View Full Version : Telescopic fishing rods
Hi, I realised I was hijacking Damascus' thread about £1 fishing kit, with my questions about telescopic rods.
Any one got any experience of them, can anyone recommend one that is worth buying?
AJB
While i'm not a fisherman a few of the guys I worked with used to take telescopic fishing poles on hols with a couple of ready made up rigs with float hooks weights etc. One told me a cheap pole was around the £20 mark and each rig about £1. Just thought it might be another option.
Dave.
I got hold of one a few years ago in Cash Converters. Cost me about a tenner IIRC.
Absolutely brilliant as it collapses down to be lashed to my pack and extends to about ten feet. Can't remember the make of it of the top of my head though, but I would say get one if you want to combine fishing with a bit of trecking or bushcrafting.
bambodoggy
31-03-2006, 11:14
I took a couple to Sweden last year on Bearclaw's Vildmark course and used them a lot fishing for pike and salmon in the beautiful lakes over there.
Great bit of kit and would certainly recomend. I had a really old one I've used when I was a kid on holiday and a new one I got for last years trip...the technology hasn't half come on lol
I'd say to go for it as even if you don't get on with them at that price it's not going to break the bank.
Cheers,
Bam. :D
Spacemonkey
31-03-2006, 11:52
That Chubby Mears character has a great little kit on his website which includes a Shimano mini telescopic rod. Mears flogs the whole kit for £150 or so, but the rods themselves are about £60 and some in the range are cheaper. They're not bad either but collapse down to really small.
I have an Abu carbon carp rod that is telescopic which I bought as a proper rod. It cost about £70 8 years ago and is definitely not a toy rod. I've had many big bass, mullet and some carp on it and it copes well. It's 11ft and collapses to about the hieght of my Highlander 33 rucksack which is why I bought it-so that I can scrabble along rocks and cliffs without having to carry a full size rod, and just leave it in my pack.
If fly rods are your thing then 4 piece rods are quite compact too and cast just as well as 2 piece. As said before, rod technology has really improved recently for telescopics or multi piece travel rods.
£40 here, together with a Shimano 750 or 1000 real, which are around £30-35, I have rod and its a good bit of kit
www.tackleshop.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2219/groupID/9/categoryID/173/v/bec2ef89-84d8-4ecc-b94d-4d8805fc0219
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the info, much appreciated.
Andy
£40 here, together with a Shimano 750 or 1000 real, which are around £30-35, I have rod and its a good bit of kit
www.tackleshop.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2219/groupID/9/categoryID/173/v/bec2ef89-84d8-4ecc-b94d-4d8805fc0219
WOW - got to have one of these! Steve, of the four on that page, which would you recomend for general spining for what ever bites the hook?
I've got an old Mitchel spining real from my youth, will that be OK or should I invest in something a bit smaller.
Andy
Keith_Beef
31-03-2006, 15:15
My wife got me a bit of fishing kit for Christmas 2004, from these guys in Paris:
http://www.revedepeche.com/
Mitchell Basic Tele Spin, a Shimano Alivia spinning reel and a handfull of spinning lures.
I've caught a pike and a perch with it in France (both for eating), and last week I caught about a dozen small sunfish (thrown back) here in New Jersey.
If you're ever in Paris near Reve de Pêche, take the time to at least look in the window at all the knives. A few scandis and other production knives, but the chap who looks after that side of the business wants to get more and more one-off craftsman-made knives.
K.
pierre girard
31-03-2006, 17:14
Have had several, over the years. Biggest problem was the thin ends of the rod would twist - if you had a large fish on - making a mess of the eylets and line. Best one I had - the rod's circumferance was triangular. This kept the telescoping ends from twisting.
PG
Spacemonkey
31-03-2006, 17:26
I have never suffered this problem, but maybe it's because i make sure the rod joints are real tight? Can be tricky collapsing them, but I'd prefer that than lose the smooth action.
Steve, that's the rods I'm on about. How do you get on with them? Which size do you have and what kind of fish have you had with them? Would you class them as a good actioned rod? Stiff, or through action? How do they cast, and how does the reel seat work?
AJB, I would suggest picking up a new small real, those Mitchells are probably quite large and heavy. New small ones can be had for under £20, just make sure they can take enough of the size line you want. Try and get a twin spool reel so that you can have say 100m of 3 or 4 lb line on one and 100m or so of 15lb line for light sea fishing or light piking etc, if the rods can handle that, which they probably can in the larger sizes. Just make sure that after any sea trip you wash down EVERYTHING thoroughly in fresh water or it'll be a pile of rusty scrap in no time. Okuma is a good brand for cheap reels, and the more bearings the better.
Think I'll get me one of those...
Hi Monkey,
Thanks for the info, really helpful.
AJB
Spacemonkey
31-03-2006, 20:58
No probs. ;)
Do you fish yourself? If not, or not for a long time, it's worth tagging along with a mate who does to get the basics in. Half of the problem is knowing where to find the fish in the first place! Sea fishing is easier in one respect as the fish are less wary of tackle than fresh as generally they are only caught once. I return most of mine, but keep a couple of good 'uns for the freezer. Don't forget that in this country you generally can't (and wouldn't want to-they taste of mud !!) kill and eat freshwater fish. Don't be afraid to ask for advice on gear in tackle shops as they are more than helpful in most cases and should be able to provide local knowledge in return for a sale.
pierre girard
01-04-2006, 00:18
No probs. ;)
Don't forget that in this country you generally can't (and wouldn't want to-they taste of mud !!) kill and eat freshwater fish. .
I'd never run into this until I fished in the southern part of our state. In our cold water northern lakes - this is never a problem. All the game fish taste great. I've never thrown back a game fish in my life. I don't fish for fun. I don't particularly enjoy it. I fish to eat fish.
PG
tetra_neon
01-04-2006, 00:38
I wouldn't recommend a telescopic rod for anything other than fun fishing from the rocks on holiday. If you want to catch (and keep!) something big enough to eat on your hook, more strength and better action is crucial. Losing a fat fish, and expensive lure, is a bummer.
Shimano do a very good 5 piece spinning rod called the 'Beastmaster STC' which I have and highly recommend. It's light, compact and comes with a very sturdy tube case which is ideal for lashing against a pack or taking abroad.
As for spinning lures, the silver Dexter Wedges work like magic.
here's a link to the rod: http://www.summerlands.co.uk/Shimano_Beastmaster_Rods.htm
Hope that helps!
Spacemonkey
01-04-2006, 01:41
I'd never run into this until I fished in the southern part of our state. In our cold water northern lakes - this is never a problem. All the game fish taste great. I've never thrown back a game fish in my life. I don't fish for fun. I don't particularly enjoy it. I fish to eat fish.
PG
That's why-game fish- I'm talking about coarse fish like carp etc. Ones living in lakes over here taste of mud as do most river fish. Game fish don't for some reason. Odd...
Most people in this country fish for fun I'd say as most of us live just a few minutes from the shops so fishing has evolved into a hobby not a larder filler. However, most sea fishers and game fishers usually keep a few for the pot, as do I. Still enjoy it though, it's primarily a hobby here.
Spacemonkey
01-04-2006, 01:48
Tetra, the rods we have highlighted are from the Shimano Travel Collection (STC) range, it's just telescopic instead of the TA you mention, which looks tasty by the way.
I would however disagree about the value of telescopics. If you have a quality tele, not a £5 market toy, then they are good rods as I have proved myself with mine. But you have to get a good 'un. At £45 the STC tele is worth trying for a laugh as it is really compact when collapsed and so could fit in any bag 'just in case'. I'm sure it'd be fine for light work such as mackerel, and they'd put up a good scrap on such a lightweight outfit. That's why I normally fly fish for them. They go like the clappers when there's not a 6 oz lead on the line. I've had a 5lb mullet on my tele carp rod with no probs, and they are, pound for pound, probably the hardest fighting fish in the UK waters. Can't wait to get one on the fly though!!
Keith_Beef
02-04-2006, 05:24
I've never thrown back a game fish in my life. I don't fish for fun. I don't particularly enjoy it. I fish to eat fish.
I don't go fishing for the sake of hooking, weighing and throwing back.
If I'm going to put a fish to the discofort of being caught, I prefer to kill it and eat it.
But I enjoy exploring, and playing with, the technology of fishing. The kit, the knots, the stuff I can make myself, the knots. Have I mentioned that I like knots?
I just have the one fishing rod; that Mitchell telescopic. I know it's flimsy, and maybe it is because of this (and that fact that I'm not out to try to land a 3lb fish on a 1lb line) that I don't mess about. I use heavy line (about 9kg or 13kg rating), keep the rod low, don't let it flex much, and let the reel do a lot of the work.
About 12 seconds to land the three pound perch from around 75 yards out, straight onto the bank (I don't bother with a landing net).
K.
No probs. ;)
Do you fish yourself? If not, or not for a long time, it's worth tagging along with a mate who does to get the basics in. Half of the problem is knowing where to find the fish in the first place! Sea fishing is easier in one respect as the fish are less wary of tackle than fresh as generally they are only caught once. I return most of mine, but keep a couple of good 'uns for the freezer. Don't forget that in this country you generally can't (and wouldn't want to-they taste of mud !!) kill and eat freshwater fish. Don't be afraid to ask for advice on gear in tackle shops as they are more than helpful in most cases and should be able to provide local knowledge in return for a sale.
Hi Monkey/Steve,
I fished when I was a kid but nothing for about twenty years. I just fancy the idea of chucking a hook in the water while camping. But yes it would probably be a good idea to ask for help as I’ve forgotten what little I knew - I’m kinda surprised there’s never been a call for a fishing forum within Fair Game – any thoughts?
Do I understand that these telescopic rods (http://www.tackleshop.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2219/groupID/9/categoryID/173/v/bec2ef89-84d8-4ecc-b94d-4d8805fc0219) will just about hold their own for a bit of gentle sea fishing? I which case would I be better going for the heavier rods (I assume that refers to the casing weight). How much would that impinge on my ability to cast a spinner?
Someone educate me please!
Andy
Spacemonkey
03-04-2006, 18:42
Put it this way, I'm going to get me one of the biggest ones in that range and that's what I'm going to use it for. When casting it's all about the flick. Use the bend of the rod to catapult out the lure. It takes very little effort to knock it out quite some way, but remember that most small sea fish are close in near rocks etc so try that first before shooting out to the horizon. Use a small silver metal type spinner or even small rubber eels for bass and pollack and even the odd mackerel. I catch these fish on flies so it's not that hard, just remember to vary the retrieve rate to allow the lure to appear natural so that it goes up and down in the water as well as towards you.
Hi Monkey,
Thanks a lot.
I asked the same kind of question from the Takle Shop and they sent me this...
Hi Andy
Thank you for your email. I use the mini light 2.1m rod myself
http://www.tackleshop.co.uk/productdetails/mcs/productid/2219/GroupID/9/CategoryID/173
It is fantastic and I have used it for pike and sea fishing. It is very light and it is great fun when you hook a fish on it.
Basically with this rod sea or pike fishing is very similar. All you need is a light wire trace
http://www.tackleshop.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/802/groupID/16/categoryID/130
and a small rapala lure
http://www.tackleshop.co.uk/productdetails/mcs/productid/2554/GroupID/21/CategoryID/227
link this with a small 750 or 1000 size Shimano reel and you are ready to go.
If you should require any further info please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards
Mike
Mike Stone
www.TackleShop.co.uk
i've got a telescopic rod and it was fine with medium fish ( didnt catch a big one )
Decathlon do a medium tele rod and reel for under £12.00
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/Product_arborescence/nature-sports/fishing/fishing-rod---c/fishing-combos/product_6167718/index.html
Keith_Beef
23-06-2006, 04:46
A small word of warning, however.
If you get kit designed for freshwater, it will probably not be so resistant to corrosion as specific sea-fishing kit; so pay extra attention to risning and drying.
K.
Labrador
23-06-2006, 11:46
Hi,
it's worth checking out as much as you can before buying. I tend to use Shimano STC rods for travelling (the multi-section types) & I use both spinning & fly rods. If possible go to a good tackle shop, ask their advice & have a look at all of the options open to you before you part with your hard earned wonga!
Anyway if you browse the link below you should find the entire Shimano range to give you an idea of what's available....
http://fish.shimano-eu.com/publish/content/fish/seh/nl/en.html;jsessionid=23d870cf-af2b-c449-8910-bd6ccc29b302
Tight lines!
I have a shakespeare telescopic rod which I have used several times both here and abroad and it shrinks down to 29 inches.
It is suitable for both fresh and salt water fishing.
I had this for over ten years now and so long as the joints are kept clean, it should last for several more years.
http://www.shakespeare-fishing.co.uk/Kits-Combos-and-Rods/TelescopicRods/
I just picked up an ABU tele from ebay for £13, seller seems to be doing clearance on them
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ABU-Garcia400-Series-9-Telescopic-fishing-rod_W0QQitemZ280000435650QQihZ 018QQcategoryZ1495QQssPageName ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
On the ultra budget front.. Aldi have just had a load of fishing gear in including telescopic rods... might be worth a look..
Great Pebble
24-06-2006, 17:37
I've gotten a clart of fishing gear off Lidl in the past couple of years since my old and originally expensive kit was knicked from the boot of my motor.
The interveneing time since I bought my gear has obviously had a profounf effect as this "budget" stuff appears to all intents and purposes to be very good....
To be honest, if I had to fish to fill the larder, I wouldn't be using a rod.
lardbloke
24-06-2006, 18:00
I am off to Lewis via Skye to do a spot of ridge walking and was wondering if anyone knows of any good rock/beach fishing spots on Lewis and Harris?
Just a thought.
For some reason, telescopic rods are not very available in the USA. I think it is because there were so many cheapy telescopic rods sold some years back, they developed an unfavorable reputation. They used to regularly advertise them on TV. I looked around trying to find one of the Shimano Exage 2.1m rods with the only source being on other continents! I did locate the Shimano 750 reels for a fair price. While I was looking about I came across this rig from Cabelas, it is not telescopic but is in several short sections although only 4ft 6in when assembled. It seems like a nice rig to keep in a rucksack for that occasional stream while out packing about. I would do away with the hard case for carrying in a pack, perhaps make a pouch out of light nylon. The beauty is the price which is $35US. I am seriously thinking about buying one. I prefer to fly fish, more fun and all, but spinning is fun too and easier, cheaper, etc. I think next payday I will order the outfit, made by Diawa BTW, which makes some reasonably priced, decent quality fishing gear. The link is
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp;jsessionid=PFWYIHTIH5 1XDTQSNOHCCNWOCJVZCIWE?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166&id=0010505116344a&navCount=3&podId=0010505&parentId=cat20287&navAction=push&catalogCode=2UG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20287&hasJS=true&_requestid=76352
tetra_neon
04-07-2006, 09:55
I have to go back on what I said about not liking telescopic rods.
Having used the shimano exage mini. tele rod recently, i'd say it's perfect for a backpacking fishing outfit!
I got one as a present a couple of weeks ago – I have only one problem, it’s too nice to get wet!
Apparently they are stopping making this - crazy
Dan Wound
04-07-2006, 10:43
£40 here, together with a Shimano 750 or 1000 real, which are around £30-35, I have rod and its a good bit of kit
www.tackleshop.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2219/groupID/9/categoryID/173/v/bec2ef89-84d8-4ecc-b94d-4d8805fc0219
Thoroughly reccomend this rod, it's simply awesome, I enquired to it's merit when buying it and the shop when testing it landed a 12lb pike with no bother on it !!!
This rod lives in my bag, with a lightweight reel and box of lures, it weight next to nothing and means I can go fishing whenever I please.
Best thing I've ever bought.
(and yeah they are stopping making it, but the guy at tackle shop bought a fair few)
Hi Dan,
Have you used it in the sea as well?
Dan Wound
04-07-2006, 10:58
I'm afraid not, I have the medium one and I'd expect it would be too light for sea use, the best thing to do would be to give the chap (Ithink it's Mike) at tackle shop a call, he's super helpful and could answer straight away, it may be simply a case of going for a stronger test curve although I'm unsure as too whether he stocks those)
http://www.tackleshop.co.uk/ProductsList/mcs/CategoryID/173/GroupID/9/CatName/Telescopic%20-%20Travel%20rods/v/07fb3699-fab9-42ee-9818-2dc378d5a6d0
This page has a telescopic beach caster, however pack size wont compare.
Tight lines.
Hi Dan,
I've already spoken to him! He's got one and uses it for both course and light sea fishing. I just wondered if you'd tried it.
Thanks for the info though.
AJB
Dan Wound
04-07-2006, 12:39
Hi Dan,
I've already spoken to him! He's got one and uses it for both course and light sea fishing. I just wondered if you'd tried it.
Thanks for the info though.
AJB
Sound, I may have to give it a go, although I know next to nothing about sea fishing. Top guy at tackle shop though, awesome service.
I see Mr Mears has started to sell the Shimano Ultra Compact Exage Mini Telescopic Rod with a ‘specially selected’ set of kit.
I got everything on the list (in fact a better real) with the exception of about £5 worth of mini tackle box (priced at my local shop), off the internet for £55.
Mr Mears - £150 - respect
Spacemonkey
11-07-2006, 17:04
Well I got off my **** and ordered one myself today. If they are stopping selling them, I might get a few to stock up if they are any good.
AJB, apologies if i have completely missed something, but could you tell me where you got all your stuff from please ?
thanks, Mike
falling rain
12-07-2006, 19:08
load your reel with fairly light line too say 10lb - 15lb and try dexter wedges http://www.baitsdirect.com/acatalog/sea_tackle_lures_dexter.html when lure fishing for bass and mackeral they're very good. I've never used them in freshwater but imagine pike and perch for example would be interested as they're predators too.
Michael Mac
12-07-2006, 19:09
Talking of telescopic fishing rods... only this week while in Poundland (yes don't laugh lol) I found that they were selling them, also a reel and fishing kit which comprises of rubber bait, hooks of 2 different sizes, two floats and pack of shots!
All in all it costed me £3 :cool:
I'm going on an overnighter this weekend and intend on trying it out :D
i have just dug out my kingfisher 6ft and i should be going fishing not this weekend but next
leon
AJB, apologies if i have completely missed something, but could you tell me where you got all your stuff from please ?
thanks, Mike
Hi Mike,
Sorry I can’t tell you exactly, as my sister got it for me from and Irish company and and she’s on holiday at the moment so I can't ask her, but that was the best price she found after an exhaustive internet search. Having said that, the prices seem to have taken a hike in the last few weeks, whether it’s the rumour that the rods are going out of production or not, I don’t know.
However, the people below have them at £85 including a real (half of Mr Mears price)
http://www.tackleshop.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2516/groupID/22/categoryID/210/referrer/fisheries
Or at £53 for just the rod...
http://www.tackleshop.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/1463/
BUT, THE WINNER IS…
http://www.fostersofbirmingham.co.uk/ST41330
AT £35!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!
thanks for the link AJB.
lost the top section of my favorite pike rod off the side of the boat on saturday...doh!
think i'll get one of these to ease the pain a little :)
Fiacha,
You can’t actually use these rods – they’re too beautiful to get wet.
I just priced it all up at tackle shop and it comes to 131 quid without the pouch or Mustad box, so RM doesn't appear to be far off.
BTW the rod that AJB points out for £35 is not the same one, they do the mini at £50 or so.
Would love to know who does the set at £55 total.
For anyone who has bought a Shimano exage mini tele spinning rod, I’m pretty sure they will fit into one of these knife tubes… B22412 - 50mm diam. x 200mm > 350mm - £1.34 … being sold on - http://www.britishblades.com/forums...ead.php?t=24484
A different transport solution.
AJB
smithy82
08-08-2006, 21:40
I've got one of these shimano tele rods aswell, and I think they're great. :)
I've got the 9ft version (2.7M) which still pack away to 30cm!
The rod hardly weighs anything at all, but feels strong. I got the shimano nexave 1000 Rear drag reel to go with it aswell.
The whole outfit is so light and compact that you wouldnt even notice it in your bag. I mainly use mine for trout fishing.
This is the james bond of fishing rods
outdoorgirl
08-08-2006, 22:01
I also have the telespin 2.7 and the take down 2.4/2.7 STC rods. I've got the symetre 750FI and the nexave 1000 RA reels to go with them. Haven't used them much yet, but am definitely leaning towards the telespin for all sorts of reasons. Hope to do a review sometime of each one...
Shore fishing for mackies - so far not much luck! :(
ODG
Spacemonkey
09-08-2006, 00:10
Not suprised in Wiltshire... ;)
Have you tried Chesil yet? Tiny spinner launched towards France, and try different depths til you find them. Follow the seagulls. They eat the same baitfish that the macks do. The plankton rises close in at dusk and dawn, and the baitfish eat it, followed by the bigger fish and gulls etc. They should go like trains on one of these rods.
Best bits are the car park at Abbotsbury and the car park at the other end too near the Portland Land Bridge.
outdoorgirl
09-08-2006, 00:32
Thanks for the tip! Last trip was at Brixham, and we fished off the breakwater. Caught mine on the first cast, and nothing but rocks and submerged line after that. Lost a good half dozen lures and a lot of line that day... :(
You've really got to watch those small reels - we both cast off one complete line each (100-120yds 4lb line), and I only just caught another before it hit the end!
No-one else was catching either though, so I didn't feel too bad. The one we caught was tasty enough, although of course I'd have liked more! We supplemented it with a couple of small crabs we were going to use as bait, and some winkles Andy 'foraged' while snorkeling...
Looking forward to the sea fishing trip next month - although I'm hoping to get some more shore fishing in before then...
ODG
Spacemonkey
09-08-2006, 20:13
I would seriously consider a bigger reel and about 150yds min of 8 lb line. Might not be too sporting but there is the very real possibility of hooking a bloody big bass or pollack and they will simply twang 4lb line. 15lb is better, but if you set the clutch right and not bully the bigger fish, 8 might cope. I think the rod would cope fine (mine arrives in a couple of days, so I'll let thee know what I think) as I normally use a weedy fly rod for my sea fishing and that's coped well enough! Oh, and i use 10lb line on the end. One of the main reasons is to have the strength to pull out of snags and weed.
Fishing over rocky weedy ground is good! However try a floating plug that sinks slightly when you wind in, this way you stay above the rocks yet the fish will still be attracted.
Just bought a 7 foot telescopic rod complete with reel and a selection of hooks, a float, spinner etc. It was a Fladen Tracker fishing kit from www.tacklebargins.co.uk. They have a big selection of stuff.
Not fished since I was a kid, but the kit looks ok for begining fishing again. I wanted a small kit for carrying in my canoe and it looks ideal for that. I'll try it next week on holiday in Scotland, hope I catch something!
outdoorgirl
10-08-2006, 10:20
Cheers Spacemonkey. If I want to use heavier line I can use dyneema instead - it's more expensive but I can get up to 28lb with that (100-120yds) or drop to 15-20lbs and get 180yds on. That should do me... :)
Looks like our next trip won't be until the bank holiday weekend - I'm fighting an infection in my jaw after having a tooth out and don't feel up to much for this weekend, and next week Andy is away working so I've got three terriers to watch over as we're dog-sitting again!
ODG
Spacemonkey
10-08-2006, 12:29
15 will do, the rest is a little heavy for the rod. If you guys are getting serious, then you simply MUST read this site: http://www.mikeladle.com/contents.html
At the bottom is the plug for their book, Hooked on Bass which is the UK bible for bass shore fishing. The best type of plug he reckons is the jointed type. Enjoy!
I'm off this weekend to Christchurch estuary with the fly rod for some bass...
Spacemonkey
10-08-2006, 12:43
Oh and for all those bass fishers out there, there is a new minimum keep size limit in place to protect the dwindling stocks which is 40cm up from 36cm. They generally don't breed til they are about 42cm, so that's the reason for the limit:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2006/060810a.htm
15 will do, the rest is a little heavy for the rod. If you guys are getting serious, then you simply MUST read this site: http://www.mikeladle.com/contents.html
At the bottom is the plug for their book, Hooked on Bass which is the UK bible for bass shore fishing. The best type of plug he reckons is the jointed type. Enjoy!
I'm off this weekend to Christchurch estuary with the fly rod for some bass...
What about this stuff?
http://www.berkley-fishing.com/prod.php?k=50276&sk=47013&u=FL300
I dont know anything about fishing, but reading about, it seems well rated. If it's thinner than regular line for the same strength, couldnt you get more of it onto a small reel?
Is it suitable for freshwater?
Spacemonkey
23-08-2006, 10:49
Yeah that seems fine. I have braid on my reel for the Shimano and it's about 3x the strength of the size of nylon equivilant. About £10 for a 100 metres is about right.
Can be used fresh or salt, but beware that it is best used for spinnig where a direct no stretch approach is an advantage. If using for other tecniques you should take care when striking (setting the hooks) and just lift the rod tip a foot or two otherwise you'll just pull the hooks out. Nylon has a good degree of stretch that dampens the striking action that braid does not.
Thanks mate.
With regard to mackrel fishing, can someone explain to me the difference between a paternoster and hokkai rig?
Been reading up on mackrel fishing and these seem to pop up a lot, but all the diagrams I've looked at seem to show similar things for both of em.
dommyracer
23-08-2006, 15:16
Interesting thread this, been looking at having a pop at fishing for a while.
I'm not really interested in the sport of it to be honest, much more interested in some 'easy' well-tested ways of catching fish to eat.
Does anyone have any good links that provide good info for starters?
Interesting thread this, been looking at having a pop at fishing for a while.
I'm not really interested in the sport of it to be honest, much more interested in some 'easy' well-tested ways of catching fish to eat.
Does anyone have any good links that provide good info for starters?
I'm much in the same position as you, never done it but intrested in doing so for the same reasons.
What I have found out, a little late but... It's National fishing week this week and there are free events organised, unfortunateley I can't make any of them but maybe you can, it looks like they've waved the rod licence requirements specifically for these events too.
Some details here http://www.nationalfishingweek.co.uk/home/
Find ones within specified distances of your postcode, or specific types of fishing here http://www.dreamstoreactive.org/events/super-search/
As your also London these are probably the most local ones for you
http://www.thames21.org.uk/news/augusttightlines2006.htm
Oh and seeing as this was the Telescopic rod thread, to get things back to topic of the Shimano mini, cheapest I found for the Shimano Exage TEXMTS270M £55 +£7 p&p
https://www.veals.co.uk/acatalog/Spinning.html
Because of the fear that they might not be availble much longer and the philosophy that the best rod is the one you use most, I'm far more likely to travel with that than any other, I ordered one for myself late last night, along with a Nexave 1000ra reel ( including spare spool and 2 spools of Maxima line ) £29 +£5 p&p from http://www.fostersofbirmingham.co.uk/st50755
Could have got the Nexave a bit cheaper £24 +p&p here http://www.fostersofbirmingham.co.uk/st50755 but no spare spool or line included, so the above did seem a good deal.
Which hopefully I'll be trying out in Wales end of Sept as I'll be visiting my partners family there, one of who has won various types of fishing competions and is looking for an excuse to get an extra couple of days fishing in anyway. Plus he's bound to have lots of advice on hooks, lines etc and probably bulk spools of line that I can get enough for a couple of reels of off of him cheaper than buying for myself. Result, apart from my girlfriend is a veggie who can't stand the smell of fish.
Plan for my own fishing trips later is to get a decent telescope and combine a "camp out" with a couple of hours fishing and a couple of hours stargazing, which should mean I'm not defined as "wild camping" too as I'm not actually camping, merely taking a food & rest break from my other 2 activities ;)
Spacemonkey
23-08-2006, 20:24
I'm off to St Brides Haven (South West Wales, Pembrokshire Coast Park) this weekend in the Campervan with my girly for a spot of flyfishing in the sea for macks and bass/pollack, and maybe mullet if I'm licky. I'm also taking the mini Shimano for her to try. It's really good for macks etc. Martyn, what you want for macks are a couple of small spinners like the bottom one of my pic in my review of the rod. That'll do fine. Keep it simple..
This is what I use to goood effect as a basic all round lure, the ABu Toby lure:
http://www.fishingbig.com/fishing_tackle/lures/abu_lures/abu_toby_7g_silver.html
Martyn, what you want for macks are a couple of small spinners like the bottom one of my pic in my review of the rod. That'll do fine. Keep it simple..
'k mate thanks, I'll look out for em. I was more curious about these multiple hook rigs than anything. :)
Spacemonkey
23-08-2006, 21:09
Well that's just cheating if you ask me...;)
One cast and you have more than enough for dinner, and what will you do with the rest? If mackerel are handled they will die regardless as their skin can't take it, so unless you catch and release you have to kill them and how would you release 4 wriggling fish without touching them?
Hokkai type jigs or feathers, are 4 imitation fish things that are tied to line in a paternoster pattern. You tie one end of the rig to the main line and the other to a suitable lead weight. Cast out and winch them back in. Dumb fishing.. Makes me mad when the grockels do this, catch loads of macks, kill them all, then leave them on the sea shore or dump them in the bin. FER FEKS SAKE!!! Shooting the grockels is too humane....
Also when spinning with braid, you don't have to strike, the fish hook themselves when they take the lure. I always de barb my trebles too, otherwise they are a nightmare to get out and C&R is very difficult, not to mention the excessive injuries put on the fish. For Macky C&R, cut the other two hooks off the treble and use just one barbless hook, it'll cope fine! When caught, just shake the mack off the lure by holding the hook shank and giving a little up and down shake, the fish should fall off harmlessly. If you're going to kill them to eat, then club them first and remove hooks when they are dead. No point hanging around and letting it suffer for long.
Well that's just cheating if you ask me...;)
One cast and you have more than enough for dinner, and what will you do with the rest?
Hang em in the chimney for half a day. :)
I was just curious really. I wanted to know what the most efficient way of catching a reasonable amount of food is.
Spacemonkey
23-08-2006, 22:44
If you want macks for dinner and freezer, then feather (or hokkai) rigs wacked out in the shoals and reeled in. No sport at all though... One on a spinner is amazing! Mackies are here now, so make the most of it before they retreat back to offshore Cornwall again.
dommyracer
25-08-2006, 15:48
Sorry for taking the Thread OT, but thanks for the info guys.
Spacemonkey
27-08-2006, 21:26
The mini Shimano worked well (too windy and no back cast space for fly fishing) and the macks were won on a 30g lure similar to the Abu Toby (Mistral I think??) as they were further out from the range of the 10g lure. The rod casts best with a short line off the tip ring (about 1-1.5ft) and the lure, bring the rod back over head, and as the lure is straight out behind give the rod a quick flick forward as if you were flicking paint off a paintbrush. This is the same action used in fly fishing to get a nice tight loop in the line. Unfortunately, the lure was lost to rocks and so was a good length of line, and no more fish came to my smaller lures... The place looked so fishy, but not much around, even the hordes of divers confirmed this. Then as I packed up on the last evening, I saw the seal which was probably why the fish were awol. Still, I had never seen a wild seal before, so that made up for it!
Blencathra
12-09-2006, 10:28
:rolleyes: All,
Just got one of the 2.1m MED Shimano Ultra Compact Exage Mini Telescopic Rod for my birthday, looking forward to trying it at the weekend, not been fishing for 12 years, lost all my tackle so looking for ideas to start again.
Light sea and river / lake fishing hopefully eat a few trouts etc...
Problem.
The reel seat on this rod is v.small. My brother bought me a nice new Abu Garcia reel, but it is too big for the rod.
What would you 'experts' recommend, please include a basic tackle kit so I can fill my boots at the weekend and give it a whirl
Cheers Guys
Blencathra (Harrogate, North Yorks)
Hi Blencathra,
That sound great, let us know what you catch and on what bait/lure, as I’m yet to get mine wet!
If anyone is interested, I like the carry case these rods come in, but it did seem a little bulky and I didn’t feel the reel need that much protection in a rucksack so I got a selection of these knife tubes from Ross over on British Blades (nice guy)
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24484&highlight=Knife+tubes
The rod fits beautifully into the appropriately sized tube with room for lures. It fits more easily into a side pocket and I think is probably a bit safer.
AJB
outdoorgirl
12-09-2006, 11:25
I believe the recommended reels for the minis are the Shimano 750FI Symetre or the 750FB Sedona - I've got the Symetre and it's a fantastic reel; the Sedona has fewer bearings and is cheaper (£45 from Tackleshop IIRC)...
I'm not sure if any other makers do the mini reels but a google might throw something up...
ODG
Spacemonkey
12-09-2006, 20:55
I got as tiny Shakespeare reel which I have put about 150m of 10ib braid on. Braid is about 3x the strength of the same diameter nylon, so you get much more on a smaller reel. The diea of the supplied rod tube is that the reel fits in the pouch too.
I have now had loads of mackerel on the rod on a small lure. It can cast a 30g lure a heck of a distance!
Keith_Beef
16-09-2006, 04:53
What about this stuff?
http://www.berkley-fishing.com/prod.php?k=50276&sk=47013&u=FL300
I dont know anything about fishing, but reading about, it seems well rated. If it's thinner than regular line for the same strength, couldnt you get more of it onto a small reel?
Is it suitable for freshwater?
Braid like that has less elasticity than nylon monofilament, as Spacemonkey pointed out.
But more importantly (for me) has almost no memory.
If you only fish occasionally (like me) you find that the nylon comes off your reel with big loops in it; the memory of the shape it had coiled on the reel.
The Berkely braid comes off straight.
It is also considerably less stiff, which makes knots much more easy to tie.
K.
I believe the recommended reels for the minis are the Shimano 750FI Symetre or the 750FB Sedona - I've got the Symetre and it's a fantastic reel; the Sedona has fewer bearings and is cheaper (£45 from Tackleshop IIRC)...
I'm not sure if any other makers do the mini reels but a google might throw something up...
ODG
For a small, rear drag option I think the shimano nexave 1000 fits the rod. Pretty cheap too (http://www.tackleshop.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/2254/groupID/8/categoryID/63/v/f9e301db-7f09-4ba3-a3dd-451a41a39919)... £29.99
falling rain
17-09-2006, 13:13
Martyn
The paternoster rig is a rig with rigid boom(s) (arms) or lengths of line coming off the main line with an extra trace at the end of the boom and a hook attached to the end of that. http://www.btinternet.com/~kevin.l.j.knight/Paternoster.htm The booms can be either fixed into position using beads and crimps (the beads stop the crimps jamming into the boom hole where the main line goes) or you can make them adjustable. The booms are generally wire or plastic and are normally used for pier or jetty fishing where you will be just dropping the line straight down and not casting. You'll use hooks and bait them rather than any type of lure. If using just line instead of booms the hook lengths can sometimes tangle around the main line and not stand out from it as with booms so use the line type paternoster (no booms) if casting a small distance or Booms if just dropping from the pier. The advantage with this rig is that it allows you to fish at different depths and normally 3 booms is sufficient. The booms are attached to the main line from your reel and weighted at the bottom of the main line below the booms. - Not suitable for casting with unless very short distances, as the bait will flap around and break off when casting long distances. If you want a casting rig use the 1 or 2 hook 'clip down'
The Hokkai rig is usually a pre-made rig with small 'shrimp like' lures on the end of each trace that come off the main line of the trace. ('Hokkai' refers to the shrimp like lures ) The trace is complete when you buy it and you attach the rig to your main line using a 'swivel' or 'snap link' with a casting weight at the bottom of the rig. As well as mackeral the larger rigs will take Bass, sea bream, and pollock amongst others. http://www.dansonrigs.co.uk/cart/product.php?productid=16274&cat=259&page=1
This unlike the paternoster is suitable for casting or just dropping straight down but they need to be 'worked' as all lures do, unless there is a good tide running. It has no booms like the paternoster but lengths of mono line to keep the lure away from the main line. There are many different types of lures for mackeral. Including various silver type ones that reflect sunlight and attract the inquisitive mackeral. There's a good selection here. http://www.fly-fishing-tackle.co.uk/acatalog/fishing_rigs.html some of which take fish other than just mackeral. The silver ones tipped with some mackeral belly slivers (the white bits) are very good for sea bream. - Don't forget lures must be 'worked' or you'll catch very little. Draw back the rod sharply and reel in as you bring the rod round forward again then draw back sharply again and keep repeating until the line is in - cast and repeat. Allow the lure to sink a little and try retreiving at different speeds and depths.
Hope that helps
Thanks mate.
With regard to mackrel fishing, can someone explain to me the difference between a paternoster and hokkai rig?
Been reading up on mackrel fishing and these seem to pop up a lot, but all the diagrams I've looked at seem to show similar things for both of em.
Blencathra
21-09-2006, 23:04
Another query for the experts, particularly ODG, Spacemonkey etc..., ()
I might have the ultimate test for this kit, now I have the symetre 750 reel (its a toy).
I am going to australia next week, thought I might take it. My mate we are visiting thinks the tackle is definatley not up to the job of sea fishing, 'the fish are too big'
Im undecided, should I take it and risk breaking it ?
Blencathra :confused:
falling rain
22-09-2006, 13:56
Another query for the experts, particularly ODG, Spacemonkey etc..., ()
I might have the ultimate test for this kit, now I have the symetre 750 reel (its a toy).
I am going to australia next week, thought I might take it. My mate we are visiting thinks the tackle is definatley not up to the job of sea fishing, 'the fish are too big'
Im undecided, should I take it and risk breaking it ?
Blencathra :confused:
It depends on what type of fishing you're going to be doing, and if the fish are big fighters. For beach casting you'll need a large fixed spool reel or beach multiplier and beachcasting rod which are usually around 12' and designed to thump out the bait behind the surf long distances. Casting with a multiplier is a bit of a skill to learn so best stick with a fixed spool if you're not used to it or you'll end up untangling your birds nest for the time you're fishing. For light feathering, float fishing and small luring a small reel will do coupled with a spinning rod or similar light weight rod which is great fun as you feel every movement of the fish and is great sport. I'd advise asking your mate what fish you're expecting to catch and deciding if they warrent a little more robust gear. If you're going out on a boat you'll need heavier rod and a boat multiplier to deal with the larger fish.
Blencathra
22-09-2006, 19:55
Cheers for the advice falling rain, I have been boat fishing as akid using feathers for mackrel, than the mackrel as bate for shark of the south coast. We also went boat fishing for snapper in New Zealand. Tend to hire kit for these events. I just figured based on this thread that this light weight rod would be suitable for holidays in the lakes and scotland and maybee for somelight sea fishing if on holiday by the coast, of the end of a pier or round rocks etc.....
The bloke at my local fishing shop in knaresborough suggests the reel will take nothing like 20ib braid line as suggested on the woodlore web site. He also thinks this 'light spinning rod' will break if used for sea fishing. Space monkey and others seem to suggest it would be a laugh getting mackies in the sea ?
I am taking it in tommorrow to get some line and bits of tackle.
Still confused but really eager to use it.
Blencathra
Spacemonkey
25-09-2006, 22:52
Only just seen this, sorry...
I have used mine happlily on mackerel and would use it for fish up to maybe 8pound??? I have a tiny real and have 15lb braid on it with no problems. By all means take it with you, but be sure of what fish you are targetting. If you do get a bigger fish tna planned, then take it slow and easy.... but macks are no problem, unless something big takes it while you are reeling in! I saw this on my last trip. I'm on a rocky groyne going out in to fairly deep water and there's the usual array of grockels and some locals, all casting to the horizon. I'm chatting with one guy and tell him of the bass i have seen patrolling the groyne as it is the only feature in the are and fish actually are attracted to features so why not fish close in? Anyway, the macks arrive, and as he is winding one in, two massive bass of about 9 pounds or more fly out form the rocky groyne and dart around the obviously irrate mack, which is now bricking it. This goes on for about a minute until the bigger bass grabs the mack WHOLE and is then on the line, which really confuses it. After 5 mins of scrapping it decides it doesn't want the mack after all and spits it out. Sudden;y everyone is trying the same tactic, and the same guy manages to repeat the same scenario again thus proving my point... and if that's not enough, I see another close in huge bass go for a small diving bird right in front of me!!!
Blencathra
28-09-2006, 13:54
Cheers for the reply, I go this weekend so just made the reply.
Sounds like a great spot, did anyone land a bass ?
I ll take the advice and be wary on when / were I dip my tackle.
Thanks again all who advised.
Blencathra
Spacemonkey
28-09-2006, 19:37
No, the bass were only holding on to the mack and not actually hooked. It took them about 5 mins to work this out and spit the mack out...
Luckily nobody landed them as the guys there seemed to be the kill-everything-regardless brigade, and to me, bass that provide that much entertainment deserve to go back home... The bloke who I saw catch them twice seemed a decent egg though, and would have returned them, but not the others who were all trying to copy.