fixed spool or multiplier-which should I get??

[nigelnibbles]

as one of my reels is on its last legs I was going to look for a new reel, now, up until now i've always used a fixed spool for my fishing, so i'm asking for advice and opinions on which I should go for(i'm not a miilionaire)so come on guys and gals, what do you think I should go for, fixed spool or multiplier, and why(ie, would I get greater casting distance with a multiplier) :confused:

[H.A.]

Whatever you feel more comfortable with.

 

Some bruddy good F/Ss out there but the best cost a lot (£500) ...... Shakespeare etc do a perfectly good jobby for £30.

 

If you haven't used a multiplier before, then it's better to go to a casting instructor and use his/her's user-friendly kit.

 

I have a set I use for tuition.

 

There really is not a big difference in casting distances between the two when fishing, after proper instruction.

 

Most experienced anglers enjoy the 'feel' of a direct drive multiplier, but if you are happy, keep to the F/S ..... it's particularly effective when match fishing at short range.

 

Ada

[chesters1]

if you night fish a F/S is definatly the reel to use

[kennyboybass]

Being a fixed spool user for 20years plus then iam biased to say if you feel happy with the reel then keep on using them. the reels i use and swear by them are mitchell model Nos 306-486 thats for left hand wind, honestly you cant go wrong, buti bass fish only, these reels can be picked up pretty cheap 2nd hand and last for years i hope this will help

[jabee]

Assuming your rods are rung for fixed spools, you will have to get the rings replaced if you switch to a multiplier. Personally I use multipliers for all of my fishing bar lure/float/ultra light shore fishing, but, you should stick with what you're comfortable with.

[Newt]

jabee - you really ought to try baitcasters for your lure angling too.

 

Do anything with them you can with an egg-beater reel, a couple that would be really difficult and at least one that is impossible.

 

 

[ 01. December 2003, 12:03 AM: Message edited by: Newt ]

[argyll]

I make no bones about having a love affair with baitcasters. I use them, collect them, read about them and I enjoy casting with them almost as much as using a flyrod, its the same sensation when you get it right. But if you buy a multiplier then be prepared to put in some practice, then practice some more and then some more. My early days with these reels was spent in the local park casting over grass until it became second nature. I at least urge you to try one, preferably with some help from an experienced user who can see where you are going wrong and put you right. Rarely have I heard of someone making the switch to a multiplier and then abandoning it for a fixed spool. It does happen but not often. For ultralite lure tactics a fixed spool is favourite but for everything else a multiplier will give you endless pleasure once you've got to grips with it. I also use them for occasional beach use and uptiding when I can find time to get to sea.

 

Now to put to rest two old wives tales, with apologies to the original authors.

 

1. YOU CANT CAST IN THE DARK WITH THEM You can,

a fixed spool has no advantage. Once your brain/thumb co-ordination is working, you can feel exactly where the line is going in terms of direction and distance, it becomes second nature. Even more so than with a fixed spool

 

2. YOU CANT USE A MULTIPLIER ON A ROD RUNG FOR A FIXED SPOOL. You can, but you can't use a fixed spool on a rod rung for a multiplier. Its a question of the size of the loop coming off the spool, small loops off a multiplier will go through large rings on a fixed spool rod. Think about it you'll see what I mean.

My first 'baitcasting' bass rod was a 10 foot carbon Silstar rung for a fixed spool, no problems at all.

 

Coincidentally I posted the following on another forum a few days ago. for me it sums it all up.

 

'I went down to my boat yesterday, not to fish, but to bail her out after the heavy rain and replace the loose cover, but I took a rod and a few lures (as you do). By the time I'd got the water out of the boat it was nearly 4.00pm and getting dark but I had to have a few casts. Then it started to rain and I discovered I'd left the top half of my wet weather gear at home. This should have been the time to call it quits and go but I had ONE LAST CAST. You know the one I'm talking about. It was now pitch black, rain was pelting down, the wind had picked up, I was casting completely by feel and I'm soaked through to the skin. Having had a few dozen 'last casts' the next one was definitely going to be 'it'. At that moment my lure stopped dead and I eventually brought a nice fit 8lb fish alongside. In the next 30 minutes I had three more fish best about 14/15lb, all in the worst possible weather and in total darkness.

I had to pack it in and cover the boat to stop it filling up with water again, otherwise I think I might have stayed there all night. I woke up this morning with a sore throat and a temperature and have felt rough all day, but every time I think about it, I can't help but smile. I've had red letter days before, but this was wild.

The lure incidentally which was promoted from the 'looks pretty but catches nothing' box was an orange Brundall Angling Centre Bulldawg'

 

[ 01. December 2003, 12:46 AM: Message edited by: argyll ]

[Ian Bass]

Although I use both types of reel I do prefer the good old fixed spool.

Argyll, I use a FS reel on my rod which is rung for a multi and yes ok you might lose up to 5 yards or so on a cast(I have compared casts on the field) but there are no other problems.

Yes, WITH PARCICE you can get further with a miltiplier, BUT if you just an 'average' angler then FS reels are fine. It seems to me that we as anglers are OBSESSED with getting the extra 5 yards. You will probably cast over more fish than you cast to.

Personally, I'd stick with a FS reel. I have tried various reels including the Aerlex, Surfmaster 70, Varoious Daiwa ones and am currently using the Okuma Amplifier. All are good reels. Given the choice I'd say the Surfmaster is the best but the Okuma is a cracking reel for £30ish.

[bigfish]

If you are happy with F/S reels then there is no reason to change over to multipliers.The modern long cast spool designs mean that there is little advantage to be gained fom using multi's.

[Kieran Hanrahan]

Hi Nigel

 

Very important point made about the rings on a rod being specific to the type of reel - if you have not used a mulitplier reel before chances are you have f/s reel rods and so if you do go and buy a muliplier reel, you will either need to re-ring your rod or buy a new multiplier rod.

 

I just tried a multiplier for the first time this year and found it requires a lot of practice to get the casting action working properly. Quite a bit to learn and very frustrating when you get the dreaded birdsnests! That said it does work very well and I believe that you can cast with a multiplier a little bit farther than with a F/S set up (which I had previously used for 20 years with no complaints)...

 

In terms of kit and cost, you pay for what you get. If you do go down the multiplier route, then look on it as a long term investment (given it will take the guts of a whole season to get comfortable using it). The best advice is always to go for as high quality kit as you can afford...

 

FWIW...

 

[ 01. December 2003, 09:24 AM: Message edited by: Kieran Hanrahan ]