Shorefishing Hawaii with Alvey reel

[bordeaaj]

Hi guys, I am glad I found your forum. I'm learning a lot already. I am not an Australian but I have a question a few of you might be able to help with. My better half's family is from Lanai, Hawaii, so, of course I do quite a bit of fishing while I am visiting there...mostly whipping for small fish called menpachi (soldierfish) at night and fishing for whatever bites off the lava rocks and cliffs during the day. My father-in-law grew up there so he shows me the island basics and takes me to some of the good places that aren't too tough to get to. We have all the basic gear for whipping, general casting, and dunking...but just for fun and to try something different, I am thinking of getting one of the Alvey sidecasting reels. They're funky but supposed to be a major kick to use. The weirdness combined with the ability to cast out a little further for something a little bigger (smaller ulua, barracuda, etc) sounds like a lot of fun. The setup I am considering is about a 10ft light surf magnum-type pole with two reel mounts as described in Jim Rizzuttos "Fishing Hawaii Style, Vol 3.", with a spinning reel mount at the normal position and the Alvey reel mount lower at about 8in above the butt. That way I can easily switch back to something more conventional when I want too. Right now I am considering whether to get one of the light surf reels or the 650 rock reel to haul my catch up the cliffs if I need to. I might get one of the ultralight kids rod/reel combos to make little stuff exciting too. This is all just for something new and different.

I have seen all the video demos on the Alvey website and the reels seem well suited for dunking, and general casting and retrieving of floaters, etc. Of course, as far as whipping goes, the low retrieval ratio rules out any very quick retrievals but still may still be passable if the rod is light enough. In dunking I am not going after the bigger ulua but if I happened to hook up to a decent one the Alveys are supposed to perform pretty well. Could those of you with Alvey reel experience comment on the type of fishing you do with the reel and how versatility? What types of fish are you taking with it, type of rod, general thoughts on your experience with it? Thanks a bunch!!!

[rockfisho]

welcome to the chat boards

an Alvey, the most famous of the reels on the Australian beaches.

I have a few alvey's but i use 2 regularly. The 650 C5 wich is teamed up to a 13' 6" surf rod, which i use for allround beach fishing and light rock fishing, as far as winching fish up with a independant drag reel, i just tighten up the star knut, and crank it up.
my second outfit is a heavy 12 ft rod with a 650 A5 on it (no drag) i use this for heavy rock work, it has fixed handels and i palm the reel for drag.
i find these reels indestructible and great for getting the reef hugging fish out of the rocks when rockfishing. i chose the independant drag reel mainly for the beach beacuse often the fish can just grab the bait and run.

with respect to your requirements, i'd be more inclined to go for a 600 model because; firstly the rod is quite short and light, and a 650 series reel is considerably heavier that a 600 series, and secondly you will be able to cast further with a 10 ft rod, and 600 series reel because the coils will not be restricted. A 650 series reel will generally suit rods 12' +. But it's important to remember the build of the rod is important, the stripping runner should be about half way up the blank.

Alvey do make a light surf reel, 625 B model, which gives you the best of both worlds, but small line capacity and it can't really take the heavy line.

As far as backing plates; graphite is much lighter, and sounds better for your application.

Cheers

Owen

[BilgeBoy]

There was a great thread a while back on this....Try this

http://www.ausfish.com.au/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1165044697

BilgeBoy

[bordeaaj]

Thanks for the quick replies!

BilgeBoy, thanks for pointing me to that thread...very informative.

Rockfisho,
1. Do you recommend the rapid retrieve models or do you actually prefer the 1:1 and palming the drum? I will take another look at the 600 models for the 10-11ft dual mount pole...but maybe I will just end up with a dedicated Alvey setup anyway.

2. Do you think the rock reel would be useful for rock/cliff fishing or would you recommend your setup (and why)?

3. Could you give an example of what weight line and leader you use for your rock fishing and what size fish you go after? I am not going after the huge stuff...just fish in the 30lbs and under range mostly.

4. Last, what kind of sand or rock spike do you use with the short butted rod/alvey combo? Most of us use a sand spike built for the long handled conventional rods that look like they wont work well with the Alvey. I have seen a few spikes with a closed bottom ring but an open top ring that allow for a kind of "quick draw" removal of the conventional rod from the spike rather than having to lift it up and out. That might work but I wonder what you guys use.

Thanks for taking the time to help me out!!!
Andy

[rockfisho]

Hi Andy

Generally the rapid retrieve models have independant star drag, but there are two new models out now with fixed handels and rapid retrieve, it's your opinion, but if you find you have to get the rig over the rocks really quickly it's much easier with rapid retrieve. but in my case I wind like hell and lift the rod really quickly.

The rock reel, (E series) fixed handel star drag, eliminates the need to palm the reel, and allows you to override the drag when winching the fish up. i just use the A series, because they're cheaper, and i don't have a huge buget because i'm fairly young. and i can manage palming the reel quite well. it's the best reel for that application.

I use 20 lb line on my heavy outfit, but am looking to upgrade to 25 lb, i use this for fish up to 20 lb although i haven't caught one yet. therefore winching up could be a problem, yet i usually fish fairly close to the waters edge, so with patience i can grab them or wash them up onto the rocks. I chase drummer with this outfit, they can be around 6 lb, but need at least 20 lb line to be subdued and winched up. I go after tailor aswell
you could make your self a rock gaff, or get a cliff gaff if necessary.


As far as sand spikes go, bugger the professionally made ones. I just get about 2 ft of 3 inch pipe and cut a mitre in the end and stick it in the sand.

If you're doing a bit of spinning chose a 650 model. or a 600 RR model, but again it's your choice. I find the 650's good because they are real allrounders.

have a look at their website, www.alvey.com.au

and you can order a catalogue free of charge.

cheers

Owen

[bordeaaj]

Hi Owen, that was the best help I have had yet. It gave me a real good idea of what might work best. Most of the time I am within a few feet of the water, but sometimes I fish from cliffs 50+ ft up with nothing to land the fish on. I have to hand line in anything the spinning reel cant pull up. For the fish I am after in Hawaii they are using reels loaded with 40-60lb line and 80+lb leader (that is for the smaller ones from 10-30lbs). I have ordered the catalog and will make my decision when I see the comparative costs. Thanks for the info. If you think of anything else please feel free to pass it on. The Alvey reels are pretty rare over here and it is hard to find anybody who knows a damn thing about them. The local fishing store guys have no idea about them at all...and most of what they think they know has been way off. Which is why I am here getting your help. Thanks for taking the time!!!
Andy

[krazyfisher]

I have 3 alveys
1. 925 with 125lb braid large baits. no casting
2.825bvc with 125lb braid as above biggest fish 20kg GT
3. 625bvc I have casted with it, trolled with it and bottom fished with it. its nice and light and has a lever drag, it has 65lb braid on it and has caught an fair number of reef fish and mackeral.

[bordeaaj]

3. 625bvc I have casted with it, trolled with it and bottom fished with it. its nice and light and has a lever drag, it has 65lb braid on it and has caught an fair number of reef fish and mackeral.

Thanks krazyfisher, sounds like a good versatile setup similar to what I am looking for.

What brand rod do you recommend for Alveys...Alvey rods, Snyder Glas, other? I have heard Alvey rods are not that great but Snyder Glas is the only other rod maker I know of that builds to Alvey specs. Lamiglas used to but I live about 10 minutes from the Lamiglas factory and they say they stopped making Alvey rods a while back so I am ou of luck there unless I have a custom rod built. Any comments would be welcome.

[BLOOEY]

Havent fished with alveys for a while. But i'd be worried about the braid incase a loop of it came over the lip of the spool and cut my finger off.

[bordeaaj]

Havent fished with alveys for a while. But i'd be worried about the braid incase a loop of it came over the lip of the spool and cut my finger off.

I haven't heard of anything like that happening to anyone on any of the forums I have been on...doesn't sound too likely. Of course, I wouldn't want to be one of the lucky few it happened to.

[krazyfisher]

I have never had any problems with using braid on an alvey. but I am sure you could if you didnt watch it.
I would go with the snyder rod, I have 2 of the avley rods and for the price they have been good I have broken 2 rods using and alvey (825) too heavy braid and too much drag on a bad angle but have not broken an alvey rod yet, but I am trying