Dear All

First post - please be gentle with me.

For the better part, my quarry tends to be stream dwelling brownies. On occasion however I have been known to froth up sections of the Dorset coastline with a lure in the hope of bagging a bass. Last summer yielded a modicum of success so this year I have set myself the challenge of beaching a bass on the fly.

I would be extremely grateful for some kit advice. All my current gear is underweight and will presumably disintegrate in salt water so I am in need of the full shebang.

1) Rod - I guess options around #8 will cut the mustard. Something sufficiently robust to handle brisk winds and lots of casting with jinormous 'flies'

2) Reel -Something with a good drag that wont melt before I even get to the shore line

3) Line - very interested to learn what types of line people might suggest (floating vrs sink tip vrs inter) and whether a salt specific line is necessary

I am not looking to remortgage on any of this as saltwater is unlikely to replace my river pursuits. Hoping also that this little lot might double up for piking should the need arise (?).


Regards

Pop

I would be extremely grateful for some kit advice. All my current gear is underweight and will presumably disintegrate in salt water so I am in need of the full shebang.

Do some some searching - there has been a lot posted on thi stopic and youll find some fantastic advice. MJB and Neptune I remeber both covered some pretty first rate info.

1) Rod - I guess options around #8 will cut the mustard. Something sufficiently robust to handle brisk winds and lots of casting with jinormous 'flies'

Correct - 9ft 4pc 8# is about perfect (Fast Action)
Whats your budget?

2) Reel -Something with a good drag that wont melt before I even get to the shore line

Incorrect - There is little in UK waters that will test your drag system. So as long as it can apply some sort of smooth pressure and not corrode in the salt you'll be fine. That said if you touch the salt youll be adicted and end up spanking thousands on gear and foreign trips that dreams really are made true.
Whats your budget?

3) Line - very interested to learn what types of line people might suggest (floating vrs sink tip vrs inter) and whether a salt specific line is necessary

Not essencial but Id say buy a salty line for many reasons. Ie designed for larger flies - coating, even strength capabilities in tropical stuff.

I use a sink tip for most of my salt stuff but use a floater for some and a sinker for others. You're location and general fishing area will dictate this. I fish in dorset all the time.

I am not looking to remortgage on any of this as saltwater is unlikely to replace my river pursuits. Hoping also that this little lot might double up for piking should the need arise (?).

You still need a ballpark on budget - IE the gear I recommend will be considerably different based on those numbers.

You can fish the best of the river season and switch to the best of the salt when its done. That's what I do anyway. Although salt still takes priority

Thanks FryFly. I will prepare to get sucked in.

Is it possible to get set up for £200-300 or would you reccomend pushing the budget further for a newbe ?

Yes it is.

Heres a salty reel that will suffice in the UK for less than 40 quid. You can get 3 spare spools too.
okuma airframe.

You could get a Rontompson for cheep too. And lines are pretty cheep if you shop around.
Airflo 40+ Cold Saltwater Line comes highly recommended.

My favourite line is the rio Striped bass But a lot of pleople have tangle issues with the running line. Personally I havent had this problem. I'm starting this season with a new line so hopefully I will remain lucky. I like the line because the running line glows and I fish in the dark a LOT! Its nice in the river sea trouting too. Just my controversial opinion.

Spanner in the works - scrap everything I just said and go on a spending binge

Reel:
Danielsson L5W 6nine or a Nautilus NV
You can fish it anywhere in the world for anything with confidence and they are gorgeous.

Rod:
Guideline RS, Loomis or Sage.

Lie back and wollow in self satisfaction admitting you are adicted to the lure of quality tackle and you're a tart. Then call me and we can start a self help group.

There's far more sensable advice from others I'm sure :-)

I put a similar query up on here last year.

A forum member kindly got in touch and sold me a Clearwater II rod and Battenkill reel

I got a tidy little secondhand bargain but even at brand new prices that's in your budget. Only used it once off the beach and didn't catch but it got some line out into the breeze. I took it to Bushyleaze a couple of months ago for a proper try and was pleased with it.

Backed up by the Orvis guarantee too.

EDIT: here's the thread I did - a few useful suggestions, including the rod/reel I was looking at when I started the thread. Help a swff newbie with an outfit please.

Thank you both - some good advice and direction there. The battenkill reel looks like the real deal and is on offer on Amazon at the moment.

I have at least a month before the bass come forth so can start hunting for bargains.

Will be back with more numpty questions in due course.

Regards

Pop

I wouldn't use those reels in the salt as water gets into the 'sealed brake' area.
You don't need a £300 reel for uk saltwater so even a Okuma Airframe will do.

Ok I am convinced on the reel which leaves me more spondoolies for the rod.

Having said this I have found a Greys GRXi for a smidge over £100. Does this rod have enough beef ?

I have often contributed to threads where newbie's have asked the same type of question

Reasonable gear is a given, there are some dogs to avoid and the advice above is excellent. Rod and line (provided the criteria for length action and durability is maintained), isn't so important as the fly and the angler, both ends so to speak.

Read and practise, do the legwork, build up a network of contacts, get a good tide and weather predictor, google maps, Earth etc.

Knowledge is key, bass are not difficult to catch if you find them.

Plan your trips carefully, around the best tides and weather system, go when the portents are good, not when you have a space in your diary.

Destination work needs the hi end gear but you wont utilize their costly performance capability in the UK. ( I say this but am affected by the same malady as Fryfly)

A £300 budget, easily do-able....................I'd get a TFO rod, Airframe Reel (+3 spools), Airflo Saltwater 40+ Ridge Intermediate and sinker + a Snowbee prestige XS Saltwater Floater, an Orvis stripping basket and buy some Saltwaterflies from Austen @ uksaltwaterflies.com. A Snowbee wading staff is a good idea, as is a waterproof nightlite and some abrasion resistant tippet material.

On the flies, please dont go down the big garish and flashy route, so many seem to tread. You only need a few sparse patterns in bi color combos, hook sizes 8-1/0 will catch anything swimming off the beach in the UK.

Thats my stance, ask any swffer what he'd recommend and you'll get differing opinions.

Nemo

PS I love my Sage's and Daniellsons btw, though I mostly fish with the kind of gear I'm recommending above

JRT - You are wrong! A £300 reel is essencial and you know it