Terminal Tackle

• Sinking braid hook link• Silt, weed and gravel variations• Super-strong and abrasion resistant• Several breaking strains availableRRP: £12. 99FOR MORE DETAILS GO TO: www. nashtackle. co.

TC reader Sam Rafferty from London says: "I wasn’t sure I liked these when they first arrived, although I was grateful for being sent something to review that was made by such a top company as Fox. "The Slik clip is very different from those I’ve been used to, so I wasn’t convinced they’d be for me. However, once I started using them I found them extremely easy to get on with and have had nothing but good to say about them since. "The colour (more akin to a Korda green) wouldn’t be my first choice because I have all-blue LEDs on my alarms, but that’s not such a big deal, or is it? I note from Fox’s website that you can get blue versions, so I might have to sell this set to my mate and buy some of those instead!"There’s plenty of room in the head for an isotope, although I find those far too expensive so don’t bother with one, and I really like the short ball-chain style.

• The popular coated hook link on 20m spools• Now in Brown and Sand/Clay colours• Available in 15lb, 25lb and 35lb breaking strains For more details go to: Web: www. avidcarp. comPrice: £13. 99.

This is, quite simply, a monofilament main line that tapers at each end to give a robust casting ‘leader’ without any knots or the need for additional materials. This is ideal for venues where casting is at a premium and especially on those where leaders are banned. There are no knots, so therefore no safety issues, which is what leads to such bans. Because the taper is at both ends, when one end becomes worn or short after regular trimming, it can be reverse-wound onto the spool for continued use.

The TC team has been extremely impressed with the Razor Points, and we’ve all rated them as some of the sharpest hooks we’ve seen in a very long time. For me, as I’ve mentioned elsewhere in this issue, when you’re paying the sorts of prices that modern hooks command (these are over £1 less than some on the market), you’re entitled to expect them to be sharp straight from the packet. These do not disappoint, but more importantly, they are consistently sharp across all of the various patterns and in all sizes – the latter not being particularly true of some ranges. As usual, there is a Teflon-type coating, the camou benefits of which I have always doubted (on all hooks) but there’s no doubt that it makes the hooks smoother, so it’s presumed that they penetrate more easily.

I’ve reviewed these bags many times over the years and felt compelled to do so again in this issue, given our Buyer’s Guide feature on solid bags. They remain the most consistent bags that I’ve used for my fishing over a prolonged period. I can’t remember the last time I had a seam break on me and, given that I tie my bags as tightly as I possibly can, this is a huge indictment. While there are several sizes available I only really use the size 5s because they suit my style of fishing.

In more recent years, drop-off inline leads have become very popular and have taken a leading role in my approach. I like to use heavy leads when I can get away with it but it’s just as important that when I’m attached to the carp there’s no lead hindering my contact. I opted to test out these leads when they arrived at the office because they have been specifically designed for use as a safety drop-off lead system. The groove allows either the main line or leader to be situated flush against the lead, which reduces the damage that can often be caused against the lake bed or snags.