Mackerel Combo

[maggot]

Looking for a mackerel combo, am willing to spend up to $200, What does everyone recomend.

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

for a quality outfit (rod & reel) you may need to double that figure or look at second hand gear.

Gary Howard builds some good rods at the right price, or Shakespeare Ugysticks in the GuttsButts range but you'll only get change from $200 for the rod alone - not enough to match a decent high speed spinning reel.

chris

[craigie]

Sorry Maggot , Chris is on the 'Money' !!!
$200 for a decent Mackerel outfit, you could only be thinking 'Slimies'

Uglysticks, Livefibres & Daiwa, will all set you back about $200 for a quality 'Mid Range' rod.
To match these rods to a suitable Spinning Reel (LG Baitrunner, Penn Spinfisher) would be at least $250.

If you wanted an 'Overhead' (Shimano TLD, Calcutta 700 or similar) the price would be $300 plus.

On the other hand, if you shop around, $200 may buy a good second-hand combo ???.

Cheers
Craigie.

[mackmauler]

200 should get you gear that will do the job, a mate who I fish with uses 30 dollar ryobi rods, and has caught at least 15 longtails from my boat, much to my surprise, hundreds of mackerel and mac tuna as well the part he won't skimp on is the reel, only uses tss4 shimanos, cost 135 from amart on special.

[craigie]

$135 for a TSS4

I'm off to A/mart to get one on Layby at that price.
They normally sell for $180 plus !!!

Thanks for the tip Mackmauler

Cheers
Craig.

[jaybee]

my bro only uses a 7.5 alvey and butterworth 3.4 mtr rod he has no probs, the rod will set you back around $50 don't know about he reel proof is in the pudding, oh and six inches max wire
cheers.

[jaybee]

not a mack but this is the gear he uses
cheers.

[mackmauler]

Craigie that price was a few years ago, Ive got no idea what they are now but the best deal last year was around 129, that was a good price

cheers

[krazyfisher]

providing you are not chasing spanish mackeral $200 will get you a setup I got an okuma combo cn45l convector overhead and I think it is a 15kg rod they are at all the tackel stores up here about $200 and they also have a spin combo about the same size I have got maybe 150 to 200 mackeral last year on it and good for bottom bouncing

[charleville]

I bought a TSS-4 at AMART recently for $150.

In other stores they were $180 - $200.

Charlie

[lures]

Try a penn 330 gti They put combos out for around 199 with line.Tackle stores or Amart both get these deals so just check around.Have seen 80lb spaniards caught on GTI's
regards Lures

[Heath]

TSS-4 are much cheaper during summer. They range around the 145 - 160 mark. It has been 2 years since they were $135.00, we bought 3 when they were that price

For spotted mackerel we use a few different combos.

Live Fibre RLF20 with a TSS4 for spinning.
Live Fibre RLF20 with a shimano BTR6500 for bait fishing.
Ug Stik BWS80A with a Shimano BTR6500 for bait fishing.
Ug stik BWS1609 with a Shimano TSS3 ( YES TSS3) for bait fishing.

That about covers it. We do sometimes throw a TSS 4 onto the BWS80A if they are taking lures.

This is all for spots mind you.

Ball Park figures for the equipment -

Live Fibre RLF20 $199.00
Ug Stik BWS80A - $90.00
Ug Stik BWS1609 - $130.00
BTR6500 - $260.00
TSS4 - $150.00
TSS3 - " PRICELSS "

If you hunt around & ask nicely you can usually save a bit 8)

For spaniards it is usually over heads, as you can encounter some big fish beside mackerel.

We use Penn 45GLS, Penn 245LD, Shimano TLD20. Matched to Shimano Trinidad rods, Butterworth Venoms, Wilson Jig Sticks & Wilson M10

A few of the boys have bought Okumo reels. Jury is still out to see how they hold up, especially their drags.

[craigie]

Went to A/Mart Cannon Hill looking for a TSS4
None in stock
I had previously purchased one as a combo with a Shimano 'Backbone' Rod, cost was about $229 from A/mart Virginia.
At the time the TSS4 on It's own was $179.00, this was about 12 months ago.

Cheers
Craig.