Just got my dura dore and was slightly puzzled at all the claims saying it's one of the most comfy mattresses, it's so Aaard. I'm a fairly built guy as well at 100kg so thought would be good. I'm done with constantly going through bed chairs, so gonna stick with it and hope that over time it softens up just a little. Failing that I'll see if I can cut a thin layer of memory foam to slot under the system itself. Great frame and duvet though, well made as you'd expect

In reply to Post #1
Tried nearly all the chod filaments, mouth trap was decent but Nash chod link I found to be the best. I'm really fussy with getting perfect curves without twists or kinks I found Ta and fox's 25lb to be awful for this

Nash chod link in 25 is the only material that I can tie / tighten over steam and a couple thumb strokes it's basically perfect everytime. All the others I have to spend time tweaking and adjusting for too long.

In reply to Post #1
Something worth considering, have you reeled in your rigs at the ends of blank session and checked those hooks are still sharp. I found this out the hard way after a few losses I decided to just bring my rigs in to see if the hook point was ok and all of them were burred. Maybe nuisance fish pushing baits around or something. Switching back to normal pack sharp hooks gently brushed with a point doctor sorted this problem for
Me. Just bear in mind those razor sharp hooks are only worth it if you can guarantee they stay that way before a pick up. I feel much more
Confident with gently touched up hooks these days. Also something I don't see a lot of posts about is not just hook sharpness but hook point endurance. There are some hooks
That simply hold their points better than others. ESPs new hooks for example will turn over after every fish I catch, Gardner muggas are normally good for at least a couple of fish

In reply to Post #16
Angling iron chod hooks, are excellent. Very sharp out of pack and strong enough for nearly all situations. The points are decent but they will go
Over just like any sharp hook. Best hooks I've found for point longevity are gardeners dark covert range. They do a decent chod hook if you're looking for a lasting point

I bought a pack of the originals and the moment I felt the flex in them. They got given away without ever using. I think esp pushed the limit with the shape and wire gauge and they knew it hence the XT. Excellent hooks, will work with any rig I expect. Slip D or blow back for me

Couple of things I feel will add to the understanding of chod hooking mechanics, I think the hooking is done by a combination of the light lead, the fish closing its mouth around the bristle with hook point already facing in the perfect downward position,the weight of the leadcore but also something people forget is a large amount of slack line from tip of rod to leader. 50 yards of mono or even better fluro sat on bottom actually adds a fair bit of weight. This might also help people understand why the naked chod still works without leadcore. When fishing in weed and silt hopefully that lead is somewhat trapped by a bit of plugging or snarled in some weed. All these things combined you can see why it's far more effective that people give it credit for

In reply to Post #57
I really want to buy these reels but the drag being too fast is the things that's stopping me. Where did you buy the felt washers please? And are they easy to fit?

How much did it effect the drag for you, for example is it now more like one full turn from loose to locked? Or half ?

I've heard the original drag is all done in about quarter of a turn which I really don't like
Thanks for any help
Best
D

In reply to Post #5
I got the FJS handles, still love them. I have to agree with the last post my only problem is that butt ring should have been a 40 but not enough to put
Me off the rods. I'm looking at a 12ft kit now, been looking at free spirit and century and spending a small fortune but I have every suspicion I'll just end up getting more aircurves in the 12, 3.25

Tying a few new booms up today, can someone shed some light onto putty placement for this rig. I much prefer the look off just tying direct to a ring swivel (chod section) then putting the putty around the knot (Darrel peck style) than adding to the chod section itself. It seems to have a few advantages. The chod section is totally unimpaired by any weight so spins much more freely and also means less weight for a
Pop up to cock properly. Seems to sit up nicer as well. However I see the classic and more common way is to add the putty to the chod section. Is this just a
Personal preference thing or is there a mechanical reasons that this original way is more effective?

Little update since owning mine now for a few weeks. Firstly they're discontinued and a nightmare to get hold of. I bought 2 and had to find a shop in Holland to send the third over. Stunning rods, really light lovely action to them. Mine are 3lb test and my only concern was being severely limited on max range but this just isn't an issue. I've coupled them with Okuma Inc 6000 reels which aren't the longest casting reels but with syncro xt in 15lb and a 2oz lead I cast to a show the other day at around 85-90yds no trouble. I've since stepped down to 12lb xt and it's a nicer balance overall. Couldn't be happier and as a 10ft kit I'm not sure I'll find a better setup.