LATEST ADDITIONS

Pure Class!Tom Scholey inspects a new range of match rods from Free Spirit, a brand that has been synonymous with fine-quality carp fishing tackle for many years… Making a break into the super-competitive match rod market is not an easy move to make, especially when your company’s past presence in the match fishing market has been, well, non-existent! But this move is one that Free Spirit is making – and in Match Fishing’s opinion, its entry into this market will not be good news for the competition, simply because they make exceptional fishing tackle. Speaking to some of my friends from the carp fishing world (where Free Spirit carp rods are among the most highly respected available) I was told to expect quality, and when the rods arrived in the office I knew that we were in for something special. I was actually shown two ranges of rods – the CTX range (showcased here) and a range known as HiS – which were still prototypes when we saw them, but will soon hit the shelves as the company’s flagship rod range. Look for the review in a forthcoming issue.

Stylish And Quality -Match Fishing looks at the Cresta Blackthorne luggage range from Spro. This is attractive, hard-wearing luggage at a price that doesn’t break the bank. And the other great thing about the Cresta Blackthorne luggage? It looks pretty sexy on the bank too! Manufactured from hard-wearing and waterproof material, the Cresta Blackthorne luggage features ultra-strong zips, and reinforced straps and seams. In a break from convention, the ready-rod bags do not come with fixed rod ties, but instead are supplied with a separate complement of neoprene versions.

Mark Pollard reflects on a very successful trip to the Emerald Isle, and recounts his lessons learnt… The Irish festival scene has seen a huge rise in popularity in the past few years and in turn winning over on the Emerald Isle is becoming increasingly difficult. Well, that’s the case for most, although if you’re a certain Mark Pollard it seems that winning in Ireland is about as easy as getting your hands on a pint of Guinness! We joined him on his return from another successful visit to Ireland, where he managed to frame in five out of five festivals! Fish To Win A festival-winning fish? Redworms and maggot was a great hook bait for skimmers! I would say the most important nugget of advice I could give to anyone visiting Ireland and who wants to do well is be positive. The fishing in Ireland when I was last there (for a full five weeks in September), was the best I’ve ever known it and with such good fishing on offer you have to make the most of it. Fishing for skimmers and roach in the UK may be about fine lines and small hooks but for feeder fishing the past few weeks I’ve been using 0.

Mick Owen has won the latest round of the Lindholme Natural Baits League, with an impressive 26-12-0 net of F1s, on what turned out to be a very tough day for competitors due to horrendous mid-week weather. The Garbolino Lindholme ace drew peg 43 on Bonsai, and caught his fish on maggots fished on the long pole. Second placed Lee Kerry owned Laurels Lake, with his 21-5-8 net almost doubling second place on the pool. Lee caught mainly on maggots at 1m, banking most of his lake winning catch in the first couple of hours of the match.