The Rising Antenna

As you have probably deduced already I'm seriously impressed with this book.You need to wade through the first chapters that cover the history of the waggler and the authors childhood, whilst interesting they're nothing compared to what comes next. Around pages 86/87 the book really comes alive.If you fish the waggler at any level this book is a goldmine, it's full of information, tips and tactics. Not only does it tell you how to do something, it gives you a detailed insight into the thought process that helps you decide what tactics to use in any given situation. But it doesn't stop there, it also provides alternatives and other highly regarded anglers approaches to the same situations. I never take notes when reading a book, but I did with this.As an avid angler I watch a lot of Youtube videos and read a lot of books on the subject, constantly picking up titbits that help to improve my fishing. The pages within this book are full of advice worth a stack of other similar titles or endless hours of Youtube videos.In short this book will up your catch rate and help you to get more from you fishing, if it doesn't then either your Alan Scotthorne or you need to go back and read it again.

Very informative

Jim's book inspired, romanced and educated me in a way I knew it would as soon as I read the first page. Really well written, it was hard to put down once I'd started to read about those 'heady' days of big matches and famous venues, fished by all the top anglers of that era. You did indeed have to be at the top of your game in those days to win a match. This book conveys those intimate and clever details that would normally stay inside the minds of those terrific anglers, who won more than their fair share and have contributed so eloquently, including of course, Jim himself. A massive must read.

Having read the reviews and with a friend or two recommending it, I purchased the book myself.On the face of it, it’s a publication worthy of any coarse angling aficionado’s collection, with a history of the waggler’s development, anecdotes of respected practitioners of this particular discipline and a degree of instruction all included.Sadly though, on this occasion a well-conceived ‘framer’ has been reduced to ‘pools fodder’ perhaps, by poor proofreading (apologies to the gentleman named as responsible).Incorrect and even American spellings appear regularly throughout and for me, these were a huge disappointment - it’s quite sloppy in parts. I’ve seen this with a number of publications and it’s very frustrating. Surely there are accomplished proofreaders out there that could see books like this reach the shelves with the ability to deliver what they so often promise...

Jim Baxter has compiled a very comprehensive work covering just about everything there is to know about waggler fishing. His bibliography includes the classics from Benny Ashurst, Billy Lane, Kevin Ashurst, and Ivan Marks.These books have inspired me over the years so a more specialist book focused just on the waggler is timely.In this day of intense carp fishing and long pole techniques it is refreshing to revisit a more forgotton art. This book is up there with the best, read it and I guarantee you will be reaching for that trusty match rod.

Not only is this book full of great advice and tips, it is also a great read. Covering the history and development of the waggler, or 'loose float' method, with input from some of the top exponents, right up to the present day and carp dominated tactics, it's a hard book to put down once you open it. Brilliantly and painstakingly researched, in 'The Rising Antenna' Jim Baxter has produced a magnificent book on this style of fishing. I hope he turns his attention to the stick float next.

Jim Baxter took me under his expert wing after my granddad had taught me all the basics of fishing as a young lad. He was (and still is) a master of float fishing, match fishing, finesse and skill - which are all evident in this fascinating book. Part-factual, part-technical and part-nostalgic, it's a must-read for anyone who suspects there's more to the art of angling than today's commercial scene.

What a fantastic waggler fishing life time journey Jim Baxter reveals. This book is not for bivvyists or pole people, but if you started a fishing career down the canal with a drennan canal crystal float and Mitchell match reel get this book. It's like reading your own memories.