Hiya
Fixed spool reels have received a bad reputation here. They were considered toys and not REAL fishing tackle and were considered only good for very small fish and to be used by total novices!! How-ever, over the last couple of years, fixed spool reels have advanced HUGELY!!! There is now a BIG variety of QUALITY fixed spools at a very reasonable price.
I started teaching my wife to fish rock and surf with a fixed spool. Its very simple to use, very rarely do you have to sort out birds nest (over-runs), handles light sinkers very well, is ideal for lighter lines and its generally easier to fish with. She has now progressed on to multipliers, simply becuase she WANTS to!!
One of my friends fish's with a Shimano Stella off the boat. He's caught EVERYTHING, from 90kg+ Yellowfin to 200kg+ marlin on his STELLA!!! Yet, many of the old salts here STILL scoff at using fixed spool reels!
Over-runs (bird's nest), the BANE of all multiplier users. No matter HOW experienced you are, we ALL fairly often STILL get over-runs!! Not as bad as a beginner would get, but we STILL get them all the same!! Its very difficult for a beginner to enjoy his fishing if every cast is thwarted by an over-run. Thats why a fixed spool is so much nicer. Less hassles, means more time to ENJOY your fishing.
Magpie, Foxfish, OMD and others: we've recently started using BERKLEY POWERBAITS. Its a SCENTED plastic worm/crab. The freshwater black bass guys have been using it for ages. I've used it on a 7' Shimano Crucial rod with a 400 Calcutta, flipping it into gulleys inbetween the rocks and kelp beds. Haven't taken anything spectacular on it, but i have caught quite a bit of fish on it!! Same off the boat. Nothing big, probably just under 5kg's, but since the season is over, i'm pretty sure it'll get a good work-out in summer. Have you guys tried this yet?? Think of the possibilities.......no more digging up rag/lug worm or running around catching peeler crabs!! Simply grab a packet or two of the Powerbait worms or crabs and off you go!! No more have the Dept. of HOME affairs nag about how smelly the 'fridge or freezer is becuase of your bait!!
Regards
miles
