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IGFA Corporate
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| Having just returned from the first outing, with my new Fox Stratos 12000 MAG reels, I have to say they have fulfilled everything my first impressions had promised. Yes, the reels were fantastically lightweight, with superb line lay, but what really stood out for me, first session actually on the bank, was a couple of really important features. |
 Probably the best place to start is with the line clip, spring loaded and line friendly, Ooh, these clips performed very well indeed, and I love ‘em! Casting accurately, at the correct distance, by placing the mainline beneath the reel/spool line clip, has become an engrained routine for me and is one aspect of my carping that helps me catch. The great thing with this tactic of hitting the hot spots, bang on, time after time, is you can apply this tactic to any venue and my latest session was no different. One of my rods was fished tight to a reed bed and gauging my casting distance with the clip was of paramount importance, but what also turned out equally as important, with all three of my rod and reel set-ups, was just how line friendly these spool clips are. |
When casting to the clip in daylight hours you can, with the use of your forefinger, feather or slow the cast as the lead reaches its target, preventing the line tightening hard on the clip and potentially damaging your mainline, but this prevention method can be difficult at night. Inevitably any cast of this kind during darkness hits the clips harder than normal. This was certainly the case with a couple of my nocturnal re-casts. The MAG’s spring loaded line clip absorbed this shock with ease and actually provided extra confidence to hit the clip, something my previous reels’ plastic clip did not do, rather flat spotting and damaging the line on many occasions.
The other thing that stood out was just how smooth these reels are, and this feature of the reel was well tested, not only by some healthy carp, but Mother Nature too. With persistent rain throughout my 48 hours on the bank, the reels soon became splattered by sand, grit and dirt as the heavy drops of rain hit the bare bank beneath the reels, creating an abrasive back splash onto the reels. Now when this happens it can often go unnoticed until you reel in or get a take, and realise that some of this dirt has got behind the spool, into the reel. How can you tell? Because you can hear it grinding and screeching! Not nice. |
 Well the Fox Stratos 12000 MAG reels have been designed by carp anglers, for carp anglers, which means the guys there have encountered this problem, recognised it, and incorporated a Grit Guard within the reel, leaving them silky smooth at all times. As you can probably see from the picture of my reels they got covered, but they remained silently efficient and a pleasure to use.
Instant tackle confidence is priceless, and now gained, I can’t wait for my next session. |
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John Kneebone
