Store Review – Leeds Angling Centre, Armley
Leeds Angling Centre, visually it looked quite tired and I’m probably wrong in saying this but I got the distinct impression the gentleman behind the desk wasn’t particularly interested in my custom. After I hung around about and checked out what the store had to offer it was obvious that he was a wealth of information to the right people, but when I approached him and asked fairly specific questions about where to fish and what was catching, that information seemed to disappear.
As far as shops go there is a reasonable choice of ground baits, additives and attractants, the shop is heavily aimed at course anglers (especially the pole, feeder and waggler fans) with very little in the way of a predator and specimen carp section. I found this very surprising as the Leeds – Liverpool canal is renowned for producing lots of pike of all sizes.
There is also a very reasonable selection of hooks, pole elastics and waggler floats. The bait is reliable with the Maggots usually having a large enough feed spot to last a few days providing they are kept nice and cool. The fact that it sells worm, caster and pinkie which are only available at certain times of the year (depending on where you’re buying your bait from) is also good to know.
What is slightly disappointing is whenever I can get advice from the store owner; it is unfortunately the same advice which has been re-hashed to me several times now in a variety of ways (tales with photographic evidence of a 15lb Pike from the canal near the Leeds Royal Armouries if you’re wondering…). Also, although keen to dispense information on Leeds Amalgamated Society of Anglers, when asking about public waters to fish nearby, apart from Roundhay Park (which use to be a Leeds ASA Fishery) the responses I received were very limited. So for the time being I will stick with Google and keep my ear to the ground to find out about anywhere fishing particularly well.
The Leeds Angling Centre is a small and basic shop, good at providing fresh bait and standard equipment. If you are just starting out fishing in the Leeds area I would recommend you go there for you basics and fresh bait, you can also pick up some more specialised pole, waggler and feeder gear, but you’d be hard pushed to get any real sound advice on consistent locations. As far as stores go it is an average store, and will see you right for the essential bit and bobs.
Store Review ***
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