Recommend a reel

Hi guys,

Just looking for some advice here on buying a new reel that will do for general shore fishing. I have a pier rod and a beach caster and currently have one little spinning fixed spool reel, so I need something to pair up with the beach caster that can also double for the pier rod - essentially I need a nice versatile "go-to" reel to cover lots of situations.

Budget, I guess up to 50 quid (happy to go second hand).

I have never used a multiplier before for casting (only dropped them over a boat) but would you recommend one or should I go fixed spool again??

Rob

hey, personally i prefer a multiplier but everyone is differant, if i were you i would try a cast with someones before you buy one, although i never had much trouble with them others i know have. If you decided to get one i presume you would want it to be powerful but well able to cast too?

I already own 2 multipliers (Mitchel Riptide - nothing too fancy) for boat fishing but I literally just unlatch them and drop overboard.

If I got one for shore the no.1 feature for me would be casting ability I think, no sense in having a powerful reel that I struggle to get out to sea.

If you decide you want a multiplier I would look at one of the abu 6500 mags, or one of the daiwa 7ht models. You should get a second hand one for about 60 euro ish?

It would be a good idea to check if your beachcaster is rung for multiplier or fixed spool while you could use either with most rods they will preform better when paired with the type of reel they are rung for.

6500 and 7ht super reels for clean beach fishing but if you need a quicker retreive to get fish in over dirty ground close in a penn 525 the best and also doubles for a clean beach reel, i fish some marks that a abu or 7ht are too slow to get up over snags on the retrieve ,and a 525 covers all types of fishing over clean/mixed and dirty ground.

I quite fancy the thought of quick and easy work with a fixed spool reel but at the same time if a multiplier was going to be beneficial then maybe I should take the plunge... decisions!!!

casting with a multi takes practice,i have two that i got about 4 months ago and its only now that i would use them with confidence.but they are great once you get used of them and you really get distance with them!

casting with a multi takes practice,i have two that i got about 4 months ago and its only now that i would use them with confidence.but they are great once you get used of them and you really get distance with them!

i agree, worth it in the long run!

casting with a multi takes practice,i have two that i got about 4 months ago and its only now that i would use them with confidence.but they are great once you get used of them and you really get distance with them!

i agree, worth it in the long run!

i disagree, im a very compitent caster with a multi and would class myself as a good caster when it comes to angling, theres very few days when i cant hit a fish or two. the fixed spool is making a come back! a lot of top match anglers are using fixed spool outfits to very good effect. if you want to take the time out and learn to cast a mutli properly then go ahead, but to achieve an actual noticeable difference over what a good fixed up set can do with much less effort and techniue, then you'l have to learn properly, it wont come without practice and tution. to me it doesnt add up. unless your a tournament caster or have lots of time to learn to use a multi prperly then go with a fixed spool. its will offer you less heartache, more advantages and an instant better cast when used with the right set up.

Scrob- I think Eric is the voice of reason here. I work with both reels. While i like the power and the size of a multi- they take a h*ll of a lot of getting used to. I would guess every one here will tell you for the first few months of using their multi they have sepnt more time untangling birds nests on the drum in the freezing cold (nothing pleasant about this with cold and slimey hands). If you have the time and patience to practise the Multi then I would recommend a Diawa SL20. They are a little over your budget but you may pick one up second hand within your price bracket. They are bomb proof. My Fixed spool reel is an Okuma (dont have a clue of the exact model). I have had this reel for two years now and have not had a problem wit it. I have caught fish to 5 lbs on it and it pulled them in no bother.

So my advice would be to get a good fixed spool. They are more versatile as well.... ie they can be put onto a rod that is rung for multi's and rods for fixed spool.

If you are in the habit of walking a distance to your mark look at the weights of the reels before you make your final choice.
One of the reasons that I prefer multipliers is that a pair of them puts 1 kg less on my back going to and from the car. The casting leads weigh enough already without adding more.

But they all work, so provided you use common sense and stay over a certain minimum quality level, it's more a case of finding something you will enjoy using.

Cheers guys, think I will stick with what I know and buy a decent fixed spool.

Next question - any recommendations in the £50ish bracket (inc second hand)?? Penn Surfmaster looks bang on but gets a lot of mixed reviews..

Hi Rod, I have used multi's in the past but fixed spool reels are so well improved now and generally a lot less hassle. You cant go wrong with any of the penn range, workhorses. I now use a pair of Penn 850s and have really give them a good workout for just short of a year with no problems from either of them. Good luck with whatever you buy.

i agree with krusty ie eric i am using a fixed spool all my fishing life i can use a multi but find the retrieve annoying getting the line lay right i findthe fixed spool great at night ,and also for a short cast also easier for changing spools with diferent line strength yull also find that you will see results casting ,straight away there are many good fixed spools around now. and lots around the 50 euro mark it would be better if you could spend just a little bit more say around 80 i can hit 200 yards fishing with bait with the right rod so hope you might take my advice and join the new set after all millions of european anglers cant be wrong lots of luck anyhow yours sincearly the coyser outfishing chuck norris for as long as i can remember yeehaa

personally i love multis and cant stand the egg beaters
but been honest there so much more easier to use than multis so go get one of the blenders you will have hassle free fishing,
ive hit over 200 yards (with a plain lead not bait) with a shimano biomaster and grauvelle dh easily, eric is right there so easy to hit certain distances

coyser with casting like that you should join sportscast reland, records would be made 200 with bait wow

i would start off with a fixed spool penn 750 surfmaster

Have a look at the Daiwa SL20, reasonable price and you may pick one up second hand in your budget. Good reliable multi.

personally i love multis and cant stand the egg beaters
but been honest there so much more easier to use than multis so go get one of the blenders you will have hassle free fishing,
ive hit over 200 yards (with a plain lead not bait) with a shimano biomaster and grauvelle dh easily, eric is right there so easy to hit certain distances

coyser with casting like that you should join sportscast reland, records would be made 200 with bait wow

2oo with a clipped down single sand eel mind you, a20 mile an hour tail wind just like the guys on the casting field yeehaa and a hand from chuck pardon the pun chuck

personally i love multis and cant stand the egg beaters
but been honest there so much more easier to use than multis so go get one of the blenders you will have hassle free fishing,
ive hit over 200 yards (with a plain lead not bait) with a shimano biomaster and grauvelle dh easily, eric is right there so easy to hit certain distances

coyser with casting like that you should join sportscast reland, records would be made 200 with bait wow

2oo with a clipped down single sand eel mind you, a20 mile an hour tail wind just like the guys on the casting field yeehaa and a hand from chuck pardon the pun chuck

Dbrock that was donkey years when the Coyser was a lot younger,He uses his zimoframe for a tripod now