F/S REEL FOR UPTIDING

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 6:25 pm

In the first instance I know that it is not the perfect senario ie the reel should be a Multi but I was asked to recommend one suitable for the job and Iv'e got to confess I ain't got a clue, the Guy is on a tight budget and can't get used to a Multi......................can anyone help ?????? batting eyelashes

JOLI

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 6:35 pm

JOLI

i might be talking out of my rear end.....i usually do big grin

if he dont want a multi

try decathlon at lakeside retail park

they have some great f/s reels there and cheep cheep

aston

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 6:38 pm

Thanks for the info Aston, I'll take a look, and best of luck for tonite.

JOLI

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 6:42 pm

cheers mate
are you getting your bait for the comp from my man in canvey
if so
do you want me to pick it up to save you the journey
we can settle up at the comp

Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 7:08 pm

Thanks for the offer Aston, is it okay if I let you know within the next few days ???,as Whelkie isn't sure he can make it.

JOLI

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 2:46 pm

C'mon people...............nobody got any suggestions /recommendations????, surely someone has used a suitable reel.

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 3:01 pm

Hi Joli mate, as distance is really unimportant may I sugest any fixed spool reel with a good line capacity and a good power handle to cope with the big uns.

The only reason I say good line capacity is for the distance coupled with the depth that you may be fishing.
Cheers
keith big grin

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 6:12 pm

It realy depends on what species he intends to target. Fixed spool reels sold for sea angling in the UK don't tend to have good drag systems as they are targetted at shore anglers who lock down the spool completely. With fast running species like Tope and Smoothound etc, a good drag system is a must. There are fixed spools with such systems, the Yanks use them to fish for Tarpon etc. These are very specialist reels and not generally imported in the UK because of price. If he only fishes for small species, incapable of snapping his line, I don't see a problem with any decent make of sea angling fixed spool reel. If he intends on fishing for larger more demanding species I would persevere with getting to grips with a 6500/7000 size multiplier reel.

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 6:27 pm

As TC says some reels are so pricey that they dont warrant the investment as an example I have 3 Albacore reels brand new and even secondhand would fetch £450 each.
Cheers
keith big grin

Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 6:41 pm

Okay chaps, thanks for your advice / input.............much appreciated,...JOLI confused

Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 10:18 am

To be honest here, although the yanks use FS reels to catch large fish they are mostly fishing in either shallow water or in the top layers of deeper water. So long as you have a decent build quality, a reasonable clutch and it holds enough line, there is no reason why a FS would not be a practical proposition for uptiding and inshore work over here - more's to the point I know people who use a FS for just this job.

You are not going to use a FS reel for wreck fishing a mile down or for very deep water / strong tides because of the large weights you need to use but neither do the yanks and actually, that kind of fishing is just "drop down", no casting involved so a multi is a doddle to use in these situations.

Availability of reels for the job isn't a problem .... the higher end Shimano and Daiwa reels are perfectly capable (the shimmys are popular in the states too) ... the plus side of the Shimanos being that many of them will have a drag upgrade available. Actually the problem with most UK distro FS reels is not that the drags are no good ... its that (a) most owners don't service or maintain the drag properly and (b) the bulk just lock down and never set it. Given that the drag components of most models sold in this country by the larger companys for sea angling are the same as the reels targeted at the Carp, Catfish and Pike angling brigade, there is no reason to assume that they are poor quality ... the Carp and Catfish boys would soon start moaning if they were losing 30lb Carp and Catfish because of drag failure, but they don't.

Use a bit of common sense as to when its not practical (and accept that they will wear out quicker than a multi) ... but other than that a reasonable quality FS, properly serviced will handle a lot more than people seem to give them credit for.

Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 12:24 pm

Okay great !!!!!!!! and I mean that sincerely for sure but come on specify a model .......................I'm 'grasping' here I aint got a clue, don't want to spend a fortune but equally don't want to scrimp either ............................talkin about mid range..................lets nail it to a.couple of models, if possible ie from the 'Shakespeare stable ............relying on your opinion.

JOLI

Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 12:52 pm

Daiwa Regal 4500BRI
Cheers
keith big grin

Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 1:13 pm

CHEERS KEITH...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.........................JOLI big grin

Posted: Fri May 14, 2010 1:55 pm

Shimano Biomaster 8000 .... the catfish boys swear by them and if they can handle catfish they should handle most shallow species.

Shimano Big Baitrunner Long Cast ... good drag and 320 yrd of 20lb line.

Both pricey but good reels at a price comparable to a multiplier for the equivalent job ... both would double up as a feathering and beach reel and both are baitrunners ... which basically takes the place of the ratchet on a multi, a handy tool if your fishing for species like Tope or Smoothies which pick up the bait and run. Actually the baitrunner option is more usefull than a ratchet as its adjustable to suit the tide and will instantly disengage, putting the reel into gear with a turn of the handle.