Sphere Feeder MH 390
If you are looking to fish big rivers, like the middle Trent, Thames, Severn or Wye, at this time of the year, especially when after bigger fish, then the Sphere Feeder MH 390 is the rod for you. Sensitive enough to fish for skimmers, but with the guts to fish a feeder at range, and enough low-down power to tame hard-fighting chub and barbel.
A brilliant rod that will cover a wide range of feeder and bomb fishing for bigger fish. Match it with the brilliant Sphere MgTi 50 size reel for the perfect combination.
ABOUT THE SPHERE FEEDER ROD RANGE
The Sphere Feeder rods, like all rods in the Sphere range, have been developed using the highest quality carbon blank and fittings available. Every aspect of the rods has been carefully engineered to produce a product that is as perfect as possible. The rods are ultra light, ultra slim and are fitted with a unique ergonomic weight reducing handle which transmits more “feel” to the angler. They feature special ultra low friction “Minima” SIC guides – the best and lightest available.
The carbon quality of the blank adds meters to a cast and improves casting accuracy by minimising sideways flex when the rod under load. However, the blanks are responsive enough to safely play soft mouthed fish like skimmers without fear of hook-pulls. Supplied with 4 tips to give both sensitivity for bite indication and durability when casting.
Sphere MH 390 Tech Spec:
Length – 3,90m / 13ft
Sections – 3
Weight – 210 grams
Maximum Casting Weight – 100 grams
Rings – Pac Bay Minima
Reel Seat – Fuji
Tips – 1oz, 1.5oz, 2oz, 3oz
The Sphere MH 390 is perfect for summer rivers with both feeder and bomb.
A hard fighting Wye barbel tamed on the Sphere MH 390.
Match this rod up with the Sphere MgTi reel in either 40 or 50 size.
"All of the materials used are the best of the best"
The minimalist SiC rings reduce weight, whilst being incredibly durable.
The top of the range Japanese carbons used to make thee rods reduce weight and increase torsional stiffness, increasing casting accuracy and strength.
The sculptured ergonomic handle has been designed for maximum feel and comfort.
Sphere Feeder Ultra Lite Hooks & Hooks to Nylon
This hook is one of the lightest and sharpest currently available on the market. But it is still strong enough to land larger fish on the feeder. Hook weight can make a big difference to whether or not a fish picks up the hookbait, especially with smaller baits. If you want to catch fish on the drop then this is the hook for you.
The straight point is perfect for hooking fish, whilst the slight angled design helps reduce small fish from twisting off the hook on the retrieve.
Don’t let the name make you think that this hook is only suitable for feeder fishing, we know a number of anglers who also use this as a silverfish hook on the pole, thanks to its incredibly durable point and low weight.
Available in sizes 8 to 18 in packs of 15 loose hooks, or ready-tied to premium nylon in packs of eight.
The perfect hook for catching silvers on the feeder.
A brilliant shape that improves hooking of silvers and stops them twisting off the hook on the retrieve.
The hooks to nylon are first class and supplied on these soft plastic spools that keep the hook lengths neat and protected from UV light.
"Ideal for dace and roach on the feeder."
Big Carp on the Pole
We join Steve Barraclough on a practice session at Doncaster’s Hayfield Lakes in search of some big, wily carp on the pole fishing shallow in our latest video. Click below to watch now.
Cenex Classic Mono
Monofilament lines have progressed massively in recent years and it can feel a bit of a minefield when choosing the right one, but relax as there’s one that won’t let you down, and this is Cenex Classic Mono, a line I now use extensively for all my pole rigs.
One of the most important properties anglers look for in a line is its strength in relation to its diameter and I can honestly say that this is one of the strongest fine diameter lines available on the market today. It’s also ultra supple which provides perfect bait presentation which will simply result in loads more fishing gracing your net. Another important area is knot-strength, something that lets many fine diameter lines down, yet Classic Mono beds down really well giving me the peace of mind that every possible weakness in my rigs has been removed, allowing me to get on a do what I love, catch fish.
The range available is quite extensive, especially in the lower diameter/breaking strains, and allows me to fine tune rigs so they perfectly compliment every angling situation I’m faced with.
Definitely the choice of serious competition anglers.
0.06mm – 0.45kg/1.00lb
0.07mm – 0.55kg/1.20lb
0.08mm – 0.75kg/1.60lb
0.10mm – 1.00kg/2.20lb
0.12mm – 1.55kg/3.40lb
0.14mm – 2.05kg/4.50lb
0.16mm – 2.60kg/5.70lb
Garry Cooper
Cenex lines have a reputation for being very accurate, with great strength to diameter. The Classic mono is ideal for both rigs and hook lengths.
When fishing matches I need a line that I can rely on one hundred percent.
When every fish counts make sure you are using a line that you can really rely on.
"this is one of the strongest fine diameter lines available"
Match Fishing Live - Twyford Farm Festival
In something new from our film crew, we join Rory Jones ‚live‘ as he fishes the first day of the recent Twyford Farm Festival on the Warwickshire Avon. On a tough-looking peg, but one with some form, Rory takes you through the tactics and thinking in real time as he fishes the match.
But how will Rory get on? Will the tactical decisions that he makes pay off at the end of the day?
Sphere Hooks & Hooks to Nylon
There are some brilliant hook patterns in the Sphere range that will cover your match fishing needs, and in this video Colin Sheppard looks at some of the patterns he uses in both loose hooks and hooks to nylon from the range.
Xitan X Pole Support Bar
Although poles such as the Sphere range have become incredibly light these days, fishing at lengths upwards of 16m over the length of a match can take its toll, especially as we get older so the need of a reliable pole bar is essential to keep the aches and pains away.
The Xitan X Pole Bar being fully adjustable does everything needed of it and fits all 25mm leg systems. It’s easy to fit, locking in place with tightening screws and the dense foam groves locate the pole whilst protecting it as well.
If you are beginning to struggle holding that pole all day then ease the pain and get yourself one of these, you will wonder how you ever managed without!
Justin Watkins
Front bars are great if you are expecting to wait a while for bites, enabling you to fish easily at a full 16m.
The Xitan X Pole Bar is fully adjustable so you can position it just where you need.
The scalloped bar holds the butt sections securely.
"you will wonder how you ever managed without it!"
Nick Crooks wins the Northern River Masters
On the hottest weekend of the year so far Browning’s Nick Crooks fished a brilliant two days on the river Tees to win the Covid delayed 2020 Northern River Masters final. Here’s Nick’s story of how the even unfolded.
Day 1 – Bowesfield peg 42
I had never seen this part of the river before, but my peg on the inside of a bend looked stunning. I made a couple of phone calls before the match and it became apparent that I had drawn a very good area.
Plumbing around the peg I found two lines on the pole; one in 10.5ft of water at 7m, where I fed four balls with pinkies and a few casters in. The second line was at 13m in 12ft of water, where I fed six balls containing worms, casters and dead maggots in the hope of some skimmers.
I also set up a Sphere 13ft 80g feeder rod to feed a line at 58m at the start, but never had to pick this up during the match.
It was a pretty simple match in all honesty, just rotating lines and swapping hookbaits kept the bites coming for most of the match. It was never solid, but just good enough to be patient and know that when I caught a fish it was of a good stamp. I lost a big perch of over a pound and a big eel did me in a snag, which wasn’t ideal and could of been decisive.
I weighed 13lb 14oz. This was enough to win the match so the perfect start.
Day 2 – Yarm peg 192
End peg in the match, although not a great area for skimmers recently, but I was hoping I could catch some small fish and keep busy. The target was just 5lb, as I knew it would be rock hard again in the 30 degree heat.
I fished three pole lines this time, and a feeder line at 45m touching the far side grass.
The peg was deep, and in all honesty, when I plumbed up I really didn’t fancy it. I managed to find somewhere to fish in 10ft, this had been the best depth recently, but my long line was in 16ft plus.
The day was spent rotating lines just trying to catch anything that might come over one of my lines, as topping-up with more feed was the kiss of death on the river.
I phoned Ian Rodger ‚roachy‘ Rockgod Exley who I knew had caught.
He said you need another 2lb 7oz to beat me. I told him it was close but I really did think I was short. Luckily my fish went 3lb.
My total of 16-14 was enough to pip Ian and take the title and a nice £5k cheque too. James Dent took third too so well happy for him, Iv spend all weekend with him and without his help along with Alan Le Patourel and Michael Bower I wouldn’t have come close to winning.
Big thanks to the Northern RIVER Masters team, it’s been hard to get this final on with all the stuff that’s gone off in the last 12 months.
Loved spending the weekend on the bank with my dad as I never get to do it, that for me has been the highlight of my weekend.
How to Elasticate the Silverlite Whip
In our latest short ‚Tips & Tricks‘ video we join Rory Jones as he looks at how to elasticate the two-piece hollow tips that come with the Sphere Silverlite Whip System. Rory also talks about when he prefers the elasticated tops over the flick tips when fishing for slightly larger fish, or when there is a chance of hooking a big bonus fish.
Tom Noton qualifies for Angling Trust Riverfest Final
Browning’s Tom Noton recently qualified for this years RiverFest final on his beloved river Trent. Here’s Tom’s story of how his match unfolded.
Last weekend I fished the qualifier for the RiverFest final on the river Trent around Newark and I only went and qualified! I was drawn on peg 29 at Rolleston. Interestingly, the same peg I was on when I got a good hiding from Hadrian Whittle previously. So it was a chance to hopefully learn from that previous match and put things right.
With another scorcher of a day weather wise I decided that 10lb would be a reasonable target on the day. This would hopefully come from two lines on the feeder, a worm line, and pole and hemp. A slow start for all, but I managed a few dace and roach with the odd 4-5oz skimmer amongst them. I had to scale down and change things constantly to keep the bites coming.
I had a really good spell around 2pm when I couldn’t get in quick enough for little skimmers to 6oz. I had a few bites on the pole, but it wasn’t as quick as the feeder and the stamp was small.
I finished with 13lb 4oz which was enough to win the zone and gain a place in the final again. Hopefully I can go a few better than last year and win it this time – slide on brothers.
Well done to the other qualifiers Lee Wright, Paul Goulding and match winner James Robbins.