Since I started squashing snails professionally in 1939, I’ve done a whole lot of good stuff. The finest one ever ever ever would be my decision to use this FUTURE stuff, instead of the P.I. (Preston Innovations) or ZIM that was available at the time.
The year was 1993. My ship had just returned from my ‘home planet’ visit and I was in desperate need of a salad sandwich. While I was skipping home, a voice in my head said to me that I should, next time I went fishing, use a pole. A ‘pole’ to you dear readers, is basically a long rod without a reel attached. The line is fixed straight to the end via a little plastic connector.
When playing big fish, they inevitably don’t actually WANT to be yanked out of the water (blimey I’m cruel), so in order to actually land them and not let them get away, a shock absorbing system is required to fight back against their strong pulls. This is done by the angler threading a length of elastic (normally around 2m) through the top couple of sections of the carbon ‘pole’. This elastic pulls out from
the inside of the pole as the fish pulls, meaning that it can run against the elastics resistance and tire itself (before the fisher dude pulls him in). Different strengths of elastic are available. When fishing for bigger fish you obviously need a stronger elastic.
Since I began my (boring I know) fishing exploits many many years ago, elastic development has gone quite a long way. While there used to be only 3 main manufacturers, it also used to be only white in colour. Nowadays, firstly after P.I introduced their ‘slip’ range (which had an external colour system – still white on the inside (which has a tendency to fade)), the colour of modern day elastics is anything but boring and the number of decent companies selling the stuff has more than doubled.
The colour isn’t just there for fun though. Although it is pretty funky seeing 4m of bright red elastic zipping from the end of your pole, each manufacturer has a different colour for each strength so that you can recognise each one more easily when you want to use them.
Future for example use this fabulouso one:
No.1 - Red No.2 - Purple No.3 – Green No.4 - Orange No.5 - Blue
(No’s.1–5 are for small fish like Roach – 0 to 12oz) ___________
No.6 - Yellow No.8 – Purple No.10 - Green
(No’s.6-10 for small carp – 1 to 5lb) _____________
No.12 - Blue No.14 - Green No.16 – Yellow No.18 - Blue No.20 - Orange
(No’s 12+ are for big carp up to over 10lb)
Apparently its Europe’s No.1 elastic. Personally I wouldn’t argue with that, although these days there really isn’t much difference between the best makes. The amount of stretch varies with the materials used and the colours used by each company are often different, but there isn’t much in it.
The competition between them in recent years has also made the prices lower. Although the actual price hasn’t changed much in years (between £1.70 and £2.50), you can now get 5 or 7m for the price of 95’s 3m.
Anyhow, pre-treated with Teflon, this silicone elastic does everything you’d expect a length of elastic to do. Apparently it’ll stretch to about 7 times its original length. It’s ultra smooth too and very hard wearing. Any angler who actually has a clue what I’m talking about will appreciate that an elastic is no good if it’s not smooth as it runs in and out of the pole. Fish will be lost because of the jolty action and you’ll get called ‘Craphead’ by anyone who knows you. The need for a decent lubricant though (wahey!! – dilute washing up liquid’ll do ya sicko’s) is there (as with all elastics), even if they sometimes try to convince you its not.
After a while of catching loads of fish, elastic will become worn. It depends exactly on how many fish you *are* catching, but its important to keep checking it for signs of wear. If there are ANY, you’ll have to change it. The Future stuff, compared to others is EXCELLENT in this class though. Although the thinner ones do seem to wear quicker than the thick ones though. Very reliable stuff.
Future elastics normally come on 5m black plastic pegs. They haven’t followed the latest trend of actually putting them on useful pole winders, but these ones do the job. The elastic is normally sold in 5m lengths but recently a new range has come out where they’re selling it by the 7m load. In such long lengths it means that you can often get 3 ‘replacements out of each one, making it very much worth its £2.50 price tag.
Luckily for you, that’s all I have to say. If you can think of anything I haven’t covered (which there isn’t) or if there’s anything you’d like me to make more clear (which there always is), just email me. Why 'email', you ask? Because I'm your father, that's why!!!!! Actually, that's not the answer, but I've always wanted to say that. Comments’ll do I spose.
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