Why should I migrate to using grinders?

[Kwaaijanvis]

I am new to this site and notice some excitement about grinder fishing. Again my question might not be new to this site, but please indulge and direct me in the right direction. I am used to multiplier reels and mono lines with 14’ rods for rock and surf fishing, but the talk seems to be about purpose specific rod lengths, matching grinder reels and braid lines. Why should I make the change and if I do, how do I make sense of all the choices and combinations?


Thanks


Jan

[fishatic]

Some excitement? Understatement.

Hmm Competitive R&S angling has gone braid with fixed spool because they can fish faster and get points on the board.

You don't have to change if you don't want to.
I suggest you try a set up out for a day or three, if you have a friend with a set up, ask nicely to go and cast to see if you can make friends with the change.

I like fixed spools with braid.
And multipliers with mono.
And multipliers with braid.

[Kes]

Howsit Jan,


Welcome to Ultimate.


Like Fishatic said, in the competitive angling world, you tend to fish faster because there is no down time with overwinds and such. Plus it is slightly easier to cast a big bait with a grinder so this make fishing faster and easier.


Aside from that, grinders have evolved and are very high tech these days compared to the grinders of say the early to mid 2000's when multiplier's were still the number one choice. There are a lot of features on grinders that trump the multiplier e.g.: stronger drags, larger line capacities, ease of casting as even a novice can fish these with relative ease etc etc.


On the subject of purpose built rods, you are correct. A rod has to be built for a grinder reel for you to be able to use that rod and reel combo. You wont be able to chuck a grinder onto multiplier rod. It just wont work as well as a properly built grinder rod. Its a long conversation in respect of why.


Braided lines have become more popular in accordance with the grinder reel's popularity but it has various other benefits. No stretch, lighter, thinner diameter than equivalent mono. You can pack more line of greater breaking strength on your reel. braided lines are not only for grinders. Like Fishatic alluded to, some of us here use it on multipliers straight on.


What I mean is a lot of people use it as backing but some crazy people here use braid straight on as a mainline. Our reels are off course modified accordingly but that's another long story.


Enjoy your stay and shout if you need to ask anything else..:)

[Half-Pint]

For me grinders offer a couple of advantages.

1) I am an adequate multiplier caster but definitely have more confidence and enjoyment in casting a grinder. Particularly off sub-optimal footing such as when wading etc

2) I could not with any confidence throw 30LB braid on a multiplier but have no hesitation in doing so on a grinder. This gives me the advantage of thin line with zero stretch which in poor conditions can mean the difference between detecting a bite and not.

3) A properly built grinder rod with braid gives one an enormously direct connection to the fish. Even relatively small fish feel like you have hooked something decent which also adds to the fun element.

As Fishatic says if you don't want to use a grinder you really don't have to. Many people (particularly old school anglers) will argue until they are blue in the face that grinders have no benefit over their traditional multipliers. I can promise everyone of them that I have zero intention of stealing their multiplier and replacing it with a grinder

[fishatic]

What I mean is a lot of people use it as backing but some crazy people here use braid straight on as a mainline. Our reels are off course modified accordingly but that's another long story.

You calling me crazy?
Har!
I fish 50lb braid on my big Tranx bait caster without any hesitation.

[Kes]

What I mean is a lot of people use it as backing but some crazy people here use braid straight on as a mainline. Our reels are off course modified accordingly but that's another long story.

You calling me crazy?
Har!
I fish 50lb braid on my big Tranx bait caster without any hesitation.

Yes I am, but I'm in the same boat so it doesn't really matter...


I know that Tranx, it only looks like a baitcaster but its actually on steroids.. 

[FishStyx]

I fish 50lb braid on my big Tranx bait caster without any hesitation.

 

[fishatic]

For a sense of scale:

A Tranx 400 next to a 200 size Citica typically used for bass.

Fishstyx has the giant Tranx 500, which makes mine look like a sissie-reel.

[fishatic]

What I mean is a lot of people use it as backing but some crazy people here use braid straight on as a mainline. Our reels are off course modified accordingly but that's another long story.

You calling me crazy?
Har!
I fish 50lb braid on my big Tranx bait caster without any hesitation.

Yes I am, but I'm in the same boat so it doesn't really matter...


I know that Tranx, it only looks like a baitcaster but its actually on steroids.. 

We still need to build you a rod for that monster....

[Kes]

What I mean is a lot of people use it as backing but some crazy people here use braid straight on as a mainline. Our reels are off course modified accordingly but that's another long story.

You calling me crazy?
Har!
I fish 50lb braid on my big Tranx bait caster without any hesitation.

Yes I am, but I'm in the same boat so it doesn't really matter...


I know that Tranx, it only looks like a baitcaster but its actually on steroids.. 

We still need to build you a rod for that monster....

promises, promises, promises... 

[Bamboes-Vis]

A couple of advantages I would like to add.


You cast much further because braid is much thinner than mono.


In competitions you cannot select the weather conditions (Neither can you if you are a Vaalie and the accommodation is already booked  )
So....If you fish in a strong side wash or in strong wind, a thinner diameter braid obviously has a lot less drag than thicker mono.
So you drift less or at a slower rate than mono


Then lastly...you do not want to be fishing with mono between a bunch of guys fishing with braid.
For some reason I still cannot get my head around......braid cuts mono like a hot knife through butter.
So if a guy cast over your line, the lightest of pressure and the mono is cut off......Dont believe me?......Go try it.


But.......fighting a raggie on braid with no stretch is no fun at all, you feel every head shake.


And just for the record, I have read some guys have been able to slide on braid.....I have tried it once and it was a disaster.
(not a nice way to lose your only live mullet, after you have been carrying it in a bucket full of water for 1km)

[Kwaaijanvis]

Thanks for all the advice! I wish I had more time to go fishing and I am definitely not in the league of competition fisherman! I now have the opportunity to try fishing on the West Coast (beach only, no rocks) and hence I would like to try the grinder/braid method for steenbras, cob and the odd lost galjoen. Would a 14’ Assassin rod with a Daiwa BG 4500 reel with 30lbs braid be a good combination to start with?

[Kwaaijanvis]

Howsit Jan,


Welcome to Ultimate.


Like Fishatic said, in the competitive angling world, you tend to fish faster because there is no down time with overwinds and such. Plus it is slightly easier to cast a big bait with a grinder so this make fishing faster and easier.


Aside from that, grinders have evolved and are very high tech these days compared to the grinders of say the early to mid 2000's when multiplier's were still the number one choice. There are a lot of features on grinders that trump the multiplier e.g.: stronger drags, larger line capacities, ease of casting as even a novice can fish these with relative ease etc etc.


On the subject of purpose built rods, you are correct. A rod has to be built for a grinder reel for you to be able to use that rod and reel combo. You wont be able to chuck a grinder onto multiplier rod. It just wont work as well as a properly built grinder rod. Its a long conversation in respect of why.


Braided lines have become more popular in accordance with the grinder reel's popularity but it has various other benefits. No stretch, lighter, thinner diameter than equivalent mono. You can pack more line of greater breaking strength on your reel. braided lines are not only for grinders. Like Fishatic alluded to, some of us here use it on multipliers straight on.


What I mean is a lot of people use it as backing but some crazy people here use braid straight on as a mainline. Our reels are off course modified accordingly but that's another long story.


Enjoy your stay and shout if you need to ask anything else..:)

Thanks Kes, is it a realistic option to have a rod built? Where could I find someone who is good at building rods for grinders? I am able to get blanks used for the Purglass Executive rods?


Thanks


Jan

[fishatic]

Thanks for all the advice! I wish I had more time to go fishing and I am definitely not in the league of competition fisherman! I now have the opportunity to try fishing on the West Coast (beach only, no rocks) and hence I would like to try the grinder/braid method for steenbras, cob and the odd lost galjoen. Would a 14’ Assassin rod with a Daiwa BG 4500 reel with 30lbs braid be a good combination to start with?

Good start, the rod my not be set up for a grinder (guide layout) but to have a go with? It will be OK. We can always change the layout later

[Bamboes-Vis]

I would also strongly suggest you get a bionic finger (because I always tend to forget my casting glove at home  )


They are like R100 and you can use cable ties to fix it to your rod.


The other thing braid likes cutting other than mono is fingers 

[Kes]

Howsit Jan,


Welcome to Ultimate.


Like Fishatic said, in the competitive angling world, you tend to fish faster because there is no down time with overwinds and such. Plus it is slightly easier to cast a big bait with a grinder so this make fishing faster and easier.


Aside from that, grinders have evolved and are very high tech these days compared to the grinders of say the early to mid 2000's when multiplier's were still the number one choice. There are a lot of features on grinders that trump the multiplier e.g.: stronger drags, larger line capacities, ease of casting as even a novice can fish these with relative ease etc etc.


On the subject of purpose built rods, you are correct. A rod has to be built for a grinder reel for you to be able to use that rod and reel combo. You wont be able to chuck a grinder onto multiplier rod. It just wont work as well as a properly built grinder rod. Its a long conversation in respect of why.


Braided lines have become more popular in accordance with the grinder reel's popularity but it has various other benefits. No stretch, lighter, thinner diameter than equivalent mono. You can pack more line of greater breaking strength on your reel. braided lines are not only for grinders. Like Fishatic alluded to, some of us here use it on multipliers straight on.


What I mean is a lot of people use it as backing but some crazy people here use braid straight on as a mainline. Our reels are off course modified accordingly but that's another long story.


Enjoy your stay and shout if you need to ask anything else..:)

Thanks Kes, is it a realistic option to have a rod built? Where could I find someone who is good at building rods for grinders? I am able to get blanks used for the Purglass Executive rods?


Thanks


Jan

A custom built rod is the business bud. I modify all my rods when I'm not building from scratch, some even rebuild/modified straight off the shelf.


The guy that builds all my rods is my recommendation. He is very good but he is a bit of a tosser.. :)


His name is Brandon but goes by Fishatic on this forum. He has replied on this topic. Give him a shout and he will sort you out.

[FishStyx]

He tosses a plug good few meters... Seen it with my own eyes.

[Kes]

He tosses a plug good few meters... Seen it with my own eyes.

With braid on a baitcaster as well..

[fishatic]

Zoooooooooom....
Doh!

[emjay]

To add, casting lighter baits and lures is easier with a grinder, such as when using a bung float for shad


I was once bait fishing off the rocks with my 12ft grinder rod with a 5 oz tip and 6500 size grinder and saw a school of shad smash bait fish infront of me. I didn't have a dedicated spinning rod with me, but I had a couple of 1 oz spoons with me, so I quickly put a spoon on and threw for those shad. The rod and reel were not ideal for the spoons but I could throw far enough to get into the school and before long I had two bus shad at my feet. I wouldn't have been able to do that with a multiplier, I would've gotten an overwind in short order because of the lighter weight spoons. Grinders give you more options. They are more versatile in my mind


In terms of servicing, some people say they are more complicated than multipliers, but really it's more of a different approach to how you go about taking a grinder apart to service it, not necessarily more difficult. It's just a different learning curve if you are used to multipliers