Best buy fixed spool reel for 40-60e

I'm looking to but a new fixed spool reel for a ron thompson beechcaster and can only afford (in these recessionary times) something in the 40-60e range. Was looking at changing to a multi but sounds far too complicated for my skill level. Had a read of some of the previous posts but most of the recommendations were in the 80e + territory.

All recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Also (and I'm showing my inexperience here) looking at some of the sites I came across things like front drag and rear drag reels?. What does this mean in the context fixed spool reels.

Thanks

i think the front drag reels are better for keeping out the water.
i have the shakespeare k2 powerplay 70 and its grand. not the best reel out there and not the best caster but neither am i . its very tough tho and i havent had any problems with it after about a year and a half.
i think i paid about €60/70 for it.

do not buy one of the penn surfmasters i had mine for 1 months and it started grinding

i have a shakespear salt fs which i find great. I think i paid around 35-40 quid for it.a good reel for the money.

The difference between front and rear drag is that the drag on the reel is adjusted by either front or rear. As the lads were saying for salt water the front would probably be better, as it would be more water resistant. The advantage of the rear drag is that it can be adjusted while you are playing a fish. With the front drag, once it is set you cannot really adjust it while you are playing a fish. The rear drag is really more suitable for coarse fishing, but they will both work. It is really a matter of what you are comfortable with.

You can get the mitchell blue fixed spool for around €30, I have used one for the last 2 seasons and its been great, a good buy.

Thanks for the tips and the front /rear drag explanation. I'll check out the shakespear salt & mitchell blue

m8 have a look at Okuma Surf or Salt options

Okuma Distance Surf 60 or 80 Reel (there is a Pro version!)

sellin at Gerry's for 50 quid

_http://www.gerrysfishing.com/fixed-spool-reels/okuma-distance-surf-60-1918-400-.php

best luck

rear drag reel,s seem to slip when casting over 3 oz of lead ,prob cos the surface area of the drag is much smaller?

i bought a daiwa opus 6000 in cork for 60euros.i think its a grand job anyway and you can pack on a lot of line.it,s supposed to be a fairly good reel anyway!and ive had no problems with it at all!

If you know anybody going to the USA you could get them to get you the Daiwa Emcast Sport 5000 it works out about €47 it is €106 in Rorys

do not buy one of the penn surfmasters i had mine for 1 months and it started grinding

SAME HERE MY SURFMASTER IS FALLING APART AFTER 4 TIMES USING IT. ID STAY AWAY FROM THEM.

hi i have the mitchell big blue 7000 and ive fished with it for over 2 years . a good reel that will take heavy or light casts. worth buying. i got mine at the swords fishing show and got 2 of them for 50 euro. they are starting to wobble in the handle but its taken alot of fish and worth the money. Also i got the mitchell Avorunner.7500. from veals it cost 65euro. and the best reel i have used yet. casts superb and able for any size of fish. it has the back drag for playing fish and a bait runner which i find great for any type of fish that could run with your bait.

have to agree with moby dick and junior conger surfmaster total piece of rubbish

yep,, steer clear of the surfmaster. minty off the site had one that was pretty new and a 5lb huss stripped the gears. i also had one that a double shot of dogs killed. pure muck

You can get the mitchell blue fixed spool for around €30, I have used one for the last 2 seasons and its been great, a good buy.

I got a Mitchell 667 FG for the young lad, only 25eu. Its doing its job perfectly.

Rovex Duren RDU 6000 not bad for a cheap reel, i've had one for the last 2 years, using it on the beach with assorted leads, still working fine. They sell for about 30/40 euro.