INDIANANGLER

Hi Guys,

It's interesting to see how tackle (rods/reels) is developing to suit the needs of the more demanding angler.
The use of composite materials that are stronger and more powerful have almost become the norm these days. Gone are the days of solid glass blanks and glass re-enforced fibre. Now every other rod is made from graphite which is light and strong. With Shimano and others coming up with new technologies and processes like the T-Curve concept.
Reels are also getting smaller and lighter. These days small reels put out unbeliveable amounts of drag. The Stella 10000 puts something like 60lbs of drag. This is far more than one can expect to hold (I can manage about 8 to 10 kilo) in a moving boat with difficulty. Reels like the Accurate Twin Spin 30, Van Staal etc are a few of the spinning reels that are forging ahead with exciting developments.

Regards,
Mighty Marlin.

I have got some Abu Boron rods, that I quite like...I left two of them in Bangkok airport a few years ago (some lucky guy may have found them), got back I promptly got back and bought the exact same ones that I still have.

For sure there have been major changes in fishing tackle business and MM is right about the materials that get used now. But: Not everything is really useful or suitable for certain fishing situations. So before purchasing a new rod you should carefully think about it’s purpose.

Take a rod built only on high quality 40T carbon layers. It might have a much faster action, the strength of the supreme carbon material allows getting the whole blank thinner and of course the blank wall diameter can be decreased additionally. A very nice looking light tool for fishing under “clean conditions”. Not for fishing in most Indian waters! If such rods falls down onto a rock and gets a hard knock it might break already during the next strong cast or during fighting a fish. Even today there are some people that stick to glass fibre or glass fibre/carbon composite purely because of fishing reasons and not due to a limited budget. Several of the European catfish specialists for example still use pure glass fibre or E-glass blanks. The reason: They’re fishing for a big, hard fighting fish under adventurous conditions. They need strong tackle that will allow to be used hard.
General improvements: All modern rods no matter if carbon, composite or glass do now own decent reel seats and have much better guides as used in the past.

Reels: Major improvements in this area too. Reels for the big fish specialist now widely available offering a suitable gear, strong shaft and a precise strong clutch. Maybe even the modern cheap reels for pleasure fishing or starters are better as those that have formerly been used by the big fish angler. Strange things: Why are there all the holes in modern reel’s spools? A fishing reel is outdoor equipment. Even if handled with the utmost care it’ll get into contact with dirt, mud…. which will find a safe place in these little dirt catchers. Why all the fancy colours and high shiny applications? When I was starting carp fishing everybody was even painting the tackle in dark colours to get it camouflaged. Don’t get me wrong… there is rarely a need to do this to avoid getting noticed by the fish, but when staying in the nature I want to get a part of it ….
However these are the modern trends and I have to follow them as well in my job, even if I personally don’t like it.

Lines and all other terminal tackle: Unbelievable how many different items are available now. Mostly the quality improved a lot, but of course also loads of rubbish things on the market. Even more interesting and correlating with the increased number of small tackle items… the numerous different fishing tactics (therefore I think you should point out your eyes over to Europe…. not the USA). In the past the fishermen have been doing a bit of everything or just slightly varied their fishing and baits during the different seasons. Now more and more pure specialists are in search of one species only and they try to catch it under all circumstances, even in the off season.
Maybe it the coming days I’ll post some specialist tactics that could be adjusted into working for Indian coarse fishing too.

Dirk

Hi Dirk,
I don't know if you use multipliers much, but would you know of a good multiplier that could be used in place of the Abu 7000 and is not as expensive. Also easy to service like the Abu and have the following features:
1. Hold > 200 meters of 40lb mono
2. Cast as well as the 7000 without bird nests.
3. Reliable star / lever drag.
4. As light as the 7000
5. With Level wind.
6. With casting drag.

Hi Owen,

What sort of distance do you get casting with 40lb line and the weight (please advise) that you use?

Regards,

Bobby

Hi Bobby,
About 150 gms casting weight and around 50 meters distance is about the max.
Owen

Dear Owen,
sorry, but I’m not the right person to ask about such reels. I can tell you about suitable fixed spool reels, but have only little idea about casting multipliers as they are very uncommon here in Germany. Instead I could advise some competitive price multipliers for boat fishing, but you’re not interested in them.
Anyhow there are two brands you should check: Look out for Okuma or TICA/Everwinner. Both of them offer nice quality reels at fairly competitive price. Within their range they should also offer some good multipliers. Some people rate their quality as very close to Shimano or Daiwa.
Have you ever thought about using one of the BIG PIT baitrunner reels like the Daiwa Infinity or Shimano Big Baitrunner Long Cast? Both of them can hold loads of strong line. I already used the Infinity for some of my own fishing in India . The TICA Abyss should be interesting and for sure a bit cheaper. If you’re interested in these reels please do check in Europe as they should rarely be available in USA.

Dirk

Hi Dirk / Bobby,
I did see some Okuma CL- 452 multipliers that were advertised and priced at 54USD, But was not sure if they would last, and be any good for casting. There is also a CL -450 that is priced at 38USD. Those prices are fantastic compared to the 7000. But will they do the job and last is the big question ? Have you used any of their reels ?
I do have a large fixed spool reel that i started out with, but the bale arm started giving me problems, and even bent out of shape and fell back while playing a big fish. I sent it back to the UK for repairs, and even they could not fix it completely (Shakespere).
That's when i got myself a 7000 and have never been more comfortable after the initial hiccups.
Now i am seriously looking for a second multiplier but can't really afford today's inflated prices as i plan to buy some smaller rods and reels to cope with my rekindled passion of coarse fishing.

Owen,

Regarding Okumas, you'd be better off posting these questions or doing a search on Anglers Net.

Rustam

Dear Owen,

the Okumas mentioned in your post are for boat fishing/light trolling. I think casting reels, even if Okuma or TICA have to be higher priced. In Ebay USA your mentioned models get offered as trolling reels.

Dirk

OK thanks so that's not for me. Will keep looking. Meanwhile would appreciate any info on related multipliers.
Regards
Owen

Hi Owen,

The Abu's are good reels...but you could also look at the Daiwa sealine..

Owen,

here now three more reels that might fit your needs:
-DAM Quick Power Striker 3000 or 3000LH
-Penn Generation Baitcast V75
-Quantum Hypercast 540SP

Maybe all are a little bit too small, but please check by yourself as my own multiplier experience is well limited.

Dirk

HI Guys,

Just a comment from me. Tackle should be selected based on what you want to use them for. In general, if you are doing baitfishing, then the weight of the rod or reel is not a major factor, unless you expect protracted fights with say big mahseer. For tough conditions, I would go for robust tackle (which are not necessarily proportional to the price tag). Some robust tackle I have come across:

-Rods: The Ugly Stik range are probably champs for tough conditions like rcky rivers or thick jungle. But they are heavy, so not too good for long treks! Graphite composite rods are a good compromise between toughness and lightness. Many of the cheaper rods can be found.

Reels: Multiplier: the Abu 7000, 9000, 10000 are very reliable. Newer reels like the Shimano Calcutta are smoother, but they wont last as long. I know one sea fishing guide here who swears by Daiwa Sealine series. He says they are "idiot proof" (referring to his customers!) and tough. i have used one myself in the Cauvery: no problem hauling the big mahseer, although casting can be a pain at times.

Spinning: Penn Spinfisher series, from 4400 to 8500 or 9500, and Daiwa BG20: as tough as spinning reels can be. Just like the old Dam Quick. I had one Spinfisher (4400) that I use for almost all trips to the jungle, using it for both lure fishing and mahseer fishing. No maintenance for 12 years. The bale arm spring finally gave way, costing me a couple of masala teas. Two years, it fell into a deep lake, arrgh.

One word of caution: many of the tackle makers are turning their manufacturing ops to China. Expect a downturn in quality. The new Penn Spinfishers are being made there now. So, search for the 'homegrown' items quick before they disappear!

If lure fishing is your game, and you expect to be casting all day long, then it is worthwhile to buy the lighter, more powerful tackle. Shimano Stella is great (with a stellar price of course), but the Daiwa range like Saltiga are considered better by some. Tolerances are tighter, they say. I take the middle road, and use models like Ultegra, Biomaster and Twinpower, which cost a fraction of the Stellas. From Daiwa, the Caldix Kix is superb. For me, it's the law of diminishing returns.

There are many models of good to excellent rods in the market. Prices aside, the thing to note is that it should match the reel and line you wanna use. Some checks I employ include
- the centre of balance of the rod: balance the rod on your finger. The point of balance should be as close to the reel seat as possible. Thus, when casting all day, you dont feel it to be 'tip heavy'
-Fitting of the rod sections; the male part should be inserted two inches or more. Btw, use candle wax on the joint: the fit will be tighter, and disengaging it will be easier. Nothing like the joint coming loose when you are on to a big fish: the edge of the male section will bite into the wall of the female section. Abroken rod may result. Never use oil: the joint may get permanently jammed.
-Alignment of the guides to the backbone of the rod.
-Guide linings: ceramics are okay for most fishing using mono lines. For braided lines, SiC (silicon carbide) are probably best. Metal guides hurt line under heavy loads. I have tested this myself: rub a mono line over metal guide whilst applying load, it will break easily.

Well, that's it for now. Hope this helps.

><<:>

This said it all, I agree completely, I had made a similar comment in one of my earlier posts when we were talking about the Penn SS V/S Daiwa V/S Shimano

I am settling for another 7000 despite the cost. The reliability factor swayed me.

For mahseer?

What BS line do you use and how much can you spool up?

Thanks.

Rustam

Yes Rusty for mahseer. I can load 200 meters of 40lb mono on it, and cast +50 meters with this reel and an uptide rod in my sleep.

Ummm....

Can you tell me from where and for how much?

Ta!

I load 30-lb Maxima Chameleon on my trusty (er, make that rusty) 7000, and get almost 200m. This line's a bit thicker and stiffer than others.

There are quite a few models of the 7000 now, in various colours. Say, any of you using the Big Game version/ Does it cast a fist-sized ragi ball just as well?

><<:>

"The joy of landing a fish can only be eclipsed by that of releasing it."

Not when I'm really hungry

Hi JB / Rusty,

Maxima deep green is about my favourite, so bloody strong that even 30lb BS is so difficult to break when you are badly snagged.

I have been using 40lb Andyline for a few years now, and it is not half as good. Lost some very big fish on it while trying to power them before they went over the lip of the rapids.

Yes JB the 7000C is the best of the lot. It is a 3 bearing model, and casts as smooth as silk > 50 meters without birds nest if your casting drag is set right. The 7000 does not have any bearings, only bushes, and falls slightly behind in the casting department.

Most times we move from chilwa to a fist size ball of ragi, and forget to reset the casting drag. Sure way of inviting the birds over for the weekend
Nothing worse if it is getting dark and you can't see your reel too well. I'm ok now that i have a headlamp but it can be a nightmare otherwise.

If you can find one for under 5000.00 bucks you are lucky Rusty, but it lasts you forever. My 7000 is almost 15 years old. And it's in use on every trip 90% of the time i spend on the banks. Still as smooth as silk, with no play any where.

Just a few words of advice about this reel if you plan on buying one.

1. The screw that locks the main nut and the nut itself need to be checked and tightened carefully after a battle.

2. Use only a drop of oil in the 2 bearing caps if the felt pad in the caps are dry. Nothing more than a drop.

3. Never use any oil on the drag washers. They must remain dry (Refer the Abu Garcia for Do's and Dont's.

4. Open and clean the reel if dust and sand has entered it on a fishing trip.

5. Take care never to put it directly on the ground to avoid dust entering.

6. A 2 or 3 day trip with the reels lying outside will definately attract dust, which will need cleaning.

7. Take a good look at the exploded veiw of the diagram supplied with the reel, (also available on their website) before attempting to open the reel.

8. For the first time, open it in the presence of someone who has serviced the reel before, or you are very likely to screw up on the order in which the felt and drag washers are to be placed, and ruin the reel or even worse loose a big fish.

I have seen this happen to a friend of mine. The reel started giving line in jerks and the hook popped out. The main gear which was of brass had turned blue after this episode.

I too lost a big fish on this reel because i used oil on the drag washers unknowingly (Happened because i used too much oil in the oil caps which spilled over from the shaft onto the drag washers). Line paying out in jerks was the result. Got the info from Pat and set things right.

Hope this info is useful to you guy's. I was planning on buying a cheaper reel, but Bobby's post made me realize that there is nothing better for the job at hand.