Tripod position

I have noticed in a lot of people's pics that they have their gear set up quite a bit away from the water's edge, a good 15-20 yards or more from the tideline. I normally try to get as close as possible.

Just wondering whether there is any real reason for it in most cases? I always want to get as close to the water as I can so that the wind has less chance of blowing on the line and nodding the top of the rod

In my case I set up quite a bit away from the tideline due to the fact that the sea can at any moment decide to change where that line is I've had my box filled with water and almost washed away and my rod stand knocked over on far too many occasions for my liking

i usually keep the tripod and gear a fair bit back from the waters edge when i'm fishing an "incoming" tide, if your at the waters edge you will be moving your tripod and gear back every few minutes, i prefer to just move it back every 15 or 20 minutes or so. and like shambo said it also saves your gear from being knocked over or soaked, or even worse washed away with a rouge wave.

Another advantage of setting the rod well back is if you get weed stuck on the leader knot which won't go through the tip eye of the rod, if you are well back from the waters edge you can still land the fish on the beach. So even when fishing an ebbing tide I always keep the rod stand back far enough to allow me to plenty of room to beach the fish.

A lot will have to do with the conditions you fish in.

When fishing the shallow beaches around East Cork I will always stay as close to the water’s edge if there is weed in front of me in the surf and keep the rod as high as it can go on the tripod.
Something the SAI lads did not do Last Saturday in Youghal.
This will keep your line and over the weed and will allow more fishing time between casts.

To keep your rod from tipping over in windy conditions get a plastic bag and fill it with sand, stones or water then tie it off the top of the rod stand this changes the centre of gravity of the rod stand making it harder to be knocked over.

On sloping or deep water beaches it makes little difference where you position the rod

On calm beaches I often had the rod 30-40 feet back from the surf.

if a good size fish takes your bait and your rod is close to the water you mightnt have enough time to grab it.by by rod n reel

stick it where ever you like once you catch fish on a steep beach if its weedy i put it well up above the hw line on surf beaches it can be in two or three feet of water along with me

i think some people put there tripods in mad positions for style and attraction. .its the truth thou.i seen a lad the other day and on the tripod he had his both rods crossed in an x-shape and one lower than the other.looked class but really it should not matter what way you have them because the fish dont give a sxxx.

he had his both rods crossed in an x-shape

how did he strike the rod thats underneath the top rod?

i like to be comfortable up the beach away from freak waves. ive been caught a few times on downhill i cant be bother drying my boxes and bag out again!