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After months of research I think I've found my rod for heavier work in the 2011 season.
My
SAKURA Shinjin 862 LR-MH (Which translates to 8' 6" Long Range - Medium Heavy) arrived today from
Absolute Fishing. One phone call to Cian and the rod was delivered within 24hrs for €150 including p&p which has to be excellent value and great service. I've yet to test the rod as we are in the closed season (Not long now till 15th June) but on first impressions it exceeds my expectations for the money. It has to be said this is not a high end rod but having looked at many which didn't have the elements I was looking for I think this rod will suit my needs perfectly. I was concerned that Sakura don't quote a weight for the rod but on first picking up the rod in its bag I knew it wasn't an issue, not sure what it weighs but its as close to anything else I've handled recently. Putting the rod together I see the latest Fuji "K" Series rings and even the orange that looked a bit garish in the brochure is in fact more of a burnt brown and quite pleasant to look at. The handle is exactly the same as my Yamaga Blanks Ballistick 85/16, a Fuji up screw design which builds the grip around the reel and gives a very comfy handle. I think this rod will be just the job for job for blasting out the bigger lures and handling (Hopefully) bigger fish in challenging situations!
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Here's an interesting comparison........
On the left we have the very exotic Duo Press Bait Fusion - Slim a hi tech casting jig packed with design features such an asymmetrical shape a rail attachment for the treble hook to slide up the body of the lure in casting to improve the aerodynamics, realistic scaling detail, a bubble gum pink back that fades beautifully into a shimmering underbelly and an eye that's quite frankly intimidating
Price around 28 Euro from a few specialist retailers in Ireland or from overseas.
On the right we have the good old Kilty Lure (Caught my first few Bass on one) basically its a lump of metal that's been bent and chromed with a sticky label on it that's going to fool nobody.
Price 4 Euro available from every tackle shop in Ireland.
Now, here's the question. Will the Press Bait outperform the Kilty enough to justify the cost and effort to source one?
My answer - Don't care, I want one anyway!
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Decided to see out the pre closed season with two sessions on Sat 14th, an afternoon foray to rough ground and if not successful a night session. The afternoon session was fishless, weed had been pushed onto the coastline I was fishing by the westerly winds of the past few days and it must have been enough to put the fish off. So it was back out for session II as the light faded, at a different location, and would you believe the first cast produced this lively fish to the sand eel like
Mommotti SS140 ACC. Moving on I spotted a disturbance in the moonlit water, cast towards it and connected with a solid fish which was landed after a battle and I released the gleaming bar of silver at approaching 1 hr before the closed season.
Time to give it a rest now for a month, looking forward to the main event !!
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Having missed the brief weather window last week I was glad to pick up this fish over the weekend. The lure that did the business is the classy IMA Sasuke 120 RP117 Sand Borer
The weather is not looking good for the run in to the closed season which is tough when you've been chomping at the bit and then it all stops for a month. O Well, if thats what it takes to give the species a chance then it has to be worth it ...
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Found this in the Carp section of my local
Tackle Shop and couldn't resist.
Yes it stinks but that's the idea.
Must be worth a try for enhancing soft bait appeal me thinks.
Just hope to God I don't spill the evil smelling potion down my chesties....
P.S. A dab behind each ear guarantees dance floor space at the local discho!
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I'm pleased to announce that I'll be testing some very tasty hard plastic
Seaspin Lures from Utopia Tackle in Italy, designs and quality look very good indeed.
Looking forward to some good conditions in which to fish with them.
