TIPS

I recently bought a penn 15ft power stix surf rod and 525 mag which should be here on friday, my question is what weight of line should I use to get the best out of this set up? Would I be far out saying 15lb mono?

I have the 13ft PowerStix and 525 and 15lb is fine. This setup should handle 18lb as well if you are fishing a rough venue.

Do you mind me asking how much you paid for your setup. I got mine at the Angling show in Dublin for €210

Kev

Hi Kev, thanks for your advice. I paid £155 for the set up out of Wales. Mainwarings angler centre Swansea. It was £140 for the combo with a 525gs but £15 extra for the 525 mag. I ordered it yesterday (tuesday) and it came today (wednesday) only problem they sent a 13 ft one instead of 15ft. I spoke with them on the phone and they are happy to exchange it. No problem at all. £6 p+p

I'd like to hear your thoughs on the 15ft. I was tempted, but have not used that lenght before and was worried about not getting on with it. They seem like a lovely rod for the cash though. Lovely slim blank that feels nice. Hopefully I'll get an idea of the bite detection this weekend. :wink:
Excellent service from Mainwarings though :D

Kev

Hi Kev, hopefully I will get the replacement by the weekend and I.ll let you know how I get on. The service from Mainwarings was excellent and anyone can make a mistake. CHEERS.

are they covering the postage to return it or doing a courier exchange ?
dont get caught out having to pay extra postage yourself to return it as it was their mistake
i would start on 18lb and 60lb shockleader and it should cover you for most venues you will be fishing

Hi Phil, there was no word on postage charges, they said they would sort it out no probs.

As I said before, I sent to Mainwarings in Swansea for some gear. Well I have only praise for the company, the mailing side of things is excellent. I ordered the combo on tuesday, it arrived on wednesday (wrong) I rang them and I receved the correct combo on thursday and they took the wrong one away. EXCELLENT

Hi Kev, back again. Well I got trying out the 15 footer yesterday and today. I was at waterfoot peir yesterday and got 5 or 6 casts with it and I probably reached about 65 yards at best.( This is all new to me within the last 6 weeks, I bought a new 12 footer and fixed spool reel 6 weeks ago to start with) :roll: :oops: Anyway today I went into a nearby field and started playing about with the controls and adjustments and gradually got better each time. The last 3 casts were consistant of 110 yards (paces) until the shock leader parted company with the main line and I got the ineviable birds nest. I will try to make it to the next casting meet at Downhill and see if I can pick up on anything. My thumb aint half burning :shock: CHEERS

try a piece of bicycle wheel tubing over it, or better stillcut a longer length of it and cut along it a bit to give your self a section of round tube over the reel spool and (half tube down to the rod, attach the flap end(half tube using (pvc tape) just below your reel seat and it will hang there until you need to use it each time for casting, then just slip your thumb in and out as required.
alternatively cut a finger or two out of the wifes marigolds!!!! :lol:

To avoid getting the thumb burnt put the knot of the shockleader over to the side of the reel away from your thumb.

Hi Donal, good suggestion, never thought of that one. :oops:

I use a piece of cycle inner tube taped onto the butt and the reel seat pushed over the top. If you have coasters, you can put the rubber under the coasters.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v341/idpearl/DSC02416.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v341/idpearl/DSC02418.jpg[/img]

Excellent idea, and it looks neat too. CHEERS

Is the reel down the but for show :D or have you been giving it a go since de wall

Got out last weekend and moved it down before I started casting! Still new to it and had a bit of trouble releasing on time with my left hand - now I like it! You were right Donal........ it's better than having it up the butt :shock:

would i be right in saying that down the butt reel position suits rods best that are over 12ft 9 in length or is this just another myth??

From my understanding, it depends on the individual. The theory is that the reel down low balances the blank better and helps your right hand (if you're right handed and casting on your right side) to grip the blank better and add power to your cast. If you look at most of the distance casters, they will have the reel down the butt, but some are still quite happy casting with the reel high - even with long rods. Most of the long continentals are better suited to reel high anyway.

It has taken me a long time to move down and I'm still getting used to it. My problem is that my left thumb does not have as much strength as my right due an old injury, but the rubber strap helps with the spool grip.

You will get many opinions on the way to go. If you have a moveable seat or coasters, try it and see if you can get the hang of it after 10 casts or so.

The main thing you will find different is the retrieval. For me, it is more comfortable to retrieve with the reel high, but that's why some people who cast with the reel low use a reducer to retrieve.

yep reducer definately a great help, i have fun sometimes with the reel down low on my 16ft triplex because their is no reducer. i could put it up but the cast is much smoother with it in the down position