Rods And Reels

[john1961]

can any one help me . i am going to buy a new beachcaster 12ft-13ft and multiplier looking to spend approx £100 on each. just for general beachcasting use.

[Westie]

My outfit is Abu Conolon Xodus and Penn 525 Mag - nice through action rod, easy to use and the reel is superb. Might top out at slightly over budget.

 

Sure you will get some good advice on other combos - don't stint on the reel!

 

What type of marks will you be fishing and are you looking for fixed spool or multi?

Edited November 16, 2005 by Westie

[john1961]

My outfit is Abu Conolon Xodus and Penn 525 Mag - nice through action rod, easy to use and the reel is superb. Might top out at slightly over budget.

 

Sure you will get some good advice on other combos - don't stint on the reel!

 

What type of marks will you be fishing and are you looking for fixed spool or multi?

multi with level wind. less birds nests

[Westie]

John - welcome to AN by the way. You have PM

 

Level wind will reduce casting distance and won't make any difference to the birdies - that's down to good brakes and reel set up. Not enough brake and a less than smooth casting action = birdy. mag reels mean you can dial up the brakes and get used to how your set up feels without too much worry on the birdy front. As confidence grows, notch back on the mags one click at a time. When you are aware that the line is lifting off the reel when you have cast, click the mags up a notch and you should be fine. Mags also useful if casting into a headwind one day and fishing with little wind the next. You can tune the reel in a second to suit conditions, bait size blah blah blah.

Edited November 16, 2005 by Westie

[john1961]

John - welcome to AN by the way. You have PM

 

Level wind will reduce casting distance and won't make any difference to the birdies - that's down to good brakes and reel set up. Not enough brake and a less than smooth casting action = birdy. mag reels mean you can dial up the brakes and get used to how your set up feels without too much worry on the birdy front. As confidence grows, notch back on the mags one click at a time. When you are aware that the line is lifting off the reel when you have cast, click the mags up a notch and you should be fine. Mags also useful if casting into a headwind one day and fishing with little wind the next. You can tune the reel in a second to suit conditions, bait size blah blah blah.

just looked at sea angler. what kind of mag have you got there is a few 525

[Spur-Hound]

Welcome John,

 

A Multi with a level wind wont stop birdies. If anything they will make a birdsnest much worse, its all about how you control the reel. The modern magnetic reels are so smooth that its really hard to birdsnest. They allow for delayed reactions without too much problems.

 

As an all rounder, ide suggest the penn 525 mag. This will deal with any situation. As for rods well it really depends on what ground you plan on fishing, and what species you wish to target????

Edited November 16, 2005 by Spur-Hound

[john1961]

Welcome John,

 

A Multi with a level wind wont stop birdies. If anything they will make a birdsnest much worse, its all about how you control the reel. The modern magnetic reels are so smooth that its really hard to birdsnest. They allow for delayed reactions without too much problems.

 

As an all rounder, ide suggest the penn 525 mag. This will deal with any situation. As for rods well it really depends on what ground you plan on fishing, and what species you wish to target????

thank you i will mostly be fishing smooth ground. i see a few mag 525s what one do you recomend

[Spur-Hound]

I have the standard 525 mag and have had absolutely no problems with it; strong as an ox and smooth too. I here really good things about the 525 super mag too, although its baout 20 quid dearer you can still get them for 100 quid. Whatever you do, DONT get the 525 GS mag, they are useless in comparison with the others!

Edited November 16, 2005 by Spur-Hound

[Westie]

I've got two Penn 525 mags. Love 'em to bits. Bomb proof and foolproof.

[arthurcodsbody]

I have the standard 525 mag and have had absolutely no problems with it; strong as an ox and smooth too. I here really good things about the 525 super mag too, although its baout 20 quid dearer you can still get them for 100 quid. Whatever you do, DONT get the 525 GS mag, they are useless in comparison with the others!

 

Can only echo what shaun has said about the 525 GS, I fell for that one they are absulute bitches to cast with and have such sold mine and gone to Abu's a 6500 and a 7500, still no mag breaks but a different league to the Penn 525GS. I know people who use and swear by 525 MAGS never really heard a bad thing said against them.

 

As for the rod the daiwa Sandstorm is a nice mixed ground rod and you'll get either a 12' or a 13' for around £100. I have used one for everything from beaches to esturays to some of the rougher ground around arbroath although I did find it a bit soft in the middle for the real rough stuff around here, thats why I upgraded, not because of any flaws with the sandstorm.

 

Matt