Q & A
SHORE ANGLING
Our experts solve your fishing problems
Q Iam having massive problems with amultiplier reel which Iam using for the first time. I keep getting birds’ nests when casting, which is so frustrating. I cannot control the reel, even with the breaks on full. Can you offer some help?
CK says: Multiplier reels can drive even the best of us mad at times. My first ports of call would be to check some YouTube tutorials on tuning your reels, or pop into a local tackle shop and see if they can help. It’s far easier having another person show you. If you don’t have those options then I would put the braking on maximum when casting (if magnetic brakes). If it has centrifugal brakes, and you bought the reel second hand, it might be possible that someone has removed the internal brake blocks (common to tune up Abu Garcia 6500s). You will need someone who knows what they are doing to take your reel apart and do this for you, or watch an online tutorial. Next, check the end cap or caps are tight enough on the ends of the reel. If too loose, the reel will blow up and birds’ nest on you. They should be tightened just enough so that there is no side-to-side play in the spool. If you are really having issues, you could go a tiny fraction tighter. If all of that is already perfect, then you need to slow your cast down and make it a more rhythmic action. Fast thrashing motions will blow the reel up. You want a gradual storing of power in the rod and a release.
Q Ihave grown up fishing lakes and jetties. Do I need to use ashockleader when sea fishing?
CK says: My best advice is yes; I would use one when you are fishing near any other human beings or power casting. As a guideline, you should have 10lb of breaking strain for every ounce of lead that you are casting: for a 5oz lead you need a 50lb shockleader. For a 6oz lead, you need a 60lb leader. It’s also an idea to check that your components and knots are up to the required level. Safety must come first. A lead striking a person could be fatal. The benefits of a shockleader will
