Alvey beach set up
Hi folks, long time reader 1st time caller. Waffle post with question to end:)
Over christmas I managed to destroy a perfectly good Penn SSM 650 during routine maintenance (misread a diagram and tried to undo something not intended to undo...) so need a new surf reel. I have a basic set up 10ft rod and the Penn that has stood me ok but now I need a new reel, and with being a hipster the current fashion, I've a yearning to get myself an alvey set up. I was just going to get a new Penn but I missed the christmas sale at Campbell's. I was going to have it repaired but would have cost more than new!
I'm pretty much a tailor session at dawn or sunset kind of fisho - swanbourne drain to Floreat Drain.
Anyway I'm amazed at just how many blinking Alvey reels there are! Research suggests something in the 650 range? And a 12 foot rod (I gather alveys need a rod with a lower reel point). Rather fish lighter than heavier, and drop down to a whitebait size rig 50% of the time.
I'm thinking second hand, and not sure if the older model reels are the same?
So to the question... if there was such a thing as a great perth beach alrounder alvey (older models and new) what would it be. And what to look for in a rod.
As for recent fishing trips... a couple of 35cm choppers off City Beach Groyne, and a single slightly larger at Floreat Drain. both just after sunset, and judging from the rest of the beach the bite is lasting 15-20 minutes max! Lucky I love standing in the dark with the surf at my feet!
Sometimes I fish lighter on a 7ft Shimano rod with stradic 2500... with limited success:) GOing to start hitting the river for the bream and flatties but never used solft plastics or lures in river so no real clue there. I'm an old-skool prawn on a 1/0 hook kinda guy:)
If the alvey thing does not work out next year I'll go a Penn SpinfisherV if they ever get here, or whatever other basic and sturdy beach real you guys recommend at the time. Not enough $$$ for more expensive gear I'm afraid!
Lastly, if anyone has an old Penn SSM 650 I can salvage for parts p.m. me:)
ricey
Posts: 740
Date Joined: 24/12/09
Hey mate
Alvey not the easiest to fish with, but very simple set up and few parts. Alvey reel quite heavy and rod range limited. Harder to cast too.
i would go a spin set up, even cheap. I am sure if you put a want to buy ad in the for sale section here there would be something for you rod, reel and line for a fine price, just set your budget.
a 650 would be the the right all round size for an alvey though. The one with holes in it is lighter. 12 ft is very long and cumbersome, two piece better in that length
Wise man says - first take the plank out of your own eye before trying to take the speck out of somebody else's.
Mattb123
Posts: 126
Date Joined: 09/01/13
Yeah it would have to be two
Yeah it would have to be two peice. There is something pure about an Alvey I think... I'm fine putting the time in to learn. As a pom I see a certain Australianness in the Alvey that I will give me a warm glow inside lol.
For spin setup I'll just wait for another Penn sale on the 650SSM or 750SSm (an online shops has them still on sale but I like buying local even if my Campbell's is just a BCF nowadays I appreciate that it is a 5 minute walk away). They are bulletproof - mine broke as I now know I tried to force something in a direction it was not meant to go and basically broke a metal plate and a screw inside...
At Floreat Drain on monday there was a bloke with an alvey next to me, and another about 4 spots north with his young son also using an alvey. Sure they didn't catch any more fish than me on a donkey's years old reel I've borrowed from a mate:)
Maybe I'll not seek perfection and will just pick up a 600 or 650 reel and a rod on Gumtree or here and see how she goes from there.
anypuddle
Posts: 597
Date Joined: 22/01/12
gday
alveys are awesome reliable reels but yeah bit slow and heavy,good for heavier fishing in my opinion. have a look at a penn slammer 560 or 760 around $89 bucks! wont get a more solid reel for that sort of price.
Anywhere anytime
chris raff
Posts: 3257
Date Joined: 09/02/10
If your going retro , you'll
If your going retro , you'll have to go the whole hog and match it up with a synderglas or poss butterworth...I've got a old 6" alvey sidecast matched up with a 153" 9 wrap snyderglas absolutely bulletproof , but most probably the heaviest combo in the world ...which I used to use mainly as a set line , nothing quite like hearing the ratchet go off on a alvey and having that 9 wrap loaded up...my backs aching just thinking about it lol...
“Intelligence is like a four-wheel drive. It only allows you to get stuck in more remote places.”
Mattb123
Posts: 126
Date Joined: 09/01/13
You reckon the Slammer over
You reckon the Slammer over the spinfiser Penns puddle? I missed the $89 Special at Campbells back up to full price now. I can get online for the low price maybe I should just go haggle at Campbells. But if I get the spinner I'll never get an alvey. Hmm I don;t want anything absurdly heavy though will have to look in to the Alvey rods and reels a bit more.
Cheers guys, appreciated.
Mattb123
Posts: 126
Date Joined: 09/01/13
And yes retro is it. I have
And yes retro is it. I have an old (signed) copy of the classic mid 1980s Roenfeldt and Cusack? Fishing WA book full of humorous pics to inspire matching fishing attire too.
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
alvey
If your interested I have 13ft snyderglas built for alvey that I dont use anymore. I since sold the alvey reel and havent got around to selling the rod I can dig out the specs send you a pic if your interested, Its in reasonable condition. pm me if your interested $60 and its yours
As for campbells I usually shop there as they are my local also just ask them to price match, I have done it in the past even on internet prices. Picked up a new Catalina sp rod for the boat today for a very good price.
Fisher Kid
Posts: 358
Date Joined: 16/10/12
If you dont get a alvey, get
If you dont get a alvey, get a slammer 760, bloody amazing, all metal and indestructable, i got one with 300m /330 yrds of 25lb green mono for beach fishing works a treat.
Fishing and catching are two different things. But i want to learn how to catch.
Mattb123
Posts: 126
Date Joined: 09/01/13
Thanks Rig. is that 2
Thanks Rig. is that 2 piece? Sorry I've started two damn threads on this as I didn;t see the land based forum 1st up.
Fisher kid - As I have a 95% perfect Penn SSM 650 If I do get another spinner I'll jsut get one of those that way I have a spare spool, parts etc? But I have heard good things on the slammer too. I think the spinfisher V will be a solid unit too when it gets here.