Advice on a fixed spool reel

Hi all,

Having wrecked my latest reel I'm on the look out for a replacement for a 15 foot beachcaster. Fixed spool and sub €120 would be the idea. I'm not trying to cast a mile, just 100-120 yards, but i'd like something reliable. Does anyone out there have any advice from experience that they could share. Having looked in a few of the shops I've seen that the prices vary significantly, even for the same reel.

Thanks a lot.

Go for a shimano.

You'll get a good Ultegra or Aerlex online for under €120, spare spools too. Very reliable and easy to maintain.

I would stay away from Grauvell reels, I've had a couple give up on me after very little abuse, know guys who've had the same problem, particularly with the ZEUS models.

or the shimano baitrunner 4500b or 6500, good solid workhorses that will last years if maintained properly

as alby says shimano all the way, bought a navi xsa 7000 for my scratching back in the summer for a 120 odd, can be bought for 80 in the uk now with the rates. hasn't melted yet on me

I got myself a shimano xsa 8000 recently came with three spools, great reel, tough as nails i'm sure ya can pick them up reaoable enough, well worth spending an extra few euro on it if need be.

Thanks for that lads. I have a shimano baitrunner 6000 which I was using last night. I have braid on it and it cast very well. Even further than my previous reel but I was told in a shop recently that I was mad to be using that on a beachcaster.

I was told in a shop recently that I was mad to be using that on a beachcaster.

Well they would say that

A 6000 size reel is fine for clean beaches fishing at relatively close range (inside 100 yards),

But the fized spools in 7000 / 8000 & even 10000 hold more line, cast better and have more power in the retrieve, much better for rougher days or fishing at range.

Thanks alby. What uk websites would you recomend?

try the surf master i did last and i still have it working like the first day i got it grean for all sea's lad and only 100 euro cant go wrong

Thanks alby. What uk websites would you recomend?

You won't beat E-bay, some of the carp fishing shops on there are the business. I got 3 Ultegra XSA's delivered to my door for €160, each with a spare spool. I saw one shortly after for sale in a tackle shop over here for €170

Veals (www.veals.co.uk) are also excellent, you will have your order delivered in 4 working days

Thanks again lads

Penn surf master fantastic reel the 850. i have it loaded with braid and the distance you would get with a 15th foot rod and braid would be a nice old distance

Thanks Shane, looked the penn sm 850 up in UK and can get it for around €75. Sounds perfect. Like the website by the way. Must get down to do a bit of fishing in the real capital.

as the last few lads said.....surf master 850. i got one november 07 and it working like new.
dont be paying any more than £50-60 for it, try a place on e=bay called causeway tackle,
it's in the north and as the euro is strong it works out the same as sterling. i got the reel
and a new diawa sandstorm 12ft rod for less than 120 on e-bay

the 850 comes with a free spool

as alby says shimano all the way, bought a navi xsa 7000 for my scratching back in the summer for a 120 odd, can be bought for 80 in the uk now with the rates. hasn't melted yet on me

Mine has. Gears are starting to go and its laying line more to the front than to the back. Got it this time last year and have used it about 60 times. Have a biomaster for twice as long and that's still going strong.

I've never met a reel that could cast.

Most big spool reels will out cast you/me and him next door. I'm work to an equation. (1 year + 1 fixed spool/12 months)= what I'm willing to pay this year.

penn surf master 70.
rare, now, but one great reel.......good second hand one ... maybe.. ebay?

wow!
http://cgi.ebay.ie/Penn-Surfmaster-70-B ... 240%3A1318

Thanks Dunner. Might just go for that one.

i have the penn surfmaster 60 as i couldnt find the 70 at the time. its a great reel for the price. i havent used it a whole lot as im trying to get my head around multis but anytime i have, ive liked it. ive been told it has the lifespan of 10 of the newer 750/850s.