Diawa Sandstorm / Makeral

[tommy a]

Two questions -

I have a Diawa sandstorm rod and its a multiplier rod but Im having a problem casting a distance with this and have found that I have more success with my fixed spool. Can I use the the sandstorm with a fixed spool even though its meant to be a multiplier rod ?

Secondly - I have read on another site that if you handle makeral they then die a couple of days later - does anyone know if this is true ? I often take them off the hook and put them back in the sea but didnt realise that by handling them I would kill them - if its true Ill use a rag to handle them - anyone clarify this point please ?

Cheers

[Ben]

yes, the mackerel will die but at least they get back into the food chain
i wouldnt advice using a multiplyer rod with a fixed spoil because the eyes are so much smaller, the line off a fixed spoil comes out spiraling, hense the big eyes
with smaller eyes the leader know will get caught on the eyes causing crack offs and damaged rings
hope this helps

[tommy a]

Ben,

Thanks for the reply - I thought there would be a reason. Guess Ill contue to fish one rod close and one further out which aint a bad idea overall !!