Boat Rod

[chenz116]

Me and my mates are renting aboat from wicklow at the weekend.

Rorys have a cheap rod for €20

would this do for a first timer ??

[JimC]

Specification of rod?
What sort of fishing do you plan?

[chenz116]

im not sure i just rang up to enquire

just general throwing it over and fishing from the bottom to see what bites

[mitch]

why waste money buying cheap rods ,im sure you can rent rods with the boat .

[nicefish]

im not sure i just rang up to enquire

just general throwing it over and fishing from the bottom to see what bites

Mate of mine went to ABC and got boat rod very cheap ,he has had some good sessions from bullock 2pce and only 7ft long.

[chenz116]

Mitch - to rent a rod is €5 might as well pay the extra €15 and have one to keep.

nicefish - thats what iw as hoping to hear

[bigsod]

If you plan to get out a bit, get a decent quality rod and reel. Cheap gear generally is total crap and a false economy, as when you realise how crap it is you go out and buy the rod you should have got in the first place

[chenz116]

If you plan to get out a bit, get a decent quality rod and reel. Cheap gear generally is total crap and a false economy, as when you realise how crap it is you go out and buy the rod you should have got in the first place

good point. just dont really wana spend much on a baot rod cause dont think id use it that often

[JimC]

From previous reports about the fishing at this time of year I would reckon a light shore setup would do you to begin with. If you had a short spinning rod that would handle up to say a four ounce lead you would survive.
That said, if the cheap boat rod was something in the 6-12 or 12-20 class, at €20 it might be worth a go. It might be better to "get a feel" for what it is like before investing in rods and reels.

Something tells me there won't be many boats stirring at the weekend though

[hugo]

Agree with Jim. €20 = 5 pints? so no big deal. When you move up the price scale the gear gets better but also much more specialised and you could end up shelling out for the wrong thing for your preferred type of fishing. Get a few trips in with the cheapo and then you'll know a bit more.

Looks like you'll be gargling the 5 pints this weekend tho, what with the weather......

[chenz116]

Think ya hit the nail on the head Hugo.

And we have changed it to next weekend

[chenz116]

got the rod for €20 and it looks grand to me.

Its a Shakespear IN2 20/30

[JimC]

At 20/30 it will probably be strong for the majority of fish up that way other than congers or tope. Still, for €20... even if you used it for pier fishing for congers, how bad.

[chenz116]

What do ya mean strong

[JimC]

What do ya mean strong

20/30 is a heavy rating, the rod will be quite stiff. In other words - you might not get the greatest feel out of smaller fish.
Popular rods for drifting/scratching would be 6/12 or 12/20. That said your 20/30 should cope with a tope whereas a 6/12 would struggle.

[chenz116]

yea i noticed that it was a little stiff.

ill have to keep a really close eye on it because all i ever sem to catch are the small ones

but to be honest im not sure how often ill be getting out in the boats so if its good for a pier then that suits me.

[hugo]

Put on an FS reel loaded with 30lb braid and you'll feel any fish. Just wont be the most sporting set-up on retrieve, as Jim says.
I have a couple of cheapo 20/30 rods I keep on standby for visiting rellies wanting a day trip out. Just the job for hauling in the macks and pollock on hokkais.

[chenz116]

I'll be happy with any fish and for 20 Toyota ya can't go wrong