Is there any point in me buying a decent rod?

[smallfry]

You know, something nice like a Tip Tornado or a Zziplex (RIP Terry) I mainly use an Axellerator (£90) or a Penn Surfblaster (£75 2nd hand) I'm no Danny Moeskops but would like to be able to lob a 5oz sinker & bait a bit further, so would I benefit from spending £250 + on a good, maybe 2nd hand beachcaster or would I need lessons to gain any real advantage?

I'm thinking I'd need lessons.

[smoggiesimon]

That's your decision but you ask people most fish are not caught at long range they are caught at medium to close range so no matter if you want to hit the horizon or just do a 60-80 cast you will still catch fish that is my opinion but no doubt you will get the people that will say further the better

[sean start]

Buying the best gear can't make you cast any further, get lessons mate.

[Philthebag]

Get lessons mate then you can out any rod any distance you like distance pays of at times on tidal marks but most marks it's not needed

[Stewart 1971]

You know, something nice like a Tip Tornado or a Zziplex (RIP Terry) I mainly use an Axellerator (£90) or a Penn Surfblaster (£75 2nd hand) I'm no Danny Moeskops but would like to be able to lob a 5oz sinker & bait a bit further, so would I benefit from spending £250 + on a good, maybe 2nd hand beachcaster or would I need lessons to gain any real advantage?

I'm thinking I'd need lessons.

You can't buy distance, casting lessons from a competent instructor will get you over 150 yards in 30 minutes and after that it is practice and technique.

That said I'm not sure I'd want to be learning on a RT Axe, a rod that stiff will be pretty unforgiving of a developing technique.

That's your decision but you ask people most fish are not caught at long range they are caught at medium to close range so no matter if you want to hit the horizon or just do a 60-80 cast you will still catch fish that is my opinion but no doubt you will get the people that will say further the better

I probably catch more fish within 60 yards than I do further out. But then again I also catch the fish at 140 yards that 90% of the other lads on the beach can't reach. Just because you can put a bait out a long way doesn't mean you have to, but having the ability to can and does make a difference. Oh, it is also a boon in a big NE hoolie when being able to puch 175g plus bait out to 80 yards can make the difference between holding bottom and catching or giving up and going home...

[smallfry]

I understand that I won't need to cast 150yds + 90% of the time, but it would be nice if I could! I also understand that the technique used for massive casts don't lend themselves for casting in lots of places. Lessons it probably is then.
Any suggestions for someone between Teesside & Sunderland?

[beachbuddy]

I understand that I won't need to cast 150yds + 90% of the time, but it would be nice if I could! I also understand that the technique used for massive casts don't lend themselves for casting in lots of places. Lessons it probably is then.
Any suggestions for someone between Teesside & Sunderland?

Double t is the boy down the prom very helpful advise and techa's.

[hound hunter]

Nice to have top end gear buddy,but better if you can use it(don't mean to offend)certainlly casting lesson's is the way fwd,stewart above sum's it up nicely imo...
Chucking a lead n bait can have big advantage's,like if it's ruff or if the fish are feeding in the tidal zone,sometimes further out...Dwn here on the holderness beaches which sometimes are flat and featureless,it can be a massive advantage to be that bit further out....
Good luck with it all buddy

[Beaky]

Another way to look at it...

Good quality equipment is almost always better and more enjoyable to use in all sorts of ways.

If you will fish with it hundreds of times, get a very nice rod, money well spent. If it will mostly gather dust in the garage, then don't.

[smallfry]

Thanks for the replies fellas, it reinforces what I was thinking. I'll look for a decent rod then get some lessons.
I've been mountain biking for years & have a good bike but It's a better bike than I'll ever be a rider.
Same thing isn't it?

[LiamNE]

Providing you have no mobility issues, I can get you hitting 150 within an hour and your welcome to have a chuck with any of my rods. If your set on a rod from the TT range I have a couple of Century TTs and a low diameter TT, amoung others.

I'm no tournament caster mind...but if you fancy it, I'm in Peterlee and it's free of charge of course, drop me a PM

[Stewart 1971]

Thanks for the replies fellas, it reinforces what I was thinking. I'll look for a decent rod then get some lessons.
I've been mountain biking for years & have a good bike but It's a better bike than I'll ever be a rider.
Same thing isn't it?

One of the best rods for learning to cast on (and also an excellent allrounder that will handle most NE fishing apart from kelp hauling) is up for sale in the classifieds...

http://www.nesa.co.uk/forums/sale/375412-carbon-metal-express.html

I learnt on this rod, starting from off the ground (OTG) then progressing to swinging the lead. It got me to a consistent 200 metres on the tournament field as well as landing me some very nice Smoothhound (along with the attendant 20lb lumps of Solent weed )

[hound hunter]

Thanks for the replies fellas, it reinforces what I was thinking. I'll look for a decent rod then get some lessons.
I've been mountain biking for years & have a good bike but It's a better bike than I'll ever be a rider.
Same thing isn't it?

Like my missus say's,the gear's only as good as the person using it

[LiamNE]

One of the best rods for learning to cast on (and also an excellent allrounder that will handle most NE fishing apart from kelp hauling) is up for sale in the classifieds...

http://www.nesa.co.uk/forums/sale/375412-carbon-metal-express.html

I learnt on this rod, starting from off the ground (OTG) then progressing to swinging the lead. It got me to a consistent 200 metres on the tournament field as well as landing me some very nice Smoothhound (along with the attendant 20lb lumps of Solent weed )

A steal at £150 aswell and from a good lad so will have been looked after. Is it still there not sold!?
I have a CME also and it's probably my favourite rod for most winter fishing, don't think I've done 200 on it..doubt I'd be far off with a 5oz after a few practise chucks though.

Look forward to our casting session anyway bud, should get you enough distance with plenty to spare, you have PM

[CHUKKA]

Not wanting to put a spanner in the works but your best off getting lessons from an experienced top end caster even if you have to pay or travel to get it. One that knows about body and lead position. They will also advise you on rods to suit you not what's on trend!

Learning the wrong way will put you back in the long run and give you lots of bad habits. I've helped mates who are willing to listen and learn and are now very good casters. I also have mates who have 20 years of bad habits and can't cast for toffee and never will.

You can practice as much as you want but practice the wrong techniques and your body and muscle memory will get used to casting the wrong way.

Get yourself along to a casting event even if you just go to watch and have a chat, it will open your eyes!