Fixed spool reels

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Fixed spool reels

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Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 12 11:54 am Post subject: Fixed spool reels

I'm looking to get a decent fixed spool reel to go with a 11'-12' light beach rod. It'll mainly be used for light ledger work and a bit of float fishing, 2-4oz lures and feathers but not aimed at long distance casting of large weights.

Having looked at a few reels some seemed to be aimed at bait fishing and some at spinning but there's no obvious difference (similar design, similar size and line capacity etc).

Is there anything I should be looking out for? As I don't want a huge reel the one's that I'm looking at seem to be aimed at spinning.

Another question, I'm likely to be casting up to 100m, which seems common, so why do all but the smallest reels cope with 3x that distance with a suitable line? That just means you waste 2/3s of the line on your spool doesn't it? I know some might wish to load 50lb line but I would expect them to get a larger reel and still have room to spare.

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 12 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: Fixed spool reels

Treacodactyl wrote:

Another question, I'm likely to be casting up to 100m, which seems common, so why do all but the smallest reels cope with 3x that distance with a suitable line? That just means you waste 2/3s of the line on your spool doesn't it? I know some might wish to load 50lb line but I would expect them to get a larger reel and still have room to spare.

When you hook that monster cod & it decides to run for deeper water you will be glad of the extra line.

Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 12 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: Fixed spool reels

Tavascarow wrote:

Treacodactyl wrote:

When you hook that monster cod & it decides to run for deeper water you will be glad of the extra line.

Monster dogfish perhaps... I can see why some spare line is essential but 200m or even 400m if I was to use braid would be rather excessive?

Northern Boy

Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 976

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 12 2:45 pm Post subject:

I've always done well with the Okuma AV Avenger series, fairly cheap and bombproof. Have caught plenty of 50 - 100lb stingrays on my AV80s and use the AV65 for pretty much anything. I don't look after my gear very well and these have shown themselves to be 'Northern Boy Proof'.......

For the spool capacity, having lots of extra line means you can trim off the worn stuff and also get snagged/snapped off without having to respool the whole reel.

Treacodactyl
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 12 3:13 pm Post subject:

Northern Boy wrote:

For the spool capacity, having lots of extra line means you can trim off the worn stuff and also get snagged/snapped off without having to respool the whole reel.

That's what I tend to do although I thought you're meant to keep the reels topped up level to get the best out of them?

I've been looking at the Okuma reels, something the size of a 55, although it appears the AVs aren't available in the UK .

tai haku

Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 472

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 12 3:25 pm Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Northern Boy wrote:

For the spool capacity, having lots of extra line means you can trim off the worn stuff and also get snagged/snapped off without having to respool the whole reel.

Well you want a decent amount on but I'm always well under the max capacity - as for having too much line the only time you'll ever be aware of not having enough is the one time when you will really really want more!

Northern Boy

Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 976

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 12 3:28 pm Post subject:

Ah, well that's that then. Plus also worth noting that my experiences with Okuma boat/conventional reels have not been good.

To be honest (and this applies to the line question as well), unless you're fishing for big conger or trying to cast miles, I really don't think it matters all that much - any half decent set up will do for most of the fish in UK waters - much more important is the rig, the bait, the presentation , the where and the when. Thousands of people will say different tho!

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 12 3:58 pm Post subject:
I completely agree about time, place, bait etc being the most important - I've often drawn a blank where others have landed a few. As there's a bewildering array of reels I've been trying to think what I really need but then can't find anything that's ideal. There's plenty that seem ok but none that stick out from the crowd.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46188
Location: yes

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 12 4:38 pm Post subject:
a reel stores line a reel helps deliver and retrieve line keep it simple and suitable for purpose

magnet

Joined: 05 Apr 2010
Posts: 41
Location: Northumberland

Posted: Sat Nov 03, 12 7:24 pm Post subject: reels

when i load my reels i put backing line on first to take up a bit of room on the spool, i just use old line, this line is never cast off the reel the new main line is just tied over the top.
Infact i have used string with insulating tape wrapped over it, its only there to take up space an prevent you filling your spool from the bottom with expensive mainline.For maximum casting distance You want the main line to be level with the edge of the spool
I have a couple of okuma reels and have had no problems from the beach...........Atb Magnet

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