Sorry to go on but pixybasher is right - and wrong. Yes, under TOURNAMENT conditions multipliers are slightly better. Ever been to a tournament? Impressive distances are achieved! Quite scary to mere mortals like me. But look - flat, firm casting surface, a tail wind if possible, usually nice and dry as well. Compare this with a typical fishing mark/conditions! I'm sorry, but under fishing conditions fixed spools are just as good (if not better) for distance than multipliers, especially with lighter lines.
I'm not accusing anybody of this but there is a bit of a macho culture thing in our country regarding powerful rods and multipliers. My 12 year old summed it up the other day (he really studies Sea Angler). He said "I want to learn how to use a multiplier coz that means you're a good angler". Thats the impression the magazines give. Likewise if you want distance, buy a multiplier with the "distance" label in the advertising hype. It's all bullshit.
A good angler is one who catches fish - and enjoys doing it.
If you want distance, there are no shortcuts I'm afraid. You must learn how to cast. And, let's be honest, most of us are crap at casting because we don't spend time on developing this skill. But if you're catching fish, who cares?
Yours frustrated that relative beginners are being conned into buying tackle that may even put them off the whole wonderful world of fishing by making it more difficult for them than it really needs to be,
Rhod.