Shakespeare Salt Beach 12 ft FS

[eccles]

Finally took the plunge and bought one of these this week as they are very light and and seem to have a good action. They are full carbon with Fuji rings and have electric blue rubber grips instead of the commonly used dense black foam (can't remember what its called). Anyway, when you get it, you can't quite believe the rating of 4 to 8 ozs, it seems so slim. One bloke looked at it and remarked that it must be a spinning rod, but underneath it has a really thick layer of carbon fibre. Well, yours truly decides to give it a good wack straight away because if it can't take that, I have wasted me money and the rating is wrong. Using OTG casting style and a 5 oz lead it took a few swings to get the feel which was quite different to my older much heavier 13 ft beachcaster. Having discovered how to cast it, I finally made a serious attempt to get out there and achieved in excess of 140 yds. I think I will do better than this as I get used to it and it does make me wonder what a pendulum caster might achieve (which I do not do). For the price (RRP £65) I think it is excellent value and is the almost the equal of much more expensive and longer rods although some may disagree with me.

[solehunter]

Nice one, i know shakespear get some stick but the rods are good. I`m going to be in the market next month for 2 new beach rods, i may have a look ate the salts.

[skatenchips]

I wonder why they didnt offer this blank in a 13ft version
or 14ft........12 is too short in my opinion

[solehunter]

I fish a few marks where there is not much room when the tide is up so a 13 / 14 ft rod would be out of the question as i would be smashing hedges with it! But i would like a long rod!

[sparkypaul]

My mate got the bass version, had i go with it and to be honest for £40 i it was a bargain

[RichardB]

Wandering off a bit here, but I've got the Shakespeare Odessa 'Flattie' 11 footer, which I think was among the predecessors to the Salt range. I use it for bass fishing and love it. Cost me about 35 quid a few years ago.

[ekyone]

I've got the Odessa Bass 11'. Its rated up to 4oz but will cast 5oz + a decent bait, it is a little stiff but generall a pretty good rod, will cast 100yds and my 7HT makes it a nice little combo.

[eccles]

Note to Skaty:- They do a 13ft version too for about another £10 if I recall correctly.

[skatenchips]

ok thanx eccles....ill look it up mate
but it makes me wonder why ya chose the shorter version..

[solehunter]

You could always go for the k2 gazzer, i think some of them are 16......yes 16 feet!

[eccles]

Shorter version is easier to carry on me bike and I can still chuck it well over 100yds. Yah boo sucks (LOL) Actually, I have just got used to "short" rods and some of the spots we go to on occasion do not have a lot of casting room. Sean dragged me off to Warsash last week, right up close to the reed beds at high water; a 14 footer would definitely have got in the way. - You'll learn (ha ha ha).

[skatenchips]

16ft rod on a short asss like me...5ft 10.....would drown me mate
and the extra leverage from a dead stop would kill me back.
ill settle for 13ft ish ........
can still cast comfortable with that sort of length.

just seen the 13footer at Poingdestres...for £52
seems bloody good value.
mind you aint held it though.

[solehunter]

Yep thats good money if they are as good as said, i`ll prob go for 12ft as like eccles said, even that extra foot of rod can get in the way!

[skatenchips]

ive learned from fw....that short rods are ideal in tite situ,s
on small overgrown rivers or lakes whilst chub and barbel fishing
just havent had the opportunity as yet to fish any tite
casting venues in my sea angling.
guess open beaches are my learnin curve at the mo.!!!

[solehunter]

Fair play gazza. I do find though that the best spots are the most awkward in many cases....funny that!