...if you want it! I find overheads easier to use for bottom bouncing because I like to leave them in freespool (controlling with my thumb) and let out small amounts of line in order to keep in contact with the bottom. Unless your spinning reel is of the "baitrunner" variety this is harder to do, having to flip the bail arm back and forth.

I also prefer the overheads with the simple "engage/disengage" lever, as opposed to a lever drag model. When a fish grabs your bait it's a simple matter of simply flicking the reel into gear and allowing it to hook itself. With lever drags you have to cross 90 degrees of the sideplate when you're going from "freespool" to "strike". Brilliant mechanism for trolling, not so good for bottom bashing.

As far as levelwinds go, I try to avoid them because they basically just an extra bit that can stuff up. No matter how "hopeless" you think you are at manually guiding the line onto the spool, it does become second nature if you go fishing regularly. For bottom bashing, line capacity is generally not a big issue (unless you're out past the 100's) so you can underfill the reel to some extent...enough so that the line not being evenly laid on won't overfill it...until you become more confident.

Lots of good makes out there...the Shimano Torsa is one worth considering as far as your price range goes, but without double-checking the prices I don't know if you'll have spare change for a rod. Have a look at the Diawa Saltist series (they come in both levelwind and non-levelwind)...with a moderate bit of legwork you can get one for less than $300 and they're a very smooth, solid reel.

My only tip with rods is...get one that balances well with the reel because to do this sort of fishing properly you'll be holding it all day and you want to be comfortable...and also make sure the guides are braid-friendly. Cheap plastic inserts will develop a "groove" from the braid, and this will cut you line everytime.

thanks for that mate and i see were your coming form with the level wind but its a pretty big priority with me just to start with im still getting the hang of fishing and the less i have to be worrying about the better, as i get more expierenced i might change and not worry about the level wind but untill then think ill stick with and thanks im having a look at those now

if you have to buy levelwind, just buy something really cheap like those plastic penns because you will either grow out of bottom bouncing or the reel in just weeks.



I do like leverdrag but its hard to beat a saltist 30 or 40, non levelwind mind.

a cheap set to start with would be the penn 33gti combo , as said cheap less than $200 b ut they are a decent set , we have had one now for 5yrs and the level wind has only just packed in , but as others said avoid the level wind as they generally pack up pretty quick as the worm drive is only a small part and fragile, as far as feeding the line on with the thumb , its as easy as 123 when you practice

with your price range for reels you have many options;

as above the diawa saltist are killer and the 30-40 range is sufficent and at around $300 worth the money. both level/no level wind. would be my preference.

abu 7000 are bullet proof with a level wind ans at around $200 leaves you plenty for a good rod.

shimano has a good range and start with a tekota 600- 700, or the torium or trinidad. charter special is worth a look or even the good old TLD.

peen make some good reels and the 975 is good but above $400 so may be to expensive.

for rods look at a live fibre, shimano backbone, ugly stick, with live fibre as a preference.

showed you some rods/reels at marks the other day so happy to do so again

if you save some money from the $600 budget them get some good quality braid.

Tackle Shack and mention you are from Fishwrecked and you will be pointed in the right direction.

For $600 you may be able to buy a reel which will suit beach, rock and boat fishing and two rods - one for the boat and one for beach and rock fishing.

You really don't need to buy the top of the range, expensive gear to start with as there are great quality rods and reels on the market that will do a great job.

I wouldb't buy an overhead if you are going to use it on the rocks as well unless you are confident you can cast at least 50 metres without getting any birds nests.

cheers col i already have an egg beater for the rocks mainly looking for something with the boat and i spose i better just suck it up and go the non level wind ill send you a pm damo.

well made my choice went down to gotone tackle today and thanks to some excellent help from mark and some great prices and freebies i got a 6'0 shudwick bluewater SIB6025B 25-37kg 300-500g rod poaired with a Daiwa saltist 30th get to test it on saturday so ill let you know how she goes! once again thanks for all the help mark

Manually guiding the line onto the spool is really quite easy and before you know it, it will become second nature. I strongly advise that you don't get a level wind because you will undoubtedly want to upgrade shortly after.

My preference is spinning reels anyway. The disadvantages that Auslobster pointed out don't affect me because I jig but I really think that it's negligible anyway because you don't have big currents down south.

There's plenty available on the market in your price range and they're just as ballsy as any overhead out there so if you find an egg beater to be your preference I stongly suggest that you consider it.

Some that you could consider, Shimano Twinpower & Saragosa, Daiwa Catalina.

EDIT... sorry mate didn't realise that you'd already made your decision. Good luck!