Using fixed spool reels and how to play fish

FIXED INTEREST
Fixed spools tend to require much less maintenance than multipliers, but there are still jobs to be done to keep your reel fishing at full efficiency.

One mistake many anglers make is to remove the side-plate, gears and main rotor arm, and having cleaned them in petrol then coat them in thick car grease before reassembling. Auto grease is way too thick for fixed-spools to run freely on. The best grease to use are the ones they sell for bicycles. These are finer in consistency and put less drag on the movement making the reel feel both smooth and free running on the retrieve.

Using a fixed spool reel

The major cause of fixed-spool problems is the bale arm mechanism and bale arm roller that the line passes over. A little 3 in 1 oil dripped down inside the bale arm mechanism every couple of trips works wonders and will keep the return spring corrosion free. Also put a drop of oil on the screws that hold the bale arm assembly in place, as you will need to remove these occasionally and they are very prone to holding salt and corroding then sheering off when you come to remove them.

The key thing is the bale arm roller guide. Seawater gets behind the roller and dries. Corrosion begins and the salt deposits weld the roller tight. This puts retrieved line under a greater pressure, as it must now pass over the static roller. Remove the roller from the bale arm and clean it using fine wire wool soaked in petrol. Place a little 3 in 1 oil on to each end of the roller where it fits inside the roller housing, replace any washers, and reassemble. The roller will now turn freely as line passes across it. This is crucial when you need to give line to a running fish and minimises wear on your line.

A few simple jobs that anyone can do and you'll have peace of mind each and every time you go fishing.

TIPS AND TRICKS
John Taylor from Dagenham e-mailed me this cracking idea. For a quick fix rod rest, get a wire coat hanger and snip the hook off to leave a straight section of wire. Buy a broom handle and drill a fine hole down the centre at one end just big enough to take the wire. Fill the hole with Araldite and force in the wire. Now just bend the coat hanger downwards in the middle to make a shallow V to take your rod. Costs about a quid and you just push the broom handle in to the sand and it supports itself. The handle also doubles as wading stick if you're shallow water bass fishing.

Using a drop net off a pier or breakwater helps you land more fish, but you can also return unwanted fish by popping them back in the drop net, lowering them back to the water and allowing them to swim free.

TACTICS FOR PLAYING FISH

Landing a fish

Before fishing, always check the adjustment on your reel to make sure that the drag gives line easily under mid pressure well below the breaking strain of the line. During the fight, if a fish wants to run, let it go and let the reel drag do all the work.

Big fish tend to fight hard the moment they are hooked and this is when they will run off a decent amount of line. When they stop running, immediately start to pump them ashore by lifting the rod and only retrieving on the downward stroke. If the fish starts to kick hard again, stop pumping the rod and let the fish just kick against the rod and take a little more line if it needs to hold. This is critical. If you continue trying to pump the fish towards you as it tries to go the other way, the pressure on the hook point and line is increased often resulting in the hook pulling free or the line breaking.

When a fish gets close to shore it will tend to panic and bolt again. This is sometimes out to sea in the case of a monster with lots of tail power, but more likely parallel through the surf tables. Again hold your nerve and do nothing while the fish is moving. Start the retrieve again when it tires and slows.

If a fish tries to bolt for a nearby snag drop the rod to the side of you furthest away from the fish to apply side strain. Side strain will usually turn a tired fish.

The most critical period is the actual landing. Keep the fish out in deeper water close to shore until you are sure it is beaten. Patience is the key. Wait for a decent roll of surf to appear and when it reaches the fish retrieve to keep a tight line as the fish is washed inshore and use the wave to beach the fish. Some anglers actually back the drag off just a touch more prior to doing this and I do myself just in case you need to let the fish go again. Good luck!