Spinning Away

I now have a spinning set up for use in the sea when the wind is too great to get a decent fly line out. I managed to get:

Shakespeare Salt Spin Rod with Penn Captiva CV2 5000
Quoting from http://www.wsftackle.com/ :
Constructed from high-carbon and featuring Fuji rings and reel seat, this 10ft, 3-piece equal section, lightweight blank is rated to cast 1 to 3ozs and proves ideal for spinning for bass, pollack, garfish and mackerel when fishing from breakwaters, rock ledges, jetties, piers and beaches. Also ideal when plug fishing for bass over rough ground.


This modern fast tapered blank is built with a responsive tip, but with increasing power in the upper mid sections flowing in to a stiff butt to give a powerful but supple action providing maximum sport with accurate long range casting ability, plus the power to punch light plugs in to a head wind.

Since its launch the SALT Spin rod has accounted for barracuda to nearly 40lbs overseas.

Penn Captiva 5000
- 11 Ball Bearings
- 200yds 12lb Mono Capacity
- Ratio: 5:2:1

I am looking forward to giving this a crack along the Kentish beaches when the northerly winds are on the gust. I will also try this back in Sussex again when I get there.

Happy Spinning...

New Vice - Apex Anvil

I have now bought an Apex Anvil Vice and I have to say WOW, I get on with this one so much more than the previous one which was a snowbee one.

                        Apex Anvil                                                                                      Snowbee 

I found with the Snowbee one I couldn't get the head to stay still whilst trying to tie. Also I could not get the hooks to stay still in the jaws.

Now, as for the Anvil, ITS GREAT...

There are grooves in the jaws that you can place the hook into, one for small hooks nearer the opening and larger at the back. Once the hook is in a wheel it turned to tighten the jaws and then the lever at the back is pushed down to totally secure the hook in place. Nice and easy.

It comes with a G clamp to secure the base to a surface or the main part of the vice can be removed from the base and put directly in the clamp so that the base is no longer needed.

I am a happy tyer with this and my tying has improved big time with this keep the hook where it should be.

Session #5 (Pike) - PikeSaber's First Outting Session, Chichester Canal

Having bought the rod over a week ago today was the first chance I had to get out with it. I headed out to my usual haunt, the local canal.

Here she is...

I was using a #9 weight floating line due to the canal only being 3-7 feet deep. I was worried that the line might be a little too light for the rod and it did appear like that sometimes. There are a few areas where I can get a full cast going and the flies flew a lot further with a bit more line loaded into the rings. I think with a bit more room and some better casting from me this beasty will propell the flies great distances. The turn over I had from it was excellent and the flies that caused issues on my #8/9 rod have gone. It feels light and has a very comfortable grip and action. I am no expert by any means but the quality is felt in each cast.

I did manage to cast the last section into the canal but got it back, luckily the line did not snap. Note to self - put the bloody rod together properly or there'll be tears...

Here are the flies I tested out today with the rod:

Can't wait to try it out on the Chew Valley trip next weekend. I will report on it then as well.