The Leeda Rogue pod is a basic, but good value for money pod. You can currently pick one up for around £50, less if you shop around online.
One of the best things about this pod is the fact that the front and rear buzz bars can also be used independently with the bank sticks as a 3 rod goal post set up.
I found that the 10” adjustable bank sticks are sturdy enough, but the quick release lever is a bit of let down, not really clipping shut properly on two on the eight sticks that I was using.
The overall length of the pod is adjustable, but I feel it could do with being slightly longer.
It comes in a nice, heavy duty storage bag which measures 22” x 10”
Overall, a strong but lightweight budget rod pod, which does look more expensive than it is. Couple of issues, but for around £50, still good value for money.
The Free Spirit S-Lite range offers numerous different test curves and rod lengths ranging from 10ft compact rods to 13ft ive. There is a choice of handles in cork, shrink or an abbreviated EVA hybrid finish. Test curves range from 2.75lb to 3.5lb. There is also a dedicated Spod/marker rod in both 12ft and 13ft.
The rods I was testing were the 12ft 3.25lb test curve rods with the abbreviated handles. These are priced at approx £229, but there are discounts available for multiple purchases.
My first impressions were that the rods look fantastic, they are slim and light and the “perdurable” finish on the carbon weave looks great, really different to most of the other rods out there.
They come fitted with a Fuji TVSM17 reel seat and nice 3-leg rings with a 50mm butt ring.
The rods cast beautifully, they recover really quickly but still retain a great action and are lovely and soft playing fish under the tip, which helps with those last minute lunges as the fish near the net. They coped with a medium sized solid bag and 3oz lead and I was hitting my spots at 80 yards with relative ease, there seemed like there was plenty left in the rod should I have needed to cast that bit further. The rods also have enough back bone for when a carp is hell bent on getting into those snags.
One feature I really liked is the open sides near the reel seat, it gives a nice feel, and seems to transmit more information back up the rod making feeling for a drop even easier.
In summary, I love these rods . They are great and really feel like a top end carp rod, which is what you would expect really from a company like Free Spirit.
If you are looking for a high quality carp rod that will turn heads on the bank, you won’t go far wrong with the S-Lites.
There are not many worse smells than a wet landing net that has be sitting stagnating for a couple of days.
Also with the risk of cross contamination as anglers move from fishery to fishery with diseases and viruses such as KHV, a dry and sanitised net is essential when entering a fishery. The product is said to kill viruses, bacteria, fungi and mildew.
In my opinion, this product should not be used as a replacement for dipping nets when entering a fishery, but instead in addition to this.
The product comes in a 500ml bottle and this actually lasts a surprisingly long time as the spray function is a mist, meaning your nets, mats and slings get a good soaking without using it all up. The product retails at approx £8.99.
It smells nice and fresh and deodorises as well as cleans. I have used it by hanging up my nets, giving a liberal spray and ideally leaving out in the sun to dry so the UV rays also help kill off any unwanted nasties.
I have been using the product for about 6 months and my even my garage smells a lot better. For me, it’s a great product at a reasonable price considering how long a bottle lasts.
Hartleylands is a day ticket venue in Cranbrook, Kent. It has a total of 6 lakes which cater for virtually all your coarse fishing needs.
The wood chipped swims are spacious and accessible and well maintained.
Bramley and Nick’s are the specimen lakes with Bramley the more difficult lake, but with rewards to be had. The current lake record on Bramley is 41lb at the time of writing. Nicks is not to be ignored as there are carp up to around 30lb in here, with my best capture so far a lovely 26lb mirror.
26lb mirror fell to solid PVA bag and pink pop up
The farm reservoir is a great all action runs water with some large fish up to mid doubles and maybe more. Don’t ignore the margins! The lake can get busy and when full can be a challenging experience, however the fishery seem to try to avoid this to allow everyone some space.
The other lakes cater towards the match angler, but also are great for kids to learn and they are made welcome as well as encouraged and helped. A light floater rod and some chum mixers on Pear tree lake makes for some great sport.
16lb mirror using chum mixer off the top
This a is a really well run day ticket fishery. It’s is always clean and tidy throughout. The bailiff is helpful and knowledgeable and unlike some fisheries, he actually seems to want you to catch the fish and therefore enjoy your day. My advice would be to listen to his advice.
There are clean and modern toilet and washing facilities making you time there a bit easier and more convenient.
The site is very secure with a gated entrance, giving that peace of mind when doing overnighters.
There is unfortunately no bait/tackle shop on site and there is also no cafe or food sold.
Overall, in my opinion, this is an excellent fishery and I have enjoyed every visit I have made there.
Carp Dreaming 