Sea Fishing Special – Beach Multiplier Review

This entry was posted on 14th October, 2015

Reviewed by Total Sea Fishing Magazine…

Beach Reels - Multipliers Beach multiplier reels tend to be specialist tools, and they come in all shapes and sizes. They are differentiated from boat multipliers by having an open-cage design and no levelwind mechanism. Broadly speaking, beach multipliers fall into two categories, rough ground and open ground.

Open-ground multipliers are usually smaller than rough-ground reels and are engineered for maximum spool speed and casting distance. They are the top choice of tournament casters who often performance-tune reels with special bearings and lubricants to maximise distance. While reels set up in this way can also be used for fishing, it’s worth remembering that in the hands of inexperienced casters they are more prone to overruns and tangles, which can severely eat into the length of time an angler has a bait in the water.

Rough-ground multipliers are more heavily engineered, with stronger spools and more substantial gears. They are designed to bully big fish from inhospitable environments and, although they will cast well, in terms of pure distance they will fall short of what can be achieved with smaller, lighter reels.

Take A Brake For ease of casting control multiplier reels have braking systems to prevent overruns, where the spool is revolving faster than the line is leaving the reel. This can cause massive tangles known as ‘bird’s nests’.

Most reels have mechanical brakes that work on a centrifugal system, where the faster the spool rotates the more brake blocks come into play. Reels can be tuned to cast further by removing some, or even all of the brake blocks. This is done on a trial-and-error basis by the angler casting and then removing blocks between casts until the maximum error-free casting distance is achieved.



Some reels have magnetic braking systems, where a magnet or magnets can be positioned closer to the spool to slow its rotation. This adjustment can also be made during the cast by turning a knob to lower the magnet, or by sliding a switch that performs the same trick. Some reels have a notation setting on the adjustment to make it easy to start each cast from the same setting. It’s also not unknown for multiplier reels to have magnetic and mechanical brakes on the same reel.

Uncaged All multiplier reels have a frame, or cage, that holds the spool and all of the gearing mechanisms. These can either be constructed from a single piece of alloy or put together from several pieces. Frames made from a single block of alloy usually offer greater access to the spool, making it easier for the angler to apply maximum pressure to the spool while casting.

On Your Marks Before buying a beach multiplier it’s worth having a good think about what the majority of your fishing entails. For example, if you regularly fish rough-ground marks a more robust, workhorse reel should be considered. While casting distance may be less than that achieved by a highly tuned reel, it’s worth remembering that greater distance may take you away from fish-holding features.

If open beaches dominate your fishing, the lighter distance reels will help you get the extra yards, even in adverse conditions.

 



Daiwa Millionaire 7HT Mag The Daiwa Millionaire 7HT Mag has certainly stood the test of time as one of the best fishing reels with tournament-casting capability. A well-established distance-casting reel, the 7HT Mag has Daiwa’s ‘Magnofuge’ braking system fitted, which is rated among the best for cast control with no reduction in distance.

The braking system is controlled by a clearly marked knob, which can be micro adjusted between the 10 settings shown.

The one-piece aluminium open cage gives decent access to the spool, while the reel has five anti-corrosion and one stainless-steel bearings.

A free floating lightweight dura-aluminium spool enhances potential casting speed, and a power handle makes good use of the fast retrieve.



Documentation - Yes Carry Bag - Yes Reel Lube - Yes MAG Brake - Yes Centrifugal Brake - No RRP - £199.99

Buy The Daiwa Millionaire 7HT MAG

 



Daiwa Sealine SL30SH The rugged Daiwa Sealine SL30SH – fondly named the ‘Slosh’ – is a popular choice with rough-ground anglers.

The Slosh is a big reel and it has a graphite open frame and graphite spool to keep the weight down.

It’s the gearing and clutch systems that add the heft to the reel, which has a fast retrieve ratio of 6:1. It has four ball bearings and a balanced power crank handle.

Braking is by twin centrifugal brake collars, and extra collars are supplied with the reel to allow fine tuning. These are accessed via the plate opposite to the handle, which allows for easier adjustment.



Documentation - Yes Carry Bag - No Reel Lube - Yes MAG Brake - No Centrifugal Brake - Yes RRP - £149.99

Buy The Daiwa Sealine SL30SH

 



Abu Ambassadeur Rocket 6500 The Swedish-made Abu Rocket is a shore-casting reel with a long pedigree. The brass open-cage frame is not made from single-block aluminium and as such gives fair, rather than spectacular access to the light aluminium spool.

The reel has three bearings and brass gears and side plates. Mag casting control adjustment is achieved via a sliding switch on the top of the frame on the side opposite to the reel handle. The centrifugal brake system is on the handle side of the reel.

Lube is provided along with a wealth of paperwork and schematic diagrams to help stripping and re-assembling.



Documentation - Yes Carry Bag - No Reel Lube - Yes MAG Brake - Yes Centrifugal Brake - Yes RRP - £199.99

Buy The Abu Ambassadeur Rocket 6500

 



Penn 535 Mag 2 Penn’s 535 Mag 2 reel is designed for rough-ground work. A graphite frame helps reduce weight but this is still a substantial reel, tipping the scales at 524g. With a retrieve ratio of 6.0:1 and a big spool, this is a very quick reel, which will winch in more than 40 inches of line per turn of the handle.

Casting control is delivered by a clearly marked knob on the side of the reel opposite the reel handle. The frame design means that access to the spool is not quite as easy as with more tournament-style designs, but it is adequate, and coupled with a slightly narrower spool it has good distance capabilities.

The real strength of the reel is in its forged-aluminium spool and marine-grade bronze gear and stainless-steel pinion gear plus six shielded stainless-steel bearings.



Documentation - Yes Carry Bag - No Reel Lube - No MAG Brake - Yes Centrifugal Brake - No RRP - £159.99

Buy The Penn 535 MAG 2