This page, as all my other pages, is self explanatory really. So here are my findings.
Shimano Beastmaster: Really quite a lovely piece of kit. Am glad I have added it to my arsenal. It does not feel like a rod that breaks down into seven pieces. The action is smooth and when coupled with my Abu High speed, a 150g lead and a squid and mackerel cocktail, I did manage to get some satisfactory distances. All in all I would recommend this rod. There was only one drawback, but one that’s easily compensated. The rod has an all black finish, so when night fishing some reflective tape is a must.
I have now caught several fish with this rod, and I have to say that the name Beastmaster…is well deserved. I have managed to get a double shot of hard fighting coalfish to succumb to it’s smooth power. It handles well and will show any fish who is boss.
There is a tape out there that appears black in daylight, but when you shine a headtorch on it, it will glow bright white. So I think I’ll be needing some of that.
Shakespeare Mach 3 4000 model: This is also a fairly new addition to my growing collection of bits that I use to catch fish with. It feels incredibly smooth when reeling in, and it casts very well. I have caught a brown trout using this reel, but unfortunately the fish was too small to give me a good scrap. So I don’t know how smooth the retrieve is with a fish attached. I am taking this reel with me to my west coast hideaway, so should be able to hook into some decent fish with it there, if I don’t catch any before I go.
And of course when I do, this article will also be updated.
Update:
I have caught a superb brown trout just short of one pound with this reel now. It was a hard fighting fish, but it presented no problem to the reel in the retrieve, it was as smooth as the proverbial baby’s bum. Good piece of kit to have I say.
