Denis Moules has recently joined the team at Hooked Tackle & Bait.

Below, you'll find a few words from the man himself and details of when he'll be here will shortly be posted on www.fishing-direct.com , so please pop along if you're in the area. .

I have had an association with the Newmarket Fishing Tackle Shop since 1971when I moved to the area with my work. Stan Beeby owned the shop at this time, and it was named “John’s Tackle” after Stan’s son, who he hoped would run the business. Unfortunately John had allergies that prevented him from working in the environment and Stan and his wife Enid became the shopkeepers. They were both very good to me in my formative years and helpful to all customers.

In 1997 the current owner Spencer Howard purchased the business when Stan retired, and in 2006 moved to the current bigger shop in All Saints Road.

This shop is an excellent one for a small town, and Spencer is very helpful and obliging to his customers. Recently I have been helping in the shop at Spencer’s request and on occasions will be running the show for him. My specialities are pike and zander, but I have also captured English catfish to 34lbs and several River Cam carp over 22lbs. I am also an all round sea angler with knowledge of beach and wreck fishing.

Dates and times when I am in the shop will be posted on the Hooked website and I will be pleased to assist young and old with their tackle needs. On occasions I will be prepared to make a special journey to the shop if requested. I have been pike fishing for over 40 years and it is now my main hobby. I am in a fortunate position where I use what I consider to be the best quality tackle, for my pike fishing, but do not be put off by this as many of the budget items are of excellent quality. All the tackle and bait I use is stocked at “Hooked”. Let me explain.

RODS. Personally I use Shimano Diaflash Specialist, 12ft. 2.75lbs test curve. These rods are now obsolete, but the current Shimano range, Beastmaster’s etc. replace them perfectly. Shimano Alivios are about £50 and are now much improved. Prologic and Ron Thompson are sound budget purchases and do not dismiss the range of Fox rods especially the latest Warriors.

REELS. Again I am a Shimano man using various baitrunners mainly 10000s. I have always used Abu multiplier reels in 7001 and 6501 sizes for lure and sea fishing. Okuma produce reels of excellent quality at budget prices as do Mitchell. Daiwa are close rivals to Shimano many anglers prefer these.

LINE. Power Pro braid in 50lbs, and 80lbs for lure fishing. My mono choice has been Daiwa Sensor for many years in 15 and 18lbs b/s. I have used Big Game in the past and found it excellent. Always check braid, it is not always as strong as the maker claims.

TRACE WIRE. Drennan Green in 28lbs. Fox Carbo Flex is also sound.

HOOKS. Owner S. T’s in sizes 2, 4, 6 and 8. Drennan hooks are also excellent as are Fox.

BAIT. We keep a full range of frozen Baitbox products. My current personal favourites which change from time to time, are bluey, lamprey, smelt and eel.

I do not pike fish with alarms very often, on drains and rivers, but when I do I use Delkims. We stock economy alarms, and all are more than adequate for the job.

We have a full range of accessories and clothing including footwear, many of which I personally wear. For the night fisher and long stay angler, all the relevant bedchairs and bivvies are available. Please visit www.fishing-direct.com