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Inshore Rod/Reel choice? #11235415 11/21/15 12:28 AM
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BroIncarnate Offline OP
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Hey guys,

I am making a decision on my 1st saltwater rod. I am mostly going to be making trips here and there to my aunts dock (pictures) or piers in galveston, etc-- Next week I will be at my aunt's dock and wanted to know what rod/reel you guys recommend for my 1st one? After reading, I was thinking about going with the Hurricane Redbone MH 10/20 lb test 7ft 6in with a Penn Fierce 2 4000 spinnning reel-- Right in my price range --

Does this seem ok for where I am going to mainly be fishing? (picture below)- Should I go lighter or something? Any suggestions on what type of line I should use would be great also, though I hear most go Braid/Fluro leader?



Mainly Redfish/Flounder around her dock, so i have a few popping corks, gulp, jig heads, and topwaters-- have a cast net for live bait, may try that as well!

THANKS GUYS!!!!

Last edited by pil0tspeed; 11/21/15 12:30 AM.
Re: Inshore Rod/Reel choice? [Re: BroIncarnate] #11236966 11/22/15 12:03 AM
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OldFrog Offline
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Disclaimer: This is only an opinion....and we all know what those are like.... smile

I havent ever used a Hurricane rod, but I've owned a few Penn reels.
If you're on a budget, that reel seems to be Ok, after reading about it online...depending upon how much line it holds and how smooth the drag will be....which is one of the most important things for trout and reds....a smooth drag.

I mainly use older Castaway "light saltwater" rods...7 ft...with fast tips. They are pretty light. But you cant buy those old ones anymore, I'm sorry to say. Not even sure they are still in business. I pair them with either a Shimano Calcutta 200, Curado, or a Stradic.

Line.....a flouro leader in 20-25 seems to work well, but I have used a thin steel leader about 12 inches long before, especially for reds. I dont use braid, only Stren clear or green mono. Usually about 14 Lb test for trout and reds. I also set my drags VERY loose ! ( 'Lost a huge trout last weekend near Hackberry, LA due to the drag being set too tight. Pulled the hook right at the boat %##$%^##@%$ !! ) Treat trout like Crappie when it comes to setting your drag. They have tender mouths.

I'm a huge fan of Gulp shrimp and swimming mullet....also skitterwalks, top dog jr, and good old spinner baits tipped with Gulp.

So...in short....reds eat anything smelly and their gill plates cut line, while trout are sight feeders and are more finicky when it comes to your line/leader. Flounder...well....my best advice is to let him take it and move before lifting your rod tip. Some say flounder prefer live bait, but I've caught them on Gulp shrimp, slab spoons, rattle traps, you name it. What I WONT do is fish with dead bait shrimp if I can help it. You catch too many trash fish that way. ( hardheads, gafftop, and black drum). That said, I have been known to limit out on reds 3 days in a row ( 5 per day in Louisiana) using that stinky old frozen bait shrimp on an outgoing tide back in the marsh.

Pick up some 1/4 oz leadhead jigs with long shank hooks and toss that gulp on them. Either tight line them , walking them across the bottom, or fish under a popping cork.

All in all, I think you're rod/reel choice will be fine for a 1st rig.

I suggest buying a dropper net for fishing off that pier. It's a round net with rope tied to 3 points on the hoop, so you can raise your fish straight up and not have to fight a long handle net with a 20 lb red in it.

Good luck and have fun !


Now, Donald...please pick John Bolton for your running mate.
Re: Inshore Rod/Reel choice? [Re: BroIncarnate] #11263205 12/05/15 02:40 AM
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I would drop down to a 7' Med action rod and a 3000 sized spinning reel. Lews has a killer rod for 100$ that fits the bill with microwave guides and they have a new spinning reel that is killer with stainless bearings. It's what we will be using on our charters this year.
20lb power pro braid
20lb - 40lbs florocarbon leader
your lures and corks will work great.


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Re: Inshore Rod/Reel choice? [Re: Capt. Andrew] #11270951 12/09/15 01:39 AM
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Originally Posted By: Capt. Andrew
I would drop down to a 7' Med action rod and a 3000 sized spinning reel. Lews has a killer rod for 100$ that fits the bill with microwave guides and they have a new spinning reel that is killer with stainless bearings. It's what we will be using on our charters this year.
20lb power pro braid
20lb - 40lbs florocarbon leader
your lures and corks will work great.


Do you happen to have a link to this reel and rod? Thanks man!! I guess the Hurricane 7ft Med/Penn Fierce 3000 will be the cheaper combo of the two

Thanks!

Re: Inshore Rod/Reel choice? [Re: BroIncarnate] #11273356 12/10/15 03:25 AM
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http://www.lews.com/rods-tp1.php

This rod Inshore spinning

http://www.lews.com/spinning-tournamentmetal.php

This reel in T300

That would be my inshore setup. I have not got the new spinning reels yet. But If they are like the baitcast reels I have had for over 3 years in the salt they will be killer! Lews make solid stuff.


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Re: Inshore Rod/Reel choice? [Re: Capt. Andrew] #11274634 12/10/15 08:54 PM
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Originally Posted By: Capt. Andrew
http://www.lews.com/rods-tp1.php

This rod Inshore spinning

http://www.lews.com/spinning-tournamentmetal.php

This reel in T300

That would be my inshore setup. I have not got the new spinning reels yet. But If they are like the baitcast reels I have had for over 3 years in the salt they will be killer! Lews make solid stuff.


You're the man! Thanks so much for your help, looks like I'll go with the Lews combo over the Hurrican Redbone/Penn Fierce II 3000! One more thing? I live in Austin, Texas and luckily work near a Gander Mountain-- per google, looks like Academy/Dick's/BPS don't carry them?

Thanks!

Re: Inshore Rod/Reel choice? [Re: BroIncarnate] #11276328 12/11/15 05:35 PM
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They just came out this year I think. Not many stores will have them yet. Might have to email lews for a dealer near you.


http://FishingCharterspi.com/
Snook,Redfish,Shark, Red snapper, tarpon
Shallow Sport Latitude 27’ Suzuki 300hp
South Texas Boat Outfitters (owner)
Pure Fishing Prostaff
TFO Rods ProStaff.



Re: Inshore Rod/Reel choice? [Re: BroIncarnate] #11276407 12/11/15 06:26 PM
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Thanks bud! Excited to get it and try it out for my first inshore experience-- I keep meaning to get out there but it's time now!

Re: Inshore Rod/Reel choice? [Re: BroIncarnate] #11293325 12/20/15 03:26 PM
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Bob Landry Offline
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For a spinning rig, a 2500-3000 size will be good for about anything you will hook onto inshore. I personally like the Penn Battle because you can spool them with braid without having to back them with mono, they are smooth, and reliable.

The Penn conventional small reels are also very good, maybe not the smoothest or cast the farthest, but with minimal cleaning and lube, they are workhorses and will last a lifetime. Either way, I would go with a med power, fast action rod. You want something heavy enough to handle a big fish but not so heavy it takes the fun out of it because it feels like you are reeling in a fish on a flagpole with a winch.


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Re: Inshore Rod/Reel choice? [Re: Bob Landry] #11295997 12/21/15 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted By: Bob Landry
For a spinning rig, a 2500-3000 size will be good for about anything you will hook onto inshore. I personally like the Penn Battle because you can spool them with braid without having to back them with mono, they are smooth, and reliable.


I didn't know that I would have to do that, nor do I know how-- guess I'll need to look that up if I get the Lews?

Re: Inshore Rod/Reel choice? [Re: BroIncarnate] #11298020 12/22/15 08:52 PM
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I use a couple Shimano Caius 200's on 7ft medium rods. It's just a good go to combo that should bring in anything inshore.

As for a spinning reel, the Sedona is a good Shimano spinning reel that can be used in salt and fresh.

Spool either of them up with 30lb braid and a 30lb mono topshot and you'll be set.

(yea, I'm a shimano fanboy, sue me :P)

Last edited by APynckel; 12/22/15 08:53 PM.
Re: Inshore Rod/Reel choice? [Re: BroIncarnate] #11298530 12/23/15 01:23 AM
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Shimano

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