This is a spod with a difference. It looks like something developed in one of the James Bond films! There's a hatch at the rear that closes securely when the main line is tight, but opens when it's slack, allowing the bait to empty. Some bait did escape on three casts. I found that this hatch actually forces the spod to dive upon the retrieve sometimes, making it extremely hard work to retrieve.

It can hold a lot of bait (48 14mm baits), plus the rear-biased holes allow water to be added to further casting stability. The four links are superb and the silicone-protected swivel is very robust indeed. Although a great idea, I found this spod hard-going on the cast and retrieve.

Price £7.99

I am quite large at 6ft 1in, and weighing in at 17 stone I have struggled with a lot of sleeping bags, as they don't offer you any of the extra room you require. However, I found that at 80 inches long and 36 inches wide the Big Snooze gives ample room to someone of my size.

It's very well sewn together and I like the Velcro tab at the top of both zipped sides, to stop the side that isn't in use from coming undone. The fleece lining is very warm and I never zipped it up. After 100 or so practice runs with the zips they seemed fine, being smooth and easy to use.

I do have one or two little niggles with this bag though. There are no ties of any sort to tie the bag to your bed chair and, having a nylon outer, it slides around.

There are no washing instructions on the sleeping bag and the storage sack, like most that come with sleeping bags, is too small.

I would recommend this sleeping bag as one that won't break the bank but would keep you snug at night from spring through to autumn.

Price £59.99

You can't go wrong with the Quorn AC-controlled section of the Grand Union Canal, it's a top quality canal venue that fishes well all year round.

The club has the water from Pillings Lock right through to the Town Locks at Loughborough, a stretch that can cater for around 250 anglers.

During the summer it is a squatt and pinkie venue, which regularly produces double figure nets of roach. There is also the chance of chub at the Pillings Lock end of the canal. For a chance of catching the chub you will need larger baits such as castor and maggots.

Once winter sets in many of the match anglers switch to bloodworm and joker as the club allows it to be used from 1st October.

Like most canals access is reasonably good with bridges and townpaths on most sections.

For more information telephone 01509 414 254

The most dependable stretch of the River Weaver at anytime of the year is an area known as the Boatyard in Northwich, Cheshire.

Bream between 4lb and 5lb are taken on the feeder with worm or red maggot, especially when the river is pulling and carrying a little colour. A lot of good carp are known to lurk under the moored boats on the far bank.

The waggler and slider into 13ft of water will score for roach but don't be surprised by the occasional rogue carp.

Pleasure catches of roach run well over 20lb in the summer on caster and maggot, hemp also scores well.

The best area is opposite the mouth of Marshalls Wood Arm. The area has become more popular because Northwich AA members can drive to the bank through a new housing estate off London Road.

This is a tremendous area that will keep the pole angler busy with a variety of species.

For more information telephone 01606 786 787

Available in medium and large sizes, they come ready fitted with eight inches of soft rig tubing, a locker bead plus a tulip bead, which will accept a standard size 8 swivel.

One of the benefits of Stonze are that being naturally porous, they will take on a flavour. The tubing will merely increase this if the whole lot is dunked prior to use.

Their flattish bases will delight river anglers or those fishing onto steeply sloping bars.