what sort of multi-purpose rod should I be lookin

[Whiskymac]

I am a scot and used to fly fishing for trout I want to try for bream, whiting, squire, flathead from the beaches and boats I am looking for a multi purpose rod and reel set up that will cover most of these scenarios, any help would be much apprecaited as I am a complet novice to this type of fishing.

Cheers and tight lines

[Fishin_Dan]

How many piece rod are you looking for? If just a 2 piece, then one of the many graphite rods (There's dozens of them!) will suffice. 2-4kg would be perfect for all the species you've mentioned. Look at brands like Shimano Raider, Berkley Dropshot, Pflueger Trion/Medalist, Shakespeare Catera, Sik Stik, etc...

If you're looking for more pieces (As in you travel more), then Shimano do a 3 piece travel rod. I have one of these, and it's a great rod. There is also a 5 piece Catera which I am seriously thinking about....

Need a bit more info to give you a better answer....

[StevenM]

Dan,

I have one off the 5 piece Catera's and if you want to have a play let me know.

I use it for travelling and as a back up rod. Ok and does the job. Has only basic guides and was thinking of getting them up graded at a later date.

PM if you are interested.

Cheers

Steven

[hearney]

Hey, i only just purchased a abu 6'6' graphite impact 66 combo to flick around some soft plastics in salt and fresh water, ive been told to have a backing line but the spool seems to be small enough to onli have the fireline and a leader. Im using the 125 yd 6lb fireline and will probably use 10lb vanish as the leader material, if i need a backing line any sugustions ??

[StevenM]

Hearney,

the backing is only something for the braid to dig into. Its slippery stuff and may no hold straight on the reel

[2iar]

Welcome aboard mate.

First of all, it's good to see you can spell Whisky correctly, not that imitation Irish stuff

When I came to Australia from Scotland about 11 years ago, I asked exactly the same question. The common answer was an 8 foot Ugly Stik, which I've still got, and I'm very fond of 9they're still available and tough as nails). However, it's fair to say things have moved on a bit since then....

Dan's nailed it with his recommendations (you can grab a Shimano Raider for $99 at the moment, which is an excellent price) for boat and light estuary work, but if there's any chance you're budget allows it and you really want to do a bit of surf fishing, I'd suggest another (longer) rod with an Alvey on it. Anywhere from 10'6" to 13'.

Good luck,
Mike

[nabs12]

hey
I'd reckon if your going to fishing beaches you mite need a longer rod maybe around 10ft with an alvey reel as previously stated...
Thats what i use when im fishing beaches and esturies with bait, If you are going to be using lures u may need a different rod such as maybe a 7ft graphite rod, there are heaps of different types like the berkley dropshot and shimano raiders alo previously stated, I also use a daiwa procastor for using SPs and i love it, its an awesome rod around the $100 mark
Hope this helps

[Whiskymac]

Thanks for the welcome and all the information, there will be lots more questions to follow I am sure

Cheers

[Fishin_Dan]

I just noticed that he asked for a multi-PURPOSE rod, not a multi-PIECE rod....

In that case, ugly stik for the boat (Somewhere between 6'6" - 8') and a longer rod for the beach (Probably 12')