We all love getting a new rod and reel don’t we!! I have been really lucky recently in being able to find some great bargains.
All the kit I’ve bought is second hand, I know this might not be to everyone’s taste but if you’re willing to wade through Ebay, Facebook and the like you can find some good deals.
Of course you need to be careful when buying anything second hand as most items are sold as seen meaning refunds will most likely be hard fought if needed. So my advice is ask for pictures lots of pictures. If buying a rod ask for pictures of each eye, the reel seat, where sections fit together etc. Reels can be a little bit different, you could clean a reel up and have it shinning and not be able to tell there’s an issue without having it in your hand. So you’re a lot more reliant on the seller being honest but still ask for photos. It’s common sense really, anything you’re buying you want to make sure it’s going to be fit for purpose.
Finally use PayPal for payment; by using this payment method you can raise issues after receiving the good and seek a refund if needed.
So what have I managed to pick up?
- The first item is a Shakespeare Mach3 XT Match Rod. This replaced an identical but older model rod. I found this in a Cash Converter still with the original plastic wrap on the handle. It’s a great rod for all round float fishing and it’s predecessor lasted me over 10 years. Retail price £50+ I paid £22.
- Next up are two more rods, firstly a John Wilson Avon Deluxe and also a John Wilson Barbel Quiver. I have yet to land a fish on either of these rods and have only used them twice since getting them, so I can’t comment too much on how good they both are. What I can say is they both offer a wonderful array of fishing options. They both come with 3 quivers and a specimen top section. The Avon is 1.5 test and the Barbel 1.75 test. Both are 11ft as standard but both come with an extension bottom section that turn both of them into 13ft rods. So they really do allow you to employ all manner of tactics to suit whatever conditions you find on the bank. The Avon retails from £60 and the Barbel retails from £60 so combined they would be £120 and I picked the two up for £70.
- To go along with the rods I picked up a new reel. It’s a Wychwood Solace 6, I found out that Leeda own Wychwood and I have had a Leeda reel for years and love it so took the plunge. Add to that the line clip feature that unclips itself when a fish takes line without damaging the line and I think it’s a winner. It comes with both a single and double handle and as expected a spare spool. The one I picked up had one spool loaded with 10lb fluorocarbon (not something I would normally use as mainline but it works well). Again I’ve only used this twice and blanked both times so can’t speak of its fish catching pedigree but so far it seems like a very nice reel, compact but feels solid, smooth action and looks like it will last a while. They retail at £44.99 I got mine for £25.
- Finally I needed a bag suitable for river fishing, I have a great all round bag I use everyday and for lure fishing but it’s not big enough for the river. I have looked and looked and looked for a suitable bag. It’s tough to know which one is going to be right and buying brand new means spending anything for £50 to £90. So I narrowed my search down to a Greys Prodigy. It looked big enough to move house with, had a cool bag compartment for bait and the straps looked like they would offer great support. I found one on Facebook and it lives up to my expectations and exceeds them. I have all my tackle I need in it along with bait, reels, change of clothes, storm kettle, food absolutely everything. Retails at £53.99 I got it for £25.
Had I bought all this at retail I would have been looking at £268, however I paid £145 for all of it a saving of £123. That’s a lot of money, I mean that’s not just a fiver it’s over a £100 saved. To put it into context if you’re average day ticket is £7, it works out at 17 days worth of day tickets; 17!!! That’s the best part of a month!!!!! I think that’s brilliant.
So my advice; shop around. If you know what you want and you’re sure about it then look to see what’s about as it really may be worth it and everyone loves a bargain.
Tight lines folks
Sam
Fishing with Sam 