Any suggestions on Fixed Spool Reels for Shore duties

[Greenheart]

I'd go for the Penn Surfmaster 850. They have had a good write-up in the angling press, are guaranteed saltproof & are currently on a half price promotional offer. £50 each. I shall be getting one myself shortly

[jason78]

Originally Posted by maghouse

Cant go far wrong with the Okuma FS reels IMHO .... worth a look !

Ive got a Okuma Zorax ZX180, it worked well for a while but the spool has stopped oscilating properly?

[jason78]

Originally Posted by Greenheart

I'd go for the Penn Surfmaster 850. They have had a good write-up in the angling press, are guaranteed saltproof & are currently on a half price promotional offer. £50 each. I shall be getting one myself shortly

Ye I do like the look of Penn Surfmaster, what Shimano reel would you recommend ? (ps I'm looking to buy two FS reels)

[gullyworm]

Originally Posted by jason78

Lads, might be a stupid question but looking on ebay theres lots of reels described as carp reels, are these ok for sea fishing, is there any difference ?

No a big pit reel will do the job very well indeed ,something like an Emblem etc.
And you can get big pit reels very cheep as the carp boys have money to burn

[Greenheart]

Originally Posted by jason78

Ye I do like the look of Penn Surfmaster, what Shimano reel would you recommend ? (ps I'm looking to buy two FS reels)

I'm afraid the better spec Shimanos are a bit too pricey for me. Mind you I think you pay over the odd's just for the name. I've use fixed spool reels for sea fishing for years, but have recently discovered the joys of the ABU 6500 Multipliers.

[jason78]

Originally Posted by gullyworm

No a big pit reel will do the job very well indeed ,something like an Emblem etc.
And you can get big pit reels very cheep as the carp boys have money to burn

How about a SHIMANO NAVI 8000 XTA BAITRUNNER, is this suitable ?

[jason78]

Originally Posted by Greenheart

I'm afraid the better spec Shimanos are a bit too pricey for me. Mind you I think you pay over the odd's just for the name. I've use fixed spool reels for sea fishing for years, but have recently discovered the joys of the ABU 6500 Multipliers.

Ye the shimanos are a bit pricey, I dont mind paying a bit extra if it lasts longer though.

I was going to buy a one new fixed spool and one new multiplier for shore duties, but most people tell me you can cast much further with a fixed spool and a quality multiplier is twice the price?

ps I bought two new beachcasters (Daiwa and Shimano) a few months back and the Shimano was a mutiplier version which I didnt realise at the time but Ive been assured it will be fine with a fixed spool ??

[Bagstar]

I have both the Penn 850 and a Shimano XS8000, I would go for the Shimano out of the two although they are both very good. The Shimano is not as smooth on retreave but in my honest opinion it is more durable than the Penn and has a slightly better cast. I also have a Shimano GT8000 and that is very much the same as the XS8000, you can pick them up for £25 quid on Ebay.

Penn 850 £50 (Veals)

Shimano XS8000 £48 (Poingdestres)

[baitcaster]

Hi Mate

I have been using a Diawa Emblem - Z 5000A, Shimano Aerlex 8000 and Daiwa Emcast 5000 all of which do a great job. I guess the adage that 'you get what you pay for' is true when it comes down to long term servicability - assuming you look after them. I would avoid the dirt-cheapies for the reason above.

Penn, Diawa and Shimano all make good gear so you will be on safe ground there.

Happy shopping!