In article , matthew walker
wrote:

I am just getting the bug for fishing after a 20 year absence. i have a good

Welcome back.

cheap pike rod and trace, linr etc. I would like to know whicth of my old
reels would be the best for the job - i have abu506m, mitchell match 440a
and mitchell 840. some may not be able to hold sufficeint strong lines. Any
advise would be appreciated.

Any of them will do fine. I tend to mix and match 300's and 410/440's for
all sorts of spinning - in sal****er as well 'though don't try it with one
you treasure. The line-lay on these reels is first class for spinning.

p.s. carp fishing has taken over, i need to get back to basics before i
expand to carp

These days carp seem to hace become basics :-(
- just treat then like other fish and you'll be fine. Whatever you do
don't get bogged down under a mountain of gear and finiky 'rigs'.
Why not combine your stillwater trips? Once round the lake with the
spinners and flick out a few crusts as you go. Keep half an an eye on the
crusts and note where they're taken then make a second round with the trace
replaced by a single hook and drop a bait on top of each feeding carp in
turn.

Cheerio,

--
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Writing: http://www.author.casterbridge.net/derek-moody/
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