Fixed Spool vs Multiplier The Poll!

This poll is for shore fishing.

used to be a fixedspool only type of person until i about 2-3 months ago tried a couple of throws with my dinkietoy copy of a ambassadeur...

The day after i bought my first Ambassadeur and now it feels uncomfortable to fish with the fixed spool reels, but when fishing with light lures i need them.

both! a good fixed spool is as good as a multiplier? distance is rarely an issue between the two. however, the ratchet on the 525mags leaves the fixed spools at the starting line! fixed spool for convenience and light lines- a general size multiplier with light line is asking for it.

MB3 makes a lot of sense. It all depends upon the fishing. In recent years there has been a resurgence of the fixed spool with light long rods for match fishing and some of the people using them would have poo pooed the idea not long ago. Horses for courses. On saying that for general beach work once you get used to a multiplier I believe its easier to cast further. My pet hate with fixed spools for distance work is the damn bail arm, which has a nasty habit of flipping over now and again. Its best to remove it and manually put on the line after you cast. SOme good reels were available without the bail arm (only a tiny arm to hold the line) which never flips as it has no drag.
I have a Penn 525 mag and a super mag. The super is a lot slower, I have the same red rocket fuel in both but those extra mags make it a pussy to cast. As you improve you can ease off on the mags and if necessary pop out the 2 extra mags to really let go. I have read one report of the cage cracking but my mag is going on 5 years old and has taken some abuse without any major problems. The fast retrieve is a big bonus with the Penns over the Abu's, but the fact that you see so many old Abu's about is testament to their build quality.

just read on Neil Mackellow's site that he cast the fixed and multiplier version of the same rod and distances were the same up to 180 yards, both achieving 170 with bait- what more do you want?!! :lol: agree with chopping the bail arm off- i remember the first time i did this on south beach in a fit of rage after snap number three- never looked back. the only problem is that some reels will wobble on retieve when the bail arm is removed.

I am not in the same league as MB3 or DrSeafish so maybe my story is useful for newbies. My experience with multipliers is that while troublesome at first they are a real, if you'll pardon the pun, pleasure to use. The main thing I found was not to overcook the cast with power but use a gentle but solid turn from the hips. In less than a year, and with pitifully few trips, I feel comfortable using them at night when I can't see the trajectory of the weight before applying the thumb. Having said that I can't see it during the day either :?. I now have a Sports Mag and a 525 Mag and I slightly prefer the latter.

I have had several snap-offs with a the fixed spool which was one of my reason for changing. I like the idea of removing the bail arm as far as the line roller but so far I have not had the courage to gunter the FS reel :shock: .

The bottom line for me is that I like the look, feel and sound :shock: of the multiplier. It's a terrifice piece of engineering and really looks the part. It also holds the prospect, maybe piped dream, of 200m plus casts.

I hope this helps.

I would suggest that spending a good sum of money on a fixed spool reel will solve the problems with snap offs. I like many others use both types of reel and I never have a problem with my Quantum surf 865. We tend not to spend as much money on a fixed spool reel which I believe is a mistake. I like to use the fixed spool for bigger baits or two hook rigs and the sports mag for single baits clipped down. I also prefer the fixed spool for the rougher spots as the retrieve is quicker. I had thought of getting a 525 mag but was put off by reading a report from Neilus some time back. Both reels cost around the same price.

only reason i go for multiplier is for the retrieve, i do feel casting can be improved but there is nothing like using a multiplier for bringing in good fish. they are smoother and can take more pressure or at least thats what i reckon anyway!!

I voted fixed spool, Simply for the Fact that it fits on the K2 Better!!! :lol:
Also the Line Lay on my Abu 6500 packed in today, So will have to be removed.... Not that Im complaining, I'd say, For those of us who enjoy fishing in the Dark more, Fixed Spools are the obvious choice as a multiplier Birdy in the Dark is something we all dred! 8)

Vive la Continental Revolution!

If you handed me a top of the range multiplier for free now, I'd hand it straight back to ye. I wouldn't know what to do with it. I've used fixed spools ever since I started fishing and have never had any problems whatsoever with them. Why fix something if it ain't broke?

I've never got no birdsnests, never had to snap off bail arms, none of that oul carry on... just simple, easy fishing.

I prefer a multiplier for beach and rough ground fishing, just seem nicer to use although the ever present threat of a blow up is not nice on a cold night! I use fixed spools on my Bass rod and for float/lure fishing as they work much better with the lighter lines.

Modern fixed spools are much better engineered and have overcome many of the earlier defects.

A good multiplier is just a joy to use.

After all, the fish don't know what sort of reel you are using!

fixed spoll are easier to use.im moved on to a multiplier now still getting used to the feel of it althought its alot of work tuning it every season.that why i go for spool wins my vote here lads.

HI ,
I prefer multiplier for the fun ,
Sorry K2 Extrem ,a bas la révolution continentale ! :wink:

Cheers , alain (continental pêcheur)

christened my new multiplier today with a nice wrasse. took the strain really well. a joy!! without the ratchet i probably wouldn't have a new multiplier any more!

christened my new multiplier today with a nice wrasse. took the strain really well. a joy!! without the ratchet i probably wouldn't have a new multiplier any more!

you must admit that fishing with a multiplier gives the whole fight bit a better feeling...

everything is just far more low profile with a multiplier, you can't beat it. i agree with shamrocks comment though, don't try and fix something that isn't broken, but once you do get your head around the multiplier, you'll never want to go back, unless adverse conditions dictate. or spinning or float fishing where the humble fixed spool reigns sumpreme

for 'general' beach work fixed spool should suit most of the time due to less possible problems ie birdsnests etc, for more specialised stuff on the shore different multipliers to suit each kind of fishing can be more useful. i use both myself, fishing conditions and type of fishing dictate which i choose on the day

fixed spools are better for speed fishing. for example whiting at night. it is likely that a fixed spool will boost the catch rate. no messin around! fixed also handier for lobbing and twitching line back to encourage bites.