornado LD (Low Diameter) & the new Tip Tornado LD Super Match.
Anyone using with preferences?
Both cast up to 150g + bait, no differences between them there.
From the Century website.
"The existing Tip Tornado LD has been a huge success both for Century and anglers alike. The deceptive power in such a low diameter rod has gained a strong following. The look and feel of this rod has been accepted as truly innovative.
The logical progression was the Super Match version that delivers enhanced bite sensitivity for anglers that look for tip movement rather than rattle bites when fishing smooth ground. The new LD Super Match develops a sweet J curve under initial compression and the composite phased tapers - we call Gearbox Design - allow a progressive and user friendly delivery of stored energy in the cast. The LD Super Match is distinctly different from the Tip Tornado LD model featuring increased power storage capability in the lower section and a finer, more sensitive tip".

I have been told I won't be disappointed with either, but maybe get both? An excuse to get my son a set of rods!

Next, I need a set of fixed spool reels!

Okuma Trio fishing reels - review.

2011-08-19T20:47:00.000+01:00

Review - 12 months plus after use.

Below is a picture of the Okuma Trio, original black model. Well I have to say I was impressed!

BUT, now after last season & a few uses this year the reel has finally given up! This was my choice of reel last year, price was good, weight and appearance looked to be inline with my ideas of what I wanted. I have to say though it did last 1 season, depends if you class it as a throw away piece of tackle?

It was cleaned after every trip, & never abused. The prime & only use was for lure fishing (saltwater), the reel has now ceased up.

It lived up to the videos I watched before purchase, but last year was a short season bass fishing due to an injury. I'm not sure if it would have lived up to the normal 2-3 weekly trips for 10-12 months of the year?

The appearance is great, clean lines & light in comparison to other reels in the same price range.

Okuma Trio - original black, size 40.

Review - Okuma Trio High Speed FD (gold/orange & black).

I purchased this reel mid-May 2011, sent back to the supplier 20th July 2011!
The same again, on paper looks great & to top it off I was told that I could use the spool from the original Trio above on this new version reel. That was, & still is another downfall of the Trio, no spare spool! All was looking good for about 6 weeks then I noticed the reel starting to stiffen up, not good for a reel so new.
The reel was cleaned after each trip, only used maybe12-20 times for sessions of about 4-6 hours, no time at all even for a lower priced reel.
OK, I may have had a bad one from a batch, but faith now gone. I sent this one back to the original supplier, but due to the amount of time in waiting to get another one back in exchange, I have asked for my money back.
In the time whilst this one was sent back, I thought I'd get away with using the original black. Have a guess what happened once I sent the FD back, you got it, the original ceased up to!
I am really disapointed at how what looked good on paper for price, weight etc, looked brilliant.
I bought the reels with the idea they are for saltwater, well that was what I was told. Not sure if they are? Has anyone had problems in freshwater?

Above: Okuma Trio High Speed FD 40 (gold/orange & black) with original black spool.

Above: Okuma Trio High Speed FD 40 (gold/orange & black)

A trip up north.

2011-08-15T11:13:00.000+01:00

Just over a week ago we headed up north, 6 hours driving to York. Really great city to visit, friendly & one of the safest places I've felt walking around. Thankfully the weather held off, just a few showers over night with the exception of a heavy downpour/thunderstorm whilst shopping in the city centre with my wife.
There is a fishing report in a minute! Lol.

THE FISHING

Firstly, my thanks to Ian & Andy for making me welcome. You really have some great fishing marks, and yet there is still so much more coastline to explore with the lures.
I got to fish a couple of sessions while up there, the first being an evening over high water. We were fishing along side each other, Andy was the 1st in, then Ian, while it appeared I was on the wrong side of the gully! Ian & Andy were still catching, but yet my account was still closed, a quick call over from them both to try another area & bang! Fish on! Cheers to you both!
From the start this bass went like hell, a real big hit, rod arched over & a very spirited fight from a fish of around 3lb'ish. But as soon as they turned on, the fishing with one fell swoop went dead for all.
The next day was more of a walk about over several marks on a different state of tide, saw fish, but none landed. Next time..........
The Yorkshire coastline has some great looking marks to explore, hopefully there will be a return visit.
Thanks lads.

Blessed clear skies.

Shimano rarerium, borrowed from Mark, cheers buddy. The rod - DFR 8ft 6' 8-28g lure, this rod has some real poke to it!

Chartreuse feed shallow, this has worked well for me over reefs at first light, the time of day when dark turns to light. You get the chance to see the lures back clearly, then hopefully from beneath the glimpse of silver on attack.

I have been using my 9ft 6' 8-28g lure rod for a while now and not so much the 8ft 6', I think this may change, very impressed with casting and the 'feel'.

As with most places, when you are a guest on other peoples fishing marks, pictures are limited, and respect is shown for there wishes on reports and pics. Thank you.

The hand operation!

2011-08-15T10:30:00.002+01:00

Almost a week on from the operation, sore but able to move fingers. Physio has started so no complaints there.
This was the result of complications from a carpal tunnel operation last December!
This time & hopefully the last, the diagnoses was - Severe - Ulnar nerve entrapment at wrist / carpal tunnel.
The procedure - left ulnar nerve release / neurolysis at wrist, partial excision of hamate bone?
In english, nerve release & cut away some bone! Lol.

Last years carpal tunnel operation.

24th August.
The stitches are now out!
Just need the swelling and bruising to go down then start the muscle rebuilding.

Best of season, so far!

2011-08-14T20:32:00.002+01:00

This report is from the 28th July, yeah I know a bit late!
A trip to the eastern end of the normal fishing marks proved the right choice. I was all set to meet up with Mark Padfield & Joe Sepi (Lure Fishing For Bass), but the wind and weather changed the night before which gave way to a visit to the area we ended up at, (right choice Mark, Marks idea).
Northerly winds & a small tide didn't give the most hope, but you've got to keep fishing! A good 3 mile round trip from the car to fish.
Great day for a walk!
Well , great day to be fishing, a golden ticket. My best of season at 64cm / 6lb, another one of around 2.5lb off the top. Hooked and lost another off the top then ran out of water on what would have been a PB! One hell of a splash and hump/spines up and out the water at my Gunfish. A good 8lb fish, missed chance, but next time......
Mark had 3 bass to 4.5lb, Joe had 6 bass, a couple at 60-62cm (6lb).
Almost forgot the wrasse & pollock, lost count on those!
A custom painted Feed Shallow took the bass below, and off the top work was done with the Gunfish.

Joe & I went again the next day.....2am alarm, long, long walk in the dark to find the wind had swung again. This time east...........No bass, just macky & non-stop pollock.

Cane Fly Rod

2011-07-27T06:55:00.000+01:00

I normally wouldn't have done this!

As a favour to a customer I took on building a cane fly rod, he already had the blank which had been sat around for a few years waiting to be built by himself as a project.

Time consumming!

He had a couple of other cane rods which were used as base templates, these were the rods that he wanted the new one to fish and feel like.
The design brief was to use modern components, resins & threads on the cane blank.
The end result, words from my customer.
"I tried the cane rod today, and with my #5 Hardy Marquis and floating line it casts very sweetly indeed", "it is smooth as silk and lands the fly gently, it's a lovely job".

Last few trips

2011-07-27T06:29:00.001+01:00

Since the last report a few more trips out have been taken.

Fish caught, yes!

20th July 2011 - Nothing big though, all around a couple of lb, with the odd one going to 4lb.
The Feedshallow has paid off again in producing the takes, along with my first use of the OSP Rudra 130sp.
The OSP casts with no problems and in the colour I have (shad), it has an appearance in the water of a sands smelt almost. The action is good with working it as a jerkbait, wind, stop, pause & jerk, this allows the flanks of the lure to roll and act more natural.

The above picture shows the Rudra.

The feedshallow above is extremely worn, it doesn't take that many sessions to show the paint work fading on the lure. From new, I now coat all my lures in a clear resin to offer some protection & add to there life span.

26th July 2011 - This was one of those early morning sessions with so much hope!
Well the hope faded fast after a couple of early morning schoolies & mackerel.

What a difference a day makes!
I know the day before it was producing all through, couldn't get out though! The wind switched and along with it the fish to. Apart from the early couple of small schoolies and mackerel the day finished early and back for breakfast.

2011-07-18T14:54:00.002+01:00

Just had a review done. Lure Fishing For Bass.
It is gratefully recieved, the rods I have been using myself and have only got praise for the blanks.
Lightweight, fast and crisp, with the real feel of Japanese quality in the blanks & components.
The Blanks are T-Russell, components from Matagi & guides from Pacific Bay (minima 4's, model SV in TiCH/TiCH).

A few words from the review;
"To be honest though this is the beauty of having a rod custom built for you, it’s a personnel experience and you try to include specifics from rods you have liked and exclude things that bug you."

Last few trips

2011-07-08T23:19:00.000+01:00

Since the last write up at the end of June a few more trips out have taken some bass. The biggest being a a little under 58cm, with a couple at 50cm. Felt great again to find the fish in a feeding mood.

The 1st of the sessions produced smaller bass in the hours of dark to light, these can be my favourite times of the day as most things start to come to life. The bait fish are moving and the predators are not far behind, sea birds diving with the sun rising.

Chatreuse Feed Shallow taking the above 2 fish at first light.

The 2nd session! No bass for me on this one but a fish.............

Now the Sassuke 140 in its mouth is one of my favourite lures, it has so much of it that purely looks like a bass slayer? But, this lure has now taken wrasse, mackerel, pollack & bass.

The 3rd session was one of mixed weather which eventually got blown off.
The water was clear, the surf was looking great, white water everywhere, perfect conditions. What started as a strong but fishable wind changed to one that you could lean into with your body weight and be supported. This changed the water clarity, to one that would have still been fishable if the wind hadn't strengthened.
5 bass in total for this one, 1 just under 58cm, a couple at 50cm & a couple of 45's thrown in.
No one lure took all the fish, but it was a day that saw a couple more lost and heavier sinking lures needed to work against the wind and tide.

I am spoilt for choice when it comes to the rods!
The rod that covers most of my clean ground lure work is normally either the 10ft 6' or 9ft 6' T-Russell bass rods, they can give me that extra distance that I am looking for, to cover the ground further out. With the extra distance gained, the sinking lures have more time being fished at depth.

New blanks are on there way.......................................

Henry Gilbey - DFR blog review

2011-06-29T18:33:00.001+01:00

I am absolutely honored to get such an honest and positive review from Henry Gilbey.

He had the 3 rods from a previous blog on here. They were tested in Ireland last week (June 2011), you can read about the exploits via the links below.

The review can be found - 'My first extended play with some japanese lure rods'.

Thank you Henry.

Early morning session, bass!

2011-06-28T12:44:00.000+01:00

Up and out early this morning to a local mark for a chance of bass.
At the beach and fishing by 4am in the dark as the light is starting to lift. The start of the early light was clouded over, until the sun broke through a good few hours later.

The 1st bass of the morning was the biggest at 50cm.

It didn't take long to get into another after a quick move and change of lure, and this is how the morning progressed, change & move, change & move. 10 bass in total & 2 mackerel.

IMA - Sassuke 140

Tackle House - Contact Node 150S

Lucky Craft - Gunfish

Tackle House - Feed Shallow Plus

Complete mix of lures used today, you'll see the new Okuma Trio high speed FD / size 40. The rod is one of my own 'Specialist Lure', 9ft rated 10-50g.

Quite a few of the fish this morning were hooked in the body or below the eyes with the other flying trebles that weren't taken in the mouth.

A funny group!

2011-06-26T15:07:00.000+01:00

Just came across a strange few pluggers (well the English ones)!

The pictures are of Mark Padfield, Graham Hill, Adrian Rogers & Tom. Along with the Spanish guides. These pics and reports are in Spanish on 'Pesca Manel (Spain)'

The trip was to Asturias, Spain - Feb 2011.

Read more here - Lure Fishing For Bass

T-Russell 'Silky Sea Bass'

2011-06-24T13:04:00.000+01:00

T-Russell 'Silky Sea Bass'

There are 3 models within the ‘Silky Sea Bass’ range, the 8ft 6’, 9ft 6’ & 10ft 6’. All 3 have the true essence of Japanese blanks, they are fast actioned but truly have the fish playing capabilities required by the modern lure angler.

The action itself progresses from the 8ft 6’ blank, which is a pure lure rod; this blank has great strength and speed from tip to butt.

The 9ft 6’ is the blank in the middle of the range, capable of distance casting and working virtually everything that is put before it. The extra foot in length increases the sensitivity of the tip making soft plastic work a bonus on this all round blank.

Finally, the longest blank is the 10ft 6’; the extra length on this blank can give you those extra metres you are looking for to get lures working at distance.

All 3 blanks are Japanese fast action, the tip recovery from compressed is quick to recover allowing the line/braid to flow through the guides with ease.

The blanks are of 2-piece construction featuring low diameter spigot joints. The tips measure in at 2mm extending to a butt measurement of only 13mm on the 8ft 6’ & 9ft 6’, the 10ft 6’ is 14mm at the butt.

The ‘Silky’ range of blanks are above the normal build of the standard ‘T-Russell’ blanks, they are positioned between ‘normal’ and ‘super’, being sensitive & lightweight. The action of fast is just that, with a crisp recovery from compressed, they are what we have come to expect in terms of quality & feel from the Japanese market of lure blanks.

The ‘T-Russell’ ‘Silky Sea Bass’ range of blanks are made in Japan, and maybe as close as you can get to having one series of blanks to cover most eventualities.

‘Super’, ‘Sensitive’ & lightweight, these are modern lure blanks that you can work all day with a progressive action, enjoy your angling experience and feel the fish at the other end!

With more and more use of ‘soft plastics (SP’s)’ in modern lure angling these blanks are sensitive to feel every twitch and movement, they are excellent at transferring all the small details from lure to hand.

Blank specifications:

All blanks cast 8-28grams & share the common line class of PE0.6-1.5.

The action is fast with construction in 2-piece low diameter spigots.

8ft 6’ blank

· Weight 70g

· Tip 2mm

· Butt 13.05mm

9ft 6’ blank

· Weight 85g

· Tip 2mm

· Butt 13.10mm

10ft 6’ blank

· Weight 99g

· Tip 2mm

· Butt 14.35mm

2011-06-18T22:47:00.000+01:00

Had a trip out with Mark Padfield (Mark333) on Thursday night!
Well what can I say, except 'Jammy Git', first cast, fish on.

It was the ideal night for where we had planned, but better than sitting at home all evening wondering what if?
Weed everywhere, a strong south/south westerly wind and the occasional rain cloud. Don't mind the cloud especially if looking to fish off the top, really enjoying this method more and more. It's the visual connection you have with the lures, seeing the hits and missed takes. Stopping the lure as a fish rises and then the twitch to regain interest. Well off the top wasn't on the cards with such a strong tide & side wind.
With the spring tide the main of the fishing was with soft plastics aimed at the bottom between the rocks and weed. This accounted for the one and only fish to Mark at around 50cm on the bass tape. I hadn't even set up as he said, I'm in, did I believe him, hell no! we're known for mickey taking and pulling the others legs, well thats exactly what I thought he was doing until it started in the spirited fight in the tide.
It was taken on a paddle tail worked hard with a ripping motion to get that tail going.
We moved to a couple of other marks and fished into the dark. I saw one other bass just as darkness fell, but it turned away at the last moment as I was working the sp along with a shoal of baitfish.
Pollack everywhere, not big, but not my target species so no change to smaller sp's and hooks.
Hopefully out again next week, just need to keep a check on the wind, the water may be a bit coloured up for certain areas, but around Dorset there is always a corner to fish somewhere.

2011-06-18T22:23:00.000+01:00

There have been a few more trips out since the last one reported in May, but not much in the way of fish catches to talk about. A few pics of smaller fish & a great take from a gar of the top, 2nd of the year so far on lure!
Loads of mackerel caught on single lures (no 4 hook rigs). Never gets boring fishing for them and the fight they give right to the end. Never touch them if they are to be returned, a quick flick and of the hook they go.

As said nothing big! lol.
The bass are slowly moving in this way in Dorset, the water has got so much fry swimming around in it.
The lures that caught in these pics are:
The Lucky Craft Sammy & Gunfish.
One of my favourites so far this yaer for it's versatility is the Smiths ZipSea Penn, the one 2nd pic up from bottom in AYU. This lure is great to work just below the surface with a drop in rod angle or lift to walk and jerk across the surface.
All of these fish were caught on the DFR 10ft 6', 8-28g rod range.
Rods also available in 8ft 6' & 9ft 6' casting 8-28g. They are in harmony with the Matagi components, Pac Bay minima guides & T-Russell blanks from Japan.

It's not all bass!

2011-05-03T19:00:00.000+01:00

It's not always bass!
One of my favourite ways of lure fishing is off the top, vivid action that you can see! This was one of many pollack caught on 29th April 2011, lost count in the end. Off the top, shallow divers, it didn't matter what we put on, they just kept coming. The lure in the photo is a Smith Zipsea,
( http://www.monstertackle.co.uk/b/fishinglures/smith-zipsea-pen.html ).
The wrasse in the top picture took this Cultiva lure

9 bass & 1 gar.

2011-05-03T18:47:00.000+01:00

This was 1 of 9 bass on the 24th April, all off the top on a sunny afternoon. The biggest being 50cm, around 2lb on the bass tape. All the bass were caught on a Sammy ( http://www.monstertackle.co.uk/b/fishinglures/lucky-craft-saltwater-sammy-115.html ) or Gunfish ( http://www.monstertackle.co.uk/fishinglures/lucky-craft-Saltwater-Gunnish-115.html )
The 1 gar came off the top to, I saw it follow the Sammy, then with a couple of missed attempts at it, it foul hooked itself!

First bass of 2011.

2011-05-03T18:04:00.000+01:00

After a couple of trips out with no fish showing I finally opened my account for 2011, 24th April. A bass of around 2 1/2 lbs, but the first of hopefully many to come.
It was taken off the top on a Caperlan surface 'walk the dog' style lure.

This was a great trip out with one of my new Japanese blanks. 10ft 6' casting 8-28g.

Late last year.

2011-05-03T18:00:00.001+01:00

This was late last year, 2010. Only a small fish, but with the cold weather starting to bite they were still present.

Early or late?

2011-05-03T17:46:00.001+01:00

This was from a catch in December 2009 (I think)! Maria Chase BW tempting this small schoolie
https://www.veals.co.uk/acatalog/Sub_Surface.html .
Now, was this a late or early season fish, we can if lucky have bass all year round. A warm winter will help this along.
I'm sure that some bass will stay in the waters all year, while others move offshore.

2010-06-23T11:19:00.001+01:00

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