Question for the Fixed Spool users

[dave craig]

I've decided I'm going to bring myself into the 21st Century and invest in new tackle - primarily a new heavy ground rod and give the big fixed spool and braid thing a go as it seems to make sense.

So, I'd be very grateful for some advice regarding the following:

- which fixed spool do people recommend? I do a lot of spinning and would probably go Shimano, but which one is tough enough to cope with the heavy stuff? I've heard horror stories of reels locking up straight out of the box!

- Braid - what are people using?

- Leader - are people using a heavy mono leader or braid straight through?

- Leader knot - what do people use (if using a leader)?

- Finger protection/casting - do people use any sort of rubber for their casting finger? I'd imagine power casting with sal****er on hands and braid straight through is not pleasant!

Sorry for so many questions but I might as well ask them all at once! Rod wise I'm leaning towards a T1000 Eliminator, any thoughts on that more than welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

[brownmike]

I don't fish rough ground but I believe a lot of lads are using them fin nor reels. , braid straight through, I use just a leather glove for finger protection. The t1000 , a lot lads get that rod , and very shortly its up for sale. Now I cant say for definite but I suspect the rods to much for them. Shame you can not have a few casts with one . Not every one can be a Gary pye.

[sean start]

I've decided I'm going to bring myself into the 21st Century and invest in new tackle - primarily a new heavy ground rod and give the big fixed spool and braid thing a go as it seems to make sense.

So, I'd be very grateful for some advice regarding the following:

- which fixed spool do people recommend? I do a lot of spinning and would probably go Shimano, but which one is tough enough to cope with the heavy stuff? I've heard horror stories of reels locking up straight out of the box!

- Braid - what are people using?

- Leader - are people using a heavy mono leader or braid straight through?

- Leader knot - what do people use (if using a leader)?

- Finger protection/casting - do people use any sort of rubber for their casting finger? I'd imagine power casting with sal****er on hands and braid straight through is not pleasant!

Sorry for so many questions but I might as well ask them all at once! Rod wise I'm leaning towards a T1000 Eliminator, any thoughts on that more than welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

All I use now is fixed spool and braid. The only reel I would use is the Penn Spinfisher 7500LC, they are a little heavy but they will pull the plug out. I have a T900 and also a T1000 and I prefer the T900 with it having the softer tip but if I'm fishing in the roughest of ground then I will go with the T1000. I also have a Kompressor SS and this is also nice with braid as it has the K guides on. In very heavy ground when not casting huge distances then you could go 65lb whiplash straight through also it is wise to check the braid as it can get damaged when reeling in over rocks etc. I tend to use 65lb with 100lb braid leader when fishing rough and then on beaches etc use 30-35lb with 100lb leader. I have found that whiplash is the best braid to use and it's all I use mostly but power pro is also a decent braid too. I did used to use a glove for casting but now I use a breakaway cannon and think they are amazing, if you go onto YouTube then you will be able to see videos on them. Essential piece of kit IMO although some people can't get away with them. Hope this helps.

[tonybax]

fixed spool set up

hello david
i use a t1000 in the heavy with the penn spinfisher 7500 lc with 60lb whiplash and 100lb braid leader {just cheap chinese stuff) tied with back to back 4 turn uni knots, i fish with 50lb hook lengths and this set up either snaps the hook length or straightens the hooks. tight lines tony

[topbanana]

I use a 14ft sks black with a fox diablo 750s and cheap 80lb braid straight through off the bay, this pulls fish out of heavy ground just fine

Nice rods them t1000s though.

[magpies]

T1000 and Shimano 14000, I use 40lb power pro with 80lb leader for clean ground, 66lb power pro straight through on the rough stuff.

[tonybax]

forgot to add. tronix finger stalls 3 for a tenner, great bits of kit david

[fish fingers]

Bet you take the spinfisher out all the time now tony instead of the shimano

[dave craig]

Thanks for the replies lads, much appreciated!

[lead chucker]

I got a cheap priced pair of leather gloves from ability diy at Ryhope, great because some times the braid whips against my top hand too. M427 with a okuma t Rex, 60 lb/50lb whiplash and a cheap ebay braid for shocker. I will never go back to mono. This is the best set up I've tried. I did try an affinity but it broke as did surfblaster. I do use a cheaper braid straight through in short shot rough stuff. Century tt sport was good with braid too. You won't regret it. I have reel with the cheaper 50lb power pro braid straight through its been on over 2.5 years now, still pulls plug out. So cheaper in long run I believe.

[tonybax]

take them both stan

[Lynnzer]

Have lost a good few bottom ends trying to use a mono leader.
I only did this anyway as braid is hopeless when hauling in over rough edges; it cuts through dead easy so I wanted mono to take the punishment but tying a knot is a real bugger of a job. I lost 3 on the trot the last time I was out and they had been tied at home and superglued as well.

Braid is best used in higher breaking strains unless fishing light, ie for flatties in estuaries. That way if you snag a hook the hook tends to straighten before the braid gives way. I've also had a few leads with their wires straighten when wedged in rocks, where they would normally have resulted in broken lines.

Whichever reel you decide on, I wouldn't go past the Breakaway Canon.
Those who don't like it are mostly those who can't manage the release but I find it dead easy. I can put a hell of a lot more effort into heaving out a line now, than I could by holding the line back with my finger.