conventional suggestions

[spence]

Calcutta would be a standard option, TE if you can afford it...or a tricked abu 6500 or even 7000 if you're throwing more big stuff.

My personal fav is the 400TE, it's the only conventional I can actually throw

-spence

[numbskull]

A Shimano Calcutta 400 is where I would start.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by numbskull

A Shimano Calcutta 400 is where I would start.

Of course you know real fishermen use Newells. You neophtye, you...

[steve]

I used an Abu 6500 pro rocket and a Lami 9 ft- xs-91-mhc all season(08), and caught fish to nearly 40 pounds on it. Light weight outfit that casts great and reel has a great drag. I primarily used live eels, rigged eel and plugs to 31/2 oz. Very little maintaince after 60 trips with it, but outfit is pricey, $200 for rod and $230.00 for the reel. I would recommend it to anyone fishing the surf. OH, BTW, I used 25 pond test Ande back country.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Of course you know real fishermen use Newells. You neophtye, you...

True, of course, but when switching from spinning tackle it is always best to go slowly until the estrogens wash out of your system. If you switch too fast you might suffer irreversible brain damage that could cause gender confusion and result in a liking for eels, Saltigas, and frilly underwear with bows on it.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by numbskull

True, of course, but when switching from spinning tackle it is always best to go slowly until the estrogens wash out of your system. If you switch too fast you might suffer irreversible brain damage that could cause gender confusion and result in a liking for eels, Saltigas, and frilly underwear with bows on it.

It sounds like you'vre traveling the above path. I knew the plug thing was just a front....

[spence]

Originally Posted by numbskull

If you switch too fast you might suffer irreversible brain damage that could cause gender confusion and result in a liking for eels, Saltigas, and frilly underwear with bows on it.

What does JoeP have to do with any of this?

-spence

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

Of course you know real fishermen use Newells. You neophtye, you...

Indeed they do and I sold my last 229 to RIRockhound, fool that I was.

[nightfighter]

Can we get Big Dave to do another Casting Clinic this spring???????

[jimmy z]

I use 'em, alot. I use Daiwa SLA 20's, Abu 6500's and 7000's. Both cs and ct reels. I use an Okuma Contura 203, which is a super casting reel. And others.
It's up to you, really. If you want to cast conventional because that is what you want to do, than you will pick it up, quickly. Short casts at first, use your thumb, and when you retrieve after the cast, don't re-spool the line loose.
Also, when you bait of plug hits the water, stop the spool with your thumb. Most problems happen when the spool runs on.
You can do it!

[ecduzitgood]

Start with mono till you get the feel for casting with it, I still use mono (25yrs. now) and love the forgiving stretch it has when I put a little to much into a cast and it gets away from me.