The TC boys get to grips with tackle and bait, testing them to the limit out on the bank. Here’s what they think…JRC Connect 360 HooksRRP: £3. 99Website: www. jrc-fishing.
Wonderfully fruity and sweet-smelling pop-ups with a dull white colour
Blakes BaitsScopex & Peach Pop-UpsRRP:£3. 75Contact:01491 834911www. blakesbaits. co.
A flavour with an impressive cold-water record, these are highly soluble and will fizz off attraction in your swim
NashAmber Strawberry Chain ReactionRRP:£6. 49Contact:01702 233232www. nashtackle. co.
Tiger nuts cooked with a variety of hi-viz colour dyes and flavours. Supplied in great little 500ml jarsCC MooreHi-Viz TigersRRP:£6. 99Contact:01963 362234www. ccmoore.
Pink pop-ups with a citrus and sweet fruity flavour. Definitely a great option for fishing single hook baitsMainline BaitsFruit-Tella Pop-UpsRRP:£4. 99Contact:01268 541006www. mainline-baits.
Soft pellets that are easy to mount on a hook. Available in various classic flavours
Fishing WizardSoft Hookable BaitsRRP: £2. 99Contact: 01992 460969www. fishingwizard.
A quick look over this barrow immediately highlighted Fox’s incredible attention to detail. The wheel is easy to attach and remove; the adjustable handles likewise; the legs lock in place with one simple motion and the fold-down front bar features an added support section for loading the front of the barrow with heavier items to aid balance. There are also a number of loops around the main frame to attach bungee cords to.
We like the fact that there are no bulky side arms (there is a Trackta XT available that has these if you prefer) and we were hugely impressed with the facility that allows the addition of a second wheel to make it a two-wheeler.
The new Cloud9 range from Chub is aimed at the angler who seeks ultimate comfort and space for chilling out on the bank. Every aspect of all the products’ design is focused on achieving this, and as far as we can tell it’s done a sterling job. For a kick-off, every item is generously upholstered. A 50mm-thick foam padding covers every inch of the supporting areas and it’s a supremely comfortable material.
If, like many of the TC staff, you like a compact bivvy that is lightweight and easy to transport yet offers reasonable internal dimensions, then this might be right up your street. As the name suggests, it boasts a carbon frame – two-rib, pram-hood style – and is compact, making it light and, with the heavy-duty groundsheet removed, allowing it to be packed into even the smallest three-rod quiver. The footprint is a tad smaller than, say, a full-blown M3 or similar, but we used a fairly wide bedchair in this one and there was still ample room for the rest of the stuff that you’re likely to need, without it feeling cramped. A rear vent (an absolute must in our mind) is evident and you can choose to have the front peak attached or not.