Tripod orientation?

Thrasher

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I see a lot of fishers aligning their tripods at right angles to the sea. I have also seen a few rods and tripods go over with that set up.
Not knowing any better I have always set my up tripod facing the sea thinking anything pulling is pulling against the strongest set up of the tripod.
Are there advantages of setting up side on to the sea?
 
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I like to put my tripod up with the wind behind it if it’s blowing along the beach never had one blow over this way but most of time it’s face the sea
Okay, I can see getting something streamlined to the wind stopping it blowing over but a strong pull is still going to come from the sea. Double whammy?
 
I usually have mine facing the sea. If it's blowing that hard along the beach, this OAP is probably off home!

The only one time my Shakey Salt tripod has gone over was down to a huge Kelp stalk as big as my arm.
That was also time to go home. Tide was going out & the weed was coming in.
 
I have mine with the wind and always parallel with the waters edge.
I get better bite detection this way and never had an issue with the rods going over… apart from the odd very decent fish
 
I have mine with the wind and always parallel with the waters edge.
I get better bite detection this way and never had an issue with the rods going over… apart from the odd very decent fish
Interesting. You think your rods give better indication with a sideways pull not head on?
 
Interesting. You think your rods give better indication with a sideways pull not head on?
Yeah I do…the angle of line to rod tip is less than facing the sea, so the slightest movement is magnified.
Here on the southeast coast most anglers set up this way. For me it stems back to my match angling days.
 
The Tide pulls along a beach not straight in or out so the rest needs to be stable to the pull,
You also need to be able to see a bite pull on the rod tip so the best is to face the V of the legs towards the sea but at an angle so the tide is pulling them in to the sand between 45-60 degrees and slightly down wind/tide of your base camp so the line is at an angle to the rod and you can see the tips move compared to the rear leg of the rest.
The worst position is to have the line parallel to the rod and for you to sit behind the rest.
 
It depends on the strength of the wind if it's blowing a b bit I line mine up as best I can with the direction of the wind whether its in your face or behind you. I have a tripod slink thats solid not neting, and catches the wind very easerly. I like it to be about 45 degrees from being straight out I put a bend into the tips so bites and slack liners show up better.
 
I prefer it facing the sea but will angle it so the wind is behind if there’s a danger of it blowing over.

As far as strong bites from fish go, imo you should always have some sort of drag set, even if using fixed spools.
Easy with multis, but if all you can do with a FS is loosen the drag nut, that’s what I’d do. You can always clamp it down manually if you need to strike, then tighten it after.
Doesn’t matter what you’re fishing for, something bigger can always come along.
 
Btw, if the tripod is facing the sea I’ll normally sit or stand to the side of the rest, not directly behind.

Also worth remembering that a lot of us don’t fish on beaches of sand or shingle where a base camp etc is even possible
 
Btw, if the tripod is facing the sea I’ll normally sit or stand to the side of the rest, not directly behind.

Also worth remembering that a lot of us don’t fish on beaches of sand or shingle where a base camp etc is even possible
Yep, the ledges at Ladye bay used to be one of my favourite haunts, but the same principle applies, point the rod tips with the tide flow, because facing the wrong way, (in to the flow) the tide can just lift your rest & flip it over.
You still have a "base camp" in the form of your tackle box or rucksack ;) it doesn't have to be a shelter
 
Yep, the ledges at Ladye bay used to be one of my favourite haunts, but the same principle applies, point the rod tips with the tide flow, because facing the wrong way, (in to the flow) the tide can just lift your rest & flip it over.
You still have a "base camp" in the form of your tackle box or rucksack ;) it doesn't have to be a shelter
I guess, but I always have the drag set so a serious pull will take line.

Layde Bay or Battery I tend to hang a bag of stones from the tripod although it can still catch you out on occasion.

Your way makes more sense for sure, but I do like to watch the rods at right angles to the tripod, so generally I end up facing them seaward unless extreme tide or wind causes an issue.
That’s just me though, lol.
 
90% of the time unless there is a strong wind along the beach I fish my rest parallel to the sea. The only times I don’t are places like Cogden and when fishing for flats I just find fishing it like a quiver tip works for me with small drop backs etc
 
Mine faces the sea with the drag off and the ratchet on so when a fish takes, the ratchet let's me know. Pick the rod up and wind the reel so you catch. Mine are multipliers so no problem ( I take the rachet off when into a fish).
 
Put the rods up high for the line to clear waves, or to give yourself a crick in the neck, down lower and parallel to the shore for more comfortable viewing and easier bite detection.

Many years ago some young French ladies skinny dipping just down the beach from us showed the wisdom of the 'looking parallel to the shore' decision.
 
I see a lot of fishers aligning their tripods at right angles to the sea. I have also seen a few rods and tripods go over with that set up.
Not knowing any better I have always set my up tripod facing the sea thinking anything pulling is pulling against the strongest set up of the tripod.
Are there advantages of setting up side on to the sea?
It depends on the wind and tidal flow where I align the rest.
 
Having fished the east coast great yarmouth where the current runs l to r or r to l at pace. Most point the rods in the direction of the current. If you point them straight out and get hit by a big clump of weed or debris in the current your rods tend to go over. Then get dragged along the beach.
 


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