advice needed

Hi guys new to the forum so hello firstly
I went boat fishing at the weekend after a gap of 20 years and bloody hell some difference since then
I went out in culdaff sac festival and really enjoyed it a well run event congrats to the guys

now my problem

A lot has changed since I was last out rods,reels and tackle,the last time I was out it was cod feathers and a 1lb lead a rod as stiff as a piece of steel and a penn 6/0 reel which is about 30 years old now and still works a treat.
When I was out the guys were using rods with a very fine top like a quivver tip the course guys would use and small multipliers or large spinning reels.
As I really enjoyed the weekend I fancy getting some new gear and getting back into it
so I need advice on a rod,reel,tackle,line and just about everything I suppose as I am more or less starting from scratch again.
I take it my 50lb class ugly stick and penn 6/0 with 50lb line is a bit over kill
the guys were also using these boom things which I did not want to ask about for the fear of feeling stupid

So if you were starting on a bit of a budget what would you have in your bag
tackle,rod and reel and line

sorry for the long drawen out question

Cathal

50lb class ugly stick and penn 6/0 with 50lb line

Keep that for sharks & congers.

There's a good active club down that way. Join it and go on a few trips with them. Watch what they're using, and ask for a go with their stuff to see how you like it. I doubt if there's a clubman in the country that wouldn't help out with advice and lending a hand to a new member.

Save your money till you know what you'd like for yourself, first-hand. You could go through a lot of dosh before you find the set up that you prefer.

thanks for reply
I do intend to join the club
I can probably manage for now with a bit of a pier rod I have
I just need to get a bit of advice on the new types of tackle and set up
I never seen so many colored beads and florescent yellow leads

Well, where to start....

As you noticed, everything's gone light, balanced and sensitive in recent years. So think about a 12-20 lb class rod, a 7000 size reel and braid for line (and I don't mean Dacron, if you're thinking about that.)

I'd go for a multiplier rather than a fixed spool. The hard-core comp lads are leaning towards FS reels at the moment, but for general purpose angling I reckon the multiplier is your man. Get a spool of 15 lb mono to bulk out the spool before adding the braid, cos braid is expensive and it's a waste of money and effort to completly fill a spool with the stuff.

The 12-20 will cover most of your general species fishing. I mentioned the 7000 size reel (ABU 7000, Shimano tld 15, Avet MX etc) because it's a good all-rounder, though I'd use something like a Shimano tld 5 or 10, or an Avet SX on that class of rod myself. I'd load it with either 14 or 20 lb Berkley Fireline braid, depending on what I'd be targetting. 14 for small stuff, flatties and the like, and 20 for more general use. I know a lot of the lads on here would say go for 30 lb braid as an all-rounder, and I wouldn't argue the point. I go 20 lb in Fireline because it's breaking strain is massively under-rated.

As for terminal tackle, pop into John McLaughlin's Donegal Angling Center outside Letterkenny and pick up a few dozen bead in various colours, a few of those booms, and some swivels and snapswivels. Just a few of each to get you started. Also get a spool or two of Amnesia mono in clear for building traces - try 20, 30 and 40 lb spools, and a variety of hooks from 2/0 up to 6/0.

Don't be fooled by the bling of the tackle - most often it's the simple rigs with fresh bait that catches the most fish.

Hi Cathal, I was fishing at the comp in Culdaff too! I am/was in the same position as yourself, I was a member with the moville club from I was 12 or 13, and packed it in when I was 18 or so. I got back into it the year before last in much the same way as you have just described yourself. Last summer I joined the culdaff club, and havn't looked back since.
My advice would be to get yourself a Grauvell Anaga rod you shold be able to pick one up online for £50, and a penn mag 525 reel, I got 2 of ebay for about £80 or £90 each, team it with 50lb berkley whiplash crystal braid, and that you ready to rock! The guys that fish for the club are excellent anglers and good craic too. We have a few league trips left this year, and I'd be pretty sure that you'd be more than welcome to come along, and see if you'd want to join next year.

Well, where to start....

though I'd use something like a Shimano tld 5 or 10, on that class of rod myself. Don't be fooled by the bling of the tackle - most often it's the simple rigs with fresh bait that catches the most fish.

could not agree more with the simple rigs
have you any suggestions as where you might be able get a tld 5 or 10, i have a 5 myself and they are as rare as hens teeth

Guys thanks for the detailed reply I have a bit of shopping to do for a bit of tackle and get a feel for a few rods on my travels.
Thanks Paddy I was a member of the argonauts sac for years but stopped when I was 17(cars women and drink)
I was chatting to the guys at the prize giving on sunday night and I must get in contact with Mark about a trip out again and all being well I will join up with the club

I got a couple of 5s and a 10 off ebay, I reckon that's the only place to find them nowadays. Brilliant little reels, why shimano haven't re-introduced them now that braid is so popular I'll never know.

I got a couple of 5s and a 10 off ebay, I reckon that's the only place to find them nowadays. Brilliant little reels, why shimano haven't re-introduced them now that braid is so popular I'll never know.

i must make a note to look at ebay, i think i fancy a 10, give me first option on yours i will give you a score for it

Hi John,

5's here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Shimano-TLD-5-lev ... 4aa33650c5

http://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-TLD-5-/1206 ... 1c14613ca8


Could only find one 10

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-SHIMANO-TLD-10-FI ... 2a08e71efe

A 15 here

http://cgi.ebay.com/SHIMANO-TLD-15-LEVE ... 415181340f

Time to get the plastic out

I was out doing a bit of shopping for some tackle
I got myself a bit carried away and got a new rod and reel also
nothing expensive to get me back started for now
a Daiwa firewolf levelwind multiplier and a rovex integra gold 12-20lb class rod
got both for £70 so if I don't take the fishing back up the way I used to fish it's no great loss
and if I do they will do me for a starting point
I couldn't force myself to pay 42 quid for a roll of braid so mono will do me for now
Heading out on the greencastle regatta fishing comp tomorrow to give them a lash

Cathal

I was out doing a bit of shopping for some tackle
I got myself a bit carried away and got a new rod and reel also
nothing expensive to get me back started for now
a Daiwa firewolf levelwind multiplier and a rovex integra gold 12-20lb class rod
got both for £70 so if I don't take the fishing back up the way I used to fish it's no great loss
and if I do they will do me for a starting point
I couldn't force myself to pay 42 quid for a roll of braid so mono will do me for now
Heading out on the greencastle regatta fishing comp tomorrow to give them a lash

Cathal

, holy fuk where was that?
You should expect to pay £20/£25 for a 300yrds of top end braid.

I use berkley whiplash crystal and find it great stuff to use, think it cost me about 25quid.

Just had a wee nosy on the net and I can see it for £22
I like to support the local man when I can but this is a hell of a difference

Just had a wee nosy on the net and I can see it for £22
I like to support the local man when I can but this is a hell of a difference

I used to think like that, but the closest tackle shop to me is Rod and Line, and they just aren't interested in Sea Angling, so now I buy almost all my gear from Veals, and some bit n peices from UK Hooks.