Double Uni trimmed down tight works for me with 20lb Gardner Distance kinetic to 60lb Whiplash. Super neat.

I used to make sure the knot is at the bottom of the spool on the cast, but it's so small & hasn't caused me issue in the years of using it, I don't worry anymore.

Unfortunately same story here; ordered rods, heard negatives almost straight after so enquired with Tom to see if I'd get them in time for a trip some months later. Said I would (get them in time), didn't, ended up turning up about 8 months after order.

Quality was good, and I could use them on one of my waters, so at least that was something. But the whole process of me trying to order them, respond to a couple of Tom's queries then receive no acknowledgement, telephone calls going unanswered etc was just shocking. This was a real shame as I previously (some years before) had them rebuild some old Tri-Casts for me & at that time no issues whatsoever, good service & quick turn around.

Sad to say, I will never use again now.

In reply to Post #9
Shock leaders - try with a nice tidy double uni knot - works for me, braid to braid. Can't speak for mono to braid.

Other thing not to take too much notice of with braid is the diameter; different manufacturers measure differently - I understand braid is easier to 'squish' than mono, leading to inconsistencies between manufacturers stated dia:

- Berkley Whiplash 20lb = 0.06mm
- Gardner Kinetic Distance 20lb = 0.20mm

Following - I did the same a while ago, although I've still no clue on prices. It has to be cheaper than Welly at £2300 / yr though, surely?!

Sell what you have & see if you can find something second hand which fits better?

In reply to Post #8
Agreed - I did a Terry Edmonds lesson, money well spent.

I also bought some 13ft 3.5 cork Aircurves as a 'relatively' inexpensive rod I wasn't worried about breaking; Greys have a great warranty, just in case. Used them for a couple of seasons to hit a 160yard mark (braid, 4oz lead, 10mm bait) & caught the big girl off it, so was definitely worth it.

I never did break them either! Am currently selling them (£350) as I don't need that distance at present.

In reply to Post #3
Still have a set of 2.5tc Tricast ER's! Second set as the first were stolen off the roof of the car in 2006. Gutted as I served my carping apprenticeship with those.

The originals were from Penge Angling, Vic Gibson built along with many other Tricasts, Conoflex, North Westerns etc in the early 80's.

In reply to Post #7
Useful tips here, thanks all!

Sorry if this has been done before, couldn't find an answer....

When tying up the curved section on hinged stiffs or chods, what's the best way to ensure the curved section is properly formed so the hook remains vertically hanging down?

Have tried several different hook knots, and hooklink curving methods, but always end up with the hook not sitting as vertical as I'd like. Admittedly, it's not far out, I just feel I might be missing a trick in terms of forming the best (& straight!) curvature.

Thanks!

In reply to Post #2
I used to do it this way until I checked with Pythagoras (plenty of online calcs to bookmark on your phone). Was quite surprised to see the extra distance was so little:

20wraps = 240ft
Deeper stated depth in lake above spot = 23ft
Pythagorean calculated distance to spot = 241.1ft

I think there's probably more variance due to using mono to fish with vs. braid on the deeper rod tbh