MY FAVOURITE SET-UPS...

I use three basic rod and reel combinations for my UK boat fishing, which I’ll detail here, along with a list of species/scenarios that I use each one for…

MTI 15LB OFFSHORE ROD & SHIMANO TALICA 10II REEL

I use this set-up when downtiding for congers, tope, blonde rays, cod, smoothhounds and pretty much everything else that swims.

I also use it when drift fishing over wrecks for cod, bass and pollack, or sandbanks for turbot. This is also the perfect uptiding combination for anything and everything you can imagine.

Unfortunately, the MTI 15 was discontinued some years ago, but with the kind permission of the rod’s developer, Sea Angler contributor Mike Thrussell, I have revamped the blank to produce, what I believe to be the ultimate boat rod.

More news on this when they arrive in the UK around March.

SAKURA SHINJIN 20-60G ROD& DAIWA LUVIAS 3000 DA-CUSTOM REEL

This is my ‘go to’ set-up for most of my summer fishing. The rod is light enough for targeting black bream and plaice, but it’s also the ultimate top-water lure rod for bass. I use it for all manner of lure fishing situations for bass, cod and pollack too.

This combination also provides superb sport when fishing for smoothhounds at anchor, and although I normally use 3oz or 4oz lead weights for this, the rod has handled sinkers up to 6oz before.

SNOWBEE KUROSHIO 7-28G ROD & HTO LURE GAME 3000 REEL

This is my fun-time combination. The Kuroshio is a four-piece travel rod, but you’d never know it once it’s put together. I quite often use this set-up for black bream, wrasse, plaice and any situation where some light lures need to be used – such as when the bass are smashing fry on the surface.

It’s also perfect for mackerel and garfish sessions, with a 7-10g lure on the end, and I use this set-up when fishing for harbour mullet too.