[tupsyr]

Hi guys,

Does anyone think that using a fixed spool reel off a boat is a bad idea. It's an Okuma Interceptor.

Haven't had it long enough to try how hard it is.

Think the drag will be enough??

I know the clutch works coz I landed a 9lbs GT with it but that was off the beach. Haven't done any vertical lifting with it.

 

[Guest]

I have tried a fixed spool for uptiding, a Penn 850, and found it better for casting but when it came to vertical lifting was almost impossible to use due to the high gearing.
Get a multiplier, you wont regret it.

 

[Guest]

Fixed Spools are often seen by Rex Hunt and the like either fishing fro Oz Bream and little flathead using split shot style sinkers or alternatively blue water fishing for free running species like Dorado.

For those species a fixed spool is great and does the job, but they are not so good when it comes to the sort of winching power that we need for our style of boat fishing.

As Cascars say's, get a multiplier.

 

[tupsyr]

Thanks.

Already have a multiplier so might just stick to that.

Was just thinking in terms of gearing really. I would have thought that the higher the gearing the better for retrieving. Cascar please explain.

 

[Guest]

A fixed spool would be fine for bringing up small fish but if you got something like a Ray or anything over a few pounds in weight the effort to turn the handle makes it hard work and will probably put too much strain on the reel and strip the gears. The higher the gearing the less turns of the handle required to retrieve the same amount of line, try putting 4-5lb of lead on the end of your line and reeling it up just a few feet from the ground, then try it with a multiplier, you will feel the difference immediately.
Even some multi's can be hard work particularly ones designed for beachcasting. You need a reel with a low to medium retrieve speed and with rugged enough gears to cope with vertical winching. It is a totally different kettle of fish (scuse the pun) to reeling in a fish from a beach.
I use Penn 535's and find them ideal for all but conger fishing.

 

[The Big Man]

Fixed spool is excellent for pirk casting with lures up to 150 gm. The lures get to the bottom fast and they cope no probs with double figure cod and pollack in water up to 40 m deep.

 

[Afishionado]

Surely though if you are handling a fish of a good size one 'pumps' the rod to wind in. The lowering of the rod at the same time as winding in puts hardly any strain on the reel. I have used fixed spools successfully for years and had no trouble at all. (Except for a very cheap ebay thing that I bought in a moment of madness)
I favour a good beach casting fixed spool for uptiding. It is far easyer to cast with and no trouble to play a good fish. I have caught Tope, Rays, amongst others Provided that I retrieve line on to the reel whilst lowering the rod and fight the fish on the drag, I raise the rod to gain line to be reeled in on the down stroke.

Further proof of the lack of need for a mangle is the size of fish landed by light line specialists.

Afishionado

 

[Rajabatis]

Surely though if you are handling a fish of a good size one 'pumps' the rod to wind in. The lowering of the rod at the same time as winding in puts hardly any strain on the reel. I have used fixed spools successfully for years and had no trouble at all. (Except for a very cheap ebay thing that I bought in a moment of madness)
I favour a good beach casting fixed spool for uptiding. It is far easyer to cast with and no trouble to play a good fish. I have caught Tope, Rays, amongst others Provided that I retrieve line on to the reel whilst lowering the rod and fight the fish on the drag, I raise the rod to gain line to be reeled in on the down stroke.

Further proof of the lack of need for a mangle is the size of fish landed by light line specialists.

Afishionado

The Americans use a fiixed spool often for big fish like Tarpon over 100 lbs with no problems. The fight from these Far exceeds any pressure we would put on a reel for general fishing from a boat in this country.
Pump and wind is what it is all about to reduce stress on the components parts of any reel type you care to use, on any fish that pulls back or is hauled up from any depth.

 

[Guest]

The Americans use a fiixed spool often for big fish like Tarpon over 100 lbs with no problems. The fight from these Far exceeds any pressure we would put on a reel for general fishing from a boat in this country.
Pump and wind is what it is all about to reduce stress on the components parts of any reel type you care to use, on any fish that pulls back or is hauled up from any depth.

If yuo go to my original post so will see I mention "Our style of fishing" or words to that effect.

Huge free running fish can be taken on fisxed spools and pumping and winding is the answer.
A fixed spoole is also fine for some styles of UK fishing such as "light" pirk casting and some uptiding.

Where they have a problem is when we need to use lots of lead or where large clumps of weed can be expected in "fast" tide runs.
In situations like this, pump and wind doesn't work a jot. You lift the rod and then go to lower it winding at the same time, but with 2lb of lead or even 12oz of lead simply dropping too with gravity it is simply very awkward and uncomfortable.

Just my opinion, but those of us who have the gear to do it, run your own test.
Using two identical rods fished with the same baits at the same time requiring
12oz or so of lead. Use a mangle on one and a reasonable quality multiplier on the other and see which one is more comfortable.

There is no doubt, a fixed spool reel is quite capable of playing large fish, but they are not suitable for winching. and there are times in UK angling where we do have to winch.
(Afishionado, tell me that you'd be able to fish the "Sky" for Conger. Even on a neap, once the tide is moving you need 2lb here).
Tom

 

[Afishionado]

lift the rod and then go to lower it winding at the same time, but with 2lb of lead

I have only once (some time ago) fished where 2lb of lead was required so I have little or no experiance of fishing like that. However the abiding memory was that the heavyness of the whole set up deadened most of the sensation and feel of the fishing.
So not knowing too much about this mid channel stuff I feel a certain amount of disapointment that it seems the only way to get in contact with double figure fish is to get out into the deep water and fish heavy.

Afishionado

 

[Shropfisher]

I don't fish with max 8 oz of lead ( 3,4 or 5 is normal ) and use a fixed spool most of the time, landed an 8lb Smoothy last year no problem, light spinning rod great fun, Naturally if your going for big fish a decent multipler is easier, but then you pump them as well so why not a bigger fixed spool ? on a crowded charter boat you may get your line cut by the skipper if your on light tackle and taking 20 mins to land a 5lb fish, but if the boats your own then who cares !
You don't see many carp guys usingf multipliers, just cos their after 20Lb carp !

 

[Rajabatis]

If yuo go to my original post so will see I mention "Our style of fishing" or words to that effect.

Huge free running fish can be taken on fisxed spools and pumping and winding is the answer.
A fixed spoole is also fine for some styles of UK fishing such as "light" pirk casting and some uptiding.

Where they have a problem is when we need to use lots of lead or where large clumps of weed can be expected in "fast" tide runs.
In situations like this, pump and wind doesn't work a jot. You lift the rod and then go to lower it winding at the same time, but with 2lb of lead or even 12oz of lead simply dropping too with gravity it is simply very awkward and uncomfortable.

Just my opinion, but those of us who have the gear to do it, run your own test.
Using two identical rods fished with the same baits at the same time requiring
12oz or so of lead. Use a mangle on one and a reasonable quality multiplier on the other and see which one is more comfortable.

There is no doubt, a fixed spool reel is quite capable of playing large fish, but they are not suitable for winching. and there are times in UK angling where we do have to winch.
(Afishionado, tell me that you'd be able to fish the "Sky" for Conger. Even on a neap, once the tide is moving you need 2lb here).
Tom

"Where they have a problem is when we need to use lots of lead or where large clumps of weed can be expected in "fast" tide runs.
In situations like this, pump and wind doesn't work a jot. You lift the rod and then go to lower it winding at the same time, but with 2lb of lead or even 12oz of lead simply dropping too with gravity it is simply very awkward and uncomfortable."


I didn't follow what you meant by "our style" Is that the U.K as a whole or a local thing you mean?
I'm not sure I see the difference in a good tide flow, in pumping a beaten dead weight 100lb plusTarpon back to the boat and your lead/weed/tide illustration above. I know the former is harder!

I would not use a fixed spool in that situation either in this country. I usually come fishing with several options to take advantage of conditions. But the fact is the retrieve rate of a good well made fixed spool can be very usefull to eliminate the dropback drag you are talking about above

 

[Rajabatis]

A fixed spool would be fine for bringing up small fish but if you got something like a Ray or anything over a few pounds in weight the effort to turn the handle makes it hard work and will probably put too much strain on the reel and strip the gears. The higher the gearing the less turns of the handle required to retrieve the same amount of line, try putting 4-5lb of lead on the end of your line and reeling it up just a few feet from the ground, then try it with a multiplier, you will feel the difference immediately.
Even some multi's can be hard work particularly ones designed for beachcasting. You need a reel with a low to medium retrieve speed and with rugged enough gears to cope with vertical winching. It is a totally different kettle of fish (scuse the pun) to reeling in a fish from a beach.
I use Penn 535's and find them ideal for all but conger fishing.

It's no different with fixed spools. If you go above a 3-1 ratio on a fixed spool you are in trouble. Most but not all are higher ratio than that and are hard work to use.
I have good Shimano and Daiwa FS reels with those 3-1 ratios and they are very good.

 

[Rajabatis]

I don't fish with max 8 oz of lead ( 3,4 or 5 is normal ) and use a fixed spool most of the time, landed an 8lb Smoothy last year no problem, light spinning rod great fun, Naturally if your going for big fish a decent multipler is easier, but then you pump them as well so why not a bigger fixed spool ? on a crowded charter boat you may get your line cut by the skipper if your on light tackle and taking 20 mins to land a 5lb fish, but if the boats your own then who cares !
You don't see many carp guys usingf multipliers, just cos their after 20Lb carp !

Yes but carp anglers don't seem to be dogged with the same reel type snobbery ( I wish I had anothert word for it) you get from sea anglers particulary beach anglers.

Please note: I am not suggesting any of the posts made are anything to do with snobbery!

But it is a fact thay you are viewed as something odd or a beginner who someone who has no ability if you use one for any type of sea angling other than spinning.

 

[groomyd]

IMO opinionits a bit like riding a bike.

On the flat a high gear is fine. Then when you hit a hill you want to drop down to a lower gear which is what the multi provides.

 

[Pelamid]

I expect an engineer will 'Shoot Me Down in Flames' but here is my take on fixed spools V multipliers.
It's not just the gear ratio that dictates the efficiency of a geared machine. Fixed spools immediately have the disadvatage of turning the forces in 90 degrees. More efficient with a multiplier as all the drives are in line.
There are also different styles of gear cutting. I seem to remember the terms 'straight cut' and 'helical' may apply.
Helical - I think - gives a longer surface area to each gear tooth. Hence is a stronger and more progressive drive.
Not only does this apply to the Fixed Spool V multipier debate but also when you look at the efficencies of lever drag and star drag reels. One uses straight cut the other helical.
All this is a distant memory to me so maybe my facts are muddled.
Anyone want to correct me on this or fill in some details?

 

[Rajabatis]

I expect an engineer will 'Shoot Me Down in Flames' but here is my take on fixed spools V multipliers.
It's not just the gear ratio that dictates the efficiency of a geared machine. Fixed spools immediately have the disadvatage of turning the forces in 90 degrees. More efficient with a multiplier as all the drives are in line.
There are also different styles of gear cutting. I seem to remember the terms 'straight cut' and 'helical' may apply.
Helical - I think - gives a longer surface area to each gear tooth. Hence is a stronger and more progressive drive.
Not only does this apply to the Fixed Spool V multipier debate but also when you look at the efficencies of lever drag and star drag reels. One uses straight cut the other helical.
All this is a distant memory to me so maybe my facts are muddled.
Anyone want to correct me on this or fill in some details?

What you say about the line angle is correct as it comes over the bale arm roller and changes angle through 90 degrees, but both reel types have helical cut gears. The angle of cut on the gears does differ on each type as they have different stresses created from moving the rotating parts in a similar yet dissimiliar way. I.E the rotor head on a fixed spool is turned to wrap line on as opposed to the spool rotating on a multiplier reel.

 

[Pelamid]

Perhaps the simplest comparison is a fixed spool is the sports car - light & fast, but you would not tow a boat with it. The multiplier is the 'Tow Car of the Year' - if it has got low gear ratio gets you out of anything.

 

[ET-OPO]

"Our Style of fishing"?? sadly we are lazy and use the winching power of a 3.5-4 to 1 ratio of low geared multipliers and over weight line to skull haul fish to the boat. I still hold with the multipliers as number one choice but prefer a 5 plus gear ratio, light line and a lineley!! Play the fish with pumping action and a correctly set clutch!

One of the problems is the overlong butt we have on our casting rods, suposedly correctly designed blanks, pumping is near impossible.

Deep water and wrecking will show the short comings on a high geared FS reel, there are some low geared ones! If your are boat casting in shallow water and your preference is a FS, use the correct technique for this situation, why not, its about confidence. Just remember big!!! boat type FS reels have big whirly things, long handles and delicate long spool spindles only supported at one end, these are the bits that will quickly and easily get damaged on the rough and tumble of a boat. Me thinks Multiplayers have it:g:

Sorry if this is seen as old 'ET' getting on his soap box, but think about it?:blink:

ET's OPO

 

[ET-OPO]

lift the rod and then go to lower it winding at the same time, but with 2lb of lead

I have only once (some time ago) fished where 2lb of lead was required so I have little or no experiance of fishing like that. However the abiding memory was that the heavyness of the whole set up deadened most of the sensation and feel of the fishing.
So not knowing too much about this mid channel stuff I feel a certain amount of disapointment that it seems the only way to get in contact with double figure fish is to get out into the deep water and fish heavy.

Afishionado

Afishinado,
On my patch, North Thames/Eastanglia, we get some decent fish. Last year, tope getting on for 40lbs, bass to 12lb, skate (thornbacks) to 12lbs, and all these upto 10 miles off in 30-60ft of water. This year, last 3 weeks we are seeing cod to 12lb, thornbacks to 12lb, the smoothies are begining to run and you dont want to know what the inshore long liners are pulling out!!!!

Its all shalow water, light tackle and 5-6 oz leads. Cant wait to get the old tub back in the water, I'm missing out!

ET's OPO