Rod and Reel advice please

[fasthold]

Hello lads.
I have been away from fishing for a few years now. I am looking at starting up again and was after some advice on a rod and reel combo.
I am looking to do it as cheap as possible to start with having previously spent many hundreds of pounds on gear.
Would I be better off looking for cheap new gear or going for second hand kit?
Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

[fasthold]

Forgot to add that it will be mainly rough ground fishing I will be doing.

[silvertourist]

someone has suggested to me the ron thompson accelerator (£100) for the rod, and i would personaly go for an abu 7500 for rough ground as it has never let me down and it is 10 years and counting for me. I like any rod with a lifetime warranty as i am an unlucky sod and have snapped two rods. I don't know if this is of any use but i hope it is

[willywetegg]

If I was starting off afresh I would definately go for a rock rod. You can use it on the beach but you can't really use a lighter rod on heavy ground. If your not in a hurry, have a look around as many tackle shops as you can before you buy, most of them have some good second hand gear for sale. If you have mates that fish ask if you can have a try of their gear, it's probably the best way to see if a rod is to your liking or not.

Jim.

[codseeker]

ron thompson excellarator 13ft.6 . 4-8 oz and a slosh30 less than 200 quid and still change for some bait also and bits and bobs

[Geordie_G]

The Ron Thompson is a fine rod to start off with.. many lads with more expensive rods swear by them!

Also the original Diawa SLOSH 30 are being banged out brand new for £80 - so for £180 you`d have a fine set up.

other things to look at.. Rod wise the Sonik SK3 (£130) Shimano Beastmaster (£110) Reel wise penn 535 (£100)

But there is some cracking second hand gear floating around, if your not in a hurry to buy watch the trading section on here or the Seaham club website.. or check out Billys Tackle in north shields, ID in Byker, and Trading post in sunderland who stock second hand gear at good prices. Usually can pick up a good century or greys rod for £100, or original swedish abus 7000`s from £50 - 80

ABU`s were the best there was in my own opion, and all id ever use, but now they are made in China, and have went back... i had 3 of the China/Korea ones, and promplty got rid. Performance build and reliaibilty are a huge step back to the mid 1990`s ones made in sweden. so im now a total Diawa man, with the excellent Saltists, SL30SH`s and 7hts.

Best of luck and welcome back to our great sport!

[mick dunn]

I,ve got an Abu Suveron RX. Its a 6-8ounce caster. Like a tent pole. I use an old Abu 7500 with 30lb line on in the rocks and kelp. Good hard rod but useless at fine detection like flattie bites.
The rod cost 120 mail order after a recommendation by Alan Yates in Sea Angler. The reel is second hand off flea bay £40. Mind you can buy them new for that now.
Mick.

[el_sid]

as said u cant beat the rt axe and sl30sh for the money for rough ground,
if u keep an eye out you can pick both up 2nd hand for bout 50 quid each, so 100 and u could have urself a decent setup

[Jimbob]

I have a Shakespeare 12' Aerial Gold beachcaster and Odessa fixed spool reel unused in the shed. Not bad kit, can cast over 120 yards with it and sometimes take it out to play off the local prom.

You can have both for beer money e.g. £20. That would get you started

[codseeker]

ya get more on ebay jimbob , ya get more if the eyes are still on LOL

[fasthold]

Thanks for the advice lads.
I have managed to get a loan of a RT Axcellerator and a slosh 30.
I will be off out over the next few days to give thema try.
Thanks again for the advice.
Merry Christmas