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I decided to visit the Total coarse
fishing show this year after reading all the adverts and press reports,
this shop is a new venture for the
 DHP group (Magazine producers of TCF/Match
Fishing and Advanced Pole fishing). The show was designed to bring together
some of the top fishing manufacturers and there products and display them to
the public, where they could see the new and current ranges all under one
roof.
(picture of my dad and brother @ the
show)
The show was also designed to bring
together some of the top angling names in the country, for specific talks in
individual designed forum arenas where they could discuss methods/tips and
more, and to offer advice or just have a chat.
The show covered a total of 3 days,
the 25th to the 27th of April, I decided to visit the
show with my dad and brother on the Friday so after a 2 hour+ drive we
arrived, we parker straight away with no problems and as promised there was
no charge to pay, which I thought was excellent. O n arriving at the main
entrance we where greeted and handed a goody bag, the bag contained two DHP
fishing videos some bait samples form Sonu baits and Cotswold baits, some
threaded poles from Matchbox, weights from Dinsmores, this month’s copy of
Total Coarse Fishing and some stickers and other bits, totaling about £40.00
which I thought was great and more than covers the entrance fee and petrol
to get there.
On entering the main hall I was
pleased to see many of the top companies had attended and all had large
display areas, the first display area was for
Total coarse fishing magazine who where offering various prize draws
with some really good prizes from Korum, Shakespeare, Chub and others. On
the TCF stand they where also offering a magazine subscription deal which
included £35+ of the new Sensas IM5 Carp bait range plus the inclusion of a
mixing bucket as well, these where going like hot cakes as they really did
represent a good deal which was not to be missed.
Over the next 4 hours I visited all
of the stands and got to look at all the new products from both the bait and
tackle companies present. I managed to speak to many of the companies staff
in-depth I also had the oppurtunity to chat with the some of the country's
top anglers such as Darren Cox (Garbolino) Neil Machin (Garbolino), Trevor
Price & Gary Page of GOT baits, Jan Porter, Des Ship (Preston Innovations).
I found all to be helpful and only to willing to pass on the odd trick as
well, these guys really know there stuff and I think this is one of the best
features of the show so well done to DHP.
There where several forums
throughout the day presented by several top names in both the Match and
Pleasure sectors, I personally watched Andy Finlay of Preston
Innovations/Sonu Baits run through how he fish's the method feeder using
pellets and why including practical demonstrations. I found the talk very
detailed and informative and I found out that I fish the method in
nearly an identical way apart from a few changes, which of course I will be
trying. I also sat in on Dave Harrell interviewing Neil 'the Machine'
Machine, Darren Cox and Giles Cochrane, they discussed everything from pulla
bung s, hook in the loop method and much more. I found this forum particular
good because you had several anglers putting there points of view across,
these where based on several topics started by Dave Harrell and they also
opened the discussions up to the Audience for questions. I really enjoyed
his format and I hope they carry this into next year's show. My brother
visited some of the more Carp orientated forums and found Derek Ritchie's
maggot tactics talk especially informative and helpful and as helped him add
another string to his bow for his next autumn/winter campaign. Overall the
forums where a great well thought out idea top marks to DHP.
Below I have listed just a few of
the new products from each company I managed to visit and a few pictures as
well, there are some superb new products due to be released and one that are
available now, so keep you eyes open and check the Tackle and bait news
section for more info on some of these products.
GOT baits
- This company continues to impress me with its well made and
fully field tested products, they had a nice display area with test tanks
showing there latest products in action and there current range on show
including the new additions. I had the
opportunity to speak to Trevor and Gary
on the day more so Trevor who I found to be not only helpful but very
informative on both his products but on fishing methods to use on today's
commercials as well. Below I have listed some of the new GOT bait editions,
for more info se the tackle and bait news section. Trevor was kind enough to
carry out some tank test demo's on the new baits for me, I must say that I
was amazed with the Atomic cloud demo, Trev only dusted a few grains of corn
with the stuff and dropped it in the tank, it went to the bottom leaving a
trail of colour and attractants behind it that slowly sank towards the bait.
The bait on the bottom was in-circled in a bed of colourful attractant, I
was also impressed with the way it didn't dye the whole tank/dispersed
heavily in the water, the benefit of this is it concentrates feeding on the
area of your hook bait and not in the next peg. I also felt the GOT range of
paste's where extremely well developed, these looked to be made up of a fine
well sieved pellet powder plus the added GOT magic, which resulted in a
smooth and pliable fish catching paste when mixed correctly. Overall I
enjoyed the GOT baits stand and well done to Trevor and Gary and of course
all of the team.
Soft hookers - This range of
quality pre-prepared hooker pellets has now been further expanded with more
flavours and sizes now available.
Atomic cloud - This is a
super new bait additive/dye available in several colours and flavours such
as yellow-pineapple / red - strawberry / green - halibut and many more, this
product is going to win many match's in 2008.
Atomic paste - This a more
refined version of the original GOT Ton up paste, it has been re-designed
so that it can carry the Atomic cloud additive and further release it's true fish
catching potential.
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