Rod and line combination

[johnmac]

Even though i have failed to catch in my first season...... i am keen to buy a new rod. Not that there is much wrong with my Shakespeare Oracle IV...... i just bought that with the idea that if i didn't get into Salmon fishing then i hadn't wasted too much cash! and so far i may not have hooked a Salmon...... but i'm hooked so i'm thinking of splashing the cash! (Just don't tell the other half!)

So i'm interested to know what kind of rod is your first choice, how you rate it....and what line you match it with?? Many thanks, John.... and a rough idea of price would help too!!!

[johnmac]

I'll start,

13ft Shakespeare Oracle IV...... with an Ian Gordon 65ft floater. cost £100 odd..... but i found it very hard to get decent turn-over with a tube and long poly-tip so i swapped for a Hardy Mach II , £40, which seems far better suited! to me at least!

Maybe i struggled simply because i am a novice? But i find the Mach II far easier! or should that be more forgiving? ;D

I'd say its a good rod, but it's not built to last much more than a few seasons, lower cork snapped 2nd trip out.. replaced no questions asked! and a few cracks round the rod eyes appearing, also the cork handle seems to have more filler than cork!! ;D

Other than that i like it! In fact ...should i bother changing??

[wilbert]

It's a nice feeling you get when buying new tackle but if your rod and line setup meets all your needs is there a real need to change? I would give it another season before buying a new rod as it will give you more time to perfect your skills and give the opportunity to try a wide range of rods, plus it will give you time to save up for you ideal rod.

I used my first rod for 4 seasons and would still be using it now if i wasn't fishing bigger rivers from time to time, now it lives in the garage as a back up and only comes out when I am introducing friends to a double hander.

[johnmac]

cheers for the info wilbert! I must admit, that by the end of typing my post.... i was thinking just like you. I should mention though that i'm hoping to have a few outing in the Spring on the Tay (whilst its cheap!!!) So my main reason for a new rod would be mostly for Spring fishing with sunk line and tubes....... would a 13ft Oracle be up to the job...?? or do i need a 15ft'er?

[jock]

You will not get a better value for money rod than the one you already have. I think it is a great rod, don't be fooled into thinking that expensive rods are always better. At 13' you are on the short side if you are getting into salmon fishing and will be fishing some of the wider rivers etc. your next rod should be 15' minimum.

Keep your powder dry as they say, try out different rods etc until you come across one you like and will cope with some of the things your current rod will not do well. I use a 14' Oracle for mainly summer use but it could handle Spring and Autumn if asked. Likewise my 15' Norway 10/11 can handle summer but is in its element in Spring and Autumn.

[johnmac]

Thanks Jock and Graham! I was told that i should chop a "good few meters" off the end of my Ian Gordon..... but at that point i'd just bought it... so didn't want to knacker it!

As for a bigger rod. I think you are both right...... If i decide to go ahead with the Tay then i think i'll pick myself up a 15ft Oracle, failing that i'll stick with the Ericht and the 13ft'er!

My next question is........ I'm told that a Wet Cel 2 is a good line for the Ericht in the Spring? Has anyone used one? and if so who are they made by because i can't seem to track one down?

Thanks again for the advice guys! John. (All i need now is for Spring to get a move on!!... Or at least January the 15th.... with mild weather!!)

[williegunn]

When trying to lift a sunk line, the longer the rod the better. I cannot see past my 16 footers.

Ask your partner the last foot makes all the difference.

[salmoseeker]

Willie if yer Dick was as big as yer ego you'd have something to brag about but yer partner says it not; i'd stick to rod lengths; it suits you more. :-)

[williegunn]

salmoseeker said:

Willie if yer thingy was as big as yer ego you'd have something to brag about but yer partner says it not; i'd stick to rod lengths; it suits you more. :-)

Willie if your thingy was as big as your ego you'd have something to brag about but your partner says it not; I’d stick to rod lengths; it suits you more.

I just corrected some of your spelling for you. Always ready and willing to help.

[jock]

Wetcell2 are made by Scientific Anglers and are full sinkers, around 3" per sec from memory. It is only made as a DT line or WF not in a Spey taper. They were and indeed to many still are the standard by which others are compared. Although it depends on the current and length of line out, we are now talking about the need to hand line and roll cast the line to the surface prior to the final cast. I have used and liked my wetcell2 DT11 but these days prefer one of the modern spey tapers. I find I don't often fish anything other than a floater or intermediate with a variety of sinking leaders and weighted flies. However, I do have just in case, a Lochmor Spey @ 2-3" and 4-5" per sec. Why? well they were £20 each as opposed to £40 each for the IG equivalents and as I say I have them only for the very few times they might be the answer.

[madkeen]

I am with malcolm on this one i struggled with sinking lines in the spring till i got myself a B+W 16fter then things became so much easier if youre thinking of the Tay in the spring you will need at least a 15ft rod.
Alan

[jock]

WG you did not correctly spell Dick. It is spelt peanis, peanus or peanous but not thingy. The spell checker tells me so.

[macd]

williegunn said:

salmoseeker said:

Willie if yer thingy was as big as yer ego you'd have something to brag about but yer partner says it not; i'd stick to rod lengths; it suits you more. :-)

Willie if your thingy was as big as your ego you'd have something to brag about but your partner says it not; I’d stick to rod lengths; it suits you more.

I just corrected some of your spelling for you. Always ready and willing to help.

what a brass neck- sort your own spelling first. Can't really help others if you are unable to grasp the basics yourself.

macd said:

williegunn said:

Ross, I use all [glow=red,2,300]femail [/glow]hair, you can use which ever you choose.
Apart from the white hair the major difference between a Collie Dog and Sunray Shadow is that the former has a silver body, as a stickler for detail I thought I had better point this out.

not a stickler for spelling though

[williegunn]

macd said:

what a brass neck- sort your own spelling first. Can't really help others if you are unable to grasp the basics yourself.

That will be "What" rather than what, capital letters at the start of sentences.

[beanieboy]

What a pretentious git - I have to concede however that WG is not as stupid as he looks - just seen his picture on his website - it's not possible! ;D

williegunn said:

salmoseeker said:

Willie if yer thingy was as big as yer ego you'd have something to brag about but yer partner says it not; i'd stick to rod lengths; it suits you more. :-)

Willie if your thingy was as big as your ego you'd have something to brag about but your partner says it not; I’d stick to rod lengths; it suits you more.

I just corrected some of your spelling for you. Always ready and willing to help.

[williegunn]

Ah bean brain wondered when you would turn up?

[beanieboy]

Good to know you were expecting me Willie Bum. ;D

williegunn said:

Ah bean brain wondered when you would turn up?

[johnmac]

Thanks for the link Springer! I had looked up e-bay for an Oracle this afternoon.... but somehow missed this one! To be honest i was expecting to click the link and end up looking at a "fish finder" on offer! ;D ;D ;D

[macd]

That will be "What" rather than what, capital letters at the start of sentences.

Quite right.

That will be "What" rather than what, capital letters at the start of sentences.

The above is an incomplete thought. Read it again.


Perhaps:

That will be "What" rather than what. Capital letters start sentences.

Then you could have been correct in your correction.

Anyway, still no word on why you feel able to correct others when you come up with gems like 'femail'.

[salmoseeker]

Can I just please apologise to Willie G for my rather rude comment of yesterday; I was a bit cheeky with my poorly spelt (but not caustic) chatter about willy/rod lengths. So, sorry to Willy and any other fellow forum colleagues offended by my misplaced remarks! Tight lines to all.