Guru Super LWG Banded ready rigs review
I’m not proud to admit it, but as I’ve grown older I have become lazier in my fishing preparation. But can you blame me, when there are products like the range of Guru ready rigs on the tackle-shop shelves?
My favourite of these rigs currently are the superb Super LWG Banded ready rigs. For over a year now I have been using these hooks in sizes 18 and 16. Both come supplied on 6ins of 0.13mm diameter line, perfectly tied with small, strong but flexible bands on a small loop. I’ve used them for hard pellets in 4mm, 6mm and 8mm sizes, and also for banded caster and worm when shallow fishing, all on the pole.
Hand on heart, I haven’t have a single band break on me, and hardly any fish losses either – and I’m talking fish from 12oz F1s to 15lb carp. No wonder I’m getting lazy…
Kevin Wilmot
Deputy Editor, Angling Times
New Guru Mini range plus connectors and pots
Match brand Guru is famed for its cutting edge commercial fishery accessories, including QM1 hooks, Impact Bombs, X-Soft pole pots, superb pellet wagglers and pre-tied hooks.
To these are now added mini versions of the hugely popular Hybrid Pellet and Method feeders, which will prove to be game-changers for match anglers fishing cooler water when less feed is needed.
Guru has also introduced some completely original items, including the brilliant new Rapid Release Pole Pots. Their clever vented design twist eliminates feed spill during shipping out.
Find out about these tempting releases, and other ‘must have’ Guru accessories, in this exclusive preview…
MINI METHOD FEEDERS
Two new mini editions to the Method Feeder range come in 20g and 30g weights. Ideal for small commercials and winter fishing, they have a weight-forward design for optimum casting distance and accuracy.
Price: £2.49
MINI METHOD MOULD
For use with the new mini feeders, this non-stick mould is easy to load, and allows you to build up layers on the feeder so you can control the size of the payload. It’s equally effective with groundbait and pellets.
Price: £2.99
MINI X-SAFE INLINE LEAD
Smaller/lighter 10g X-Safe leads cause minimal disturbance on landing. They will accept X-Safe stems and a size 11 swivel for a bolt effect. In packs of two.
Price: £2.99
MINI X-SAFE STEMS
THE new shorter X-Safe stem complements the Guru Mini range of feeders and bombs. Pre-loaded with a lighter white elastic, ideal for smaller hooks and lighter lines. In packs of two.
Price: £2.99
MINI HYBRID FEEDER
This lighter 18g mini version of Guru’s Hybrid feeder is perfect for all short-range tactics. It lighter weight make it ideals for fishing over soft, silty lake beds, especially when a more delicate approach is called for.
Price: £2.75
XL POLE POT
The XL Pole Pot follows the original Guru design, with holes to prevent feed from sticking inside but a larger 90ml capacity. It comes with a non-spill lid, and its soft-safe fitting prevents damage to top kits.
Price: £3.99
POLE ELASTIC CONNECTORS
In small, medium and large, together these will accommodate all sizes of elastic. The subtly coloured bead is just large enough to neatly cover a knot, while a super-stiff braid reduces tangles around the pole tip. A bespoke holder makes transfer on to the elastic easy.
Price: £4.99
RAPID RELEASE POLE POTS
Perfect for scooping through groundbait and potting down the edge. Non-stick, three per pack, 100ml, 200ml and 300ml.
Price: £9.99
Five reasons why you'll want Guru's new seatbox
It’s one of the worst kept secrets of the year, but Guru’s new ST Limited Edition seatbox – created in collaboration with the lads at box genius Rive – is about to hit the shops.
Keen-eyed match anglers flicking through their social media feeds or bumping into match aces Pemb Wrighting, Matt Godfrey and Adam Rooney on the bank will have spotted early prototypes over the past couple of seasons, but now we can all get our hands on the finished article.
Liveried in the progressive company’s black and orange glory, it’s the result of over two years of work for the Guru team.
Attention to detail is evident in each part, from the hand-made cushion to the solid footplate and metal frontages to the drawers.
This bit of kit is built to serve the most demanding of matchmen, and even with our brief acquaintance of the £1,149 RRP box, we can tell it’s something special.
Trust us, if you’re serious about your fishing, you’ll want one. Here’s why…
1) It’s comfier than a new sofa
Guru wasn’t happy with a standard cushion so it commissioned a new, handcrafted style christened the ‘Dream’ cushion. Built by master saddlers in Strasbourg, it looks the part and is made to last. It also features a tough pole butt rest for those who like to fish hands-free with a front bar.
The cushion is thicker than a doorstep bacon butty and just as satisfying, from the time you first sit on it to when you get off five hours later. Those with longer legs can easily get comfy by adding clip-in trays beneath the seat.
2) It’s solid… as a rock
The box has a wide stance and rides low to the ground on six 36mm diameter legs for total stability. Each leg has 25mm telescopic inserts for easy adjustments and levelling.
The patented HSP (High Stability Footplate) distributes weight across four legs, while unique clips ensures the footplate won’t move.
Each drawer features a metal fascia (and easy-grip knob) so its always easy to open even when you’ve got a big lad sat on the box. Even the paint covering the frame is toughened for a longerlife.
3) You can get a lot of kit in it
Under the seat you’ll find a 3ins deep, front-opening drawer and a shallower, full-length side drawer. There’s also a spare under-box cassette and carry lid, which clips securely into the frame and can be added to from the range of extra trays available for tons of extra storage.
To be fair, if you’re filling it you’re probably taking too much kit!
4) You’ll stand out on the bank!
Just look at it! Guru isn’t noted for its muted choice ofcolours and, let’s be honest, we’re not stalking wild trout on gin-clear chalkstreams here so a bit of colour on the bank will make you stand out from the crowd – in a classy way, of course.
The matt black finish is punctuated by a personalised Guru/Rive backplate, unique to the box, while each drawer features a colour-coded fascia.
5) It’s adaptable
Once you’ve got your box sitting perfectly in your peg, it can be a pain shifting it to add attachments or make micro adjustments to the height – but the ST’s patented open leg system allows legs to be removed without moving the box out of position. This also makes it quick and easy to unclip the legs for transport in your car.
We’ve seen this on boxes before, but few have been as solid as on this version – you can’t overtighten these legs either! The Open Cap System on the legs will host various Rive arms and other attachments.
Guru Waggler Adaptors
There's arguably no better way to attach a float to your mainline. These adaptors incorporate a micro-swivel, enabling them to be used with the smallest of line stops.
Intended for use with Guru’s new 10mm and 13mm Foam or Balsa Pellet Wagglers, their large rounded clasp ensures free movement of the float, which will always sit at the correct angle for straight, accurate casting and fold flat on the strike. The clasp opens easily, enabling quick float changes to be made. In packs of 10.
Price: £2.49
Guru Pellet Wagglers for carp
THESE long-awaited pellet wagglers from Guru are now in shops everywhere.
There are two main designs. The 10g, 12g and 14gbalsa-built Big Water floats promise superb casting accuracy.
The 6g, 8g and 10g foam pellet wagglers in Guru’s latest surface camo colour are intended for very shallow work. Shot them conventionally or with Guru’s new waggler conversion weights.
Guru Kaizen hooks
Guru's new Kaizen is a super strong barbless, spade end, PTFE-coated hook ideal for any bait. The company's portfolio of top level consultants have told us that this pattern works especially well with luncheon meat however. Its unique offset shape, super-sharp point and extra-wide gape provide an impressive hookhold. The oversized spade allows it to be used without the worry of knots slipping off.
Sizes available are 10 to 20, with 10 hooks in each packet.
PAY AROUND
£1.99
Guru Inline Plummets
Guru’s new Inline Plummets come in 10g, 20g and 30g weights, and with the line passing through the centre, anglers can find the depth to within a millimetre.
The unique shape protects the line from snagging, and the tough body features a soft, orange latex section to stick the hook into. The absence of a full cork or foam cylinder is said to give lots more ‘feel’ over various substrates. In packs of three.
Price: £3.75
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.
Guru Bait Boxes
These simple but effective Guru orange and black-liveried bait boxes come in three sizes. The 3.3 pint and 2.2 pint versions both have a perforated lid, while the one-pint box comes with a lid choice of solid or perforated.
This box ensures match anglers won’t fall foul of strict bait limits, as it holds precisely one pint.
Over-moulded lids prevent warping, and stacking points in lids and bases are a space-saving boon.
Price: £1.99 (one-pint), £2.50 (2.2- pint), £2.99 (3.3-pint)
Guru Hybrid Feeder
Guru’s Hybrid feeders were developed by World Feeder Champ Steve Ringer and Guru brand manager Adam Rooney. They feature a contoured, raised lip that encloses the bait parcel, combining the benefits of a Method and a pellet feeder with superb casting properties.
Holes in the base and slits in the walls of the feeder let in water to break down the contents immediately. The system is totally compatible with Guru’s X-Safe Method feeders. In Mini (24g), Small (24g and 36g) and Large (28g and 45g) versions.
Price: £2.25-£2.50
KEY FEATURES
• Holes in the base and slits in the side walls allow a quick but controlled breakdown of the contents
• Raised sides help keep bait in place on the cast
• Compatible with the X-Safe system – the only safe elasticated feeder system
• Weight-forward aerodynamic design aids casting
• Virtually indestructible one-piece body
• Quick and easy to load
• Commercial camo paint finish
