After a break from carp fishing I've decided to itch that scratch... again!
I was wondering after a little while away from the sport, Have any of the "cheaper" brands such as NGT, Carp Spirit, Advanta (AD) etc improved / competitive to the higher end products/manufacturers ?
I know usually you get what you pay for but are these manufactures as good or close to the quality of more expensive companies? minus the carp tax?
I was wondering after a little while away from the sport, Have any of the "cheaper" brands such as NGT, Carp Spirit, Advanta (AD) etc improved / competitive to the higher end products/manufacturers ?
I know usually you get what you pay for but are these manufactures as good or close to the quality of more expensive companies? minus the carp tax?
In reply to Post #1
No.
No.
In reply to Post #1
Nope, there is some reasonably priced kit about that's decent, but not from those you've mentioned
Nope, there is some reasonably priced kit about that's decent, but not from those you've mentioned
In reply to Post #3
Disagree on NGT.
Not all of it, but alot of good stuff with less carp tax.
Disagree on NGT.
Not all of it, but alot of good stuff with less carp tax.
Depends on what bits you are talking about really
An unhooking mat is an unhooking mat whatever the brand
As long as it meets the rules on the lake you are fishing
An unhooking mat is an unhooking mat whatever the brand
As long as it meets the rules on the lake you are fishing
I've bought a lot from these cheaper companies over the years and it's rare I find anything that is not up to purpose or lasts long, I'm still using tackle from the likes of Carp Kinetics and Badger and they went defunct years ago.
But my simple rule is, if it could lose me a fish, buy descent, if it's made from cloth or plastic, it should be OK.
I also like to buy cheap good tackle that might last a few years, then I can update it with the latest developments etc when it breaks or wears out etc rather than throw good expensive tackle into the back of the shed that still has years of use in it.
But my simple rule is, if it could lose me a fish, buy descent, if it's made from cloth or plastic, it should be OK.
I also like to buy cheap good tackle that might last a few years, then I can update it with the latest developments etc when it breaks or wears out etc rather than throw good expensive tackle into the back of the shed that still has years of use in it.
In reply to Post #1
If you're buying stuff to start up again then, personally, I'd buy second hand bits. So many bargains to be had if you can wait a bit and are clever about it.
If you're buying stuff to start up again then, personally, I'd buy second hand bits. So many bargains to be had if you can wait a bit and are clever about it.
In reply to Post #1
Don't look past Temu etc, you'll see feedback on the items from U.K Carp folks, and that's before it gets a brand badge you recognise.
Don't look past Temu etc, you'll see feedback on the items from U.K Carp folks, and that's before it gets a brand badge you recognise.
From myself NGT= no good tat might look the same as branded stuff, I've been tempted in the past but just always felt like poor quality, cheap plastic,thin fabric.
Comparable with denims and Adidas 4 stripes from Asda.
Comparable with denims and Adidas 4 stripes from Asda.
look at companies like
Aqua
Fox
Trakker
Wychwood
All made in the same sweat shops in Asia and shipped with premium brand labels on them
Example
Aqua zips fall off in 6 months
So if you spend 100£ on an Aqua rucksack and it falls to pieces you will get the hump go onto a forum or Facebook and bitch about it
Same rucksack from NGT
Falls apart you've just wasted a tenner.
Some of these angling companies should be looked at by trading standards but because most anglers accept crap quality as standard they get away with it.
Stick a hook in a packet with a premium brand label on it and it's great
Same hook out of temu packet is crap...
Work that out..
Aqua
Fox
Trakker
Wychwood
All made in the same sweat shops in Asia and shipped with premium brand labels on them
Example
Aqua zips fall off in 6 months
So if you spend 100£ on an Aqua rucksack and it falls to pieces you will get the hump go onto a forum or Facebook and bitch about it
Same rucksack from NGT
Falls apart you've just wasted a tenner.
Some of these angling companies should be looked at by trading standards but because most anglers accept crap quality as standard they get away with it.
Stick a hook in a packet with a premium brand label on it and it's great
Same hook out of temu packet is crap...
Work that out..
In reply to Post #1
Advanta has improved massively past couple of years only thing I wouldnt use is the reels mate of mine had a bad experience with them so just stayed away probably fine nowadays though
Advanta has improved massively past couple of years only thing I wouldnt use is the reels mate of mine had a bad experience with them so just stayed away probably fine nowadays though
In reply to Post #1
It depends on what you're looking for really. The cheap brands are often ok for luggage, some end tackle, nets, boxes etc.
I would spend a few pounds more on rods & reels if it were my money or buy second hand.
That doesn't mean that the cheap brands are rubbish & they won't do the job. They just won't be the same quality & IMO they won't last as long.
A rod & reel to me is a personal thing which gets handled & worked the most out of all the tackle. I would want to be happy with the feel & quality for my own enjoyment.
However, each to their own!
Ps, I'm not a tackle snob. I try to be wise with what I spend my money on these days.
It depends on what you're looking for really. The cheap brands are often ok for luggage, some end tackle, nets, boxes etc.
I would spend a few pounds more on rods & reels if it were my money or buy second hand.
That doesn't mean that the cheap brands are rubbish & they won't do the job. They just won't be the same quality & IMO they won't last as long.
A rod & reel to me is a personal thing which gets handled & worked the most out of all the tackle. I would want to be happy with the feel & quality for my own enjoyment.
However, each to their own!
Ps, I'm not a tackle snob. I try to be wise with what I spend my money on these days.
Sometimes the lesser brands bring out some top end stuff, which is rejected by the market due to it not having the right label, and gets heavily discounted after a year. Sonic gravity rods come to mind for instance. I think those are the things you could be looking out for.
Take your time mate, build it back up like you probably did before, get what you need to go fish - second hand would be my suggestion and if a certain brand worked for you before, it probably will again now.
Welcome back 👍
Welcome back 👍
In reply to Post #1
NGT have some perfectly good stuff for less than other brands. And some rubbish.
Carpspirit have some good gear - not sure they are NGT budget level tho.
NGT have some perfectly good stuff for less than other brands. And some rubbish.
Carpspirit have some good gear - not sure they are NGT budget level tho.
In reply to Post #14
Agree with this, you can get some good deals on marketplace!
Agree with this, you can get some good deals on marketplace!
If I were getting back into it, and not certain how far I wanted to go, then I would buy Korum. I've never been disappointed with any of their kit and always thought it good value: though you can always buy cheaper.
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