Love to use most of my Cotswold Aquarius bought luggage from the past years.

Did noticed the takeover of Cotwold Aquarius by Prolite Explorer. But also noticed the increased prices of the already expensive luggage. Just checked my in 2020 bought luggage directly from Cotswold Aquarius and the prices of several of these items increased by >52%. That's not just normal inflation in the inbetween years.

In the event of worn luggage will look for some alternative items.

In reply to Post #1
The 11" 1,25lb Korum 3K Allrounder could be your perfect short to medium tench rod. Have one myself and would classify it as semi parabolic. Perfect to fish with Drennan Inline Maggot feeders, or similar. Use mine for float(er) fishing for carp and light barbel work.
When I compare these to my Harrison 4-piece Avon rod's, the Harrison's are trough action.

The Korum is a great rod for its price. Nice quality blank, reasonable fittings. (too) Thin cork handle but what could you wish more for < 60gbp. You won't regret them.

In reply to Post #1
Have 5 pike bait rod's built by Tony. Harrison P5 & BB350. Fast communication, and reasonable build time. No bling bling builds, just proper fishing tools built for the job.

In reply to Post #1
Gary from CustomReels UK did modified my SS2600 and fit the round spring weston line clips a couple of years ago.

The small edge on top of the rotor had to be milled away. Maybe a DIY job with any sort of Dremel tool?

In reply to Post #3
A7C has flip screen indeed but is not the camera as the suggested A7ii, and more as twice the price so reach out the budget

In reply to Post #1
Out of 2 suggested camera's i would choose the D5600 because the flip screen. It's make it more easy to make the pictures when you are alone.

Would advise you to buy the Nikon 35mm 1.8. With this setup you will be capable to make nice fish photo's. I combine this lens with a D7200, in the past with D3200. D5600 with the 35mm lens stay within budget.

Recently have the following problem. Bought an Daiwa Whisker DF spod & marker rod about a year of 2 ago from one of my fishing buddies. He did use it in the past without issues.
About a couple of months ago I would use it for my tench campaign, but the tip didn't have a proper fit on the bottom part. It's stuck and just can get on for about 1cm with a very tight fit. Not what I'm used to get with other rods like Harrison or Century.

Now did some manor sanding with a scouring pad and used some degreaser on both parts, but without noticeable result.

Did anybody noticed same issues with rods in the past, and possible with any solutions??

Berkey Big Game would I recommend as an average, no nonsense mainline. Also cheap to replace and worldwide available.

Guess this line will fit your requirements.

In reply to Post #5
What a suggestion in this TC.

To OP:
All depends on presence of weed or snags in the lake. Have some Harrison 4-pc Avon rods, about 1,25-1,5lb TC and 11' length. Caught 30lb carp on them in hit and hold situations. Really lovely playing rods.

As earlier said shorter rods are mostly stiffer rods. Another set I have are YAC stalkers, 3-piece 9' 2,75lb rods. Bit more backbone compared to the Avons but less bending rods.


Would suggest some 2,5lb (Baby) Ballista (Stalker), or 12" armalite Mk3 in 1,75 or 2,25lb. Stay away from any rods above 2,75lb, way to powerful for your purpose.

In reply to Post #1
Got 2 out of my 3 SS2600 reels modified by Gary from Custom reels in the time he was in business.

-Wooden Handles.
-Worm Bush bearing upgrade.
-Weston line clips.
-Rotor balancing.
-Black ball kicker.

IMO it makes the reel about 20% better compared to the original. Mainly prefer the improved line clips, the bearing upgrade make them more smooth steady with retrieve. The bearing upgrade is easy to do by yourself.
In the end prefer Tournaments. Easy to maintain reels, nothing complicated. Prefer the original felt drag washers, they are fine as what they are. Non of my Tournaments have the carbon ones.

A Nice upgrade on the original square drive SS-3000 is the Weston Developments titanium line roller. The re-released SS-3000 version already have an upgrade in the line roller.

If you didn't like the the SS2600 in the past, you shouldn't expect any major difference with the upgrades.