Actually, I don't really know how to deal with this blog entry. The night before we started maybe ?

This saw a pre weekends work on the LRF and we had a few really nice pollack, a bass, a dropped flatfish and pouting. It was hard going and the cold front was moving in. But, as usual, LRF pulls something from the burning embers.

These are turning up with some frequency now and I know top local angler Alan 'Top Cat' Aubert is hammering fish in the 1.5 - 2lb class from the floating tub. He acknowledges that the winter LRF training has had an impact on these early pollack and bass catches. I think he had about 50 in 2 trips out with his shipm8 Derek.

So, Henry Gilbey was due to arrive with the 5 new 'under wraps' rods on Friday and we did a recon or 2. It wasn't good. It has been beautifully sunny but the swells kept us off the most productive marks we have and no photo is worth a life.

It was late Friday afternoon and we found ourselves in pretty heavy swell. We had about 15 - 16 fish between us I think. No one was really keeping count but mostly, fish were small.

So, day 1 was sort of a pre mission plan and we set out what we wanted, where we were heading, when and made plan B's etc

On these trips, I still have stuff to test and evaluate and this was no different. As for the 9ft HPR we wanted to show it's minnow abilities and soft lure work too. I'd been sent a lovely, sub £10 set of Japanese lures (tungsten weight shift, owner hooks) and these are branded Hokkiado. Let me tell you, I did much of the casting and action shots with these lures and I had 3 to play with in a good weight range. This was in both sinking and floating. These lures are available from Italia Fishing. 

They cast very well and have a fair amount of roll. These lures will catch fish. I did some long casting sequences too where the silver chrome model was getting battered over hard rocks for nearly half an hour. Apart from the obvious scratches, no bib damage and the lures were certainly tough enough. Casts exceeding 70 meters were made with these and the 16g IMA Popkey that Henry was putting out of site.

On Ima, I have been using the IMA vest of late and it is brilliant. Ultimately adjustable and the pockets are all in the right place for access whilst fishing. Check these out at AOF if he has any left.

Anyway, the pre-testing with these new rods has been INTENSE. We've caught hundreds of fish and the final product is superb. I don't think I know of any pre-launch testing where people have gone to this kind of trouble but, we did and got what we want from the manufacturer. Believe me, Century have listened and built a superb initial rod range.

So, how to best show these rods and thier versatility. A HRF rod is essentially, a multi-role rod. We use sp's, jigs, metals, spoons, plugs like lipless crankbaits, real crankbaits and recently, burakuri (baited jigs). They serve a huge crossover role from shore, kayak and boat. A tall order indeed but in our tests, they excel. I gave a 7-7" to a local boat angler today to get even more feedback.

Anyway, we decided to do, shallow fast water, shallow flat water, heavy pounding surf, swell borne rocks, flat rock, heavy weed like kelp, bootlace and wrack. We worked HARD and left no stone unturned. We are all, knackered.

 We headed SE.

We had over 9 rods and poles with us. The goal was to show the multi role rods on task. Some of the photography Henry has of these rods and us fishing in extremes of HRF and plugging is simply, breathtaking. His direction and vision is second to none.

We walked over 1.5 miles to find some rapid water to show how the rods balance systems assist drifting etc.

Working one fast water gutter.

Biscuit man bouncing light sp rig in quick water.

Off we go again...

9ft HPR: Here you go Henry, check this out.

He was 'really' letting the plug fly, a LONG way.

We finished up after getting a load of work done ( I can't let on because of Henry's work and any magazine stuff) we ate and then headed out to fish for more rockpigs.

Biscuit Man 'Stephen Olsen', Avarice © and RockPig.

Again, we had a load of mostly smaller ones before we headed out to fish the 9ft HPR in the pounding surf at St Ouen.

This was where we got some crazy good photo's. Henry is great to work with and he started up top, I was IN the swell and surf with walkie talkie and a plan.

That tiny 'lone figure' is me. Surf was pretty big. HPR 9 handles this stuff with consumate ease.

Henry joined me in the water and we did OTW casts, Flat Arc pendulum casts, how - too's in surf and a bunch of stuff in breathtaking light. The images were simply 'stunning'.

Thats me and HG on the beach plotting great pics.

You'll have to wait to see them.

Another day, another $. Yes, That's Henry Gilbey 'Rock pigging'. Whose got the camera now ?

The HRF rods, or at least, 2 configurations. 7-7 EBT and 7-3 ST lie in wait.

We really turned it on on day 3 as we started to figure the new pattern. We caught most all the wrasse on Avarice© or the new 'chip'.

HG is in. His first HRF wrasse. texas rigged, fished it perfect. This is the fastest 'anyone' I have shown HRF too, pick up a rod, the style and catch a wrasse. Well done. From this moment on, his focus went from 'interested' to 'dead focused'. Ineviatably, he caught again.

The HPR is like a 'Bite Amplifier' and HG did go a bit early on some bites but he picked up the differences in FEEL very, very quickly indeed. I think he really found it alot of fun.

1 X angry rockpig.

We had a few really nice rockfish too and of course, we won't show those fish here. Those images are destined for articles etc along with the comprehsive rigging sequences and the close up work we did on both the rods, and rigs. Be under no illusions, this stuff is no jolly and when someone comes over to do a 5 rod launch for a big company, the heat is UP and it can be very, very hard work. This type of thing isn't for everyone but we relish the pressure and the challenge. Thankfully, we've got some pretty great tools to work with now and that, believe me, helps in spades.

The classic 'green' rockpig. these look great in photo's.

Stephen, focused, going for the 'cover shot'. We must congratulate Stephen on his recent sponsorship deal with 'club' biscuits. Well done m8.

HG taking the 'cover shot'. LOL

Henry and I going for the 'comparision' shot 7-7" closest to camera, 7-3" at the back. Note how both rods share a 'similar' action. However, the 7-7 is the real power monkey in the range and is the boulder specialist. It was really putting the hurt on me. I said to Henry, is that tiring you out ?

Henry Gilbey: " No ".

I had to let up.

Well, that is a very, very mixed up overview of what happened. We had fish, tested all the rods, got great pics, HG caught his first HRF fish, we had a blast, I tested some other gear, I also got chance to check out 4 new GraphiteLeader rods courtesy of lure heaven.

I was really impressed with what i saw. I wanted to keep all 4 to test but in the end, I chose the one right in the middle, the Tiro 7-9". Really nice and I'll fish hard with it and report back.

There is just so much work going on, finding time is a priority to make sure I do justice to each item i get to evaluate or review.

Btw, henry loved the SLOTH© and was seen molesting it in a clear rock pool. He's learned a few tricks this weekend so watch out.

I'd like to finish up here by thanking Kevin White, Stephen Olsen, Dave Watson, Henry Gilbey and Century. Everyone has played a vital role in producing what I think are not only the best British lure rods out there but, lure rods that can stand proud against anything out there, for any money.

Try them but understand the concept and you might just love them as we do.

Anyway, thanks for reading this 'extended' blog entry. Time for bed. 

Big thanks to Koneko Dave and The Biscuit Man for the photo's because without their efforts, this entry would not have been possible.

Until next time then.