A beachcaster is a generic term for a general-purpose sea fishing rod which is used to fish with bait. Beachcasters are, despite the name, designed to fish across a wide range of different fishing marks – not just beaches. While clean snag-free ground is the most obvious type of mark to fish with a beachcaster, almost all can handle mixed to light rough ground with some snags. However, for very rough ground fishing where large amounts of snags will be encountered a beachcaster may struggle and specialist rough ground rods may be needed. Beachcasters can be used with either multiplier or fixed spool reels (more on this below) and can reach long casting distances. Beachcasting rods are relatively large (at least 12ft in length) meaning they can handle fishing in bad weather, strong tides and can be used to successfully land larger fish. Due to their all-round adaptability, beachcasters are one of the most popular types of fishing rod used in the UK.
Rod Length and Casting Weight
For many years the standard length of a beachcaster was 12ft but recent years have seen most manufacturers offer 13 – 14ft rods and Continental style 15-16ft rods are becoming increasingly common. The reason for this is simple: casting distance. The longer a rod is – theoretically – the further it can cast. Rods are also rated by the weight they can cast. Most beachcasters are rated to cast 4 – 8oz. It is fair to say that 4oz is the minimum a beachcaster should be able to cast as any less than this and it will not have the necessary strength to handle rough seas or mixed and rocky ground. In comparison, rods designed for fishing in light conditions such as bass, flattie or estuary rods, are generally 11ft and cast weights of 2 – 4oz, while spinning rods are generally 7 – 10ft long and cast weights of 1 – 2oz. A separate page on bass and spinning rods can be accessed here.
Beachcaster Design
Beachcasters usually come in two sections: a tip section and a butt section, although advances in modern rod design mean that three-section rods are becoming more common. Usually, beachcasters are designed for use with either a multiplier reel (and will have M or MX in its name) or a fixed spool reel (F or FS in its name). This is because rods designed for multiplier reels have a higher number of smaller rings, as the reel sits on top of the rod and the additional rings keep the line up and off the rod. Rods designed for use with fixed spool reels have a lower number of smaller rings which break down the line as it comes off the reel in loops. However, a growing number of modern rods, have rings designed in such a way that they can be used with either multiplier or fixed spool reels.
Click here for further information on multiplier reels and here for information on fixed spool reels.
Reels are attached to a rod using a reel seat which is typically a screw-winch design. Some older and cheaper beachcasters, especially those designed for use with fixed spool reels may have a reel seat which is fixed in place, while rods designed for use with multiplier reels have no reel seat at all and coasters have to be used to secure the reel to the rod, although these are seen as somewhat outdated now. New developments in rod design mean that most mid-range beachcasters and upwards have a moveable reel seat. This is the same screw-winch design as older rods but allows the reel to be moved into the position of the angler’s choosing before it is secured in place.
Suggested Beachcasting Rods
The sections below gives suggestions on the different types of beachcasters which are available. Where possible there are affiliate links which will click through to Amazon where these rods can be viewed and purchased (British Sea Fishing receives a small fee for any purchases made through these links at no additional cost to the buyer).
Budget/Lower Price Beachcasters
Although these lower priced beachcasters do not have the same refinements as top beachcasters – they and will struggle with very rough ground fishing or casting extreme distances – they will still catch fish, and work well with simple casting styles. Many anglers find that these rods have good build quality and fishing capability for a very reasonable price and meet all of their fishing requirements.
The Chieftain rod from Fladen of Sweden offers a capable all-round beach fishing rod for a very affordable price. These rods cast 100 – 250 grams (3½ – over 8 oz) and are 13ft long. This three-section rod features a composite blank and EVA grip handles. This rod is a good choice for anglers looking for an all-round beachcasting rod which can handle a wide range of general sea fishing situations at a very low price.
This beachcaster from NGT is 14ft long and casts weights of 4 – 7oz. It has fibreglass construction, features a folding first ring and comes complete with a cloth bag for storage. Designed for use with fixed spool reels, this rod comes in three sections. A brilliant value beachcaster which offers the chance to get fishing on a low outlay.
All-round Beachcasters
For a high quality all-round beachcaster anglers have to be prepared to pay a little more. Rods in this price category can cast further, handle a wide variety of fishing marks and the build quality will be of a higher standard. These rods are ideal for anglers who want an all-round fishing rod which can handle a range of sea fishing marks. While these rods can be used with simple overhead casting styles, off-the-ground casting will see these rods reach good casting distances, while most of them will also be able to handle a pendulum casting styles.
Sonik have a strong reputation with UK anglers and this range of beachcasting rods from the company offers very good all-round performance for an excellent price. This Vader XS is 14ft in length and casts 4 – 6oz. These are very capable sea fishing rods able to reach good distances and handle mixed ground, and this rod can take both multiplier and fixed spool reels giving the angler more choice and flexibility over the reel they use. This rod is an excellent choice for anglers looking for a quality fishing rod which can be used across different fishing marks.
The Diawa Sandstorm range of rods have long been popular and this beachcaster is set to continue that trend. It is available in 12ft 6ins and 13ft 6ins versions that are designed to be used with multiplier reels. They feature carbon blanks, a moveable reel seat, shrink grip handles and aluminium oxide rings. The casting weight is 3½ – 7oz. A great all round beachcaster for UK fishing.
This is a brilliant all-round beachcaster for anglers looking for a top rod. It is 12ft 6 ins in length and casts weights of 4 – 7oz. Made with Daiwa’s usual attention to detail and robustness it features a carbon fibre blank, Fuji rings and a white tip for enhanced bite detection. This 12ft 6ins variation is designed for use with multiplier reels.
