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.

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

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

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

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.

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.