Continental Rod and FS Reel Suggestions Please

[Mickfish]

Hello there, after many decades away from the sport I am taking up sea fishing once again at the age of 72 ( a reasonably fit 72). I believe much of my existing tackle is still useful but I'm looking at taking advantage of some of the tackle developments in the sport by buying a continental rod and suitable modern long distance fixed spool reel that will have better line lay than my Shimano Biomaster 8000. I have looked at Vercelli and Tronixpro Rods on the Veal's website and have seen some with parabolic/user free-friendly actions with lighter blanks which would suit me given my age. However, there is nothing better than gaining advice from anglers who fish with such rods. With regard to reels I have been looking at Daiwa Crosscuts Surf reels with their pronounced cone line spools. My total budget is around 300 max and I would be very grateful for any advice from forum members.

Mick

 

[crablante]

Mick - this is what I would get:

This long light Shimano rod, solid flexible tip, and very easy to cast. It has a max casting weight of 150g so you'd have to stick to casting approx. 3.5oz (100g) which would somewhat limit where you could fish. As for the reel, it comes with 3 spools (two low profile for braid and 1 deep profile for mono), a one piece bail (unlike the Daiwa Crosscast), and the handle screws direct onto the reel for that solid feel. Hope this helps.

Shimano 3 Piece Speedmaster Beach Rod

Shimano 3 Piece Speedmaster Beach Rod. The Speed Master surf range is completely renewed: the new blanks are built with HPC200+NANO technology, making them lighter and stiffer for increased casting distance. In addition, new hybrid tip models are added to the range.

www.uttings.co.uk

Okuma Flite Surf Casting Reel

Okuma Flite Surf Casting Reel. The Flite Surf is designed for professional long casting and extremely light weight. Equipped with C-40X body and rotor, ultra-lightweight spool, screw-in handle and aluminium spool shaft for ultra-lightweight. Reduce wear and tear on fishing lines we designed a...

www.uttings.co.uk

 

[Mr Fish]

Mick - this is what I would get:

This long light Shimano rod, solid flexible tip, and very easy to cast. It has a max casting weight of 150g so you'd have to stick to casting approx. 3.5oz (100g) which would somewhat limit where you could fish. As for the reel, it comes with 3 spools (two low profile for braid and 1 deep profile for mono), a one piece bail (unlike the Daiwa Crosscast), and the handle screws direct onto the reel for that solid feel. Hope this helps.

Shimano 3 Piece Speedmaster Beach Rod

Shimano 3 Piece Speedmaster Beach Rod. The Speed Master surf range is completely renewed: the new blanks are built with HPC200+NANO technology, making them lighter and stiffer for increased casting distance. In addition, new hybrid tip models are added to the range.

www.uttings.co.uk

Okuma Flite Surf Casting Reel

Okuma Flite Surf Casting Reel. The Flite Surf is designed for professional long casting and extremely light weight. Equipped with C-40X body and rotor, ultra-lightweight spool, screw-in handle and aluminium spool shaft for ultra-lightweight. Reduce wear and tear on fishing lines we designed a...

www.uttings.co.uk

I’m no conti expert but if Mick wants to do outright beach fishing, or anywhere with a bit of tide or risk of weed, he’s going to limit himself if he can’t cast more than 100g ish with his rod.
That’s a very light set up in comparison to what we often need on UK shore marks.
It’s not the size of the fish, it’s the conditions the tackle needs to contend with.

Vercelli seems a popular make but Chichester Pete could advise…

 

[flappy]

Are the mackerel in yet…?..

 

[Mickfish]

Mick - this is what I would get:

This long light Shimano rod, solid flexible tip, and very easy to cast. It has a max casting weight of 150g so you'd have to stick to casting approx. 3.5oz (100g) which would somewhat limit where you could fish. As for the reel, it comes with 3 spools (two low profile for braid and 1 deep profile for mono), a one piece bail (unlike the Daiwa Crosscast), and the handle screws direct onto the reel for that solid feel. Hope this helps.

Shimano 3 Piece Speedmaster Beach Rod

Shimano 3 Piece Speedmaster Beach Rod. The Speed Master surf range is completely renewed: the new blanks are built with HPC200+NANO technology, making them lighter and stiffer for increased casting distance. In addition, new hybrid tip models are added to the range.

www.uttings.co.uk

Okuma Flite Surf Casting Reel

Okuma Flite Surf Casting Reel. The Flite Surf is designed for professional long casting and extremely light weight. Equipped with C-40X body and rotor, ultra-lightweight spool, screw-in handle and aluminium spool shaft for ultra-lightweight. Reduce wear and tear on fishing lines we designed a...

www.uttings.co.uk

Thank you so much for that advice. I would love the ease of use of such a rod but I worry that it would not have the beef to deal with the strong tides and persistent weed that I'm told bedevils anglers in the Mersey and Dee areas and which seems to demand something with a bit more grunt. But that looks like a lovely reel for sure.

Mick

 

[Mickfish]

I’m no conti expert but if Mick wants to do outright beach fishing, or anywhere with a bit of tide or risk of weed, he’s going to limit himself if he can’t cast more than 100g ish with his rod.
That’s a very light set up in comparison to what we often need on UK shore marks.
It’s not the size of the fish, it’s the conditions the tackle needs to contend with.

Vercelli seems a popular make but Chichester Pete could advise…

Again thank you so much for your reply. Conditions seem to be the issue. On my original post introducing myself to the members I said I was based in the North West now (though originally from Sunderland) and would be fishing the Dee/Mersey estuaries, the Lancashire Coast and North Wales. I explained I had put light Daiwa J Braid on one of the spools of my Biomaster and one member responded by saying you are fishing way too light for the tide pulls and weed encountered in the estuaries. So whilst a light lead continental rod is appealing for its ease of use it is probably not going to be up to the task of dealing with the conditions I will face in some contexts.

Veals are offering a Vercelli Enygma Hammer (14') rated for 5 oz plus bait at a reduced price (£190 down to £150) and I'm wondering if that would be suitable.

But I'm grateful for all the responses.

BTW by coincidence I was reading your fascinating post on another forum last night on the perennial subject of braid versus mono and enjoyed your sense of humour.

 

[The Third Earl]

If you can find a Vercelli Spyra Nero powerr grab it .
I use one on the Mersey , and on the Holderness. They are slim , light and will cast 175 grammes and bait easily so thats about as heavy a sinker as you would need.I have seen a few anglers using the Nero at Otterspool and on the other side .

A mate has one of the “ Hammers” and does not rate it at all.

Reel, well I use Shimmy Ultegras , if you can find a good second hand it will be fine . Lines , I have one spooled with 60 lb braid using it straight through, and the other with 15 lb mono for when there is too much pull for braid , the mono absorbs the tidal pull where it is tripping the braid lines out .The mono spool has a braid leader as it has a slim profile leader knot ( FG knot) The Vercelli has quite small rings which the knot slips through easily .


Dave

 

[crablante]

I’m no conti expert but if Mick wants to do outright beach fishing, or anywhere with a bit of tide or risk of weed, he’s going to limit himself if he can’t cast more than 100g ish with his rod.
That’s a very light set up in comparison to what we often need on UK shore marks.
It’s not the size of the fish, it’s the conditions the tackle needs to contend with.

Vercelli seems a popular make but Chichester Pete could advise…

Fair point - this light setup is really nice BUT you're so right when the tide starts ripping I go home (or I take the heavy rods instead).

Thank you so much for that advice. I would love the ease of use of such a rod but I worry that it would not have the beef to deal with the strong tides and persistent weed that I'm told bedevils anglers in the Mersey and Dee areas and which seems to demand something with a bit more grunt. But that looks like a lovely reel for sure.

Mick

Sorry Mick didn't realise you were going to fish strong tides with weed.

 

[crablante]

...with 15 lb mono for when there is too much pull for braid , the mono absorbs the tidal pull where it is tripping the braid lines out .The mono spool has a braid leader as it has a slim profile leader knot ( FG knot)...

I don't get this - would you not get less tide pull using 15lb braid instead of 15lb mono?

 

[chesilpete]

I don't get this - would you not get less tide pull using 15lb braid instead of 15lb mono?

It's not the tide pull, it's the weed and bottom conditions that come with it that are the issue

 

[crablante]

It's not the tide pull, it's the weed and bottom conditions that come with it that are the issue

I still don't get it...

I found I could fish for longer using (lower diameter) braid when the tide was ripping. This was at a sandy beach with no debris - there was a lot of weed passing through which was a killer BUT this happened regardless of braid or mono.

 

[chesilpete]

I still don't get it...

I found I could fish for longer using (lower diameter) braid when the tide was ripping. This was at a sandy beach with no debris - there was a lot of weed passing through which was a killer BUT this happened regardless of braid or mono.

Ok we are slightly at cross purposes here...
I was considering the post where the conti rod was a light rod.
A light conti and braid in and a load of weed is just not the best solution.

 

[Mickfish]

If you can find a Vercelli Spyra Nero powerr grab it .
I use one on the Mersey , and on the Holderness. They are slim , light and will cast 175 grammes and bait easily so thats about as heavy a sinker as you would need.I have seen a few anglers using the Nero at Otterspool and on the other side .

A mate has one of the “ Hammers” and does not rate it at all.

Reel, well I use Shimmy Ultegras , if you can find a good second hand it will be fine . Lines , I have one spooled with 60 lb braid using it straight through, and the other with 15 lb mono for when there is too much pull for braid , the mono absorbs the tidal pull where it is tripping the braid lines out .The mono spool has a braid leader as it has a slim profile leader knot ( FG knot) The Vercelli has quite small rings which the knot slips through easily .


Dave

Thanks for that advice.

 

[Mickfish]

If you can find a Vercelli Spyra Nero powerr grab it .
I use one on the Mersey , and on the Holderness. They are slim , light and will cast 175 grammes and bait easily so thats about as heavy a sinker as you would need.I have seen a few anglers using the Nero at Otterspool and on the other side .

A mate has one of the “ Hammers” and does not rate it at all.

Reel, well I use Shimmy Ultegras , if you can find a good second hand it will be fine . Lines , I have one spooled with 60 lb braid using it straight through, and the other with 15 lb mono for when there is too much pull for braid , the mono absorbs the tidal pull where it is tripping the braid lines out .The mono spool has a braid leader as it has a slim profile leader knot ( FG knot) The Vercelli has quite small rings which the knot slips through easily .


Dave

Good advice, thank you.

 

[crablante]

Ok we are slightly at cross purposes here...
I was considering the post where the conti rod was a light rod.
A light conti and braid in and a load of weed is just not the best solution.

Ah ok ok

 

[Mickfish]

Ah ok ok

The Mediterranean where continental rods were developed is virtually tideless and from my experience of snorkelling there clean sandy beaches are common, though I’ve no doubt there are exceptions, and to use a very through actioned rod with small weights would no doubt be very pleasurable, as it probably is on clean ground fishing contexts in this country. The problem with the Med is that it suffers more from the ravages of commercial fishing than even the UK. Indeed, when snorkelling in parts of Turkey it’s hard just to locate any fish.

If I use my salmon fly rod analogy again, if I am fishing small rivers like the North Esk in lowish water then a switch rod of about 11’ is a delight to use - almost featherlight. But if I am fishing a big river like the Spey or Tweed in highish water and strongish winds I have to use a powerful 14 footer.

Just to return to the ravages of commercial fishing in the Florida Keys when I fished there restaurants were often restricted to fish they could offer, many species enjoying strong protection, and long lines and nets being banned. On the Gulf side of the keys marine life is teeming. On the ocean side catches have long been declining because pelagic fish wander beyond US national waters where the Asian long liners await them.

As for the UK, with so much mental illness, what a wonderful therapy sea fishing would be for many newcomers if they had a more realistic chance of catching something for the pot. But that would mean curbing the worst excesses of commercial fishing, especially bottom dredging trawling for scallops and langoustine, most of it exported anyway.

Mick

 

[Mr Fish]

Again thank you so much for your reply. Conditions seem to be the issue. On my original post introducing myself to the members I said I was based in the North West now (though originally from Sunderland) and would be fishing the Dee/Mersey estuaries, the Lancashire Coast and North Wales. I explained I had put light Daiwa J Braid on one of the spools of my Biomaster and one member responded by saying you are fishing way too light for the tide pulls and weed encountered in the estuaries. So whilst a light lead continental rod is appealing for its ease of use it is probably not going to be up to the task of dealing with the conditions I will face in some contexts.

Veals are offering a Vercelli Enygma Hammer (14') rated for 5 oz plus bait at a reduced price (£190 down to £150) and I'm wondering if that would be suitable.

But I'm grateful for all the responses.

BTW by coincidence I was reading your fascinating post on another forum last night on the perennial subject of braid versus mono and enjoyed your sense of humour.

Thank you! Yes, sorry, I forgot you’d originally posted to say you fished the Mersey etc.
Not an area I know at all but do understand it has strong tides.

Ref the braid, I’ve used it enough to know it’s not really for me for shore fishing.
But I know many many people do just fine with it, so in no way do I want to put people off braid, it just doesn’t work for me.

 

[Thrasher]

Daiwa sandstorm 13'6" FS and a Penn surfblaster?

 

[Thrasher]

Akios Hellrazor SS420 + Akios Utopia CX8 Combo Deal - Veals Mail Order

Akios Hellrazor SS420 + Akios Utopia CX8 Combo Deal Combo deal ROD Length 4.20m (14') Casting 112gm - 224gm (4 - 8oz) 3 Sections NRG (Neoteric Reinforced Graphite Carbon hollow 'Power'tip Fuji Alconite guides Fuji DPS reel seat N-Gage system for quick assembly Stainless steel protective spigot...

www.veals.co.uk

 

[chesilpete]

Akios Hellrazor SS420 + Akios Utopia CX8 Combo Deal - Veals Mail Order

Akios Hellrazor SS420 + Akios Utopia CX8 Combo Deal Combo deal ROD Length 4.20m (14') Casting 112gm - 224gm (4 - 8oz) 3 Sections NRG (Neoteric Reinforced Graphite Carbon hollow 'Power'tip Fuji Alconite guides Fuji DPS reel seat N-Gage system for quick assembly Stainless steel protective spigot...

www.veals.co.uk

That's a great shout.... couple hundred quid, no risk and it will definitely do the job.
Add some line and some mighty brite tip tape and your good to go.