LATEST ADDITIONS

This style is a little dated compared with some these days, but it remains an exceptional light when that’s all you want it to be. The output is impressive and, although some prefer a rechargeable light compared to one that works from batteries, if ever you are caught short and it runs out, at least you can usually get your hands on some batteries. There isn’t very likely to be a plug socket in your swim!The upright style lends itself to being sat on a bivvy table or suchlike, while there is an easy to use carbiner-style hanging loop. Three white-light modes include bright, dim and flashing, which you’ll see my thoughts on elsewhere on this page!The single-button operation is easy and the button itself sits on the front of the unit so is easy to locate.

Not before time, Dynamite has got its number one angler Terry Hearn to develop a new boilie and the result looks extremely impressive. Terry developed the original The Source bait and it was hugely successful. This one, in colour and texture at least, reminds me a little of that bait but the smell and taste is something quite different. There’s an impressive list of ingredients, including Haith’s original LT90 fishmeal, krill, spirulina, liver extracts, amino acids and a whopping seven major minerals.

This brand-new stick is a more affordable version of Taska’s Venda carbon stick, which has already curried favour with many anglers. The short design is ideal for firing baits out up to 80 yards or so (when I tried it at least, some might get them further) and it is especially accurate over short ranges compared with some longer sticks. The handle is easy on your hands and it’s also extremely light, far lighter than others of a similar ilk. It’s also ridiculously good value.

Shimano’s Aerlex has long been a hugely popular reel, with its combination of performance and excellent value. I remember being out with big caster Mark Hutchinson a few years back and some of his longest chucks were made with one of the older Aerlex reels. The Aerlex family has continued to improve over the years and these days they’re better than some reels that once would have cost two or three times this price. Today’s Aerlex retains the robust performance at a price that most anglers can afford (expect to pay considerably less than the RRP we’ve stated) and a ‘spod’ version was added a couple of years ago.