Salt water rod / reel recommendation?

[aigel]

I haven't fished much on the West coast but really want to kick it up this year. I have light tackle trout rods with penn salt water reels that I have used to catch redfish and speckled trout off boats in the Gulf.

But now I need a large pole that I can catch crab with (using snares) from the jetties and beaches as well as something heavy to fish for rock fish at the north coast, fishing off the cliffs. I also would like to try for sturgeon in the SF bay here off the dams and beaches. The biggest fish I can probably catch would be a surgeon at 60 - 80 lbs. One day I may own a kayak and can use a shorter rod, but let's take it one step at a time.

So, what kind of rod and reel do I get? I am thinking 8-10 foot break apart rod with any type of reel you recomennd? Budget? Well, not more than $150 combined. I realize this won't get me the prime stuff, but I want to get that once I realize I am using it frequently enough to warrant a larger purchase.

Let me know what you would buy, you salt water fishermen/women!

G

[KevinP73]

A friend of mine does a little fishing, makes some of his own gear also. Maybe give him a shout and see what he says.
Dennis Braid

[Tishabet]

12 foot Daiwa beef stick, Daiwa oversize spinning reel. Under $75 all told and pretty bombproof setup.
http://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-Giant-Spinning-Saltwater-Fishing/dp/B000ALJHTO

[drcoastline]

You are talking about different kinds of fishing and different fish. One package isn't going to work very well for everything. It's just like cars. A top fuel dragster isn't going to fair very well in a NASCAR race and vice versa. So the type of fishing will dictate what you need. Different fish feed differently and you are trying to mimic what they eat and how. Top feeders, bottom feeders, ambush and blitzkrieg.

To start I would recommend two rods and a reel with multiple spools. One rod to launch your rig far and one rod for in close cast and retrieve fishing. You can get away with one reel but get multiple spools with different test lines. If you can get two reels with multiple spools.

I am a Penn reel fan especially the Z series. They are simple, dependable, durable, inexpensive to repair and you can service them yourself. It is a work horse reel. Last year I picked up a Spinfisher and a live liner. These are newer technology Penn spinning reels for the new lines. I love them. Penn also makes lower level spinners the SG series. You can get a Penn SG600 for about $60 and load with line from 15-50 lb. Regardless of brand get three or four spools for your reel and load with different weight lines. 10lb, 20lb, 30lb, 50lb test line.

For getting the line out far get a surf caster rod in the 10'-12' range. My philosophy on a surfcaster bigger is always better. You can get a 12' Ugly stick at Wal-Mart for about $25-$30.

You will also want a medium-light to medium action rod 6'-7' for cast and retrieve fishing. There are lots of decent choices between $30-$60 check them out pick the one you like.

Two rods, one reel, 3/4 line weights you have basically created 6-8 different set ups. If it's in the budget get two reels. One larger reel for the surf caster and one medium size reel for the cast and retrieve rod. Get multiple spools and lines for each reel. If you get two reels the surf caster reel may only need two weight lines. maybe a 20lb and a 50lb. The cast and retrieve set up you may still want three or four weights. may be 10, 20, 30 and 40 lb.

Good luck and have fun.

[zipinitaly]

Any of the lever drag offerings from Shimano. They offer that feature in spinning and level wind reels. Makes it possible to let the fish 'run' with bait before setting the hook....

[craigster59]

Turners usually has some good deals and specials on salt water gear. I like Penn reels and Cal rods myself.

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by KevinP73

A friend of mine does a little fishing, makes some of his own gear also. Maybe give him a shout and see what he says.
Dennis Braid

Great stuff! I have a bunch of his gear.

Good advice from coastline. There is no one "all around combo".