I think i may end my surf rat status and get a boat for next season so i would like some help on choosing a rod and reel... even if i do not get a boat i would still want my own rod/reel for the party boats. I asked the guy in my local bait and tackle shop if there was any rod/reel combination that could be made to suit fishing for fluke/ blues/ stripers, etc. but he claims that there is no such rod and reel combination that i could use for all fish. I'm just trying to avoid buying six different rods and reels for each species. Any recommendations??????
rod/reel recomendations!!!
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Take a look at the custom ugly sticks. I have a 50lb class one and a 25lb class one. I bought a penn squidda and an Abu 6500 Striper Series reel. These 4 items have served me well with Fluke, Togs, Bass, and Blues. Also the shows are coming up at Freeport and Nassau. You are bound to see some good deals there.
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518 Posts
You can boil it down to two combos.
For fluke, sea bass and porgies a 6.5-7 foot conventional rod rated from 12-25 lb and a small reel like a Newell 220 or Abu 6500.
For bass, blues and tog a rod rated from 20-30 lb and a slightly larger reel like a Newell 229 or 332, Penn 320 GTI or equivalent.
I agree with Mike, the winter shows are coming up and you should find some great deals there.
Al
For fluke, sea bass and porgies a 6.5-7 foot conventional rod rated from 12-25 lb and a small reel like a Newell 220 or Abu 6500.
For bass, blues and tog a rod rated from 20-30 lb and a slightly larger reel like a Newell 229 or 332, Penn 320 GTI or equivalent.
I agree with Mike, the winter shows are coming up and you should find some great deals there.
Al
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4,148 Posts
reels
matt17,
I gotta tell you, I'm in agreement, no one reel is great for everything; but, I think you could get away with a Penn GS - ie 535GS; it's a graphite non-level wind conventional reel, that's made for casting. This might be a little on the heavy side for fluke, but wouldn't be too far off and still has the line capacity for any striper / bluefish out there or anything else in that range. The gear ratio is very high - between models it's 6.1:1 - 5.3:1 and line capacity is between 400 of 15 and 600 of 20. $130 at West Marine. I've never owned this reel, but it's a Penn and is probably rock solid. Throw it on a 10-20 lb class 7 ft pole w/ 20 lb mono and you'd be all set for boat stripers/blues/fluke - w/ 30 lb it'd be good even for cod.
The reason I'm pushing you toward conventional is that they work much better w/ heavy weights and deeper water - this is almost impossible w/ a Spinning reel. Also, I'm assuming every now and then you'll want to cast, hence the casting conventional reel. If you wanted one reel for everything, that's the only way I can see it working.
Spinning reels are great for anything other than water over 50 ft. If you are going to be in shallow waters only and don't like casting conventionals (bait-casters) - I'd say go with a Penn live-liner (the larger of the two they make - 5600L). The live-liner is a free-spooling spinning reel, so it's perfect for bait w/ stripers and anything else in that range. Good for 20 lb class, but nothing heavier. I have one and it quickly became my favorite - has worked flawlessly so far, but can only claim a few months of use. That reel was $145 at WalMart.
If you were going w/ two reels, I'd really say one spinning and one conventional - covers more ground that way.. but, the possibilities are endless - really depends how much you want to spend and what type of fishing you'll be doing.
Jon
matt17,
I gotta tell you, I'm in agreement, no one reel is great for everything; but, I think you could get away with a Penn GS - ie 535GS; it's a graphite non-level wind conventional reel, that's made for casting. This might be a little on the heavy side for fluke, but wouldn't be too far off and still has the line capacity for any striper / bluefish out there or anything else in that range. The gear ratio is very high - between models it's 6.1:1 - 5.3:1 and line capacity is between 400 of 15 and 600 of 20. $130 at West Marine. I've never owned this reel, but it's a Penn and is probably rock solid. Throw it on a 10-20 lb class 7 ft pole w/ 20 lb mono and you'd be all set for boat stripers/blues/fluke - w/ 30 lb it'd be good even for cod.
The reason I'm pushing you toward conventional is that they work much better w/ heavy weights and deeper water - this is almost impossible w/ a Spinning reel. Also, I'm assuming every now and then you'll want to cast, hence the casting conventional reel. If you wanted one reel for everything, that's the only way I can see it working.
Spinning reels are great for anything other than water over 50 ft. If you are going to be in shallow waters only and don't like casting conventionals (bait-casters) - I'd say go with a Penn live-liner (the larger of the two they make - 5600L). The live-liner is a free-spooling spinning reel, so it's perfect for bait w/ stripers and anything else in that range. Good for 20 lb class, but nothing heavier. I have one and it quickly became my favorite - has worked flawlessly so far, but can only claim a few months of use. That reel was $145 at WalMart.
If you were going w/ two reels, I'd really say one spinning and one conventional - covers more ground that way.. but, the possibilities are endless - really depends how much you want to spend and what type of fishing you'll be doing.
Jon
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27,335 Posts
I USE 2
I have 2 that pretty much cover fluke to bass.....
Shakespear Ugly Stick Tiger Rod witha Shimano Cosair baitcaster for fluke, flounder, seabass (in shallow water). This will also handle small bass & blues. Actually will handle decent size bass & blues come to think of it.
Custom Rod with a Penn 321 GTI reel for tog, bass, weaks, blues & pretty much any thing else. Actuall had a shark or two on it for about 30 seconds.
I have 2 that pretty much cover fluke to bass.....
Shakespear Ugly Stick Tiger Rod witha Shimano Cosair baitcaster for fluke, flounder, seabass (in shallow water). This will also handle small bass & blues. Actually will handle decent size bass & blues come to think of it.
Custom Rod with a Penn 321 GTI reel for tog, bass, weaks, blues & pretty much any thing else. Actuall had a shark or two on it for about 30 seconds.
Thanks guys... I have come to a decision. I will buy two different set-ups, it just makes things easier. For bass and blues I will go with the PENN Power Stick with a PENN 320gti. For fluke and other lighter fish i am still looking around. Thanks again for your input!!!
matt
matt
Matt,
Remember, it always pays to have an extra rod along fishing, even if it isn't the best one for the job. Get your 2 rod combo's and always bring both along. Never know what can happen, broken rod or reel or god forbid drop it overboard- S--T HAPPENS!
Hipshot
Remember, it always pays to have an extra rod along fishing, even if it isn't the best one for the job. Get your 2 rod combo's and always bring both along. Never know what can happen, broken rod or reel or god forbid drop it overboard- S--T HAPPENS!
Hipshot
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10,661 Posts
Matt17
Hi,
Check out a Lamiglas BL 7020C, 20#, BL 7025, 25# and a BL 7030, 30 # test line. They are the new Tri wall rods. The BL 7030 is used by many of the Sea Otters customers.
This would be a deeper water rod, 5-10 oz sinkers.
I have build on the CGBT 841L, blank used for BL 7020, and my customers sing it's praises. Just add a reel of your choice.
Capt Neil
Hi,
Check out a Lamiglas BL 7020C, 20#, BL 7025, 25# and a BL 7030, 30 # test line. They are the new Tri wall rods. The BL 7030 is used by many of the Sea Otters customers.
This would be a deeper water rod, 5-10 oz sinkers.
I have build on the CGBT 841L, blank used for BL 7020, and my customers sing it's praises. Just add a reel of your choice.
Capt Neil
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1,038 Posts
Rod Reel Recomendations
Would you use the 7030 for fluke or would the 7020c be better for fluking and the 7030 for Bass at montauk?
Would you use the 7030 for fluke or would the 7020c be better for fluking and the 7030 for Bass at montauk?
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