Yet another rod advice thread!

[CoarseanglerSteve]

Apologies in advance, but have trawled the site and read most of the threads on rod selection, but still have a few newbie questions.

Quick bit of context, just bought a cheap 2nd hand Shakespeare Beta to give sea fishing a go after coarse fishing all my life (40+ years). Did a bit of sea fishing many years ago but lived inland until recently. Obviously I know a fair bit about rods and brands, but there are a lot of unfamiliar names that make beach casters.

I find the Beta a bit heavy (maybe just as I am used to featherlight coarse rods) but initially need a second rod if I am going to fish anything but high water when I can use my 3lb carp rod to fish close in.

Don't want to spend a fortune but equally want something I won't outgrow within the year. As an ex carp angler I also like the appeal of having a matching pair of rods at some point . Have two Shimano 8000 Biomasters to use.

2nd hand market seems sparse locally, with Covid limiting travel further, and nothing jumps out on E Bay. May well wait until shops reopen on 12th April before pulling the trigger but a bit of help would be welcome now as I trawl the internet (knowing many retailers have very limited stock).

I need something to cast up to 7 oz, fishing mainly clean water on the Fylde coast. Ideally under £100 so I could justify buying a 2nd rod soon. Could go a bit higher if I limited it to one for now. Length, well open to advice but thinking 13' at least. Realise a longer rod may aid casting but the continental rods are where the brands don't mean anything to me.

I know of Sonik, who have a couple rods in the £50-100 bracket, but have seen some reports of breakages. Penn Squadrons/Rampage are stocked by my local shop as is Shakespeare Affinity, but haven't seen them in the flesh yet. I did like the look (online) of the Sunset Seawall from Gerrys and see they make expensive rods too, but know nothing about that brand. Similarly names such as Yuki, Tronix and Vercelli are unfamiliar. Assume most rods are made in China anyway.

Any thoughts from the collective mass of expertise out there?

 

[Craig]

What sort of ground will you be fishing?

 

[Beach]

Apologies in advance, but have trawled the site and read most of the threads on rod selection, but still have a few newbie questions.

Quick bit of context, just bought a cheap 2nd hand Shakespeare Beta to give sea fishing a go after coarse fishing all my life (40+ years). Did a bit of sea fishing many years ago but lived inland until recently. Obviously I know a fair bit about rods and brands, but there are a lot of unfamiliar names that make beach casters.

I find the Beta a bit heavy (maybe just as I am used to featherlight coarse rods) but initially need a second rod if I am going to fish anything but high water when I can use my 3lb carp rod to fish close in.

Don't want to spend a fortune but equally want something I won't outgrow within the year. As an ex carp angler I also like the appeal of having a matching pair of rods at some point . Have two Shimano 8000 Biomasters to use.

2nd hand market seems sparse locally, with Covid limiting travel further, and nothing jumps out on E Bay. May well wait until shops reopen on 12th April before pulling the trigger but a bit of help would be welcome now as I trawl the internet (knowing many retailers have very limited stock).

I need something to cast up to 7 oz, fishing mainly clean water on the Fylde coast. Ideally under £100 so I could justify buying a 2nd rod soon. Could go a bit higher if I limited it to one for now. Length, well open to advice but thinking 13' at least. Realise a longer rod may aid casting but the continental rods are where the brands don't mean anything to me.

I know of Sonik, who have a couple rods in the £50-100 bracket, but have seen some reports of breakages. Penn Squadrons/Rampage are stocked by my local shop as is Shakespeare Affinity, but haven't seen them in the flesh yet. I did like the look (online) of the Sunset Seawall from Gerrys and see they make expensive rods too, but know nothing about that brand. Similarly names such as Yuki, Tronix and Vercelli are unfamiliar. Assume most rods are made in China anyway.

Any thoughts from the collective mass of expertise out there?

It will be best to wait until the tackle shops open and have a play with a few to see what suits, middle to tip rods fast action suits me. I don't pay more than £100 for a rod for beach casting, others pay mega bucks or are tackle tarts. I also get rods that take multies or some say that they can be used for fs as well. Then that's my opinion only and others think differently.

 

[Beach]

What sort of ground will you be fishing?

Hopefully where there is water - just jesting

 

[Craig]

Got to agree with beach, once the shops are open soon, go have a look, you'll find what feels best for you then as rod weights and actions vary quite alot. Also, if it's a friendly shop, maybe take your reel along to see how it balances on the rod for you.
Personally id go for something like a 6 and bait (second hand) for the weight you want to cast and for your budget. They're a good rod, I've had a pair for a few years now and can't fault them apart from the tips not being overly stable in any sort of wind. They can handle a good fish and I have cast 6oz and a whole mackerel a few times and don't feel the rod is struggling too much so your 7oz won't be a problem.

 

[Tournamag]

Apologies in advance, but have trawled the site and read most of the threads on rod selection, but still have a few newbie questions.

Quick bit of context, just bought a cheap 2nd hand Shakespeare Beta to give sea fishing a go after coarse fishing all my life (40+ years). Did a bit of sea fishing many years ago but lived inland until recently. Obviously I know a fair bit about rods and brands, but there are a lot of unfamiliar names that make beach casters.

I find the Beta a bit heavy (maybe just as I am used to featherlight coarse rods) but initially need a second rod if I am going to fish anything but high water when I can use my 3lb carp rod to fish close in.

Don't want to spend a fortune but equally want something I won't outgrow within the year. As an ex carp angler I also like the appeal of having a matching pair of rods at some point . Have two Shimano 8000 Biomasters to use.

2nd hand market seems sparse locally, with Covid limiting travel further, and nothing jumps out on E Bay. May well wait until shops reopen on 12th April before pulling the trigger but a bit of help would be welcome now as I trawl the internet (knowing many retailers have very limited stock).

I need something to cast up to 7 oz, fishing mainly clean water on the Fylde coast. Ideally under £100 so I could justify buying a 2nd rod soon. Could go a bit higher if I limited it to one for now. Length, well open to advice but thinking 13' at least. Realise a longer rod may aid casting but the continental rods are where the brands don't mean anything to me.

I know of Sonik, who have a couple rods in the £50-100 bracket, but have seen some reports of breakages. Penn Squadrons/Rampage are stocked by my local shop as is Shakespeare Affinity, but haven't seen them in the flesh yet. I did like the look (online) of the Sunset Seawall from Gerrys and see they make expensive rods too, but know nothing about that brand. Similarly names such as Yuki, Tronix and Vercelli are unfamiliar. Assume most rods are made in China anyway.

Any thoughts from the collective mass of expertise out there?

Hi most likely will have a pair of Leeda Icons early ones not that snappy type there mint apart from one eye you will need to replace as liner broke while out so mate snipped it off but it's sat in corner since years or so ago as not going sea fishing as spine issues.
There the Extremes think is right name ? takes 7oz odd

 

[bacon]

Used 6nbait is a great option if you can find one. I bought a pair of mk1 14ft for £110, stone cold bargain..........me and my bro have one each. I've thrown half a bluey and 7oz on it. One of my go to rods when I don't know what to expect. I use mine with FS and braid.

New for £150ish you could look at the daiwa sandstorm, or up the budget slightly again it's the Saltist.

I've heard Blackrock rods are excellent for the money.

No idea on contis, though avoid the Leeda icon fxd, tip snapping galore

 

[Shirleycodlin]

Are you using a multiplier or fixed spool reel?

 

[CoarseanglerSteve]

What sort of ground will you be fishing?

Mainly clean ground (sand, odd bit of shingle).

 

[CoarseanglerSteve]

Are you using a multiplier or fixed spool reel?

Think I mentioned - Shimano Biomasters, so Fixed Spool

 

[CoarseanglerSteve]

It will be best to wait until the tackle shops open and have a play with a few to see what suits, middle to tip rods fast action suits me. I don't pay more than £100 for a rod for beach casting, others pay mega bucks or are tackle tarts. I also get rods that take multies or some say that they can be used for fs as well. Then that's my opinion only and others think differently.

Yea, i get that thinking, cheers, My concern is that local shops will also have a limited selection and i might miss out on a better option. Gerrys of Morecambe is the closest bigger shop, but even there it seems like loads are out of stock - bloody Covid!!!

 

[Tournamag]

If you find anything in price can always ask on here if ok!

 

[James81]

If you can find a second hand Daiwa Supercast they are nice rods.They are flexible at the top so show bites well but have power in the butt section. Think they can cast up to 8ozs. Sometimes they come up on Ebay. Daiwa stopped making them but now make a rod called a Saltist which look similar but don't know if they are a similar rod.

 

[bacon]

Rods to look for in tackle shops that don't advertise online are the Rovex Rangemaster and the IMAX FR Match.

I say the above as they were discontinued, so any stock you might find now will be the last of them.

 

[Si-fly]

Are you fishing for mainly small fish, or rays/hounds etc?

Try and find a rod to cast weight you need and a tip to show bites from fish your after.

As its clean ground you should have plenty of options.... Just don't get something too stiff! ?

 

[Redneck Dek]

As said 2nd hand six and bait,if you are on face ache look on your local pages as there’s usually plenty about.I got a supercast not long back for about £50,I’ve not had chance to use yet though?

 

[Beach]

Rods to look for in tackle shops that don't advertise online are the Rovex Rangemaster and the IMAX FR Match.

I say the above as they were discontinued, so any stock you might find now will be the last of them.

Manufacturers change rod names quicker than women/girls change shoes and handbags. Its the same with cars and motorbikes.

 

[CoarseanglerSteve]

Are you fishing for mainly small fish, or rays/hounds etc?

Try and find a rod to cast weight you need and a tip to show bites from fish your after.

As its clean ground you should have plenty of options.... Just don't get something too stiff! ?

At the moment I am happy catching anything, but targeting hounds and better fish does appeal to me. I want a rod that ideally do that, but also be flexible to catch smaller fish. I accept that my OCD to have a matching pair may not be ideal, and I suppose having one heavier and one lighter rod would be more flexible.

 

[CoarseanglerSteve]

As said 2nd hand six and bait,if you are on face ache look on your local pages as there’s usually plenty about.I got a supercast not long back for about £50,I’ve not had chance to use yet though?

Yes, am on FB and been scouring Ebay, but most stuff Ive seen locally have been bottom end budget stuff in the main, with the odd higher end rod which is probably beyond my budget/ability for now. Will keep looking though at least until the shops open.

There is a sandstorm advertised locally, but the garish paint scheme puts me off a bit

 

[Beach]

I generally use 2-5oz 11ft 6" bass rods off the beach, one at distance and one about the 3rd wave out approx 40yds. Sometimes use while I am waiting for a bite my 9ft up to 70gm lure/spinning rod with one eye on the bait rods. But do leave the multies in free spool and leave the clicker on.