Looking for a new rod/reel combo - Casting weight ratings. What am I missing.
I have read many posts on this site about beach rods, however none seem to discuss casting weights to any real extent. Those that do talk about throwing out crazy big baits.
I'm in the market for a new rod/reel combo. I have plenty of light gear and an 11' rod that I'm very happy with for throwing out lures or mulies with a light running sinker. The max lure weight on the 11' rod is 75g.
I'm keen to start chasing some Mulloway and the occasional snapper or shark at night from our local beaches and rock walls. In my mind what I am after to compliment my existing setups is simple. A rod strong enough to cast out a decent sinker and or a live bait.
I have been to a number of retailers including current and ex site sponsors. I have been reccomended everything from an 11' Assassin Amia through to a 14' fibreglass Ozflex. I'm confused as to what is the best way to go. My preference is for a shorter and lighter rod. The one thing most of the retaillers agree on is that a Shimano Saragosa reel 8,000 or 10,000 is the way to go with quality 50lb braid.
I feel I am down to deciding between an Assasin Beachmaster Lite (2oz-4oz sinker weight) or Medium Spin (5oz-7oz). If I go the lite, will I likely feel the need for a stronger rod in the future if I head up north to the likes of Wagoe etc.
or a Penn Prevail 12' with a cast weight up to 240g.
What would you choose, what size and why? Am I over thinking sinker/casting weight ratings on the rods?
Any other suggestions welcome including shorter rods and lighter reel that would suit the fishing I am wanting to do.
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
Beach master medium hands
Beach master medium hands down, lite will be undergunned casting heavy loads and the prevail doesn't come close.
That said I've got a beachmaster heavy (oh) and whilst they're amazing rods I'm still a sucker for heavy fiberglass rods for bombing big weights out.
selthy
Posts: 294
Date Joined: 27/05/11
Cheers Hutch. It was your
Cheers Hutch. It was your video of catching a Sambo off the beach in Moore river that helped inspire me to get into chasing some bigger stuff.
I just watched the video again and it looks like you got it on something other than the Beachmaster. Fibreglass? I would love to hear more about why "fibreglass for bombing big weights" and any specific brands to look at. I grew up with my old man proud of his 14' 1 piece ugly stick.
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
Double
.
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
Awesome The setup in the vid
Awesome
The setup in the vid is a 12 foot Ozflex MT8144 (definitely the shortest rod I'd use for dedicated beach work) matched with a Socorro 8000 running 30lb braid. A beautiful combo but can only really fish it on calmer beaches when there's no weed around
My fiberglass comment stemmed from a habit I have of fishing my gear very hard and in the process I've broken my share of graphite rods. The beach master is the only graphite beach rod I own thats survived so far. Ugly stick, ozflex, Butterworth and Snyder glass are a few fiberglass brands to check out and should be a touch cheaper than the beach master.
Like I said before, no matter what rod you go for err on the longer side of the scale, preferably 14 or 15 foot. It makes that much difference when there's a bit of swell running or theres weed around
tainted
Posts: 81
Date Joined: 29/05/12
I'd second hutch's comment
I'd second hutch's comment regarding the Beachmaster medium.
I've got a Beachmaster lite and Posiedion Batam 5 piece for my larger rod. If I had to replace the Posiedion tomorrow I'd be looking at the Beachmaster Medium. I recon the lite is a little to light for regularly targetting anything bigger than tailor. They are a bit pricy but if you care for them they should last for years.
selthy
Posts: 294
Date Joined: 27/05/11
Thanks for the responses. A
Thanks for the responses. A couple of quick questions before I purchase the rod.
- How does the short butt of the assassin go left in a pvc rod holder. I fear a good hit may pull the rod out?
- Would the Saragosa 10,000 (my preference) be well balanced on the rod. One retailer suggested it is too light and 25,000 would be better?
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
The short butt sits in the
The short butt sits in the rod holder fine, just make sure the PVC pipe is in the ground solidly.
The 10 000 would probably be OK but I'd personally step it up to the 20k, not quite the 25 000.
Diesel80
Posts: 196
Date Joined: 29/08/13
MT9144 can be had for cheap money
Will cast plenty of weight and bait. It will be near impossible to break (fibreglass models) and if it is sitting in a rod holder then the weight of the rod is not much of an issue.
It will get you in the game for little expense.
I have graphite and fibreglass rods from $50 to $x00, and I always go straight for the MT8144 at the moment for tailor and mulloway fishing. Similar to Hutch's. Mine cost $80 it will throw a tailor fillet and 4oz plenty far enough for all the species mentioned, when rougher and bigger weights needed then the 9144 will cast out a whole herring / small tailor no problems and wont turn into a 2 or 3 piece doing so.
All my rods are low mount and none have pulled out of the rod holder. Just dont lock your drag up too far and you will have no issues.
Cheers,
D80
Member of the Offshore Angling Club of WA
www.beachfishingwa.org.au
Diesel80
Posts: 196
Date Joined: 29/08/13
MT9144 can be had for cheap money
dbl post.
Member of the Offshore Angling Club of WA
www.beachfishingwa.org.au
Snags
Posts: 558
Date Joined: 07/05/09
Cast weights on rods can be
Cast weights on rods can be misleading and/or optimistic. Take your reel down to the shop, tie on a big sinker and see how the rod likes it.
Like Hutch, I personally prefer using composite/glass rods for belting out big baits. I just feel more comfortable pushing the limits of them over a graphite rod. Escpecially if you're going to be rock hopping at night.
LOVED my MT8144, but now use I a Wilson Live Fibre Trophy RLF43/2 or a Purglass 400/2, which are both 4 metre rods, and Spheros 14000.
If i were to buy one today, i'd check out jimmys Max Rod and Kob Special (http://fishwrecked.com/forum/assassin-rods-and-reels) before considering Ozflex, another Wilson, Pflueger Crank, Prevail, Snyder Glass, Ugly Stik, etc, and 12ft+
selthy
Posts: 294
Date Joined: 27/05/11
I just went to purchase the
I just went to purchase the beachmaster. Just before I was about to pull the trigger the guy at the shop was looking for the extra tip and then discovered that they had the 'new' model. The new model only comes with the heavy tip and the butt is no longer wood, the canvas bag is replaced with a rod tube. He called the distributer, who said they no longer import the 2 tip model but "you would be mad to go with the previous blank over this version".
The 2nd tip helped me justify the extra price of an assassin. Anyone know anything about this apparently fantastic new blank?
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
Haven't heard anything about
Haven't heard anything about a new beachmaster coming out.
Might be a different assassin model such as the evo or surf which are differently priced?
selthy
Posts: 294
Date Joined: 27/05/11
Nope, definately the
Nope, definately the Beachmaster. It was printed on the blank. The guy in the shop seemed to know his stuff and called the distributer hoping that the 2 tip models were still available. The store still had the light version which still came with 2 tips. 5-6oz cast weight was also on the blank of the medium vs both 2-3 and 3-4 that appeared on the light version.
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
It may have been the FSSC
It may have been the FSSC Med XL model which I don't think comes with a second tip.
The normal beachmaster medium should still be available. What store were you at?
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
I have the beachmaster
I have the beachmaster medium with the 2 tips and wooden butt. Rarely use the heavy tip even in the worst conditions. Wooden butt is shit. Wont last test of time. Lastly the guides used on these rods are crap. Hopefully theyve used better quality on the newer models.
selthy
Posts: 294
Date Joined: 27/05/11
Possibly was. The pic of the
Possibly was. The pic of the FSSC XL on the website still has a wooden handle though. This definately didn't... pm'd re the store.
458italia
Posts: 142
Date Joined: 22/12/16
Prevails pretty good....
I have the 12ft 12-20kg prevail can cast a 200gram sinker 200+ meters, longest cast tho with say a whole herring is around 100-140m depending on wind and rig used. Extremely strong rod(if u get a good one) can lock 25kg of drag and pull as hard as u physically can highsticking to the max, and it doesn't break a sweat! But it is VERY heavy, and isn't sensitive what so ever, so if u need those elements it's not for u, and it can only cast heavy baits, light ones go no where coz of its firm tip. But for powering in beasts, unbeatable for the price
one day a mulloway!
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
Your casts are as
Your casts are as exaggerated as your salmon measurements hahaha
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
timmy k (not verified)
Posts: 16
Date Joined: 01/01/70
ha ha
thats gold
Shimka
Posts: 465
Date Joined: 06/02/14
Love it
Love it
458italia
Posts: 142
Date Joined: 22/12/16
Let it go bro, get some
Let it go bro, get some strength and maby one day u too could cast further than 100m
one day a mulloway!
Shimka
Posts: 465
Date Joined: 06/02/14
Instead of getting on your
Instead of getting on your high horse again, why don't you simply look up the world record casting distances so you can find out just how impossible it is for you to cast the distances you're talking about. 200m is as far as the very best on the planet can cast with specially designed casting weights on custom rods built specifically for casting. Don't worry, most people think they are casting much further than they really are so your not alone. You're just over estimating your abilites. Now before you try ripping me a new one, go down the park tommorow, cast just a sinker & measure your distance. If you say anything over 120m on that prevail, you're going to have to come down to the next casting clinic in Dianella & show the pros how it's done.
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
Yeah nah, doubt you're
Yeah nah, doubt you're casting half as far as you say
Walfootrot
Posts: 1385
Date Joined: 23/07/12
http://surfcasters.iinet.net.
http://surfcasters.iinet.net.au/DryCastingRecords.html
better get your name here 458,
More drum lines, kill the bloody sharks!
Diesel80
Posts: 196
Date Joined: 29/08/13
I have seen that Peter bloke cast,
Effortless. The distance is unbelievable, yet i have seen it with own eyes so totally believe it.
Meanwhile mere mortals like myself hussle and bussle, scrapping for each meter we can.
I work hard for a 60 to 80m cast with a mulie, but it is more than enough to find fish. Doubt i can hit a genuine hundred without some further pointers and practice.
150 with a whole herring would be mighty impressive.
Cheers,
D80
Member of the Offshore Angling Club of WA
www.beachfishingwa.org.au
selthy
Posts: 294
Date Joined: 27/05/11
Ended up purchasing a
Ended up purchasing a Pflueger Crank Big Bait 12" and a 10,000 Saragosa.
Something I only noticed when I got home was that the Saragosa does not have a line clip. Only reel I have ever owned that does not have one. Apart from an elastic band, Any tips on how to store the keep the line firmly on the spool after use?
Shimka
Posts: 465
Date Joined: 06/02/14
Half hitch around the bail
Half hitch around the bail arm where it joins the roller assembly. When you want to undo it just run your finger across the knot, away from the roller a couple of times & it will come undone.