Conventional Reels

[Boca Jetty Rat]

I have Spudnik sinkers in 4oz. Pain in the azz in using bait that you have to check often. Personally I don't think they are needed down here. I melted half mine down and use the beads as egg sinker stops. That tsunami in conventional will work fine to really sling, but the emblems are lighter and not as combersome. Go to Bass Pro and finger all the surf rods is my best advice as to rod choice.

[Xpierrat]

Sometimes you have to be a tackle HO ...

If I'm nothing else, I'm a tackle HO. Two reels it is. Seriously, after reading all the input, I think getting the right reel for the job is going to work better than making one reel do two jobs. We'll cross the conventional jigging bridge when we get to it. Right now I'm interested in getting set up for surf casting conventionals and putting it to use this spring. The Diawas seem to be getting good reviews and I'm gonna get one of the Seagates. Thanks to BJR, Rick and PP for the recommends.

Rick, we met a couple of times out at Dania and shot the breeze on surf fishing the Outer Banks. I was the other Rick in the straw hat. I wanted to get this conventional mastered for a trip to Okracoke either this spring or fall. Last trip out there was some great fishing off the south point, but I lacked the distance to get out in the deeper waters.Now, what's a good rod to match with the reel. I started with Uglystiks and then upgraded to a Tsunami Trophy. I haven't had the Tsunami long, but it's been a great rod so far and I really enjoy fishing with it. My limitations on the rod are it has to be a two piece and no more than 12' long. My Tacoma has a 6' bed and it has to fit.

Thanks to everyone for the info. I'll post a pic here when I get the rig.

Yea distance can be everything when fishing the OBX waters... but not always so keep your eyes open.... there were several times when fishing the point that I would see ( normally) a googen lobbing a chunk with a 6 oz weight on a 7 foot spinner suddenly hook up.... and my next cast would almost be a underhand toss... in this case the big Drum were coming up the slough from the south side not in on the point bar it self....

you really need a rod that will truly toss 8& bait up there.... many rods say that they will do 8 or 10 oz but really don't....or don't do it very well... ( some feel that they do because they are still learning to toss that heavy weight and a softer rod fits where they are in the learning curve.... which can be okay but you will eventually find the rod lacking and change to a stiffer one...

That being said the OceanMaster 12 foot ( I think it is labeled to 12oz ) is one of the few production models that will really throw that much weight with a sea mullet head as bait... pick one up at the store and most will not believe how stiff the rod really is.... ( use it to base what to look for in stiffness )
It does take a good stroke to get all the potential out of the rod. If you can find one of the cape point versions all the better because it is the same blank with out the cork and reel seat, so it is much lighter to hold ( be sure to use a reel clamp as the fuji clamp that is on the blank is to only hold the reel in place while you add the reel clamp )


( there was no clamp on this one as I was only field casting and not fighting a fish ) also notice the highly modified SeaLion SHV which the Seagate improved and replaced

There might be some others out there that will work but they have come along since I did all of my work on the OceanMaster project. The penn torque comes to mind as a possible.

The true pendulum cast is never used on a pier/bridge and only on the beach when no one is with in 200 yards as it can be very dangerous..... also I know of no one who can do a true pendulum cast with a 10oz payload.... it is used with lighter loads up to around 6 oz or so......For big Drum fishing most of the OBX crew will use a modified version to get the distance needed. here is Sea Bear ( a OBX regular ) at one of our casting get togethers showing proper form...... notice it is more of an upper cut than an overhead thump... again be safe its not for a crowded pier...don't ask how I know this....

Rick if you send me a PM I will meet you on a beach and show you what I can.... I am getting older and don't have all the power I did when I was 40-50 but I can still teach... this way you can work on it enough to be where you want to be BEFORE your trip. When I was first making only a trip or two a year I would go to a open field and work on my cast for at least a month before my trips....

BTW the sputniks are frowned upon when in a crowd as they tend to add to the inevitable tangles.... but are okay when on the open beach....

A little fish porn to get you in the mood for that OBX trip.... on a Sea mullet head..

and one of my beach buggy with a couple of the original model OM being spike fished...

[Chevy Juan]

Impressive Drum Rick and that's one awesome ridiculous Buggy for the Surf man!!

[Xpierrat]

Thanks...... the scary part is they get bigger

The truck AKA Tacklebx was the love of my life for close to 15 years..... she was deffinatly tricked out

[cudaman]

Thanks...... the scary part is they get bigger

The truck AKA Tacklebx was the love of my life for close to 15 years..... she was deffinatly tricked out

Man, that truck set up was awesome!

[Username28]

Gotta drop my $0.02 here...I loved my torium, very versatile reel. Caught many dolphin, snapper, grouper, small wahoo, kingfish, and more on it. For the price, you cant beat it.

TORIUM FTW, in both price and reliability.

[Baitfish]

Thanks for the great reply Rick. Once I get the rig, I will shoot you a PM. I was looking at the OM tonight at BPS Dolphin Mall and it is in contention. Very nice feel.

[Chevy Juan]

Rick and BJR, simple quick question for you two casters.

I'm just curious and I know this is more a personal prefrence, but how do you guys like your hand placement when casting?

For example do you like one hand controling the spool and the other at the end of the rear grip?

Or one on the spool and the other higher above the reel around the butt wrap I'd say.

I try and experiment with this at times, to find and tune what feels best and more comfortable for me. This also depends on reel placement as well of course, most long distance casters I have seen usually put one hand on the spool and the other above the reel since they usually have their reel set low on the rod.

I have always liked having longer butt's on my rods and it helps with my style cast.

[Xpierrat]

yea the only time you cast with one on the reel and the other above is with a low reel position....
the normal rod it is one at the butt of the rod and the other on the reel with the thumb on the left of the spool for a right handed caster......

when casting do not thumb the line...... thumb the left side plate of the spool as needed.... the proper length of the rod butt for most casters is thumb on the reel and rod butt should touch the right arm pit tight ( for right handed casters ) there are a few that like it to hit the center of the chest but they are a minority...

[Chevy Juan]

Appreciate the feedback Rick, yea that's what I do since I'm right handed.

[Boca Jetty Rat]

I hold reel with right hand butt with left.

[PhishingPhanatic]

I hold reel with right hand butt with left.

[Xpierrat]

its a little bit funny that this has come up

when I first moved down here I was fishing for kings on deerfield alot and because of a torn rotator cuff injury ( the mountain bike me and the tree did not agree on where to ride )

I used a low reel position on the big rod that I would throw the 10 oz claw anchor for a pin rig AKA two rod trolley and get some very strange looks when casting

but because I was using a different motion my arm did not hurt (as much )

[Xpierrat]

as usual I can not edit a post past 5 min or so.... grrrrrr

I was going to add that a friend Russ ( RIP Russ ) would use the low reel position when throwing his 6/0 that he used for sharking.... was throwing over a pound in bait and weight... was quite a sight to see...




BTW most that do use a low reel position add a butt extension after the cast for reeling in or fighting a fish...

[Chevy Juan]

Very nice Rick and yes I'm sure Russ casting that weight with a 6/0 was a must see! That's a caster right there.

I never saw those add on butt extensions till recently Rick to be honest with you. Saw mainly the U.K guys using them on their actual fishing videos after the cast.

[Baitfish]

Thanks again to BJR, Rick and the rest of the crew for all the input. I finally got the reel. Went to Capt. Harry's this afternoon and picked up a Saltist 40H. They only carry the Uglystik spinning outfits, so I'm still looking for the rod. Stopped by BPS again and looked over the Ocean Master, Offshore Angler and the Diawa Beefstick. The Beefstick didn't feel right and I wasn't sure about the blank. I believe you get what you pay for and a $39 12' rod might not be as rugged as some of the others. The OA's and the OM's were all too light and the only OM had the finish chipped off of one of the guides. I'll probably visit BPS Dania this Saturday and if they don't have what I'm lookin' for, I guess I'll go mail order. In the meantime, here's a couple pics of the Diawa.

[Chevy Juan]

congrats man glad you ended up getting a great reel, must feel good. Now go sling that thing out there man, good luck. Remember, any other questions you have feel free bro, you know where we at.

[Xpierrat]

Thats a great reel.... I will be working Sat from 12 to 6 so look me up.... I will put one on hold for you so your trip will not be wasted.

[Baitfish]

Thanks Chevy! When I get the whole rig assembled, I'll post another couple of pics.

Check your PM's Rick. I'll see you at BPS, probably about 5:30.

[salvadorsanchez]

Baitfish, i bought a diawa BG 40 myself last year. Put 65lb braid on it and it is so easy for me to cast and I just started with conventionals 2 years ago. LOVE my saltist...Sealines are easy for me as well, wich is now, the seagate

Jay

[Baitfish]

I'm looking forward to the first trip, the BG is a pretty sweet reel. I ordered the St. Croix Mojo 12' casting rod and should be picking it up from BPS this weekend. I loaded my 40 with 300yds of 50# braid on top of 50# mono backing. The braid seems to raise a few eyebrows, but I use braid on all my reels.

[Boca Jetty Rat]

Mojo Surf is a really nice rod. Good luck out there. I want a Tommy Farmer Castpro. Its about the same price.

[Baitfish]

I looked up the Tommy Farmer website but there wasn't any pictures or specs. Is there anyplace on the net to see one?

[Boca Jetty Rat]

One could order those blanks and have a surf rod made. I don't know about anyone in south florida making surf rods. I have seen custom surf rods north of west palm. I'd like to have one made but am broke. Kinda a amber colored blank for pompano and whiting. I use 5 to 8oz rods, use 5oz leads with live crabs. That is what I am targeting though from the beach. I've never casted a 12 foot 6 to 10oz conventional rod, I do use a 10 foot 6 to 10 oz for a jetty heaver, and have caught many fish with it. I may get one to try out, but all I'm gonna cast for bait with it is crabs. Maybe for more distance, but I feel the added weight of 8oz sinkers is not needed and may screw with the bite. On second thought I could bomb an 8oz a mile with the bigger rod, just for what?
I run straight 300yrds 20#mono on my saltist 30s.

[bluefin71]

Congrats on your purchase, nice reel I had one till it got stolen Just throwing a question out there. I gotta tell ya I love my Penn Squidder Model 140 they are great, I can cast them just as far as most reels on the market today on my 10 ft Gatorglass. Very easy reels to clean yourself and take one hell of a beaten and I have whooped many a fish with them. Any others using them?

[Hoogan]

I have two OM 12 footers 6-12 oz conventional rods in mint condition for $100 a piece.
Can meet anywhere in Broward Or Dade.
I tried the lighter OM 4-8 (I think that was the rating) and no comparison in casting distance to the heavier OM, i'Ve been surcasting for 35 years. have way to many surf rods don't need these two, but I've found them to be the best for the money.
Shoot an IM if interested.

[lednerthurman]

The heavier spool being harder to control makes sense. The low gears on a 4/0 would make jigging tough, but the cost would let me get 2 reels...hmmmm

Looking to stick with 2 speed for versatility. The Saltists are strong contenders. What do you think about the Saltigas?

Thank you for this information about types of fishing reel... I know this thread is very old but i think this guide is priceless