Shakespeare Tidewater Rod 6ft 30lb

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Livid · #1 Post by **Livid** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:00 am

I'm looking to buy a new rod for the like of fishing off the back of Bangor pier, i seen a wee rod i liked in the shop yesterday, it was a 6ft Tidewater rod 30lb class (£29.99), was wondering if this would be suitable for this type of fishing or is it too heavy a class, baring in mind the very rough ground in the area, would this be ok for the like of Wrasse fishing etc or should i look for a lighter rod? Anyone any experience with this model? Just looking a wee rod to do me this year at least.

paulocallaghan · #2 Post by **paulocallaghan** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:22 am

have never fished bangor, but i think a 30lb class rod is a bit on the heavy side, personally i wouldnt even use this for very large conger out of deep water wrecks. while wrass can put up a decent fight there is no need for this much overkill. even for off the boats i only use an uptider (daiwa tdxu 2-8) for all my boating work, this is sensitive enough to deal with small flatties and strong enough to deal with specimen tope.
something like this would be ideal for the pier as it can be cast with ease and is strong enough to deal with conger and anything else that might show up.

Mr_Green · #3 Post by **Mr_Green** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:36 am

the 30lb would be too much alright livid...at my local pier which the ground is stinkin rough, i use a bze 3-5oz ... ever since startin to fish lighter gear i wouldnt turn back, its too much fun...if ur looking a rod for wrasse and ur set on a boat rod ..go for an 8lb rod.. the shakespeare ugly stick with the glass tip is nice...

Livid · #4 Post by **Livid** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:54 pm

Thanks for the tips lads, i'm by no means an expert on rods. A lot of the fishing at Bangor doesn't involve casting at times but fishing down holes in amongst large boulders etc, not a great deal of room for moving. I wasn't really being specific in wanting a rod just for wrasse, just one that will cover most things in this area, Wrasse, large Rockling, Conger :shock: :shock: (that'll be the day 8) ). I'll have another look around and see if i can get something lighter, i did actually want an ugly stick but never knew what specific one as i know they have several out. Could anyone recommend a good reel to go with this aswell? I might actually be wanting my first ever multiplier to go with this as it won't involve huge casting distance.

paulocallaghan · #5 Post by **paulocallaghan** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:05 pm

iv always used abus for the shore but i believe that the penn 525/535s are supposed to be brilliant for the rough ground,
the beauty of uptide rods is that they offer you fantastic versitility, originally these were just cut down beachcasters so casting them reletively short distances (up to 50-70m) is no problem and the fact that they are usually no longer than 9ft 6 is also great for confined spaces. the sensitivity and power in the tdxu is amazing

Livid · #6 Post by **Livid** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:57 pm

A penn 525 / 535 etc might be a bit much to get me started? I've never used a multiplier ever before. Just looking a wee reel that will cope well and is quite easy to use, i'm probably just concerned because it's the unknown to me. Gonna look around for a wee ugly stick somewhere, the local tackle shops should have them. It'll not be this week i'll get it so still open to suggestions from anyone, cheers lads.

Mr_Green · #7 Post by **Mr_Green** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:40 pm

go for a slosh 30 livid..cheaper than penn and will bully any fish out there..well from the shore anyway...and if u want a rod to go for conger as well as the rest, try a 12-20lb class rod..mayb lighter... depending on how you play the fish...i still think 12-20 is way overkill for wrasse... the rod i wrasse with is a 30-60g spinnin rod, that dropping it right under ur feet, so mayb u need something like a century carbon metal or something like that...which will do as an all rounder...but to big for rocks for me...u coulkd get a rod strictly for floating purposes and get another for ledgering...but to go from wrasse to conger is a harsh extreme....its hard to find middle ground to be honest...

Livid · #8 Post by **Livid** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 5:35 pm

Impatience got the better of me and i ended up getting one when i was out today, a wee rod i've been after for a while now anyway. Just a wee 6ft Ugly Stik. Also got a Alpha 2912 312 Baitcast reel to go on it.

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It'll do the job hopefully.

#9 Post by **cky** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:18 pm

hi livid
if that is the 6ft ugly stik rated 4-10lb (2-piece) then I have 2 of them and love them.
but I found the rings were too far apart for a multiplier and when the rod is bent the line would rub on the blank near the tip.
mine came with a small fixed spool which I loaded with 12lb braid.
this setup works well off the pier allowing you to cast a spinner when the macks are in or fish down the rocks for the wrasse etc.
never had a conger on one tho'!
best wishes
cky

Livid · #10 Post by **Livid** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 1:57 am

Yup, the very same rod! Mine also came with a wee reel that is seemingly better than i first thought, i might do the same as yourself and load it up with some stronger line, not sure whether to use braid or mono. I'm sure it'll be a great wee rod for summer spinning, can't wait to give it a go that way. I used it tonight for the first time 'dangling' down in between rocks out the back of Bangor pier, no complaints so far!