Posted by Keith on September 2, 2009 under Carp and Coarse Fishing, Tackle Reviews | 
Mitchell Avocast 8000
(Review courtesy of Nuts about Carp.)
What a surprise this one was! I confess to not really liking much that has fallen out of the Mitchell camp for some many years now.
I had a few match reels many years back but in fairness they were never really upto the grade of the shimano’s and dawia reels of the similar price tag.
With much of my angling using braided line for both fishing and for spodding and marking, my reels need to be able to handle this and of course last through the rigors of fishing sometimes 4 days every week!
The Avocast was a real shock, as it feels super sturdy and incredibly smooth for just over £100!
You really feel this is in the executive class of reel instead of the relatively cheap mid priced reel bracket.
The body is rubberized and protected against salt water intrusion which will help you sea fishing boys no end! 
The ventilated spool helps to dry out braided line……those of you in the know will jump for joy at this as you know it will aid in the line lay and help to stop the braid from ‘bedding in’.
The over sized handle and huge winching power make this a real quality spod reel.
Retrieving line is done with ease and although I haven’t used them for actually catching fish…..I can only begin to imagine how delightful they would be to use.
Front drag, instant anti reverse & 6 bearings certainly make it a smooth customer to work with.
Definitely time to give Mitchell another try.
Well done to the Pure Fishing Camp!
Available instore now!
Posted by Keith on August 14, 2009 under Carp and Coarse Fishing, Tackle Reviews |
Daiwa Basiair 45 Qd
(Courtesy of Nuts about Carp)
Well, this is a review that I must admit to being so excited about for so long that I just couldn’t sleep the night before using them for the first time!!!!
Go on say it……….’You sad foolish boy!…….’ Sorry, but I don’t often get so excited about a piece of fishing tackle that I can’t sleep!
So, the new Basiair 45 qd…..is it really worth it’s massive and quite ridiculous price tag of £599 RRP?????? £85 SPARE SPOOLS!!!!!
The reel itself weighs in a shade over 15oz which makes it the lightest reel in its class by a million miles.
It’s an absolute gem to hold in your hand and it’s lightness is due to it’s make-up of air metal magnesium and ultra light zaion.
Apart from weighing about as much as a small roach, it looks absolutely stunning!
The 4.1:1 ratio pulls in a touch under 90cm per turn and running on 8 bbs including 5 crbbs, it is about as smooth as a hand made Swiss Watch!
The 45mm spool as on previous Basia reels helps to aid the caster to distances one can only dream of, with supreme line lay, a very high quality line clip and machined wishbone handle, all add up to quite something special.
Every tackle tart alive will want one of these ‘Directors’ reels, but joking aside……this really is a spectacle to behold in the market of the highest class executive reels range. One which all other companys will want to follow!
It may be the wrong financial climate in which to release such a high price tagged Item of kit, but lets face it……it’s not everybody that’s going to want to purchase a reel of this calibre.
If you are one of those breed then give the Basiair a second look as it really is architectural angling magic!
I’ve now been using the Basiairs for a shade over 7 months and I am pleased to report that they are still as smooth as the day I purchased them! A regular gentle clean with some warm water and they come up like new!
I can honestly say after banking 4x 30lb + fish, numerous 20’s and lots of doubles, over distance, short range and rough ground, they still out perform anything I have ever owned or used………..pure bliss from Daiwa!
