A fishing rod question

[blindswelledrat]

Mods: Couldn't work out which section to post this in so just bunged it here.

A question for you fisherman out there. I need to buy some new rods for a specific purpose but I don't even know what to type of rods to search for.
Ideally they will be 10-11 feet in length and have a test curve of about 7-10 lbs and be able to hold a multiplier reel.
What should I be searching for? Doe sthat describe a boat road or a shore casting rod or what? I cant really find what I am looking for and then I get into the realm of casting weights being quoted instead of test curves and I am finished.

Thanks

[blindswelledrat]

prand said:

Would be useful to know the purpose. i.e. I'm assuming you're talking about sea fishing, if so off a boat (will generally have a shorter stubby rod), or a pier or the beach (need longer to reach out and cast further). I'm not too much of an expert, but as far as I know, the test curve is only one factor in a rod strength - you need to factor in rod breaking weight and line strength too.

Also, 7lb is quite a hefty rod are you after some big fish to expecting to cast a long way?

Big river fish (100lbs+ perhaps). Probably both from a boat and from the shore. Hard fighting in potential heavy currents.
I want something a bit longer than a boat rod due to the multi purpose nature.
The test curve I'm honestly guessing at. It seems about right but based on nothing more than gut feel. I don't think 3.5 or 4 lbs carp rods will cut it, based on guesswork

Edited by blindswelledrat on Tuesday 23 September 13:26

[blindswelledrat]

sc0tt said:

Not fishing I am guessing?

It is fishing!

[blindswelledrat]

Im being slightly cagey as I haven't actually told my wife I've booked it yet but something suitable for sturgeon would fit the bill I think. Probably catfish too.

[blindswelledrat]

sc0tt said:

Do you have to ask permission to go to the toilet too?

You missed the bit where I said I had booked it. Common courtesy dictates I probably should have told her before the entire internet.

[blindswelledrat]

Fishtigua said:

Have a mooch through the Penn website,

We don't get Penn stuff over here much unfortunately. Ive got a set of their multiplier reels earmarked for this though

[blindswelledrat]

Mr Roper said:

Huh! How about that, eh?

Always had you down as a woman.

Learn something new.


Carry on.

I still might be you massive homophobic.

[blindswelledrat]

BSRsMissus said:

You did what?

Sorry about last night too. It was dark and my aim was a bit off.

[blindswelledrat]

Pixel Pusher said:

Can't give an answer but there's a good huntin', shootin', fishin' shop on the White Lion road between Amersham & Little Chalfont.

That's not far from you is it?

http://www.frederickbeesley.org

Maybe they can advise.

Missed that. It's a brilliant shop, I agree.
I had an itchy purchase finger at lunch time so it was a bit more urgent

[blindswelledrat]

leglessAlex said:

an uptide rod

This wins by the way. It is exactly what instincts tell me I need and I had never heard of that class of rod but a quick browse suggests it's perfect.

[blindswelledrat]

Piers_K said:

Fast taper carp rod in 3.5 or 4lb test will be fine, or look at cheaper spod rods if it's for a one off trip...

I had considered that but I've got carp rods to 3lb and they definitely seem insufficient so a little bit extra seems not worth the outlay. I might as well look for a different type of rods for my arsenal

[blindswelledrat]

LivingTheDream said:

probably a bit late to this but the scenario sounds like India and Mahseer fishing.

typically using 3lbs test curve 11ft rods and abu 9000 reels loaded with 40lbs line.

Nearest guess. It's actually goliath tigerfishing and the chances are I'll leave dead baits out overnight for catfish.
Do they really use 3lbs for mahseer? Seems far too light to me.
I don't know much about it hence this thread but it doesn't feel to me like a 3lbs rod belongs with much more than 20lbs line.

Does anyone else have opinions on this?

[blindswelledrat]

Good idea about normal tigerfish in a normal African country. Sadly it's not those that keep me awake at night.
Line I was thinking 80lbs braid. I have read that they can easily strip 300metres on thier first run so I need the thin diameter.
Reels-wise I am going as cheap as possible. Given that I want 3 of everything and it may be the only time I use this set up, then I'm on a budget.
I know nothing about multipliers at all so am definitely open to advice.
I saw these which seemed to fit the bill:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/121092177928?limghl...

[blindswelledrat]

KemP said:

Can't help with the gear question but can you update this thread with how you get on out there?

Will do

[blindswelledrat]

slow_poke said:

That's a star drag. I didn't know they did a 220 in a star. Mine is a 220 LD that I used in the Norwegian fjords and for general wrecking hereabouts. It's loaded with 30lb Rapala braid. That one in your link looks too cheap, unless they've really come down in prices in the last ten years since I bought mine.

There's a question, lever drag or star drag for your multis? Personally, I'd go with lever. Also, I'd but expensive, quality multis that you can sell on afterwards and recoup most of your monies. Avet would be a good brand to look at.

Whats the difference? Also- what is that silver bar on the left hand side of the reel? Is that not the drag that you push up to free spool and pull down to tighten it?

[blindswelledrat]

Rosscow said:

http://www.goliathtigerfishing.com/sites/fishing-m...

A quick Google and these guys seem to suggest 40lb mono is fine, along with 3-5lb test curve rods.

Yes Ive seen that, but they are in the minority. They also talk about them running 300 metres or so and I just wouldn't want a fish to run that far

[blindswelledrat]

leglessAlex said:

Slow_poke is right, Avet are an excellent brand, in fact they are probably my favourite reels that can be had for sensible money. I think something MX sized would suit the purpose but you could possibly get away with the smaller SX sized ones.

Noted. Ill look into that.
On a tangent a friend who saw this thread spotted your contribution and reckoned that you were one of only three people in Ireland he would describe as "a true water craftsman" with your mullet fishing.
Ill bet that will annoy you as to who that might have been

[blindswelledrat]

SLowpoke/Legless.

Looked into those Avet reels and I am absolutely not going to spend £600 on 3 reels.
I realise it makes sense to buy good and sell it, but I know myself too well and in 40 years I have never sold anything I have bought with this in mind and I know I wont do it this time. My shed and loft just fill up with single use expensive items and this trip is already expensive.

[blindswelledrat]

ManFromDelmonte said:

Catching (or more likely losing) big fish on a cheap reel is a recipe for disaster though. If the trip is already costing a lot, why compromise on arguably the single thing that has the greatest potential to lose you that fish you have paid so much to target?

I'm honestly not sure I agree with you there (although admittedly I have zero experience of multipliers beyond big game ones on charter boats)
from the course fishing I have done I have always said that expensive fishing tackle is the worst thing in the world for diminishing returns. I have dozens of rods and reels of all prices and I cannot imagine a situation where a cheap rod and reel would lose me a fish.

MFD said:

Can you not rent equipment?

I had a quick google for "fishing tackle rental, Congo jungle" and drew a blank unfortunately.

[blindswelledrat]

slow_poke said:

How much are Shimano TLD15's going for nowadays? Gotta be sub £90. That's the two I reckon - star drag a Senator, or lever drag a TLD15.

The older senators definitely seem like the way forward, price wise. Lovely looking old things too.
GOod suggestions. Ill report back on my purchases.

Incidentally there are quite a few on ebay. Are the model differences just size?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=shimano+tld...