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With all the new lighter fibres on the market, its quite easy to pick up a decent set of 3 Rods, from around £100.
My personal preference are 12 Foot Rods, on the drains I use through action 2.5lb test curve, but on large deep rivers and lakes I use 2.75lb and 3lb test curve. Various makes on the market are TFG, Wychwood, Shimano and Daiwa.
REELS:-
My own preference towards a reel depends on where I am fishing at the time. The drains and small rivers, where you are not casting more than 60 yards, I would use a general purpose reel that holds 200m of line/braid.
I use the same general purpose reels in the summer and autumn when the water level on the rivers and drains are at the normal level. Prices start from around £15 up to £90 each.
When I fish in the winter months when there are lots of extra water in the rivers and drains, I prefer to use a baitrunner type reel. You can put the reel in freespool when the current picks up, thus preventing the drop off, pulling off so easy. Prices start from around £29 up to around £150 each.
If I fish any large lakes for Zander I own some big pit reels, for that extra long cast. Those extra few yards maybe all you need. Prices start from around £25 up to £300.
A Large Spool Baitrunner from both TFG and Daiwa, complete with Spare Spools can be purchased from about £37 each, and will hold 300 yds of 12lb line/30lb braid.
Bite indicators, you basically get what you pay for, Fox Warriors are a decent start from £16 each. TFG have just hit the market with 3 Alarms and a remote, all digital for about £100.
Bivvies, are a must to stay out all night, they keep you warm and dry in all conditions. JRC STi, Kevin Nash Titan, JRC Stealth Brollys, Fox do some decent ones. I have been using a Kevin Nash Titan, with winter skin for 8 years, my mate has a JRC STI. They both can stand up to some awesome weather, the open fenland.
Bedchairs are they comfort that you desire on a long session, go for a lighter one, with extra padding along the sides, there are loads of makes out there from £39.
Sleeping bags need to be at least a 4 seasons, minus 10. These can then be used for the cool and damp summer mornings right through to the freezing cold nights of the winter.
I was on the middle level in 2001, the temp dropped to minus 12 and the drain froze over, after that night I invested in a minus 20 bag, worth its weight in gold that one. Stay warm and stay alive.
Line or Braid. I prefer braid, I have had some since oct 2003 that I got from TFG, it casts well and slices through lily pads stems easily. Some anglers don't like braid. Again, its up to you.
Treble or single hooks, I have used Drennan, Fox and Eagle Claw. Sizes 6, 8 and 10, depending on bait sizes.
Trace wire, Fox Easy twist is my personal favourite for dead baiting in 30lb and Middy Tec-core in 28lb for live baiting.
A 42 inch landing net. Set of Scales up to 30lb. Unhooking Mat. Large Forceps. Head torch. Swivels. Beads. Cooking Stove. Lead bombs. Bait Savers. Paternoster Floats.
A Carryall/Rucksack, Tackle boxes, Rod Holdall or Quiver, bank sticks, trolley for long distance anglers. There are loads of bits and bobs extra you can have, but listed above are the main items of tackle, I have in my tackle boxes.
