Total Carp Staff

First things first, 15 quid for a bivvy light is exceptional value and this is definitely the cheapest on test, and by some margin. Does this mean a drop in features though? Well, in some areas,this is inevitable, but overall it still represents great value. Innovative in its fold-away design, when closed down it’s a very compact package and I was surprised it wasn’t a little lighter. It also has a torch mode when packed down, which is a nice addition.

Compact, lightweight and with plenty of functions, the Hobo Glow first came to our attention when we saw Hobo’s video showing it being driven over by a pick-up truck. On closer inspection, and having been challenged to do so, we tried to break one and failed. Talk about robust – this is literally as tough as it gets! There are several light modes, including two strengths of white light, constant red light, flashing red and an intermittent red, and I like that the back of the unit is blanked out so it only emits the light in the direction that you want it to. It can also be used as an emergency powerbank.

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.