[blitzking]

looking at surf rod and reels for the fall bass/blues run and really dont know wat is a good rod for plugging and casting lures. looking to spend around $150 for rod and reel to use on the north and south shore. I am around 5ft 5in and want a rod that will be strong enough to handle plugs and lures up to around 8 ounces(diamond jigs and tins), but still be able to cast 1/2 ounce bucktails a good distance and handle them. A rod/reel combo would be great too. Any advice would be great, Thanx!!!!

This post edited by blitzking 03:23 PM 08/28/2008

 

[MaxKatt1]

I would suggest looking at Cabela's saltwater catalog for a combo in that price range. I think you're going to have a hard time finding a rod that can handle a range of 1/2-8 oz. If you find one, I'd be surprised if it would do either extreme well. I would think typically you'd need 2 poles; one 1/2 to 3 oz and a 2nd for 4oz and up.

 

[saltysurfman]

I agree with MaxKatt, you would definetly need two different poles. I have found a pole that can throw from 3-8 oz. and it also casts 2 ounces pretty well also, although it is below the recommended range. You could also try an outdoor sports department store to find cheap combos. Something like Dick's or Sports Authority usually has decent combos in that range where you might be able to get a combo, and then a pole in the other range you are looking for.

 

[ihavegills]

Comprimise

I would suggest "as usual" the 9ft Tica TC2 (about $70) and the Penn 550ssg or 450ssg ($79). This is a great all-around stick for 1/2 to 3oz applications and can handle large fish easily while fitting your price range. I'm not sure why you would be bombing 8oz jigs, but to each their own. A 2-3oz Kastmaster/Hopkins with tube is pretty big and can cast just as far with 20# fireline. This is my go-to rod for fish under 40.

If you need to cast more than 3 or 4 oz. or bait you may want to move to at least a 10' and start thinking about spending a little more. If your targeting that big 50+, it's the right move.

 

[ghostrider]

You're going to need a two rod set-up

To cast lures with such a wide weight range, you'll need a two rod set-up. If I may, let me suggest two set-ups that "won't break the bank". #1. A Cabela's salt striker 10 ft. surf rod with a Penn 550 ssg reel. This outfit will throw the lighter weight lures and has a great action for retrieves. #2. A Tica 10 ft. surf rod also paired with either a Penn 550 ssg or a Penn 650 ssm. this outfit throws heavy weight suff with ease, but it's a little stiff on the retrieve.

I'm sure there are many other outfits that will fit the bill also. These are just two that I have personal knowledge of. Hope this helps some......GHOST

 

[blitzking]

thanx for all the help, but i think i wasn' specific enough; my bad

. I want a rod that can handle 1/2 jigs to i guess 3 or 4 ounces, i guess i was just trying to explain that i needed something that would handle heavy stuff like diamond jig type tins. for this wat rod reel would be good. also i dont think i would want anything bigger than 9 or 10 feet for beach and bar fishing, mabey some jetty too(not much).
P.S. i have also noticed on some of the penn reels u have mentioned, the company says they handle 12-20lb line. do they mean mono???

This post edited by blitzking 07:55 PM 08/28/2008

 

[shredgit7]

when the manufacturer has the line weights that can be used they are talking about mono. some companies like van staal will list two line capacities, one for mono and one for braid. be careful with using braid on certain reels though. some reels dont handle braid well and will break down and require you to replace parts more often. and with casting weight on rods, a rod that says "1-3oz" can cast smaller lures than that. i cast half oz. bucktails sometimes on my 10 ft 1-4 oz rod, so you dont have to go crazy looking for the exact weight

 

[Slick56]

If your fishing the north shore you can get away with a 9fter. IHGills recomended a nice rod for the money, a Tica 9ft which I own myself. However any penn made in china stinks

Go with the 5500SS or Penn 710/710z. If you want a newer reel check out the shimano sedona 6000, smooooth reel and only $75

 

[rudolph10021]

Cabela's has a combo of their Surf Striker Metal reels and their Surf Striker rods for $129.95. They are very good, and a good value, too. Even if you buy the items separately, the total cost is only about $20 more -- and they're having a sale on the reels right now. I just bought the 10' for my son with the SSM-70 reel (which is heavier than the one included in the combo) and you might consider the same outfit.

Good luck.

p.s., It will handle the bottom half of the range you specified -- maybe 1 - 3 ounce lures, I doubt that it would be the right rod for the 8 oz bait & weights. Look at their catalog or website, though; they have a lot of good stuff.