Rough Ground Rod Recommendations

[cmac]

So... having dipped our toe in the water (to murder a metaphor) of Co. Clare shore fishing it's becoming abundantly clear to me that we'll need a "rough ground" rod for most of the angling we're likely to be doing this season. All suggestions are welcome for a multiplier rough-ground rod, but please keep a modest budget in mind, something in the order to €100-€150.
This is assuming a similar budget for a multiplier and research would suggest a Daiwa SL20SH as the best price/performance option.
Unfortunately I'm some months/posts away from having sight of the for sale section of the site so please bear that in mind too.
As always, thanks in advance. We've had a great summer exploring the various recommended locations so far and now it's time to get just a little more dedicated.

[Conger]

A century fireblade would be one or a greys Apollo mk1, I use both of these in the clare area and they are spot on, you should be able to pick up a fire blade for in around €80ish and and an Apollo for about €120,
Or try an Ian golds international match or something a little lighter and use rigs with rotten bottoms and be able to get the rigs back

[cmac]

Thanks Conger. Just the information I need.
Would it be cheeky to ask if anyone has any of these rods for sale? I've scoured my usual sources (ebay, Donedeal and adverts) to no avail.

[tight lines]

as conger says the grays are great rods have one myself and can fault it i use it from clean beaches to foul rough ground and i pair it with the slosh 20 and find this combo a great set up

[roger de dodger]

fixed spool multi is too slow for rough ground !

[bigsod]

I agree with roger, fixed spool is they way to go, I use braid now in the rough stuff and find I can put a lot more lift in when pulling out of snags. Also as roger says the retrieve is so much quicker. Rod wise I use a Zziplex lt 14 and I use a shimano ultegra XSA reel.

[baitdigger]

IMHO if it is rough ground you are fishing you will be looking for conger and huss?? they will tear the guts from an egg whisk in no time at all. Stick with the multis for rough ground and the one you quoted has been around for long enough to prove itself.
Just my own opinion though.
Never tried one myself but if you can find an Ian Golds extractor second hand for the money it would be an excellent choice.

[ShaneH]

i agree with baitdigger multis are much better for the rough stuff

[folanf2]

The late Rodney Smith from Shannon Town SAC used to destroy the club competitions all around the Shannon for years when I fished with them. He used big fixed spools/long and strong rods, braid (higher strength, low diameter was perfect for the fast currents/heavy ground in the shannon), and 3 huge baits (plenty of scent in the fast currents) and literally blasted it out. He was a big guy though but that approach won him an awful lot for years and years when the rest of us had smaller baits at the same distance and struggled with weeded leader knots etc...

[cmac]

Thanks all for the replies so far.
I appreciate the debate about the speed of retrieve with the foxed spool and I know that they have improved a great deal over the years, but within the constraints of a modest budget the multi seems to provide more pulling power.
baitdigger: As its the first full season sea angling, the target is anything that's out there Having said that, my preference for a rough ground rod is fueled by the sight of the large floating weed masses that migrate up and down even the cleaner beaches. The thoughts of pulling through some of this with a soft tipped rod makes me winch!

[roger de dodger]

i agree with baitdigger multis are much better for the rough stuff

how many rigs and fish did you leave in foynes last month

[ShaneH]

i agree with baitdigger multis are much better for the rough stuff

how many rigs and fish did you leave in foynes last month