Continental tactics?

**Mono** · 28-03-2008, 12:02

Keep reading about these "continental tackle and tactics" that are supposedly influencing the uk scene so much. Have many people here adopted these tactics? I know of nobody. My local tackle dealer did try to nudge me in that direction last time i bought a new rod. Wasn't having it. Is this just a tackle manufacturers' conspiracy to persuade us to revamp all our gear? Or am i bit cynical? All hail long rod revolution?

**castleden** · 28-03-2008, 12:17

Originally Posted by Mono

Keep reading about these "continental tackle and tactics" that are supposedly influencing the uk scene so much. Have many people here adopted these tactics? I know of nobody. My local tackle dealer did try to nudge me in that direction last time i bought a new rod. Wasn't having it. Is this just a tackle manufacturers' conspiracy to persuade us to revamp all our gear? Or am i bit cynical? All hail long rod revolution?

personally sounds to me like a gimmick to sell more gear, i live in spain are have rarely seen anglers using long rods though have spoken to some who do now and then...

**m.b3** · 28-03-2008, 12:19

long rods, longer traces, lighter lines and often leads too - good for small fish at different ranges. very effective.

standard beach gear is ideal for fishing for rays, dogs and the like or when the winds make holding and casting a long rod difficult/impossible!

**Codhead Bob** · 29-03-2008, 19:40

Not sure why it would have to be one or the other really.I use a couple of Grauvell long rods,but also traditional stiff rods,soft rods,carp rods,spinning rods,float rods,feeder rods,just whatever I fancy at the time.They all do a job and provided a little bit of variety as well.

**m.b3** · 30-03-2008, 07:38

Bob any flapper rig over say 8' long is difficult to cast on a standard beachcaster. a long rod with light line on a fixed spool can overhead cast them a good distance- they are more effective for doing such things. they also allow the use of lighter rig bodies too as there is no need to swing the lead during the cast. but like you say it's down to preference.

**steve w** · 30-03-2008, 09:52

I'm tending to use smaller hooks,and finer longer traces off the beach,more and more because the bigger fish don't seem to be around anymore.

**phil6283** · 30-03-2008, 17:17

Long continental "floppy" rods were designed for use in seas where there is no tide and calm gin clear seas,and targetting shy biting species like mullet and bream.
long rods are probably more to do with marketing and sales, but the same could be said for bass rods and flattie rods.
The mainstay of our fishing ie Pouting whiting and dabs could be caught on a hook tied to a length of chain.

**m.b3** · 30-03-2008, 17:44

Originally Posted by phil6283

Long continental "floppy" rods were designed for use in seas where there is no tide and calm gin clear seas,and targetting shy biting species like mullet and bream.
long rods are probably more to do with marketing and sales, but the same could be said for bass rods and flattie rods.
The mainstay of our fishing ie Pouting whiting and dabs could be caught on a hook tied to a length of chain.

bass rods are often used without a tripod standing in the surf... much more manageable than holding a 14' beachcaster with a reel down the butt. bass rods have there uses.
long rods may have started off on the continent but they are used here frequently to deadly effect- so why not use them? i honestly dont think it is just a marketting ploy. for clean beach and scratching around they give more options, longer lighter traces, great distances with small baits and simple casts, all adding up to putting fish on the bank. cant be bad then?

**Rob** · 30-03-2008, 17:51

Places like Spain have clearer water with minimal tide run and anglers generally target smaller species. Match anglers have really kicked off the market for continental long FS rods and reels with light tackle and small hooks, but for general purpose sea angling I believe it has a limited use.

**Codhead Bob** · 31-03-2008, 23:50

One thing that I'd say I've found with the long rods is that they are incredibly accurate as far as casting goes.Up here there are virtually no clean beaches and 99% of fish are found in kelpy areas.Sometimes the clearish patch to land your bait might be something like the size of a motor car at usually 50 to 80 or 100 yards tops,and these rods seem to be very easy to control your cast to the extent that you can regularly hit your mark.