Rough ground rod recommendations...

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:44 am

Hi

I'd be interested in any recommendations you might have for my next rod. I fish in the NE of Scotland, mainly on rough to ridiculous ground, with loads of snags, kelp, and cliffs to haul up. And don't forget the odd lobster pot.

So, I need a rod with strength that still has tip sensitivity to nod when I'm on.

I've got a budget of 100-200quid, prefer fixed spool. I use a Penn Surfmaster 850 f/s reel.

I've got two rods at the moment, a Leeda beachcaster from Somers, which is a bit soft and leaden, and an old Shakespeare carbon also 12ft. I can cast both of these about 75yards overhead. Incidentaly I'm a reasonably fit 6ft'er myself, so no restrictions there!
Any suggestions?

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:51 am

Im suprise that your using an 850 as they have a very poor reputation.

Rather than spending a vast amount of money have a look round for a secondhand Abu rod like the Conolon 800 and pair it up with an Abu 7,000 reel as a combination like this will give you all the power you require to bully your tackle through the kelp and up the cliffs.

Cost of the two about £60 or less
Cheers keith big grin

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:32 am

Hey Keith,
Do you know anyone with one to sell?
And how else am I to keep up my reputation of "all the gear - no idea!"

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:38 am

I have both but rather than sell you them as the cost of postage would certainly make it an unreasonable deal for yourself, You would be far better off scouring the car boot sales and local tackle shops and at the same time not letting them fob you off with some thing you dont want.

The Abu 7,000 should be the easiest to aquire. Cheers keith big grin

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:58 am

Trull,forget the fixed spool unless you really want a mechano set after the first outing.

ask local fishermen to you what sort of rod/reel you need for the area you intend to fish.

you need a hi-speed multi really for kelp and a rough ground rod.

try flea bay ,good second hand century,conoflex rods on there.

reels;slosh 30,535 mag,abu 7000,no level wind!!!!!!!!!!! always for sale second hand.

good luck

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 3:51 pm

I can say three words for fishing the east coast slosh-slosh-slosh and a poker of a rod I have a conoflex Highlander -

where you live .there is a mark The Lions Head have you ever fished it and if so you will never land a fish with a fixed spool there

PM me and I may be able to help you out I live in Stoney

Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:03 pm

Thanks for the hints guys...I'm investigating stiffer rods. Might even take a bash at a multiplier.

Incidentaly, was out at Inverbervie sat night from 8pm til 12.30 (HT was nearly midnight), got a couple of nibbles - but nothing landed sadly, jumped off the hook. But I enjoyed the clear starry night anyway - saw a couple of meteors.

tight lines

torc

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:46 pm

OK, stage one is go - got a Penn 535 Mag today.

Stage Two is pending...

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:35 pm

Just checking out various auctions on fleabay and Highlander rods are going for about 150quid... I think I can get a new rod for 230ish.

Any perhaps less popular brands which might not attract a premium?

Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:17 pm

I use 12ft daiwa sandstorm with abu 7000 had no problem winching up 3.5lb coddling

Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:03 pm

i use daiwa gear, for ruff ground fishing i use a daiwa sandstorm 13ft rod, with a fixed spool reel with a fast retreve,i wouldnt even waste my time using a multi on ruff ground unless you want to rip the gears out the thing!!

daiwa,