Totally Scientific (not) Shootout: Penn SM 70 - Shakespeare Sigma

**GBNeil** · 21-12-2006, 17:30

Hi folks,

this afternoon, having nothing better to do I thought I'd do a bit of casting practise in the field next door. I've been fishing a long time but recently I thought I'd try and improve my casting, so with the help of BB's little video clip and a few others that I found, John Holden etc, I've been slinging weights around the field and probably corrupting the otg style completely. I have improved my otg style somewhat and in the process have moved my max distance marker (mdm) progressively further. Due to the scientific nature of my experiment I'd better say that the mdm now resides at 158 lns (long Neil strides). I'd better also say that I used the following to attain this:

13' Shimano Hyperloop 4-8oz rod
Penn Surfmaster 70
15lb (.35mm) line of unknown manufacture
15-50lb tapered leader (Ultima Powerflex .35-.65mm)
5oz Bomb (mostly lead, no dynamite)

Now I thought I'll have some fun (and prove to myself once and for all that I do have a life). Instead of the Penn, with it's funky long nose, I'll substitute my trusty, solid but slightly naff Shakespeare Sigma 2201-080B Whisker Titan (with a Ball Bearing(BB)) - boy that'll be fun

. For those of you who perhaps have never heard of the Shakespeare Sigma 2201-080B Whisker Titan with a BB, it is a beachcasting reel with a standard spool (so now you know).

Cunning as I am and knowing the value of scientic rigour, I thought I'll use the same arrangment as I did to achieve my mdm with the exception of the Shakespeare Sigma 2201-080B Whisker Titan with a BB.

At this point I'd better mention the following points:

- atmospheric conditions: cold, damp and windless

- In a session I cast about 10-15 between 140-158 lns, of which 2 or 3 casts will be around 155-158 lns
- out of the 15, 2 left 5°, 5 straight, 7 right up to 25° (in a nutshell not v. consistent!).

Apprehensive and shaking with excitement at the thought of the scientific accolades that were bound to be pressed on me, I made my first cast - a real duffer to the right. After deciding to be less apprehensive and shaking less with excitement, my experiment continued, almost, yes, almost like a, well..... normal casting session.

So what happened you are no doubt breathless to find out?

Did the fabulous Penn SM 70 outgun the infamous Shakespeare Sigma 2201-080B Whisker Titan with a BB?

Could the slightly naff standard spool compete with the slightly expensive, de rigeur long nosed jobby?

Well, all will be revealed in this scintillating thread, should anyone be even vaguely interested?

**Ian_Montrose** · 21-12-2006, 18:24

I'm interested! Don't tease us, godammit.

**Edgey** · 21-12-2006, 18:45

Sorry to appear stupid; but the following looks as though you need to get a bit more distance!

In a session I cast about 10-15 between 140-158 lns, of which 2 or 3 casts will be around 155-158 lns
- out of the 15, 2 left 5°, 5 straight, 7 right up to 25° (in a nutshell not v. consistent!).

Assuming their are 12 Ins to the foot, that makes each cast about 3.8 yards long. Won't you get a bit wet trying to reach the third wave?

I have my coat

**Bagstar** · 21-12-2006, 19:25

Like the report so far mate but come on and let us know the outcome.

**GBNeil** · 21-12-2006, 19:32

Assuming their are 12 Ins to the foot, that makes each cast about 3.8 yards long. Won't you get a bit wet trying to reach the third wave?

Edgey mate - you would of course be quite right, were we talking Imperial inches, but what we have here is the measurement units lns, not Ins. The lns being of course the famous 'long Neil Strides', being somewhere around 1 yard! I think I mentioned it somewhere in the text, but I'd have been pretty bored reading it too and probably skipped it.

Anyway, are you gripped with the suspense of the conclusion, cos if not I'm keeping Mum?

Cheers

**Issy** · 21-12-2006, 19:42

Originally Posted by GBNeil

Edgey mate - you would of course be quite right, were we talking Imperial inches, but what we have here is the measurement units lns, not Ins. The lns being of course the famous 'long Neil Strides', being somewhere around 1 yard! I think I mentioned it somewhere in the text, but I'd have been pretty bored reading it too and probably skipped it.

Anyway, are you gripped with the suspense of the conclusion, cos if not I'm keeping Mum?

Cheers

You lucky bugga, where in Essex have you got a casting field, been looking for 1 for months, got slung off the footy pitch, Tiptree united said that it was a bit dangerous playing footy with me casting from goal mouth to goal mouth, I did offer to change the 5oz lead for a 4oz but they were unimpressed.

**GBNeil** · 21-12-2006, 19:43

What we need of course is a poll, but seeing as I haven't figured out how to do one (or maybe we ain't got the facility on this board?), I'm just going to have to ask the question:

Did the fabulous Penn SM 70 (long nose) outgun the infamous Shakespeare Sigma 2201-080B Whisker Titan with a BB (std. nose)?

Cos I'm staying stumm until opinions are expressed

**Issy** · 21-12-2006, 19:46

Originally Posted by GBNeil

What we need of course is a poll, but seeing as I haven't figured out how to do one (or maybe we ain't got the facility on this board?), I'm just going to have to ask the question:

Did the fabulous Penn SM 70 (long nose) outgun the infamous Shakespeare Sigma 2201-080B Whisker Titan with a BB (std. nose)?

Cos I'm staying stumm until opinions are expressed

Maybe

**Bagstar** · 21-12-2006, 19:58

You need to contact a mod to make a poll for you. I would say that the Penn should take the prize but you never know.

**GBNeil** · 21-12-2006, 20:00

You lucky bugga, where in Essex have you got a casting field, been looking for 1 for months, got slung off the footy pitch, Tiptree united said that it was a bit dangerous playing footy with me casting from goal mouth to goal mouth, I did offer to change the 5oz lead for a 4oz but they were unimpressed.

Right outside the front gate Issy. I live in the middle of a field, only sheep around here! So yeah, lucky bugga I am indeed.

As to the Tiptree spoilsports, what do they mean dangerous? Huh, they should have stopped playing and stood in awe and amazement at your casting prowess, perhaps murmuring a few deferential wows and clapping from time to time. Next time just get the team in, they'll soon stop when I start slinging 5oz leads in all 4 directions of the compass!