Out of the game for over 10 years - Equipment Advice

[JPzzz]

Hi All,

My first post here so please be kind. Anyways my interest has recently been stimulated to take up a bit of angling. Out for a walk yesterday in ennereilly and was thinking to myself, i must get back doing some fishing again.

Anyway i dug up my old rod and i was wondering how far equipment has come along and would i need new gear.

The basics which i have (although i have only found the rod so far)

Ziplex 2500 LM
ABU 6500 C3
Coleman powerhouse
Golds tripod

I would be interested in trying for bass and general shore fishing.

I was looking at some of the newer gear:

Savage Gear Bushwhacker - For lure fishing from rocks,cliffs shore
Greys BZE 3-5oz bass rod - For light work from the shore

My question is how does my current gear stack up against this new gear?

Also for reels: I think my old multi has three ball bearings. I see newer reels have nine! Is there a big difference in reels these days?

Any advice appreciated

[Tanglerat]

Welcome to SAI JPzzz.

I reckon you're good to go with that kit you already have. Quality lasts.

[JPzzz]

Thank you Tanglerat,

I am a little bit apprehensive about starting out with a multi. Think i have forgotten how to user it over the years

I was considering a cheap fixed spool rod to get me started, but i may try to brave it a do a session with the zippy. Would you rate the Greys BZE for lighter bass fishing or do you think the zippy could work for light bass fishing also?

Then i could maybe lookout for a spinning rod? Although the year is nearly over so i may be alright waiting till next year to do some plugging.

[gerryl]

well looks like ye got the beech kit well sorted 'new line' and yer away...if way want to get some lure kit make sure when paired it is light weight to hold all day, Braid compatible Rod and Reel and choose the Rod rating...would look at Shimano Reels...best luck

Powerstix Pro Bass...rated 28g -1oz ( not for light plastics!)

[JPzzz]

Hi gerry,

Never fished with braided lines. What is the advantage over standard mono?

I was thinking maybe 15lb mono plus 40lb leader for general shore fishing. This would be suitable for a spot of bassing also? or do you think i would be better looking out for a lighter setup?

[willie bendit]

Welcome to SAI JPzzz.

I reckon you're good to go with that kit you already have. Quality lasts.

Sums it up nicely,I'm a big fan of Zziplex 2500's,and its the first rod I reach for when conditions allow,its an ideal rod for general fishing but excels when used for competitions ,great bite detection,and wont splatter soft baits all over the beach,performs best with 4 or 5oz of lead,but can haul 3 dogs too,an all time classic...maybe considered obsolete or old fashioned by some but it brings a smile to my face when I use it......perfectly balanced when paired with a small abu or similar.

[Creep]

Hi JPzzz,
Welcome to the site!!! 1st I have the Bushwacker bass 8' I find it an excellent rod, great for light fishing and strong I've a penn reel on it and very good at using the lures from soft plastics to hard plastics it aloows great movement, rods are about €80+ but feels really nice in the hand easy to use and hold, (though I missed out on getting a bass on it so far BUt have hooked macks and others on it!)

Difference between Braid and mono, Now I'm a mono user myself, BUT Braid has a couple of advantages over mono, 1st less stretch means greater bite detection, 2nd smoother for casting (more distance), BUt the disadvanagtes from what I understand is Braid has to be maintained to avoid crackoffs (though mono is the same really) and fraying, theres a thread some where in the tips and tackle part that is more informative about Braid and mono issue

Just a heads up regarding ennereilly is watch your car as there has been a few car break ins during the end of summer months (pain in the "£* I know!!)

[gerryl]

Hi gerry,

Never fished with braided lines. What is the advantage over standard mono?

I was thinking maybe 15lb mono plus 40lb leader for general shore fishing. This would be suitable for a spot of bassing also? or do you think i would be better looking out for a lighter setup?

yer set-up is sound for shore/beech + spot on with the 15lb mono and 40lb Leader (to cope with the 4oz+ leads)...was only suggesting light set-up if you want to start spinnin for Bass, etc...been using Braid for 3yrs now...and luv it, use 30/40lb braid on the Multi's (same dia as 15lb mono) , 20lb Braid on spinnin set-up, I still use 18lb mono on the ABU 6500...if you go down the Braid route ensure yer Rod 'eye' and Reel are suitable otherwise the Braid will cut gouges into both very quickly..Best Luck

[JPzzz]

Thanks for all the advice guys,

Creep: Thank for the recommendation on the bushwhacker. Seen once at a really good price so might buy one and have it for next year or maybe try it out for some pike. Funnily enough when i was down ennereilly way a few days ago seen a squad car driving down beach road. Are these car incidents still happening. Took a walk down past the golf club and my legs are not what they used to be. The rocks around Mizen are a little scary and i see the is an impassable fence there now. Plenty of rubish/cans also which is not nice to see.

Gerry: Thanks for the advice. I might stick with the mono for now to get me back into things. Loving the peace and it is one of the things attracting me back to the fishing again. Just getting out there with only the sound of the sea. Although report of scummers breaking into cars does take the gloss of it.

[Creep]

The rocks around Mizen are a little scary and i see the is an impassable fence there now. Plenty of rubish/cans also which is not nice to see.

I wonder if thats the "Private beach" I heard about??? Sick of reading about fences and other obstruction on the shorelines, its getting to be more and more common place, gonna take up this issue with a couple of politicians, Irelands foreshore are supposed to be common ground, (one of the few remaining countries to hold such a thing left) and it will be a disgrace to lose it to private/commercial enterprise. when I finish the Temple Street Halloween Angling party, I'll get stuck into this issue more

regarding litter, a thread was started sometime back where lads are reporting the issue, though the councils hands are tied when it comes to cleaning dangerous areas (which i understand fully) a few of us are taken litter sticks as part of our common tackle gear and bagging it. Nothing like throwing a linbe in and waitin for a bite and cleaning the area around you , as well, when others seeing you doing it, it seems to inspire others to keep the place clean. Was out yesterday fishin in Skerries and got snagged on a used nappy bag second time this year!!!! managed to pull it in a dispose of it properly.