LETTER OF THE MONTH

Dated 30th November 01

When is someone with clout going to stand up for sea anglers?English Nature and similar government agencies continually refer to sea anglers in derogatory terms and will continue to do so until someone stands up and tells them in basic English that sea anglers are human beings who,for the most part,take a real interest in preserving the environment if only out of enlightened self interest. None of the national associations seem to be able to do anything and never seem to be consulted on any matter of real importance.This government has encouraged the erosion of sea angling venues and will continue to do so without let or hindrance.The anti-angling mob are having things all their own way,and I have been told that as a retired angler I should keep my mouth shut.Some hopes.I've been hassled by experts. At eighty two years of age with health problems I can no longer cast a bait but I can,and will,continue to cast asperity in the cause of angler's rights.
Regards
Rev.Frank James

Hi Frank keep up the good work, I agree with you 110%, lets have more thoughts from our readers, maybe we could make a difference if we acted together?

Dated 19th October 01

Hi
I have just been left with a zziplex custom built NG 1 the rod is about 12 years old and in mint condition. I know this rod is a sought after model but could you please give me some idea of its value before I start using it.
Mark from Southampton
Hi Mark
The ng1 is a very nice rod and will serve you well for many years, as for the value well if some one wants it bad enough it could fetch £150 but a realistic price tag of about £80-100 is round about the right figure
Regards
Ed

Dated 23rd March 01

Being new to East Sussex,and so far only been off the piers & beaches,can you please let me know if a licence is required to fish the Cuckmere & Ouse.
Thank you
Ron
Hi Ron
We have done extensive research into this one, i gather you want to sea fish the estuaries of the cuckmere and Ouse, the rules are as follows, if you are fishing using freshwater gear and freshwater bait then you must buy a rod licence, if you are fishing with sea gear then you do not need a licence, up stream of the A27 road bridge you would be expected to buy a licence, and remember that sea trout must be returned and you follow any guidelines on foot and mouth in the area every little helps.
ED

Dated 17th September 00

Hi
I just bought a Shimano dia Flash 12' surf rod and Diawa 7HT reel. I am unable to get any distance with the rod and feel that I may have bought the wrong rod. I am relatively new to sea fishing but had more casting success with a £20 beach rod could you tell me if the Shimano Dia flash is designed for casting or do I need to get another rod if so have you any recommendations.
Thanks
Andy
Hello Andy
The Diawa 7ht reel is one of the most forgiving reels I have ever used, it has some thing to do with the two different sizes of bearings in the end plates, have you checked that there is a small amount of free play in the spool, you may have the spool tightened down to much, as for the dia flash, yes it is a fairly stiff rod but is capable of good distances with or without bait, you did not mention which style of cast you use, but it sounds like the rod is not suitable for your casting technique, try contacting your local casting club I am sure they would be happy to assist you in utilizing your new rod to its best potential, try contacting the U.K.S.F at their website
uksf.sea-angler.org
ED

Dated 15th September 00

I Have just started sea fishing again after a 4-year lay off. Have purchased a Shakespeare Quadra 7000ct reel for uptiding, have I made a good choice? I also have a Ron Thompson 4-10 uptide rod. I know these rods are inexpensive but are they up to the job?
Keith
Hi Keith
Buying Budget tackle is not always the best Idea, But in your case I think you have chosen the right option, I was just wondering why the CT version reel, as most people I know use a level wind for uptide work (makes things easy) The rod on the other hand is a new one this year and has not been tested? So I cannot comment, but if things did not work out, and if you sold the items on, you would not lose too much money, good luck and it is nice to see an angler return to the fold.
ED

Dear Ed
Should I be casting with the reel up or down the butt, and can you tell me the advantages of both styles.
Yours
Brian from Kent
Hi Brian
There is no should I be casting with the reel up or down, it depends on how it feels to you, some people like to cast up the butt others down, as for the advantages the only one I can see is when winding in the rod tip becomes higher so helps to clear snags etc, so do what feels right for you.
Ed

Dear Ed
I own an ABU6500CT reel, which I bought about a year ago, but recently it has started to vibrate when I cast, is this normal or is there a way to remedy it.
Yours
John from Hartlepool
Hi John
The vibration you are getting from your reel is not normal, it can be caused by many different things, the most common is a badly balanced spool, try taking the line off and then putting it back on again, I always put the first 30 yards of line on rough and bumpy and then smooth it out again as you put the rest on, but if you take you reel to your local ABU dealer I am sure he will look it over for you, and check if the problem is more serious i.e. bearings or spindle.
Ed

Dear Ed
I have been trying to get my local tackle dealer to order me some Titan clothing, but he always says he has difficulties in getting the stuff from Titan, can you help.
Alan from Dover
Hello Alan
If your local dealer cannot order the clothing for you try someone else, or contact titan for your nearest stockist or to order direct.
Ed

Hi Ed
I bought a rod and reel combo from a well known mail order specialist, it snapped on the first time of using it, I contacted the dealer who told me to send it back to the maker I thought he had an obligation to sort the problem out, am I right.
Jake from Birmingham
Hi Jake
I know the problem well; I once bought a rod from a mail order specialist!!!! When I received the rod it was faulty, nothing to do with me said the dealer send it to the maker well I sent the rod straight back to the dealer and demanded a refund, you have entered into a contract with the dealer and not the manufacturer, he should therefore sort any problems you have with your purchase, the sale of goods act says the goods sold by a trader must be:
1 - Of satisfactory quality (I.E. not faulty)
This means goods must meet the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking into account the description of the goods and the price paid.
A new item must not be broken or damaged. It must work properly
2 - Fit for any particular purpose- made known to the seller.
This means if a trader states that a hot water bottle will keep milk cold, then it should!
3 - As described-on the package, a display sign or buy the seller.
This means the rod should be 13ft and not 12ft 8in if marked on the box or goods as 13ft.
You do not have to accept a credit note for faulty goods, if you want to know more try the trading standards web site @ www.kent.gov.uk and use the a-z to find trading standards.
One way to solve problems is to purchase your goods from a local dealer, they need your support and if they, are not there in 1 or 2 years time, who are you going to buy your bait and end tackle from, difficult to just pop out 150 miles to buy some bait elastic and bait.
Yours
Ed