Quality Beach Fixed Spool

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 9:48 pm

reel_wizard wrote:

It wasn't second hand Eccles .... NOS = New Old Stock

OK so I did not understand that expression, now that I do I am well, just flabberghasted that the reel should apparently be in such poor condition.

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 12:32 pm

I use multipliers myself but have been using my Emcast Evo's to lend to mates who are new to beach fishing. These were originally bought for carping (spodding) but haven't given me any problems since using 'em on the beach. You should really wash 'em in fresh water after a session (as they're not designed for beach reels) but I haven't been and they still work fine.

For the same price you can get the Emcast Evo Sport (the red one) which is more designed for saltwater fishing.

Cheers,

Dave

Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:33 pm

eccles wrote:

reel_wizard wrote:

It wasn't second hand Eccles .... NOS = New Old Stock

OK so I did not understand that expression, now that I do I am well, just flabberghasted that the reel should apparently be in such poor condition.

Its not in poor condition its poorly built and it's not alone to be honest. It echos the vast majority of fixed spools on the market these days. If I'm honest I am beginning to wonder if it is a major factor in the majority of experienced anglers trying their hand with a multiplier.

To be fair though, most anglers expect a lot of a £40 fixed spool. The design of the fixed spool means that they take a lot of strain on their gears and to make them last means you need quality components - that's something you just aren't going to get for £40 I'm afraid.

I repaired a Fixed Spool for a customer tonight and was quite surprised to find that I rather liked it! Seriously smooth running, no play in the gears and an absolutely fantastic clutch compared with many I've seen - but then it has a price tag of £115 new. Bear in mind that a multiplier of the same class (or a good one) would cost about the same new I suppose the price shouldn't be a surprise. Shimano Ultegra 5500, well worth sticking on your Christmas list if you want something a bit better than the usual trashy eggbeater.

Member Joined: May 19, 2011 Posts: 59

Hi All,

Well a few weeks on now & The GT6000, although a lot of play in the handle/bearings, actually has been an absolute joy to use. It was SO much better than my first fixed spool, lots of distance with no effort - I really liked it and it also turned out to be a very lucky reel. 11 Turbot & 1 Plaice in 3 sessions - chuffed.

OK....I know the reel had nothing to do with the catch rate, but it was great to catch some nice fish the first time I used it and the next two trips. It inspired confidence, performed flawlessly, felt very solid and I believe it's an ideal fixed spool for rocky marks - Graphite construction has a lot of advantages in this respect.

RW -I think you're right, brass sleeving may be the way forward - shim stock is widely available, I'd just be worried about it working it's way out the casing and jamming up the internals maybe a drop of plastic safe loctite/superglue to keep it in place. What I didn't check was the OD of the bearings to see if they were a bad batch of undersized outer race or if the casing is oversize?

Anyway, a friend took a shine to this GT6000 reel, so I parted with it this week and decided to bite the bullet and upgrade to a cracking Power Aero 10000XSA I found collecting dust in the back of a shop - hope to try it out later this week but build & feel is outstanding. A little heavier than the GT6000, but I hope not enough to make any difference to my rock fishing. I've been holding the rod last few trips and catching everything thats bit.......previously using a small tripod, so may have been missing a lot of very shy bites.

I'd also love to try some distance beach work with this reel, always used mutipliers so I'm keen to compare the two - trouble is my beachcasters are both rung for Multipliers ........mmmm

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:59 pm

sparkyman wrote:

Hi All,

Well a few weeks on now & The GT6000, although a lot of play in the handle/bearings, actually has been an absolute joy to use. It was SO much better than my first fixed spool, lots of distance with no effort - I really liked it and it also turned out to be a very lucky reel. 11 Turbot & 1 Plaice in 3 sessions - chuffed.

OK....I know the reel had nothing to do with the catch rate, but it was great to catch some nice fish the first time I used it and the next two trips. It inspired confidence, performed flawlessly, felt very solid and I believe it's an ideal fixed spool for rocky marks - Graphite construction has a lot of advantages in this respect.

RW -I think you're right, brass sleeving may be the way forward - shim stock is widely available, I'd just be worried about it working it's way out the casing and jamming up the internals maybe a drop of plastic safe loctite/superglue to keep it in place. What I didn't check was the OD of the bearings to see if they were a bad batch of undersized outer race or if the casing is oversize?

Anyway, a friend took a shine to this GT6000 reel, so I parted with it this week and decided to bite the bullet and upgrade to a cracking Power Aero 10000XSA I found collecting dust in the back of a shop - hope to try it out later this week but build & feel is outstanding. A little heavier than the GT6000, but I hope not enough to make any difference to my rock fishing. I've been holding the rod last few trips and catching everything thats bit.......previously using a small tripod, so may have been missing a lot of very shy bites.

I'd also love to try some distance beach work with this reel, always used mutipliers so I'm keen to compare the two - trouble is my beachcasters are both rung for Multipliers ........mmmm

Sounds like you are getting along just fine and the Power Aero has a good reputation.

I'd be inclined to disagree about the kit not improving your catch rate - good kit means you can concentrate on the fishing rather than the tangles and problems that come with cheap reels, that's got to help your fishing. in turn that gives you more confidence and I've always believed that having confidence encourages you to stick at it and try new things. It also helps to have a good reel with a good clutch when that fish of a life time comes along.

Might be worth a try with the multi rods as you can often get away with it if your style is smooth. As long as you don't get loops round the rings all that will happen is you will probably lose a little distance because of the extra ring and the added drag.

Glad to see things are going well big grin

Member Joined: May 19, 2011 Posts: 59

...ah yes, after a slow start on my return to fishing, I seem to have caught up in the last few weeks. Hoping to get out again later this week. I started out with cheap tackle, back in May, just to get me back into the sport. Now I wish I had put that money towards good equipment from the outset, as I soon found both the rod & reel lacking. Chinese Reel started closing the bail arm when casting....First rod doesn't get used anymore as unwiedly & tip heavy - odd feel to it, although I admit it is a Carp Rod - just copes with 3Oz but won't look at 4Oz. Total outlay around £37 for the pair. The reel is junk, but I may be able to get something back for the rod with a local advert or eBay listing.

As you say, the confidence that quality equipment can be a major factor in success, just makes me feel a lot more proficient ? Casting has become effortless & accurate, so I'm able to put the bait in the same patch each time, right where the fish are feeding. Hoping the new reel will enhance all of this a little more.

A little apprehensive about using either of my MX beachcasters with the FS, as I'm using braid. Worried that any undue "catch" on the first ring may induce the dreaded wind knots due to line backing up. I used the GT6000, with braid, with the 4Oz Bass Rod which is combi rung for MX/FS - no problems at all. However, for Beach work I'm thinking I'll need 13' , a big gathering ring & 6Oz capability to get some problem free distance ? Anyway, another rod won't hurt dear - there's room in my holdall for a slim one! I'm rapidly becoming a Shimano convert, so currently looking at their offerings.

Anyway, way of topic now so......I have another post on Shimano Rod notation - the BX & CX designation - which is MX and which is FS rings ?