freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by EditB on 23/7/2012, 10:49 am
122.56.106.X

Hi all, Short time watcher, first time poster, from Auckland. I'm in the process of setting myself up for freespool surfcasting and have some questions for those that do. I have an sl30sh I'll be using. Reel Mount: mid or low? Is there any difference? I notice the distance casters use low reel mounts, as do most of the south africans I've seen fishing. It's also very popular down in Christchurch for lobbing lures at salmon and kahawai in the surf. Rod holder/beach spike for a low mount, what do you use? is there one readily available or will I have to custom make one? I see the english using tripods for their beach fishing. Any other advice for a first time surf freespooler? (I've been using the sl30 for rock fishing for years) Cheers guys, B Brenton Cumberpatch North Shore Surfcasting Club, 2012 Treasurer.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by Neil on 23/7/2012, 11:38 am, in reply to "freespool surfcasting questions"
121.73.143.X

Low mount is a pain the arse for fishing I find . As the reel ends up too close to the sand when in the spike or baiting up and a long fight with a ray or shark is hard work due to you being at the wrong end of a big lever. The Tackle tactics rod spikes work for low mount reels if you choose to go that way . Welcome to the darkside Disclaimer .Hamills staff member.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by EditB on 23/7/2012, 11:47 am, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
122.56.106.X

Are there two dark sides? An Alvey side and a freespool side Is sand the reason why a lot of the south africans I've seen fishing hold them using a rod bucket? Brenton Cumberpatch North Shore Surfcasting Club, 2012 Treasurer.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by Neil on 23/7/2012, 11:55 am, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
121.73.143.X

Alveys are the dark ages side. Could be the reason . Seen them fighting big sharks sitting down with one foot being used as a brace for the butt and then have to jump up and chase the shark along the beach just to sit back down again. Disclaimer .Hamills staff member.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by racepics on 23/7/2012, 12:08 pm, in reply to "freespool surfcasting questions"
203.97.201.X

Low mount is supposedly better for competition distance casting. I'm not sure it would make any difference by the time you added a pulley rig and half a pilchard.. Mine are both conventional (high) mount and as Neil says thats a good position for leaning into a stingray or something.. The SL30SH is a truck! I have one and its indestructible. Handles all my abuse and neglect without issue. http://www.paniasurfcasting.org http://www.surfcaster.co.nz

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by Neil on 23/7/2012, 12:55 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
121.73.143.X

The low mount thing helps with grip and balance for distance casting. Disclaimer .Hamills staff member.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by snappyboy on 23/7/2012, 1:35 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
122.56.108.X

I use low mount position, currently using a Sonik Sk4 overhead rod with a Daiwa XSHA30, Best for me at the moment, Just seem comfortable with it. I use a rod bucket and a back brace. Brace helps when fighting a ray or shark. I have never had issues with low mount as this is how I was taught as a youngster. Suggest trying both low and high mount seat and sticking with what works for you. Dark side the best side Good things come to those who bait.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by Panser on 23/7/2012, 4:23 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
210.86.109.X

As an ex south african i fish both low and high mount overhead reels, doesn't make much difference to me. Tripod rod stand works well for me( i have a home made one) and it is great for fishing 2 rods side by side. Also hang my gear bag on it so everything is all in one spot. slosh30 is an exelent reel. Born to fish. Forced to work.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by scuzzy on 23/7/2012, 5:54 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
121.79.208.X

had to re teach my self to cast due to a bad shoulder, use to cast right hand but now cast left with the reel 200-300 mm up from the bottom of the rod- feels alot better doing this-feels more natural , easy to cast -easy to fish, still use a std rod holder from Tackle Tactics, if any thing I find it it better for fishing as can hold the rod a little higher if need be, dont use or need a rod bucket at all- can still cast 80-100 meters with bait.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by EditB on 23/7/2012, 7:27 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
27.252.187.X

I take it there's no problem of the rod twisting in the TT rodholders? Brenton Cumberpatch North Shore Surfcasting Club, 2012 Treasurer.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by scuzzy on 23/7/2012, 7:57 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
121.79.208.X

none at all, you will need to have the rod holder on a slight angle towards the sea,I also use a F*** on the holder as well- will send a pm ,need to finish fixing the computer first

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by EditB on 24/7/2012, 9:52 am, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
122.56.106.X

I am wondering what a "F***" on the holder is Reformatting computers is a right pain! Brenton Cumberpatch North Shore Surfcasting Club, 2012 Treasurer.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by Marko on 24/7/2012, 12:21 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
203.109.202.X

I fish both my surf rods with low mount about 150mm from the end, I don't use a gimbal or bucket. You don't have the rod poking back between your legs, you can get a fair amount of leverage from this position but it takes getting used to reeling close to your body. This is where things can get caught up, like strings from waders or loose rain jackets, make sure everything is clear around your chest/waist before you start fighting your fish... Also as the reel is usually sitting lower in the rod stand as you go to lift rod into position be careful not to knock the free spool lever... I cut the top ring on my old rod stand to make a U and turned it around, once there is tension on your rod it usually sits nice, strong on-shore makes it all a bit harder. Yes slosh30 is a great reel. I have a Penn525 mag for sale if your interested?

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by iceman on 24/7/2012, 3:09 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
27.252.230.X

how much for your penn marko?

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by EditB on 24/7/2012, 3:37 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
122.56.106.X

Cheers for the offer Marko but I'll stick to my SL for now, even tho my TAS magpie is sqwuaking at the thought of a 525 Brenton Cumberpatch North Shore Surfcasting Club, 2012 Treasurer.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by PhilipDannevirke on 24/7/2012, 4:53 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
121.73.168.X

The force is strong in these ones! I have an ABU 7000, an ABU 6500 a Daiwa SL30SH and a Daiwa SLOSh X30. Fish them high mount on Solaris 13'6" and 14"6". I did try one low mount when I broke 400 mm off the but of one rod. It cast ok but I felt uncomfortable. I made a tri-pod but Phil at TT has a very nice model, the standard TT holder works great too. Just make sure you have a rod stand which cups the but and holds just below the reel otherwisde when a big one strikes you will bust the but off and be forced to fish low mount! Tight lines, Philip. Tight Lines, Philip Takapau

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by EditB on 24/7/2012, 5:10 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
122.56.106.X

Sorry Philip, I don't get what you're saying about the rod holder. Do you have a pic or an example of this? For example look at the Std Ultimo on TT, is that what you're talikng about? How would the strain on the rod be any different in that setup than if it was a low mount? Just trying to understand Brenton Cumberpatch North Shore Surfcasting Club, 2012 Treasurer.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by Mark Roberts on 25/7/2012, 7:02 am, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
60.234.157.X

I didn't realise there were so many free-spoolers out there. I use low mount. It's only becomes uncomfortable when fighting a large stingray—something I try to avoid. I have one SL30SH and two relatively old SL20SH. I prefer the 20 model for beach casting. The 30 shown below is loaded with 15 kg line for fishing the rubble at Te Awanga (HB). Makes a nice racket when a moki takes the bait—doesn't happen often enough though. From Surfcasting in New Zealand

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by EditB on 25/7/2012, 11:04 am, in reply to "freespool surfcasting questions"
122.56.106.X

Some great response thus far, cheers guys Next question : Clicker on / gears disengaged while waiting? Brenton Cumberpatch North Shore Surfcasting Club, 2012 Treasurer.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by racepics on 25/7/2012, 2:59 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"

No - well not for me. I guess it depends on what rig you intend to use. When I'm using pulley rigs I leave the reels in gear and a decent amount of drag on. If a fish takes your bait its going to come up against the weight of the sinker way before any line is pulled from the reel. It will know something is up, and either hook itself against the weight of the sinker or drop the bait. Leaving the reel out of gear would be a waste of time. Look at how much strain or bend you need to put on a rod just to cause a 6oz breakout sinker to release from the sand. Any fish that moves that sinker is already hooked or will drop the bait. http://www.paniasurfcasting.org http://www.surfcaster.co.nz

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by PhilipDannevirke on 25/7/2012, 3:33 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
121.73.168.X

Sorry, no pics. If the distance from the cup to the top of the stand is too short the blank is resting against the top of the rod stand and can damage the blank causing it to fracture when under load. If the cup to stand top is long enough to reach the grip imediately below the reel (high mount) then that risk goes away. The adjustable stnds from TT address this problem nicely. A short stand (distance from cup to top) for a low mount outfit wont hurt the blank. Tight lines, Philip Tight Lines, Philip Takapau

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by PhilipDannevirke on 25/7/2012, 3:34 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
121.73.168.X

Hi Mark, That is probably because we all skulk about in the dead of night pursuing the dark side:-) Tight lines, Philip Tight Lines, Philip Takapau

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by EditB on 25/7/2012, 3:59 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
122.56.106.X

Thanks for clarifying that Philip about holders and blank damage. Brenton Cumberpatch North Shore Surfcasting Club, 2012 Treasurer.

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by PhilipDannevirke on 25/7/2012, 4:43 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
121.73.168.X

You're welcome. Gave me a fright when I hauled off a power cast and the blank broke in my hands!! Okuma replaced the but section for a small fee but if I had taken care not to use too short a stand the blank wouldn't have snapped. Tight lines, Philip Tight Lines, Philip Takapau

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by jaypeegee on 25/7/2012, 5:15 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
203.97.235.X

Plus if youre using cirlce hooks ya need the drag for the fish to set against..So drag at least medium for me

Re: freespool surfcasting questions

Posted by EditB on 25/7/2012, 6:12 pm, in reply to "Re: freespool surfcasting questions"
122.56.106.X

Cheers, that's how I fish a fixed spool but must have confused some of my freespool reading somewhere . Soon I will put it all in to action and have more questions... Brenton Cumberpatch North Shore Surfcasting Club, 2012 Treasurer.