Beach Casting Rod & reel.

Shroughaun

Well-Known Member
Just curious to know if anyone here has any experience of beach fishing.
I’ll be spending at lot of the summer months by the beach this year. So I’m going to get a few crab and lobster pots.
And a rod and reel.
Although I’ve done lots of fishing throughout the years both river and see, beach castings is a new adventure.
Anyone point me in a direction of a decent rod and reel that would suit the amateur with costing a bomb.
 
Just curious to know if anyone here has any experience of beach fishing.
I’ll be spending at lot of the summer months by the beach this year. So I’m going to get a few crab and lobster pots.
And a rod and reel.
Although I’ve done lots of fishing throughout the years both river and see, beach castings is a new adventure.
Anyone point me in a direction of a decent rod and reel that would suit the amateur with costing a bomb.
did a lot in the 80's still got a rod Dad had made for me, never mastered the pendulum swing cast as I got it wrong on a beach and the lead rig went sideways so gave that up.
I would made a bait cannon if I started again lol
 
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Go to a good tackle shop and ask advice about a combo in your price range, depending where you are, get some mackerel feathers and a bbq
I love mackerel. As a whole and have the BBQ just missing the rest 🤣. I’ve look online a bit but with the variety I’m just bedazzled buy the variety. Maybe a trip to tackle shop suitable is the best option.
 
...never mastered the pendulum swing cast as I got it wrong on a beach and the lead rig went sideways so gave that up.
You're far from the only one to miss the whole ocean (that's lapping a couple of feet in front of you) while trying to learn to pendulum cast... 🫣

A 5oz grip going anywhere other than vaguely forward, is scary!
 
Where by the beach? If you have good bass fishing nearby you might find that more exciting. Have a look at uk bass lure fishing forums. Takes some doing to regularly suss the fish but it’s great when it works.
 
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Where by the beach? If you have good bass fishing nearby you might find that more exciting. Have a look at uk bass lure fishing forums. Takes some doing to regularly suss the fish but it’s great when it works.
Yeah theres lots of bass in that area and mackerel. So it should be interesting.
 
Being next to the sea most weeks growing up I would be slinging lead at the sea, 14" rod Pen surfmaster or coffee grinder.
Now use a 4 oz uptide bass rod and a coffee grinder with braid . modern rods are far better than when I started with full glass carbon rods you can down size and still get out past the surf or into a gut with ease.
 
Beach casting is not something I’m into myself but are you happier with a multiplier or a fixed spool?
I've understood that fixed spool is much easier to cast, but you really should "tape up" your index finger and double up the main line up to the spool (bimini twist or equivalent) unless you can run shock leader as long.
 
You're far from the only one to miss the whole ocean (that's lapping a couple of feet in front of you) while trying to learn to pendulum cast... 🫣

A 5oz grip going anywhere other than vaguely forward, is scary!
Woke up on Dungeness beach as my mate who was on tide watch had fell asleep...it was not far from the bivvy!!
That was a scramble to keep dry:eek:
 
LOL! A friend, Steve, did it with his now late father back in the late 1960s. They arrived, to go sea fishing, him, sister, mother and the dad at the seaside and went a and bought a rod, a lead weight that (the very words used) "Looked like a pocket watch and weighed half a ton", a hook you could (the very words used) "Tow trucks with", and a container of lug worms.

All contented and now fully equipped with the finest pescatorial products that could be found for under ten shillings (with change) off they set, all of them, for the beach in pursuit of codlings, hakes, halibuts and other fishy inhabitants of King Neptune's realm. Hook, sinker and lugworm were attached and the first cast was made.

Out went the line, the sinker, the hook and the lugworm. Far, far into the waters beyond the surf where the big fish would surely lie. And then? And then a "ping" as the line parted at the knot that fixed it to the reel continuing its trajectory to who knows which far off place. Offshore? France? America even? Accompanied by a "Well," said his dad, "That's that then. We'd best now go home."

So whilst I can't speak for my own experience beyond that I have a rod and reel and various lures and etc. up in the attic from when I used in the mid 2000s to spend a half day with clients at Cancale. Mine all Decathlon's finest!
 
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By no means an expert. About 100 to 150 quid fixed spool and 13ft beachcaster with 15lb line and a 50lb shock leader. Fixed spool is easy to get to grips with, unlike a multiplier.
Shock leader is most important so your line don't snap.
See above just posted by me! And please, if you see him, tell Steve!
 
Would suggest a 14ft rod and fixed spool loaded with 30lb fire line braid for the beach.

Have a look on eBay - some decent kit on there cheap - can’t really go wrong with Penn/Shakespeare.

Keep it simple at the end with a running boom, swivel, 4 foot of 20lb mono and hook.

If your spinning, 9ft Ugly Stick, light fixed spool, 20lb braid and one of these - promise you - the only bass lure you will ever need. 👍

IMG_3674.jpeg
 
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