Trakker Clinga Standard Kit

How well is it built?

The Clinga is a simple bobbin, and the build reflects that. The green, red and blue heads are acrylic, while the white model is PTFE and comes in at roughly 12g, about twice the coloured versions.

There's nothing complicated about any of it, which means there's very little to break, and the black ball chain and Clinga Link give the set a neat, matched look under the alarm.

What stops it scoring higher? It doesn't have the machined metal parts or the magnetic fittings you get on dearer hangers, and the head is a plain shape rather than anything clever.

To be fair, that's exactly what you'd expect from a kit at this level, and it isn't a criticism of how it's made.

For me, the 8.0 is about right. It's a well-made, straightforward kit that should last for years of normal use, but it isn't trying to be a premium hanger, and it doesn't pretend to be one either.

Sensitivity & Visibility

Is 6g enough? For most carp fishing in good conditions, I think it is.

The Clinga is built to cover everything from the margins out to long range, and a light head like this shows a lift as soon as line is taken, then drops back as soon as the line falls slack, without putting much tension on the line.

The white PTFE head adds a bit more weight, which helps if you want a slightly tighter line further out.

It's an all-round head rather than a specialist one, though, so on a windy day or with strong undertow, a heavier head such as the Fox Black Label Dumpy Bobbin is the safer choice.

Visibility is good too, as the bright coloured heads stand out by day and the isotope slot means the head can still be picked out after dark, which matters when you're watching three rods from the bivvy. Overall, the 8.5 reflects a light, responsive bobbin that's easy to watch.

Ease of Use

So, how easy is it to set up? Because it's a complete kit, there's nothing extra to buy before you can use it. The Clinga Link and chain fit to a bankstick or buzz bar, the head hangs from the chain and the line goes into the clip, which is pretty much all there is to it.

The Kippa Clip comes in the kit too, so you've got everything in one packet, and the four colours make it easy to tell which rod is which at a glance, especially if your alarms are colour-coded the same way.

A light head on a ball chain is also easy to pack, as it takes up very little room in a bag or a box for terminal tackle.

The only thing that holds it back is the lack of weight options in the kit, so the only way to go heavier is to pick the white model. That's a small point, and I think the 8.5 is fair.

Is it good value for money?

This is where the Clinga really earns its place. It's one of the cheaper complete bobbin kits you can buy, and you still get a head, ball chain, Clinga Link and Kippa Clip in one set, plus an isotope slot for night fishing.

Some budget bobbins come as a bare head, so having the whole setup in one kit adds to the value.

Next to the Korda Black & White Indicators, it's a simpler bobbin without the magnetic hockey stick or the spare weights, but it's lighter and quicker to set up.

The Fox Black Label Dumpy Bobbin is the heavier, more specialised head for long range, so the two do quite different jobs.

I'd recommend the Clinga Standard Kit to carp anglers who fish short to medium range in good conditions and want a light, colour-coded bobbin for each rod without spending much. It's also a sensible first set for anyone new to carp fishing.