Sat Nov 13, 2004 11:54 am
I don't have a clue about boat fishing but I'm now in the club in work that goes for an annual charter from Helvic head. The rods given out are fairly worn out so I was going to purchase one of the 1/2 price powerstick rods in veals but I don't know whether to go for the 12 to 20lb or the 20lb to 30lb. We target pollack which would lead me to the lighter rod but also go after conger and ling which would have me go for the heavier one.
Donagh
Sat Nov 13, 2004 2:41 pm
Hi Donagh,
Go light !! Far better craic. Though you could take 2 rods, a heavy spinning rod for the pollock, and go to 30lb for the ling and conger. If you go light, try sor a 12-15lb class with a softer tip action. Some of the 12-15 ABU Garcia boat rods are spot on .
I suppose the 30 would cover all, but wouldn't give much craic with smaller pollock.
Sat Nov 13, 2004 2:53 pm
Git 'em both. Then you've got a perfectly valid reason for having to get TWO reels to go with them.
Two reels means twice the amount of line you'll need. And you'll have to consider the old mono Vs braid arguement too. Best get both, just to be sure, eh?
Don't even start thinking about terminal tackle! Just stock up on Hokkais (all sizes) (to feather for mackeral for conger bait) and a wide range of lead weights. Two of each weight in fact cos you've got two rods. And then double or triple the number again cos of snags and lost gear. Same goes for hooks. Just buy a box of every pattern in every size and you'll be ok.
You'll need two knifes of course. One for cutting bait and other rough work where you don't mind losing your edge and one for good work which you keep for filleting fish.
Crikey, I nearly forgot you mentioned pollocking. Than means you MUST have EVERY colour of jellyworm going, to be sure you have the right colour on the day. And in every size. No point in you having 4 inch Oranges when they are taking 7 inch Oranges. Best stock up on Redgills and Eddystone Eels too. You never know. And have spare samples of each cos a jelly gets bashed and chewed after 3 or 4 good fish.
Going to sea on a charter boat? Hope you have a Floatation Suit. Keeps you warm and dry in the boat and warm (well, -ish) and alive in the water.
Don't forget a cap and thermal boots. And gloves.
Be sure you hace a good supply of the usual bits n bobs too. Nothing more annoying than being 15 miles out to sea and discovering you've run out of yellow beads. Same applies for swivels, snaps, easilinks, leader line, etc etc etc ad nauseum.
Speaking of nauseum, that reminds me. Don't forget your Sturgeron or similar if you're prone to seasickness. Or your grub or drinks (got a flask for your tea/coffee? No? Best get the stainless steel one then, they're more robust.)
Of course, this is just a quick off-the-top-of-my-head posting. Personally,I'd be more concerned with the state of the skipper's reels than his rods...............
Sat Nov 13, 2004 3:03 pm
Gerry , have you just opened a shop ?

You trying to drum up a sale ?
Sat Nov 13, 2004 3:15 pm
I've only joined this year and was down in september for roughest seas possible with the boat still going out, zero fish and milling down rain. I was ok until the skipper gave me a cup of tea and tasted it on the way up. Theres alot to be said for shore fishing even when your blanking so I think I'll hold off before getting enough gear to fill the boat :lol:
I need to get a decent reel as well but its a long way off till the next trip so I'm after these rods from veals as their 1/2 price and I was going in for a large order with a few lads so the P&P will be stuck at £20 sterling no matter what we get.
Donagh
Sat Nov 13, 2004 3:18 pm
sounds good. Veals have a pretty good reputation from what I've read.
As for tasting stuff on the way back up. I always bring pure orange in my box, as it's the only thing that tastes the same coming up as it did going down.
Makes calling for huey that wee bit more bearable !
Sat Nov 13, 2004 3:27 pm
Nah, no tackle shop. I was just figuring out why I've got so much tackle! :?
The only sure-fire way to cure sea-sickness? Hug a tree. :idea:
But back to the origonal question.... Depends on your experience and skill level. You're asking a lot from one rod. I'd be quite happy to go congering with my UglyStick 15 pound class, but that's only because I know my gear and I know I can handle it. :D
As you don't go afloat very often, I'd go for a good quality 20-30 with a responsive blank. Bit more expensive, but cheaper than two rods. Consider an ABU Suveran.
And Veals is top notch! :D
Mon Nov 15, 2004 12:56 pm
If your only choosing one rod go for the 12 - 20. Over time it will give you much better fun with a much wider range of fishing than a heavier rod.
Even fishing for conger and ling you still shouldn't have any problems. If you were fishing for them quite often than yes go for a heavier set up but for an occasional trip the lighter set up will easily cover both the pollocking and conger/ling.
A tip when getting a reel is to get braid too. This means that even if your fishing fairly deep water with a decent run you should still get away with using not too heavy a lead for the conger and ling.
We were fishing for conger in Waterford during the summer and a couple of the occasional anglers with us were using pure 12lb class rods and caught conger to 20lbs on them and had loads of fun in the process.
PS Southend Angling are doing deals on the very rods your talking about where you can get both the 12 - 20 & 20-30 for £60 all in plus p&p.
Mon Nov 15, 2004 1:50 pm
Thanks for the replies. I'll go for the 12-20lb class rod as I don't expect the congers to be to huge.
Donagh
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