Help a poor beginner !!!!!!

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:47 pm

Hi mouse here, great to find this site as I am female and fairly new to fishing.

Someone has given me a 10` SHAKESPEARE XCEDE is this suitable for boat fishing off the west of Scotland :?:

Off to Ailsa Craig / Sandar Island in a week or two any advice greatly appreciated!!!!

Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 5:50 pm

Hi mouse.

A 12ft beachcaster is designed for exactly that, beachcasting from the shore, it is not really suitable for boatfishing; boatfishing rods tend to be 6/7ft in length. However, if you are going out in a commercial angling boat, the skipper should be able to provide you with the necessary tackle.

Have a great holiday, and tight lines.

Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 10:52 am

Thanks for the advise fish 4 fish.

Member Joined: Jul 31, 2006 Posts: 90 Location: out to sea

Yes a 10` footer is a little on the big side for a boat trip. I also fish the sea around the west/ north west of Scotland (mostly from rocky shores). As Fish4fish had advised, it is likely that you will be able to get a more suitable rod from the people running the boat. Good luck and I hope the weather is good for you!!!

Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 8:25 pm

The only reason for length in a fishing rod mouse is to increase the distance you can cast. A 10 ft rod will enable you to cast (with a bit of practice) between 80 and 120 yds, For a lady this would be fine and you would probably find that length fairly easy to handle on a deep water beach or pier. If you are in a boat, you don't need to cast (much) because you are already in deep water (or should be) so 6 to 8 ft of rod is adequate to manoevre the fish around the boat when you are reeling in if you need to. In theory, you don't need a rod at all - just wind the fish in by hand, but that would make very hard work of the job. Besides all that, fishing from a boat with a 10ft rod you would find very awkward, although some gents have mastered it, especially if there were other anglers in the boat.