Better distance gear in the river for bream etc

[abitfishy]

Hey guys,
Geez, this looking around at gear is confusing.

Anyway, I have some fishing gear in the lower price range as follows:

Rods:
Alvey 500 Series 7' General Purpose
Shimano Technium 6'6" Spinline Weight 2-4kg
Shimano Technium 7'6" Snapper Special 6-8kg
Ugly Stik 3' 10" 1-3kg (fantastic canoe/boat rod)

Reels:
Shimano Aernos 2000 (currently on the 7'6" Shimano rod)
Shimano Sedona 2500FB (currently on the 6'6" Shimano rod)
Shimano Sedona 1500 (on the ugly stik)

Now, although I have a boat, I fish mainly from shore of the river (woronora), and am looking to potentially upgrade my gear to something that will give me better casting distance (but stick to spinning gear). Now, the rods and reels above are Kmart specials, which are ok, but I'm wondering if I could get 1 rod and reel suitable for bream/flatties in the river, casting squares of mullet or maybe lures for flatties (not often).

Are there rod and reel combinations no more than say $250, that will give me substantially better casting tan the above gear, or not worth while without spending heaps more?

I read that a slightly longer, light action rod would be better and I have seen Nitro Distance Spin Light 7' 6" ($249, so might have to find one on special) or the Shimano Finesse Bream Spin 762 7' 6" 2 pce 2-4kg. ($109) - are either of these any good (the nitro write up makes them sound hot stuff indeed, but its by the makers!), and what about a reel - do the narrower 'long cast' spools make much difference? I saw a shimano reel somewhere that had the long cast narrower spool and also the top of the spool was 'bent' up so to speak for even better removal of line.....but can't find it again.

Advice appreciated.

[finga64]

Gidday matey,
Is there a reason you want to stick with the spinning gear??
Any reason is a good reason and I wouldn't want to persuade you any but the good old Alvey is the bees knees for fishing of the bank.
You have a 7' Alvey rod, why not match it up with a 4" or 41/2" Alvey reel and see how she goes. The reels are cheap as in garage sales and the like or off e-bay or you can buy a new one here.
Cost you $20 then (for a second handy) ;)
Cheers Scott

[Fishin_Dan]

Go for the Shimano Raider, and use one of your Sedona reels you've already got. I'd probably go for the 1500... Load it with 6lb braid to start, and that would be a great setup.

I've got almost the same Nitro rod, and it is something different altogether. They are a fantastic rod, but really awkward to cast. You won't get long distances out of it. It seems to be more designed for closer in "exact" casting... You can hit the exact spot you want when it's not too far away, but the rods a bit too whippy in the tip to cast far. It tangles the line too much.

The Shimano rods are fantastic, and so is the Sedona's. I've got the 1500 as well, and it is as smooth as!

There's some very good bream in the old Wonny! I grew up in Engadine & Woronora Heights, so have fished there quite a lot!

[Archer]

Yup i agree with Dan, A Shimano raider and use the sedona 1500 loaded with 6-8lb braid. I have that exact out fit for fishing SP's for flatties and bream and i cant fault it after 2 years of abuse its still as smooth as the day i brought it! ;)

[jimbolikes_barra]

yer your sedonna should be fine...thats if your comfortable useing it if so go a 7ft 2-4 kg of any rod mentioned there (the shimano best) and some 6lb fireline(smaller diameter so it casts way ferthur) also will help detect bites and improve strike power (because it doesnt stretch ;))..... should get the rod and line for around $180 ;)

[abitfishy]

Thanks guys, I ended up getting the 6ft8 rack raider - it was suggested that If I'm going to throw a few lures around and target some of the big flatties that are around the wonnie I might be better with this 3-5kg rod as opposed to the 2-4 although probably not a great deal difference in the rods anyway.

I took it down tonight for a go, and its a nice rod, thin and light, casts about 10% further (thought it would be more), but I did specifically notice its a lot 'smoother' in its casting, probably has something to do with having 8 guides too as opposed to the cheaper rods I have. Since it was with old mono line and a 3/4 full spool, I think if I load it up with a full spool of 6lb braid I might have a nice outfit.

By the way, didn't catch anything.

Thanks for your help.