goin2fish

Without! I'm guessing 80 with tackle and bait; further with a better technique.

Gentlemen: Thank you for your tackle and casting advice. I would like to report approx 100 meters 2oz and 120 meters 3oz with an overhead cast. I managed about 130 meters, 3oz with an easy cast - once only (paced out with long steps along the beach). I have tried the pendulum but I can't get the timing right, and that swinging 3oz (cannon shell) is disconcerting - more practice. The rod is built on a Purglas 4000 blank 4.05m - very basic. The grip is 1 meter of shrink wrap. The reel seat is a Fuji plate type and the guides Hardloy - I followed the Mudhole spacing chart. The reel seat and the guides are taped on at the moment just in case of any alterations. The reel (fixed spool) is mounted 80 cm from the butt and this seems comfortable for my reach. The first guide is 1 meter above the reel. Incidentally, I have mounted the guides on the spine (at the 180 degree position) for maximum power in the forward cast - I realize that this is a matter of opinion and may raise some eyebrows, however, the blank seems to have a second spine opposite the other. As I haven't caught anything yet, I dont know how well it will perform with a decent fish. The rod really loads up and seems to have heaps of power. However I'm not sure of the leverage advantage in the current configuration. Should I move the reel back a little as my right arm is straight for the cast - am I not using the full advantage of the rod with the reel that high? Thanks again.

Thanks Colin, I have similar conversations going on other sites. There is such a wide range of tackle these days that fortunately I'm not limited to a local search. I've seen much of the gear around the tackle shops here and it is limited to the brand names except for a few decent retailers and rod builders. I could have gone with a local brand, but as I dug deeper I found a wider range of tackle accessible and some of it very different and worth while exploring. The UK scene is very interesting as is the USA and South Africa. So with the kind help of people on the forums I have a wider cross section of information than is otherwise possible. {2008 Editor's Note - please click here to view surf rods for sale}

http://www.purglas.com/product_0.htm Purglas is South African. I'm living in Australia! I saw the UK Anglers site first and followed the links to the Aussie site, but I didn't get too many bites to my inquiries. The UK site has been great. I could be tempted to import an AFAW surf or estuary rod, but $$$$$$$$$$$$. The Purglas is less expensive from a distributor in WA, and looks like it will perform. Although, if I have the rod made up the difference is marginal?

Without further a'do, and after looking at all the suggestions, a wide range of alternatives, I have settled on a Purglas 4000, or the 400 in the same line and weight class. I will couple it up with an Okuma Axeon that I was able to get half price. The Purglas is the closest match. There are a lot of great rods out there, but this one appears to be ideal for my purposes. So with some good quality guides etc etc, I hope to be in business soon. Thanks for all the advice, and the casting tutorials. Good fishing!

Thanks Newt and H.A. I guess the next question, given that I will alternate very light and heavier weights throughout the day, changing fishing styles as the conditions demand, is, which reel to buy? The Daiwa Emblem Pro 5000, or the Okuma Axeon AX90a. Both designed for distance casting, I'm leaning toward the Axeon for quality. Any further suggestions?

Thanks Newt. Since following up your links, and digging a bit deeper, I notice that many of the distance casters use overhead reels. I plan on using a fixed spool which, as I understand it, line drag increases proportionally with the distance cast; the line being deeper in the spool as its pulled off. I have seen all sorts of solutions to this problem, but wonder how significant it is, compared with an overhead. Can anyone make a comparison from experience and, possibly, suggest a fixed spool reel with superior casting qualities. Let's say that value for money is not a consideration, for starters.

Thanks, Looks ideal - their surf rod comes a close second. They provide plenty of information - I feel like I know what I'm buying.

Hi Newt and Ken. I'm only familiar with the overhead cast; unless were talking fly fishing. I can't say I've given it a great deal of thought - what ever worked on the day. A bit of extra reading will be helpful! After a bit more research, Purglas rods, in particular the 4000 (13' 2" 8kg 3/4oz - 3 oz) seem to be in the ball park, and may be more flexible weight wise for my purposes. The Ugly Stik has an inner helical or coil layer, which minimizes distortion under load. I was wondering if this is common to the high end rods also? I see the Kiwis use the technique. Is this standard practice these days? I'm not being very specific, but as I narrow the course down, I'm leaning towards a fixed spool reel, so that I can work light weights also 1/2 - 3/4. But I still want to get the distance with heavier weights - 3oz. That's why I'm leaning toward the Purglas. I understand that overhead reels are better for distance - once the initial resistance of the spool is overcome - not sure. So to what extent does a fixed spool reel affect casting distance, all other things being equal? I haven't completely ruled out carp rods, but I'm a little closer to making a decision.

Strangely, carp rods were another avenue that I had been exploring, and dropped in favour of the Zziplex because of it's alleged performance. While most of my fishing won't demand distance, there are times when the fish go sailing by just out of reach, and wading is not an option in many cases. Ideally I would like a rod that can go the extra distance, 150 meters/yards or so, while still fishing light - 1 - 3 oz. I will have a look at the Conoflex. In the meantime what sort of distance do you get with your carp rod? What type of reel would you recommend for light fishing, consistent with distance casting.

It has been a long time since doing any serious fishing, so I am out of touch with gear quality and so on. I want to build or buy a good quality surf rod. Two in particular stand out - Zziplex's Light Bass and Powertex. So I have a lot of questions. How different are these rods? Do they really cast as far as some claim? Someone mentioned Ugly Stik's. How do they compare with Zziplex? What would be comparable to the Light Bass or Powertex? I don't really wan't to compromise quality, performance and suitability; are there better rods on the market? Looking forward to your thoughts.

Hi, I am returning to fishing after a long spell doing other things. I have not kept up with the latest tackle, and will be seeking advice in the forums. I am particularly interested in Zziplex rods, and according to the things I have read, they sound ideal for my application. Are they as good as the blurb; are there alternatives that are just as good. Anyway, I look forward to hearing what others think about these issues. Good Fishing!