Gillhams Fishing Resort. Part 2...The Tackle.

Tackle.

 

Now you rascals all know that my knowledge of freshwater fishing is in its infancy so the information here is open to scorn and mockery by you more knowledgeable chaps. The tackle I am describing here is the tackle provided by Stuart Gillham but he is happy to allow competent anglers to bring their own. However, it's important to read the website carefully as there is a wealth of information contained within it....especially about tackle. If you bring your own gear, then it has to be within the framework Stuart provides on the website. These are big, powerful fish and the highest priority is given over to their care. Knowing that a big fish has just run off and smashed inappropriate tackle to pieces and is now dragging it around is not what is wanted. A great deal of respect is given to these fish and they way they are handled is a shining example as to how highly they are regarded.

 

 The main reels being used are Shimano B Baitrunners with the slow oscilation drag system. The reels take a great deal of stick during a fight (mine lasted for nearly 90 minutes with a 200lb mekong catfish) so they must be powerful bits of kit. The spools are loaded with 36lb mono to a running 80lb braid leger.

 Each angler is provided with two rods as part of the 'package'. You can fish with an extra rod but it will cost a bit more. The rods, Free Spirit Cat Tamer 'S' Sport Custom built rods with 6lb-8lb test curves,  are set up on these rack sytems...

... with the lines running through alarm systems that I am sure you carp anglers out there will know all about!

 This is the basic running leger rig. The mainline ahead of the leger is covered in plastic for a foot or so to protect the fish's body during a fight. You'll notice the 'hair rig' which will have a couple of the larger bait pellets  (see photo below)presented below the hook.

 

You can also purchase disolvable PVA bags as shown above to attach to the hook for groundbaiting purposes. The current favoured PVC bags are in the SOUDZ system and are the L size 85 x 110mm with 20 in a bag. A day's fishing would expect to use 30 PVC bags on the two rods plus a regular supply of ground bait catapulted out into the swim. It is recommended that you bring along your own large boilie catapult. Now at this stage, if you are still reading, I need to remind you that I don't actually know what I'm talking about. This is information I was gleaning off any of the anglers kind enough to explain what was going on and for this I am indebted to Mr Ron Buss from Surrey and Mark Simmonds from Southampton. Ron is a very highly rated carp angler and can be looked up via Google as a recognised top man in his area of expertise. Mark has fished with Ron for many years and was eager to point out that what he knew came mainly from Ron. As often happens in our world of angling, Mark knew many of the anglers who fish with me from the Southampton area...and I was very impresed when he addressed me with 'Buggar me, it's 'All Weather Whittall'. Ha ha...

Both these anglers were trying corn baits (shown above) and advised the very keen anglers out there amongst you to bring a few items with you....such as a baiting needle, plastic dumbells to keep the artificial sweet corn on the hairrig, the PVC bags and a nut drill (plus your catapult).

OK....at this point I will stop on the technical stuff. Those of you out there who do this sort of fishing will know what I'm going on about and will know how to fill in the gaps to what I am trying to say. Those of you who haven't got a clue...do't worry...you're just like me Jeff and Spike. Everything will be provided for you and you will be guided as you go along by top level, committed European guides. Believe me when I tell you that Stuart and his team have thought of everything and will have the answers to your questions before you even know what your question is.

Remember to read the website if you intend to bring your own tackle.....