boat outfit recommendations

[avonmagic]

Its been a while since i've done a charter boat trip, and the times i've gone i have used a borrowed rod and reel. I am hoping in the new year to do a few more charter trips and get my own gear. Can you guys give me some recommendations for an outfit around the £150 mark ? i'm not looking to do any heavy fishing, just some codling and whiting in the winter and bass and flatfish the summer. I would like something with quite sensitive bite detection and will offer a bit of sporting fun when hooked into a fish.
thanks for all replys.

[Charter Skipper]

Are you intending to go uptiding or downtiding ??.makes a huge differance in the gear you could get.....

[avonmagic]

to be honest mike i'm not to sure on the differences. I guess when i go out,it would be just from a charter boat from swansea. Can you explain to me the differences? and what would suit me as a "jo average" punter who just wants to fish off a boat a few times a year. thanks.

[nimue]

hey avon,
I don't fish the bristol channel but know the tides are fierce. I fish south coast from my own boat and use carp and spinning rods. Even mackerel give a good fight on them. I wouldn't think you need much more than a 20-30 outfit and get the best reel you can afford. Sod the rod the reel is much more important.
regards...Jules

[Charter Skipper]

Originally Posted by avonmagic

to be honest mike i'm not to sure on the differences. I guess when i go out,it would be just from a charter boat from swansea. Can you explain to me the differences? and what would suit me as a "jo average" punter who just wants to fish off a boat a few times a year. thanks.

Well here goes !.........

Uptide ......usually 9 ft rod capable of casting an 8oz lead,reel usually ABu 7000 size or equivalent.Uptiding allows you to get a bait on the bottom with much less lead,as youliterally cast the grip lead uptide and let out a loop of line ,which disapates the pressure of the tide better than a straight run of line.Also helps when you geta bite as the pressure of the loop in the tide usually hooks the fish as it tries to swim off with the bait.Uptide gear gives you a much better feel with a good fish on,especially in the fast tide runs in the Bristol Channel.

Downtide.....shorter rods usually 7 footish,you`ll need a 20-30lb class rod ,reels again Abu 7000 size at least,30lb main line,as down tide you will need 1lb plus of lead to hold bottom.No casting involved ,just drop down over the side.Less fun as you end up reeling in a pound plus of lead all the time ,

i`d say uptiding is best ,but depends on what you like to do really.....