Having worked at the local Compleat Angler store in Maryborough, and yes that is how you spell it. I noticed that alongside the many regular, hardcore anglers gearing up for long sessions on the water. There are also, many first time or very much casual anglers walking into the store. Nervously staring at what seems to be an ever-increasing expanse of fishing gear. Wondering what they need and where on earth to start.
One of the most common questions I would hear at the tackle store. Which I still receive regularly via social media through my Fish That Snag profile. Especially from people just starting out with fishing is – Which rod and reel should I buy?
All-Rounder
Even the most dedicated fisho’s have a couple of cherished all-rounder outfits in their tackle arsenal. But, much unlike the current Australian middle order, these all-rounders are dependable and well balanced. Rarely failing while often finding themselves battling unexpected monsters well above their line class yet refined enough to also provide a touch of finesse when the situation demands it.
For myself, and I would wager quite a few other anglers out there, this all-rounder outfit takes the form of a 2-5kg line rated rod. Matched with a 2500 size spinning reel, spooled with approx. 10lb braid. An outfit with these specs is perfectly suited for chasing your bread and butter species such as flathead, bream and even down to the humble whiting. While also providing enough power to deal with those larger or more aggressive species like queenfish, mangrove jack, snapper, sweet lip, even mid-sized barramundi and threadfin salmon.
How To Choose ?
Now, without doubt a few people reading this will be asking, “but which 2-5kg line rated rod?” and “which 2500 size reel?”, and I wish there was a simple answer for those questions. The truth is, for those first time or casual anglers out there, it really will come down to where you will be fishing mostly. How you will be fishing i.e. in a kayak, on foot land based or from a boat and of course budget.
That is why I honestly believe it is worth your while visiting your local tackle store. Explain that you are looking for an all-rounder and seek their advice. Once you mention 2-5kg line rated rod, 2500 size reel and here is my budget. Suddenly, the vast, wall to wall racks of rods and reels will make much more sense.
Line Class
Another question which probably popped into a few people’s minds while reading 10lb braid and mangrove jack or threadfin salmon in the same statement might be “isn’t that line too light?”
The short answer is no. But, understanding how to use your fishing reels drag and leader choice is important. You see this is where many anglers refine their gear choice over many long, hard, gruelling sessions on the water. To a point where they know exactly which line to leader combination to use in certain situations. Many experienced fisho’s will run much lighter mainline on a 2-5kg line rated outfit. 2, 4 and 5lb braid is very common due to the option to increase leader line size significantly.
Just look at the results which the 4lb Club achieve during their annual competition. Those anglers land some monster fish on 4lb braid but only by running 20, 30 or even 40lb leaders to protect the much thinner mainline from those sharp teeth and destructive snags. Good quality gear, good quality drag, used well, and the results can be amazing.
The compromise, lighter mainline means you can cast further and feel more. The heavier leader offers abrasion resistance, but the weakest point will always be where the two meets. The line to leader knot is where the balance is achieved to ensure that when things go snap, they go snap at the mainline to leader knot ensuring you don’t lose metre upon metre of expensive mainline or even worse, snap that cherished rod.
My Choice
So, what do I look for? Well, considering I spend quite a lot of time stalking the flats along the inside of Fraser Island. Searching for large flathead and I do also fish rock ledges, shallow inshore reefs and pressure points for a range of species. Including queenfish, threadfin, snapper etc. My all-rounder comprises a 6ft 9inch medium action 2-5kg line rated rod. I prefer this rod length as it offers the ability to cast long distances on the flats but also good leverage when pulling fish from a shallow inshore reef.
I mount a 2500 sized reel which provides a spool deep enough to spool 300 yards of line and look for models with a drag rating close to 3 or 4kg, this is to ensure that even when I have the drag fully locked up, it will give before the 5kg rating of the rod, meaning I should not in theory overload the rod and snap it.
I mostly lure fish and like to fish light, meaning I tend to use 4 through to 8lb braid. It provides me with a better feel with what is happening with my lure. The lighter line also helps with casting distance. Leader size is dictated by where I am fishing and for which species. For flathead on the flats of Fraser Island I rarely exceed 12lb leader. Once I move to a shallow reef or to cast surface lures over ledges I up my leader to 20 or even 30lb.
Final Thoughts
I guess a great way to back up what I have written above is to provide a recent example. The results of which you can see in the photo’s surrounding this blog. All of these fish were caught using my favourite all-rounder outfit. The only parts of the outfit which changed was the leader size and lure type.