Always Expect the Unexpected

I seem to make plans, spend ages considering them and then the fish go and change them. I didn't really have the time on Tuesday to wait for carp so I got some prawns and headed to my local water in the hope of locating some decent perch. I tackled up my 12 foot waggler rod, paired it with a centre pin reel and fished an antenna float about a rod length out with a small prawn on a size 10 hook and a 2lb hook length. I know a size 10 is a big hook but it suits the bait.

I did manage a couple of perch but nothing very large, around 6oz being the best, what I didn't expect was the 5 tench to around 1 1/2lb, a 4lb bream and and a 4 or 5lb mirror carp that also came my way. The tench were stocked a year or 2 ago and this time seem to have avoided the cormorants to get past swallowing size.

I didn't catch what I thought I was going to catch but what I did catch was most welcome, especially on the light tackle.

Beach Night

I headed to the beach on Tuesday night to try out my new Penn Battle armed with some frozen squid and some frozen black lugworm. I had had my eye on some holes and sand bars on the beach for some time and took my opportunity to go and explore. I was given a picture by my kids of a guy fishing with the caption 'Theres a fine line between fishing and sitting by the river looking like an idiot', well I know exactly what they mean. and to think I missed the England game for it too!

Penn Battle 8000

I picked my new Battle up from Dan at Keiths Sports in Saltburn and loaded it with braid before taking it swiftly to the beach. First impressions are of a well built, smooth and solid reel, exactly what you'd expect from Penn. I'll start off with what the reel doesn't have. It has no reverse ability, in other words the reel is in full time anti reverse mode. I would suppose this would eliminate weak points in the gearing for a function that isn't required while fishing on the beach or off the rocks. Secondly the spool has no line clip, I found this a bit irritating as the line spilled slightly from the spool in my bag but its nothing an elastic band wouldn't fix and on the other hand it removes any point that line could get trapped behind. My biggest complaint is that the reel doesn't come with a spare spool but these can be bought separately, whilst roving around its worth having the ability to be able to quickly change lines to suit the conditions that you come across.
Although the spool was half an inch shorter than my Vega it didn't seem to affect casting distance and the line lay was very level and smooth due to the slow oscilation  of the bale arm carrier.
I don't think I could expect much more of a reel to fish the North Yorkshire coast, solid, no frills and businesslike. Very Yorkshire.

Penn Battle 2 8000

Having spoken with the local tackle shop it appears that the Penn Battle 8000 might be a better choice due to an occasional issue with the gearing. The Battle looks to be of a similar construction and a similar price.

Penn Spinfisher SSV 7500

I think this is the reel I'll replace my Squadra 75 with. Its got a fully sealed body, holds about 450m of 60lb braided line and most importantly it has a friction action on the bail arm to prevent accidental closing during heavy casting.
The Penn Spinfisher SSV 7500 retails for around £100

Lesson Learnt

I discovered something quite interesting about my main beach reel, Vega Squadra 75 fixed spool, after my session on the beach last night. When casting hard its possible to create rotation of the handle and bail arm which causes the bail arm to snap over automatically and crack the lead off. It happened once to Martin last night and once to me, it also happened on a previous trip.

Some reels have done away with the handle turning engagement and I remember seeing some years ago some anglers used to use elastic bands to hold the bail arm open.

Back to School

Heading on to the beach again tonight with martin for a spot of casting practice, he was fairly unimpressed with my achievements distance wise over the winter so we may be making a few changes. Apparently its like swinging a big hammer ..... technique is important but its nothing without power and speed.