Review: Fox International MSB Folding Foot Plate

There is quite a bit of controversy to be found on various fishing forums about the Fox International MSB Footplate. With a whole gamut of contradictory reports and speculation about the quality and the materials used in its manufacture.

Firstly the footplate is not plastic as some would allege. It is in fact a beautifully welded box metal frame. The box frame then has a metal plate, with multiple hexagonal drainage holes patterned across its surface, secured to its top side which in turn is then covered in a purpose designed and fitted non slip rubberized matting.

The beautifully welded box frame and metal cam hinge provides a solid and stable fishing platform.

Fox have incorporated yet another spirit level bubble in the front top section of the footplate so that the angler can set the plate completely horizontal and therefore afford maximum comfort while fishing.

With the footplate added to the MSB box, this extra leveling bubble, gives the MSB seat box no less than 4 spirit levels. When used in conjunction with the independently adjustable leg system the spirit bubbles ensure that the angler can set his box up straight and level even on the most irregular of river banks and surfaces.

Yet another spirit level is added to the MSB Seat Box system with the addition of the Folding Foot Plate. Notice that the rubberised non slip mat is secured to the plate by allen screws and not simply pop riveted.

Much has also been made of the hinging facility which has been identified as a possible point of weakness by some. The hinges are actually of substantial metal construction and very strong. Working on a cam system the hinges lock in an upright position for transport. The foot plate easily supports my 19.5 stones and there is no indication that there is any possibility of it suddenly collapsing or folding under my weight.

The foot plate is supplied with two square telescopic legs complete with ball mounted “floating” mud feet and has a RRP of £ 79.99. (I was able to source mine for £ 67.99 from Tackle UK).

The MSB Folding Foot Plate is a superb piece of kit, as you would expect from Fox International, and a worthwhile addition to the MSB range of angling accessories.

Maver Jurassic Carp Pole Review: The Return of a Classic.

After an absence of 12 years Maver decided to re issue their most popular pole ever and the best selling fishing pole of all time “The Jurassic Carp”.

At 12.5 m the Jurassic Carp 08 is stiffer, longer, lighter and stronger than its predecessor. Yet amazingly nearly 10 years after the original disappeared from tackle shop shelves is available for the same RRP of just £315.00.

Look around and you can find these available from reputable angling suppliers for as little as £199.00, or as I did, for less than £150.00 on eBay.

Due to its exceptional balance and light weight you could be forgiven for thinking that this is a much more expensive pole designed for much smaller silver fish. But the Maver Jurassic Carp is extremely strong and will handle that surprise “lump” from a commercial fishing lake with definitive ease.

The Jurassic Carp will bend to an almost unbelievable curve when fighting heavier carp. This it has to be said is quite disconcerting the first time or two it happens. But this is a pole which was designed with this purpose in mind and as you get used to the alarming bend and your faith grows in the poles ability you will find yourself giving it even more stick.

The wall thickness of the high quality carbon is quite substantial and it doesn't oval when put under pressure. The strength and build quality is apparent from the power top kit right the way through to the resplendent red butt section.

Supplied with two power top sections and a match section as well as a cupping kit the Maver Jurassic is a superb “all rounder” of a pole. I elasticated my two power kits with holo elastics; one with a 16 and the other with a 20. The match kit I elasticated with a high quality 6 rated solid.

Simply put the Maver Jurassic Carp pole pole represents phenomenal value for the budget conscious pole angler.

Maver Jurassic Carp Pole

Length: 12.5m

Material :Carbon

Weight: 669g at 11m and 994 at 12.5m.

Supplied with 2 Match Power kits, 1 Match kit,Cupping kit, bag and instructional dvd

A Review Of The Ray Walton Rolling Pin MkII From J. W. Young and Sons.

Having watched fishing maestros like John Wilson and Matt Hayes fish the centrepin, while extolling the benefits and pleasures of this more traditional method of fishing on their television programmes, I have long wanted to not only try this “pure" form of angling for myself but to acquire a centrepin for my own reel collection.

The centrepin or Nottingham reel as it is called, having been invented in that particular English County for fishing the River Trent back in the 1800‘s represents for me British angling at it’s best.

The J. W. Young and Sons "Ray Walton Rolling Pin MkII"

Trotting the centrepin on flowing rivers for chub and barbel while carrying the minimum of tackle makes for a more relaxed and uncomplicated day out than either carp or match fishing can offer.

However it would be foolish to confuse the words uncomplicated and simple with easy or unchallenging. The centrepin while certainly more simple in it’s construction when compared to say the latest baitrunner is, it has to be said, a somewhat difficult reel to master. There will in all probabilitly be a steep learning curve of tangles and missed strikes. But for those who persevere and master the “pin” the rewards are great.

Superb presentation in flowing rivers and direct contact with the fish make centrepin fishing sublime. Not only will the angler have near perfect control over the float but it is the pressure of the anglers fingers on the reel rim that will act as drag slowing the fish down and tiring the quarry during the fight, not the slipping of a pre set clutch. There is an immense sense of satisfaction to be had catching fish on the pin that is totally unique to this style of fishing.

The Back Plate

When searching for a centrepin for my collection I set certain requirements that would ensure, for me, my ideal reel.

1. It had to be British.

2. It had to be machined billet.

3. It had to be a usable fishing reel and not just a talking point or “tackle sculpture”.

So having ticked all the pre requisite boxes I ordered the Ray Walton Rolling Pin Mk2 in the particularly handsome black finish.

Engineered from a solid billet of aluminium the ventilated spool and gold lettered back plate and six nickel silver plated spokes make it a beautiful thing to behold.

The ventilated spool is built around the centre hub of the reel which is supported by the six nickel silver spokes, this hub also contains the two stainless steel bearings. One of the spokes mounts the quick release latch and the spoke directly opposite the micro adjustable drag system.

The reel also has an easily accessible click check which can be turned on and of by a switch mounted to the top side of the backplate.

The Reel turned 90 degrees on it's mount for casting.

Is my reel perfect? The simple answer is no. It is, most certainly, beautifully engineered but the drum does not revolve quite as smoothly as I had hoped. While the drum will spin for just over 45 seconds there is a slight vibration and a perceptable grinding sensation which must inhibit the drums ability to revolve as freely as it should. This may improve with a little graphite grease we shall see and I will update the review accordingly.

The click check spring was'nt completely straight and this pressed very slightly against the rear of the drum, in the off position, leaving a slight rubbing mark. The spring must have also been inhibiting the revolution of the drum to some extent. It was however quite a simple task to remove and straighten the spring. But in such an expensive reel this really should not have been necessary. Although I do appreciate that Young centrepins are hand built and this may have simply escaped the attention of quality control on this particular reel.

The other niggle is very minor and only cosmetic. The lettering on the back plate, which looks to have been screen printed, seems to have been a little “ink starved”. Therefore the lettering is not quite as clear as it could or should have been. I agree that it may be a very minor point but again this is a reel that has a recommended retail price in excess of £320.

These three flaws make this a good reel rather than a superb reel. The faults do not diminish the overall pleasure that is to be had from using the Ray Walton Rolling Pin MkII. But they are present and it would be remiss of me not to mention them in this review.

The inner workings of the J. W. Young and Sons

Ray Walton Rolling Pin MkII

With the prestigious House of Hardy now producing centrepins to their legendary quality and Kingpin manufacturing exquiste reels, in the UK, to exacting standards and employing exotic materials such as Ivory, onyx, Ox Horn and Briar. Youngs now have some serious competition in the high end centrepin reel market. In my opinion they will have to improve their quality control, if my reel is a typical example, should they wish to remain a contender in this niche end of the fishing tackle market.

It is the most expensive reel in my collection to date. But for sheer fishing pleasure it is well worth the investment, if only for the challenge, of playing big fish on the centrepin.

Although an expensive piece of tackle (RRP is in excess of £320), the J. W. Young and Sons RAY WALTON ROLLING PIN MKII is so solidly engineered and has so few moving parts that it should last a life time or more of fishing. You just have to look at some of the antique centre pins still around to see that quality lasts. Now if I could just find an Avon rod good enough to partner it with....

The complete package

J W YOUNGS & SONS LTD

RAY WALTON ROLLING PIN MKII


RRP: £325

Weight: 270g

Drag system: Spring and thumbwheel on spoke

Ratchet check system: Lever on side of back plate

Drum size: 3 3/4 inches

Width: One inch

Ball-bearings: Two

Line guard: No

Anodised: Yes

Colour choice: Yes: Aluminium or Black

Extras: Supplied with a presentation box, canvas pouch, certificate of authenticity signed by Mr J R Young and stamped with a unique serial number which corresponds to the covenant in the certificate of authenticity.

Shimano Super Baitrunner XTEA Review

You cant help but notice, when picking up the Shimano Super Baitrunner XTEA for the first time, the sheer quailty of the overall build and finish. The attention to detail is simply excellent. Built from grey graphite and accented in gunmetal with subtle logoing and supplied with two double anodised cold forged aluminium spools these are a tackle tarts dream carp reel.

The reel while stunning to look at also benefits from the latest generation of gearing, oscillation and drag systems which Shimano claim make it the best Bait Runner yet. A bold statement given it’s heritage and  highly regarded ancestry.

Graceful lines and a superb finish
make the Shimano Super Baitrunner XTEA
a stunning reel from any angle.

The Baitrunner release system has been improved over previous models to ensure almost instant conection to the fish upon the strike.

Having recently hauled a 22.5 lb common from the depths of my local clay pit, while other carpers were failing to land theirs due to the amount of snags and underwater hazards, I can personally vouch for the fact that Shimano have improved the high end tension system on the Bait Runner GTEA.

The Baitrunner control and rear drag system.

The drag control knob has combined coarse and fine tension adjustment. The inner ring of the control knob allows you to set the inital tension and the larger top part allowing fine control during the fight. The design of the rear drag control knob on the Shimano Baitrunner GTEA ensures easy and accurate adjustment even when struggling against the hardest of fighting fish. The drag system is quite possibly the best “fighting drag” system I have ever used.

A crank of the large balanced double handle retrieves a massive 87cm of line per revolution. With the 2 speed oscillation line lay, along with the Aero wrap, ensuring that the line is spooled perfectly for the next cast.

I have found that the improved line lay not only increased my ability to cast greater distances than with my previous set of reels, Bait Runner Aeros circa 1996, but also greatly improved my accuracy.

The addition of the servicing port on the XTEA makes keeping your investment oiled and in good working order a doddle. No more excuses from the idle anglers amongst us that reel upkeep is too complicated or time consuming.

8 Quality bearings ensure a smooth retrieve.

Ranging in size from the 5000 to the 10000 the Shimano Super Baitrunner XTEA’s are ideal for all small to medium sized waters and ensure that they will cover the majority of your UK freshwater specimen hunting

The Shimano Super Baitrunner XTEA has a recommended rrp of £139.99 but incredibly you can now source this superb piece of kit, with a little help from our friends at Google for under £100.00. This, in my opinion, makes the Shimano Super Baitrunner XTEA the best value carp reel on the market.

Shimano Baitrunner Aero 10000 XTE A features
Weight 600g
Gear Ratio 4.6:1
Capacity 350m/14lb
Line retrieve 870mm