Now THIS IS a Numpty Question

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:48 am

In basic terms - what are the main differences between using a Fixed Spool Reel or a Multipler for beachcasting?

Surely a Fixed sppol offers less friction/resistance for the line coming off during a cast than a multipler which has to pull a spool round when the line is feeding out :?:

As I said , a numpty question - but for me is one that has nagged me for a while

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 7:10 am

The age old argument of fixed spool vs. multiplier has never really been settled by either side.I've used fixed spool reels for as long as I've been fishing and could not migrate to a multiplier without extensive practice.Fixed spool generally have a much quicker retrieve rate than it's opposite and requires little or no control of the line as it leaves the spool itself.Multipliers on the other hand require the cast to be controlled by a braking mechanism on the spool,or as in most cases a thumb! making for some very accurate casting when placement of your bait is important.Retrieval rpeed on most multipliers is slower than most fixed spool reels and can require interaction from the angler to lay the line flat and evenly on the spool during retrieve.Multipliers are considered the better choice when it comes to distance casting,though I think the competition would be a very close fought one.At the end of the day it is personal preference that wins the argument.

Thats just a couple of examples of fixed spool and multiplier differences and I know there will be more to follow,especially since fixed spool is obviously the better choice..... :roll:

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 2:54 pm

Also the gearing in a decent multiplier is a lot tougher than a F/S.fish heavy ground with a F/S and you will find they dont have the guts co cope with pulling a decent sized fish in thriough masses of kelp and rocks,also the faster retrieve can pull the hook out the fish before you get a chance to land it

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:03 pm

Have been using a pair of cheapo Okuma Impact 65 fixed spool reels for about 3 years now, they are never cleaned or oiled... look grotty but still work fine.. have winched double figure congers through strong tides with them. You can get them for £15 or less. The fish will not know how much you paid.
The match fishing guys I see are now going over to long rods and fixed spools. The is a "macho" thing about picking birdsnests out of multipliers rather than getting on with fishing.
As for a fast retrieve.... depends how fast you wind the handle !

Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:31 pm

i swear by multipliers, the north eastern coast is just too rugged for fixed spools, ive destroyed so many in the past 7 years its unreal, ranging from a skaespeare mentor to a penn. the handles have snapped clean off on atleast 3 of them and i find the gears wear and trash easily when snagging regularly. also i might add they dont like big fish and fast tides.

they dont cast far enough unless fileld perfectly and casting hurts plain and simple.

the multiplier is everything the fixedspool isnt and more, the only downside is birds nests but thats overcome with practice

oh also my penn multipliers have a 5.1:1 gear ratio, very fast in comparison to even alot of fixed spools however fixed spools do tend to have a faster retrieve in general

Member Joined: Sep 01, 2006 Posts: 26

i use both multi and fixed spool,but when fishing in a cross-wind i leave my fixed spool in my box. -reason.-with fixed spool being very free running,line tends to balloon in direction wind is blowing, which causes line drag and less bite detection.---in calmer weather, or with wind from behind,fixed spools are great, and a boon for fast retrieve.
as for distance,-check the records, in the right hands multi wins hands down

Guest

I use a combination of both. I prefer the multiplier by day and the fixed by night. Having said that, I'm not much good with either and I'm waiting for someone to invent a reel that loads, casts, detects and retrieves on it's own leaving me to get on with the far more absorbing task of trying to look handsome, dashing and windswept!lol.

The reality is that however hard I try, the multiplier always out distances the fixed spool and I find that snag for snag I get more gear back with the multiplier.

Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 3:55 pm

I've used an Aerlex 8000 and Okuma AX10000 for a few years now and they are the mutts nuts in terms of casting distance and performance (for me anyways).The Okuma is especially good for distance casting and can match most multipliers on the beach.This is probably more to do with casting technique than reel performance alone but all the same the Okuma is a great reel for long casting and handles well in all conditions.

Member Joined: Sep 01, 2006 Posts: 26

if you spend your time looking at your own reflection in your tilly lamp you will never know when that lump might creep up behind you and give you a shock.---old casting adage--THE LEAD WILL FOLLOW YOUR HEAD.
in your case, you might finish up a little bit DEAD [A NUMPTY REPLY]

Guest

Thanks for that oldchukka (the self preening bit was a joke, I'm the one on the sea wall with the bag on my head). On the subject of leads, if anyone is using the Fox Slik Sliders on running ledgers, watch out for the clips. I've had 2 shear off on the cast, one narrowly missing me and one my mate. I wouldn't be so concerned apart from the fact they were both brand new.

Member Joined: Sep 01, 2006 Posts: 26

only joking myself, im the one who,s dad hired my face out to farmers to frighten stray dogs away from livestock.
only use weights i make myself.--like to know theres plenty of wire in em

Guest

I've started making my own too. I only use piano wire. If that can't take the strain then nothing will the way I cast. No, this is the metal of the clip shearing through. First time we thought it was a one off but then second time my mates mush only avoided a nasty life changing accident when he jokingly stood behind a concrete post as I cast. The lead hit the post and got a bit squashed! Ever seen a soft jacket bullet after a collision with armour plate? Mind you, the look on my mates face is one that I will traesure for a long time!!