Drennan AS5 pole floats
The versatile AS5 Pencil, latest in the Alan Scotthorne Signature range of pole floats, offering little resistance to shy-biting fish.
The AS5 can be used with practically any hookbait as its slim profile cuts through the water cleanly on the strike. A top-grade balsa body is protected by an acrylic shell.
The carbon stem is bonded into the body, while a 1.5mm hollow Glow Tip is reinforced with a fibreglass spigot. The blackened stainless steel spring eye is double wound to avoid line becoming trapped or pinched. In eight sizes from 0.1g up to 1g.
Drennan Non-Slip Specialist Crook Rest
This Specialist Crook Rest is made from a non-slip rubberised material and one side is higher than the other, which helps to hold the rod securely in place against strong currents and winds.
This style lends itself well to Method feeder tactics, as the rod-tip can be pulled around without being displaced. Always strike up and away from the raised side.
Smooth contours and an extra-deep slot stop the line being trapped, and for touch legering the line runs freely through it. In black or green.
Drennan Specialist Wing rest
The traditional wing rod rest head is an angling classic, secure and trouble-free. This new
screw-in Drennan version, made from a non-slip polymer material, has smooth contours and an extra-deep slots that greatly
reduces the likelihood of the line getting accidentally trapped. The free-flow slot makes this rest ideal for touch legering or use with butt fitted indicators. In black or green.
Preston Innovations Absolute Station Black Edition seatbox
The flagship of the 2016 seatbox range, the Absolute Black Edition is the ultimate box in terms of storage space, functionality, practicality and strength.
The sturdy construction and modular configuration have gained many admirers and it is already the box of choice for top anglers including Des Shipp, and Lee Kerry.
With a lower, more squat profile than many boxes, the Black Edition looks impressive and when you sit on one, it doesn’t take long to work out that you’ve invested in something very special.
It’s built around an aluminium frame with 30mm legs (two packing internal threads for accessories), each with ergonomic handwheels. As well as Prestons’ new Captive internal system on the telescopic legs and large flexible mudfeet, there’s a removable covered footplate that can be locked in any position you wish, with Triple Start handwheels for ease of assembly. There’s also a water-resistant seat cover to keep things clean and tidy.
The upper section of the box has a deep side drawer, winder tray with winders and a concealed front drawer on top of three hooklength boxes. Under the box mainframe on runners is a module that comes as standard with two winder trays, supplied with 26cm and 18cm pole winders plus a lid and handle.
Maver UFO X6 Seatbox
After the great success of last year’s four-legged S4 UFO box, Maver got their thinking caps on to produce more boxes in the range but at a price within range of most pleasure, club and open match anglers. The result has been the UFO X6.
Made from the same aircraft-grade aluminium as the S4, the new UFO is surprisingly light (it weighs just 13.5kg when empty) for a box carrying so much storage. The key difference you’ll notice immediately is that the X6 has six, rather than four, legs, making it rock-solid.
Available in Green or the very popular Mango colour, the X6 is missing the bells and whistles of the S4, namely the side tray, bump bar, and umbrella and keepnet arms, but it’s still a highly impressive system that can be added to from the vast range of Maver accessories.
Boasting a free flow industrial-strength sliding cassette beneath the box and fully adjustable mudfeet, the seating position can be set precisely on all terrains thanks to the fully height-adjustable frame and the four round 30mm anodised telescopic legs and two round 30mm anodised accessory legs.
Maver’s state-of-the-art clip system gives you access to the box from both front and back, as well as helping to prevent accidental damage.
In terms of storage, there are two sliding front drawers with partitions, a winder tray for pole rigs and a built-in deep base unit to cater for metalware and other bigger bulky tackle items. To this you can then add extra S4 units for more trays or perhaps a cross drawer, depending on your preference.
The pole seat is anti-memory in two colours with a pole safety strap to help when fishing long in windy conditions.
Matrix Super 36 Seatbox
In a short space of time, Matrix, the match angling arm of Fox International, has built up an impressive portfolio of boxes, including last year’s hugely popular Silver edition of the Super Box. For 2016, two new models will spearhead the New Year, topped by the deluxe Super 36.
Built around a similar lightweight aluminium mainframe, with the same gunmetal finish and tough high-impact back panel as used in the original Matrix Superbox 1, the new 36 retains the same proven Matrix clip system and interchangeable drawer units. These can be added both above and below the mainframe, thus allowing the height of the box, to be tailored to suit your individual needs.
The real innovation, though, comes in the form of the box’s six wide-diameter 36mm legs which have been constructed with 25mm telescopic inners. These give the 36 an impressive rock-solid stability on any type of terrain.
Sliding underneath the chassis is a no-nonsense chunky non-slip footplate, and all fittings are of the new snag-free variety. However, it’s what’s in the mainframe that will be of most interest.
Starting at the top, the 36 features a padded pole seat complete with retaining strap and a padded carry strap, plus a built-in spirit level.
Underneath this is the upper storage module consisting of a deep cross drawer, while below the frame is a 90mm deep unit for big tackle items.
Daiwa Tournament X 250 Seatbox
The Tournament X 250, Daiwa’s new box for 2016, has seen input from top match anglers William Raison and Steve Ringer. They bring the angling public a set-up that’s just as mouth-watering as the eagerly-awaited Tournament 500 was last year – but at a cheaper price.
It’s built around Daiwa’s rock solid ‘X’ bridge support system and aluminium frame, There’s no skimping on trays and drawers to carry all that you need. Every part of the detachable top and bottom modules features the clever OTC (one touch clip) system as standard to allow for ease of access and interchanging to suit your requirements.
In the top module you’ll find a single cross drawer with a shallow winder tray above, and 30 pole winders in two sizes are supplied with the box to get you up and running. This all sits below a comfortable pole seat with retaining strap and an adjustable padded carry strap.
Sliding on a rail beneath is the lower ‘cassette’ module that packs a deep central drawer unit measuring 22cm x 26cm x 4.5cm with side spaces for larger accessories. You’ll also find a trio of 20mm modular trays with an internal depth of 17mm, plus the base layer and lid.
There’s a super strong, non-slip sliding footplate that retracts underneath the box body. The six 25mm telescopic legs feature large mudfeet and compact handwheels with Daiwa’s no mark function.
You can also take your pick of colours, as the box is available in blue-and-black or red-and-black.
Tronix Rockfish HTO Ultrabraid
THIS four-strand braid is highly resistant to abrasion, ideal for fishing by man-made structures. Its zero stretch factor and super-thin breaking strain to diameter ratio mean that you will feel every knock.
Price: £10 per 100m spool
Korda Chod Safe rig storage
The rig box design team at Korda have certainly been busy. This new Chod Safe will safely hold all your chod hooklinks.
There’s a section for carrying up to three leadcore leaders (or similar) and in total it will hold up to 28 rigs.
A unique pop-out handle allows you to steam hooklinks into a perfect curve, and it doubles as a compartment to hold the pins. It takes both short and long rigs.
Price: £18.99
Scratching the Surface by Paul Garner
‘Scratching the Surface’ brings to life the eventful career to date of top big-fish angler and writer Dr Paul Garner.
The 320 pages and 43 chapters cover the last 30 years of Paul’s specimen fishing which has seen him land some of the most sought-after fish in the UK. From his early days of pond-dipping, to becoming a teen carp addict, and later adventures spent both at home and abroad in search of monsters in both fresh and saltwater, the book is far more than just a compendium of angling tales – it also covers Paul’s academic studies of freshwater fisheries and a career in the fishing tackle industry.
All books can be supplied signed and dedicated with the text of your choice.
Price: £30 www.drpaulgarner.co.uk
Snapper 40-litre Rucksack
This heavy-duty rucksack has a spacious zip closure main compartment with interior divider for lure and tackle boxes.
It also boasts front storage compartments with zipper pouches, and a grab and go handle. It’s large enough to hold a flask and sarnie box too.
Other features include padded adjustable shoulder straps, side compression straps, adjustable chest and hip belts, and attachments and accessory loops for modular additions.
The main compartment is 48cm x 30cm x 17cm, the secondary compartment 38cm x 28cm x 5.5cm.
Snapper Waist Pack
This multi-purpose lure bag does duty as a waist pack, shoulder sling or hand-carried bag, with numerous pockets and storage compartments.
It features a dedicated strap for carrying spare rods, very handy when you’re on the move.
Padded, detachable and adjustable shoulder and waist straps, as well as three useful outer pockets, make this bag a sure-fire winner. Size:
30cm x 20cm x 15cm.
Snapper Shoulder Sling bag
This ambidextrous shoulder sling bag is made from high intensity fabric and features a compact main compartment with two outer pockets and a front lower compartment.
With an adjustable stow-away shoulder strap and rear padded breathable pocket with button closure, it has attachment points for modular expansion and is compatible with Korum ITM Clamshell Boxes. Size: 26cm x 22cm x 9cm.
Preston Innovations Absolute Black Seatbox
Features:
Integral spirit level, light aluminium construction, carbon-friendly pole-retaining strap, under seat storage for hooklength boxes, removable quick-lock footplate, detachable shoulder strap, concealed front drawer, captive internal telescopic legs, 30mm profile legs (two with threaded inserts), anti-snag handwheels.
Includes:
Deep side drawer unit (ready partitioned), concealed front drawer unit (ready partitioned), winder tray with 26cm winders, winder tray with 18mm winders, two Off Box Pro-Snap short keepnet arms, shuttle adaptor, three hooklength boxes, seatbox cover.
Dimensions:
Maximum height setting (top of legs) 53mm Maximum width 720mm Maximum depth (footplate closed) 560mm
Maximum depth (footplate open) 850mm
This stunning new all-black Absolute seatbox is probably the best yet from Preston Innovations. The Absolute Black (also available in white and blue versions!) takes over from the earlier flagship Absolute Station, and brings with it all the features that made its predecessor the ‘must have’ seatbox for all match anglers.
Sturdy construction and modular cassette-style configuration ensure that the box is not only practical and durable, but hugely adaptable to any angling situation thrown at it.
It retains the 30mm leg size, ergonomic handwheel design and solid covered footplate, although this latest version is lockable in any position, and now utilises handy ‘triple start’ knobs for ease of assembly.
As if all that wasn’t enough, there’s a redesigned carbon-friendly pole-retaining strap, new captive internal leg design and an improved detachable shoulder strap.
There are threaded inserts on two legs, and it comes complete with two fully loaded winder trays.
Matrix Superbox 25
PAY AROUND
£359.99; Frame and seat-only option £299.99
Package: Frame and seat come supplied with one deep drawer unit, one shallow tray and one transport lid
Forward-thinking match brand Matrix has unveiled its latest Superbox 25 that will supersede the firm¹s old Superbox 1 model.
Since it was introduced three years ago, the original Superbox, with its distinctive black finish, rounded alloy frame and low profile sliding footplate, has become a firm favourite with match anglers across Europe.
Although it is quite similar in design and looks, this latest version benefits from a new seat design, as well as an upgraded finish on the frame. All of the moulded leg blocks as well as the footplate are said to have an improved performance and reliability.
The new box also boasts plenty of storage space for winders and accessory items, making it the ideal companion for the modern commercial match or pleasure angler. The seating position isn¹t too high, even when the legs and footplate are adjusted to level on top of a permanent fixed platform - helping the angler keep a lower skyline profile.
As its name suggests this box features sturdy 25mm round legs that are compatible with the vast range of Matrix 3D accessories.
Daiwa Tournament ready-tied drop-shot rigs
These two pre-tied rigs will appeal to the lure angler who likes a convenient life.
Made using Daiwa’s unique SaqSas lure hooks, there is a Wide Offset Rig that looks ideal for larger lures and features a clever moveable hook system that allows the depth to be adjusted without damaging the rig line. There is also a brilliantly pre-tied Fixed Drop-Shot Rig that looks ideal for all smaller soft baits and jigs. Two rigs per pack.
Daiwa J-Braid
This ultra-thin, eight-strand Japanese reel braid is super-soft and very smooth. A rounded profile makes for longer casts and quieter travel through the rod rings.
It can be used for everything from long-distance carp and feeder fishing, through to spod and marker float work, all lure tactics and even sea fishing. It’s available on 150m spools in sizes from 0.06mm (9lb) through to 0.56mm (137lb) in Chartreuse, Dark Green and Multi-Colour.
Nash Hookbait Balancing Foam Sticks
Price: £2.99
New Nash Hookbait Balancing Foam Sticks will add sight tips to boilies and pop-ups, balance nuts and particle baits, and form zig baits.
They come in 5mm and 7mm widths, are easy to trim down, and are available in red, orange, yellow, black, white, brown and beige. You get five 45mm lengths per pack.
Gardner Target Specimen Hooks
Gardner’s latest Target Specimen hooks have a covert camo finish, a beaked point and an inturned eye, perfect for a variety of baits and rigs.
Forged from high-carbon wire, they also feature a non-reversed bend which lines up the hookpoint with the shank, helping with penetration. It comes in sizes 10, 12, 14 and 16, in barbed or barbless versions, and a size 12 is said to be the ideal zig hook.
Price: £4.29
Guru Speed Stems
Price: £2.99
Due for release next week as a part of its X-Safe inline elastication system are Guru Speed Stems.
Fitted with Speed Beads, they allow rapid changes of hooklength, and there’s also a rotating swivel that allows the hooklink and bait to behave more naturally.
Speed Stems, in short and long versions, are fitted with either heavy black or light white elastic.