Rod & reel advice

[DaveG]

Hi Guys,
I'm looking for advice on a new rod and reel for clean/mixed ground beach fishing since I don't have any kit yet.
I'd like to use a multiplier and while having used them for coarse and boat fishing, I've not used one for beach casting so need something user friendly!

Crack off Colin already gave me a few tips by email and pointed me in the direction of this great site - many thanks Colin!

..but its also useful to know what kit others are using and what they think of it.

First rods...
Something around 13'. I was wondering about 3 piece for portability or is it better to stick with 2 piece?
A few suggestions between £100-£200 (maybe a little more if worth it) would be useful.
...oh yeah, and something I can use with reel down the butt - recommended by Mr C so must be the way to go!
Do most rods cast well with reel either up or down or some better suited to a certain position?
Adjustable reel seat or coasters?

Multiplier...
What are the most user friendly models?
Has anyone tried the new 7HT Mag?
...a bit pricey but the extra control sounds good for a newbie!!
I'd like to know what people think of it!

Cheers guys.:thumbsup:

[Lin]

Hi

Mike has the new 7ht mag, so ill let him post bout it, seems to be well happy with it so far :thumbsup:.

Lin

[mag-man]

Dave, welcome mate, for a rod of that price, I would recomend the daiwa TDXS 133, if you can pick one up now, there is still a few lying around, that's just my recomendation
rgds

[TBag]

Hi Dave,

I've been using the Abu Mags for a few years now and think they're brilliant. Very user friendly and a brilliant bit of kit for a far more reasonable price. I've had the green Mag Elite for a number of years and it's never let me down, I've also recently got the High Speed Mag Elite, mainly because it has a ratchet on which is very handy when after Smoothounds and similar hard hitting fish, this has also not let me down. I have a 6500 GR which was made in 1987 but still works well today, with a little TLC these reels will last you a long long time. But if you don't mind spending the money the Diawa's are brilliant reels too.
As for rods, Mag-man's right with the Diawa, nice rods. But also worth considering is the Anyfish Anywhere Match rod, very nice bits of kit for a little over £200.
As for the reel seat, I'm a big convert to the adjustable reel seat, I find them far better than coasters. The Grip Lock variety with the trigger is my personal favourite.

[DaveG]

Thanks guys:thumbsup:
I look forward to Mike's feedback on the 7HT mag!

[DaveG]

I've been looking around on the net to see what other rods are within budget (although I will prefer to buy locally if I can get a good deal).

Any comments good or bad on the following:

Greys:
GRX-S
Supro

Century:
CM
CME
CCC
CCC LD
Kompressor Lite (this one's at the extreme end of my budget - is it worth the extra dosh?)

Going by their sales blurb, all the above sound like easy to bend rods if I'm right?

Cheers:thumbsup:

[TBag]

I have the Century Carbon Metal 13'6". It is a wonderful rod but I wouldn't class it as easy to bend. It's not a tournament casting rod or anything but I do use it for my heavier fishing, not so much on the shallow sandy beaches where 4oz is ample. But it is a fantastic rod for hurling a lead down chesil and the likes. I use it with the reel down.

[Lucky Rich]

:thumbsup: Have a look at the Kompressor ultra lite ,, a friend of mine uses one with a abu sports mag , loves it to bits , all the big boys beach stuff has been chucked in the shed ,,,,,,,,

[castaway]

Personally! and keeping within your budget i would say the century CC low diameter, it will cast with the reel up or down the butt and comes with a reducer, it is user friendly whilst still having the ability to cast big distances and will cope with most fishing situations and should last you years!! the trouble with cheaper rods is within a year or so you feel the need to upgrade! try it with the tried and tested daiwa 7ht it has the build quality to last, and cast a long way and as you improve you can alter the tuning to suit your improving ability, just my opinion hope this helps!!!

[vaughany]

have alook at the century tip tornado lite and combine it with a diawa slosh 20 you wont go far wrong with this set up m8

[Daveyboy]

Looking for a do it all rod is tricky but here goes :eek!:


A clean ground set up to cover most situations and species from the big to the small would be ...............

Multi .... Century CME and an Abu 6500 high speed (red one) with mag and block braking this Reel will be as fast or as tame as you want it and the rod rocks :notworthy

Fixed spool .... Red metal (twin tip) and a Daiwa Emcast Evo 5500 but to be honest around the £60 plus price range and a lot of the reels are equal :thumbsup:

There are plenty of in between choices Dave but these are good all rounders in my book.

TT or Kompresor lite may struggle in a blow

The Daiwa 7HT is a fast reel , maybe a little to much to handle just yet

The slosh range are very good but not really needed for clean ground and are not as good for user friendly distance as the ABU

Not a big fan of Grey's rods

Cataway said about the CCC, that would be my close second choice for a multi rod

Now if you want two rods to cover your fishing the choices change again :doh:


Good luck with your shopping Dave

[flattiefanatic]

Diawa supercast and the new 7ht is the pefect combo for me i wouldnt use anything else:smilie11: