Reel types

[MrCat]

Hi folks,

I'm trying to get into my beach fishing. I purchased a big 13' beach rod, and then a big 'sea fishing front drag fixed spool' reel...it does the job but I was watching some youtube vids on proper distance power casting the other day and observed that they were using reels that looked more like boat reels....no bailarm etc...is this a 'multiplier'? What's the difference between them and a boat reel?

I observed secondly that they were holding the rods with the eyelets facing upward too.

I'm thinking I need to but yet more more more kit. I discovered on taking my rod and present reel down to the shore for some casting practice with just a weight and line that these reels whatever they are are possibly easier to cast long distance. There was just no way I could spin round and still keep the line from slipping from my finger at an odd angle and casting almost 90 degrees to my right along the beach.

Here's the vid/s: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj-o1...eature=related

And the vid I spoted the reel on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geiWc...eature=related

Any prods in the right direction most welcome as purr...

[geejayy]

hi mr cat,
yes, multipliers, i'd guess but i ain't seen the vids yet.
basically the same as a large boat multiplier but- they will have a system to brake the spool and help prevent overruns during the cast.
note- ' help prevent, not stop altogether, a little practice is needed to get the set up right.

imho, and i spec i'll get a few comments to the contarary here,
as far as fishing goes there's not much difference in distance between fixed spool and multi's unless fishing with high diameter lines and/or in high winds.

that kit you have sounds ok, whats the model of reel? and what weight are you casting?
if your having trouble holding the line with your index finger the first thing i'd suggest is slow the cast down , start coming around slowly and gradualy increase the speed untill youve turned towards the sea then hit it hard.
it sounds like your trying to put too much effort into the cast from the off and locking the rod before youve turned fully into the cast hence the line slips from under yer finger and all goes right handed ( i'm assuming your a right handed caster )

it might be worth contacting a casting instructor.

best o luck gj.

[MrCat]

Cast instructor, I did wonder if there were such a thing round here, I'll check it out.

The reel is a shakespear tidewater front drag 80, that's the only model number on it and I can't find it online anywhere now strangely. I'm certain it'll do fine if only for it's size, it's fairly chunky. It takes from .35 up to .55 line.

I had a funny experience in town yesterday when I popped into the fishing shop. It's rare I get into town so I thought I'd see what he had and if it could beat the stupidly expencive bumping up of online delivery prices. He was very unenthusiastic. I asked for some shock leader, braided, between 60 and 80lb, 50 was the biggest he had and only mono. Then I asked for a few other bits such as bait clips and the like, he just looked a bit blank and asked wha a bait clip was. Then I spotted a nice looking reel and asked if it were for a beach caster. Ohhh I've no multipliuers he said, that's just for boats. He added he had no demand atall for anything I was asking for. I asked what he did sell, and he said it's all pier and boat stuff, adding that there simply was no beaches round here ha ha! I thought this is the wes coast of scotland, where water meets the shore is surely a beach? it doesn't have to be pristine golden sand does it!? Very odd. I'll try the other guy in the other local town...

You could well be right in my swinging round too fast. Standing facing the shore was fine, but attempting to start with my back to the sea and turning into the swing just left my lead flying a reasonable distance along the shore to the right. I was practicing with a 6oz weight as 60lb is the onlt leader I have. My rod says it'll do 4 to 8.

Do you still have to hold the line with your finger with a multiplier? They have no bailarm do they?

I will be casting on windy days round here I suspect, or I'll never get out until next spring!

Thanks, I'll find some nice thin braided leader and try slowing things down a bit. Half the awkwardness may be the amazingly thick shock leader I have just now....

ohh, actually, a bad workman blames the tools doesn't he!

[geejayy]

multiplyer- use on top the rod(eyes up) to hold the line dureing the cast hold spool still with thumb, engage free spool, and cast- letting go of spool at appropriate time ,thumb spool gently as weight hits te water to avoid a small over run/tangle.
larger tangles happen much earlier in the cast.

with your set up, drop to a 5oz lead and slow the cast down as described earlier

[MrCat]

Excellent! :) I'll give it a go. Cheers.

Incidentally it's not just me, I found out today the man at the shop I went to it seems couldn't give a monkeys at the best of times. I'm surprised he sells anything atall ever...customer relations? errr no mate, what are they?

Luckily I've found a couple of other local shops run by people who actually like fishing. Handy.

[geejayy]

some shop keepers are like that, then they wonder why customers go elsewhere.

[MrCat]

Hey can I add you to my msn for the odd tip? the function doesn't seem to work on here, I guess it's your aol addy?

Thanks again

[geejayy]

just pm me m8, i'd see it sooner as rarely logged into msn these days,

[MrCat]

Hero!

Happy fishing.