Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    
    Doug, These prices are from Offshore Angler
    
     Penn GTI level-wind   310 GTI  16oz  325 yds / 15lb     $59.99
                           320 GTI  19.5oz 320 yds / 20lb    $61.99
                           330 GTI  26oz 350 yds / 30lb      $69.99
    
     Penn offers two other models but they are 30 & 50 lb
     You mention "overhead" is this casting ? if so, these models are
    really designed for drifting / trolling. For casting Penn offers a
    levelmatic series but maximum capacity is 225 yds / 12lb.
    
    I found an ABU7000  325 yds / 14lb @ $111.99 and 7000C-3 200 yds / 20lb
    @ $115.99  but no ABU700.
    
    Hope this helps
    Steve

	   Too many of the discount catalogs have mis-matched specs.

	Example:  Bass Pro/Offshore Angler lists the Abu 7000* as 
		  325 yds / 14lb or 200 yds / 20lb...

		Actually, and according to the Abu catalog, the 7000 series
	holds 200 yds. of 30 lb. test.

	Opinion:
		  The Penn is a nice reel, but as far as casting goes the
		Abu blows it away!  The Abu also engages the drive when you
		start reeling, the Penn has the usual lever to flip to re-
		engage.

				A very happy Abu 7000 owner,
					   B.C.

    Re .1:
    
    Yes ABU7000 was what I meant to say. By overhead I mean mounts
    on top of the rod rather than underneath like an egg-beater
    (threadline). Terminology varies greatly around Australia and I guess
    even more so around the world.
    
    Casting? Definitely, but also drifting from the rocks with a balloon
    float, bottom fishing and fishing the washes for two hard fighting
    specimens, the Black Drummer and the Blue Groper. Some locals may scoff
    at using this type of reel for this last application. Too bad.
    
    The Penn prices are great! The ABU about the same as here.
    Understandable I guess. Unfortunately by the time I convert to A$ add
    20% sales tax and shipping I'm better off buying locally.
    
    Re .2:
    
    A lot of the North Coast fishos wouldn't use anything other than the
    ABU7000 for rock & beach stating casting ability and accuracy. Some say
    that that the bronze bushes give an advantage over the 7000C ball
    bearings due to lower spool inertia. Maybe.
    
    Fishos here are very protective of their tackle choices. In Queensland
    and Northern NSW the predominant choice for the surf is an Alvey
    side-cast reel on a low-mount rod. In Victoria the threadline on a
    high-mount rod reigns supreme. In NSW the choice is varied and
    debate strong and from the little of read in this conference I guess
    the same is true everywhere else.
    
    Thanks Steve. Thanks B.C.
                                               

    Steve,

    It seems like you have some really great fishing close to home.
    We almost went to Sidney last year with some in-laws, and may go
    there some time in the future.  I would like to learn more about
    how things are done down there and why.  It turns out that a lot 
    of the terminology you use is unfamiliar to folks up here.  So
    would you define some terms for us?

    What are the Black Drummer and the Blue Groper?  They're probably 
    related to or resemble fish that we see (whose names are just as
    unfamiliar to you).  What do they look like?  Do they have more 
    formal names other than their scientific names?  What are their 
    feeding habits?

    By fishing in the wash do you mean the water between the beach and
    the area where the waves are breaking in the surf?

    What is an Alvey side-cast reel?  What are low-mount rods high-mount
    rods?  What does threadline mean?  And once those terms are defined,
    why is one combination of equipment preferred or more appropriate in 
    the south and the other combination more common in the north?

    What kinds of baits and lures are used for the type of fishing you do?
    I also saw some talk (397.10) of dwindling fish populations on the east 
    coast.  Do you agree?

    Maybe it's a good idea to start a new topic if you're up for answering
    all these questions.  

    Thanks,
    Tom

    Tom,
    
    It's Doug actually. See note 443. Yes fishing here is good. The weather
    we get helps a lot too.
    
    Happy fishin'
    
    Doug

    Doug,
          Around the coast of Bitain the ABU 7000 is by far the most
    popular reel. There are very few other reels that can still cast
    up to 200 yards and be used like a winching reel when needs must.
    The only bad point about these reels are the drag system. Compared
    to a reel like a Shimano, they are totaly antiquated.
    
    Dougie Brown (Scotland)
    

    How is the Shimano drag system superior to the Abu?  What model
    Shimano are you comparing it with?  I'm about to buy an Abu 7000
    and never heard Shimano mentioned as a competitor.  I though they
    made trolling reels in the saltwater market.  Is the Abu 7000 drag
    unsatisfactory on its own merits or just compared to Shimano?
    
    What kind of fish do you cast to from the coast of Britain?
    
    Tom

    Dougie,
    
    I had a play (in a tackle shop) with both the Penn and the ABU at
    Easter and was very impressed with the ABU. Can you really cast 200
    yards with one of these? Thats a hell of a long way. What sort of rod
    do you use to get this distance? What exactly is the problem with the
    drag? Is it materials used or construction or both?
    
    A problem (locally) for me is that there are no off-the-shelf long-ish
    rods which will suit the 7000. This means I will have to get one made
    up.
    
    Regards,
    
    Doug