Is It Possible To Have A Finesse Spinning Bass Setup That's Also Good For Sw (Redfish, Trout)?

[Daniel Lin]

My current bass arsenal includes an Abu Garcia BlackMax 6'6" M combo, a BPS Prolite Special on a Shimano Sellus 6'10" MH "Spinnerbait" rod, and an el cheapo Shakespeare Wal-Mart Special spinning reel on some random el cheapo fiberglass 6'6" Daiwa rod, rated for "M" but is floppy as hell.

 

I have a local supply of Pfleuger President 6935s for like $35, and I was thinking about building that into a finesse spinning setup since my current spinning rod is so awful that I don't even bring it half the time I go out. I originally was going to ask for suggestions as to just a rod, somewhere in the $60-80 range.

 

However, given my newfound proximity to saltwater after moving to McComb, MS from Blacksburg, VA in January, I'm starting to think that maybe I should build a dedicated saltwater setup for trips to the beach, etc. In particular, I've got my eyes on a trip a colleague has invited me to this winter to Delacroix for redfish/speckled trout. 

 

Now, I don't know the first thing about saltwater fishing, but I know a thing or two about what saltwater is capable of doing to equipment in general. 

 

First, is the President capable of handling saltwater? I suppose any reel can if you fully strip it and flush it after a trip, but that seems excessive for something like putting a line out off a pier at the beach. Also, anyone have any suggestions for a saltwater friendly rod that still makes a decent bass finesse rod? I'm sure it's subject to change, but I'm probably going to be throwing 15lb PP Slick or some 6-8lb flouro (maybe both using a leader lol), haven't really settled on what exactly I want to do, but I do know I want it to be in that range. Probably a medium, but I'm open to the idea of medium light.

 

Would a setup like this be too light for redfish/speckled trout and whatever people catch off beach piers? I don't really would like to avoid further investing money into a saltwater setup that would get used only very occasionally if the opportunity for a new bass rod to pull double duty is available. However, I understand completely if it's not very feasible to have a decent finesse setup that's also a decent inshore SW setup.

 

Thanks for reading.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A ML will handle specks and reds, a M/F will make easier work of big bull reds if you expect to get into them. The President used to come in an XT version that was supposed to be saltwater worthy. I don't think there is an xt version of the current President. Any reel should be rinsed thoroughly with fresh water immediately after fishing in the salt. The President should be ok especially at the price you get them for.

[MCS]

Got a pflueger 35 and 40. As long as u don't mind the weight they are great reels, solid. Take a look at the daiwa dxi inshore, or falcon coastal xg. If those are too pricey falcon hg or academy has some inshore models. ML will probably be what your looking for. Look for a 7 to 7-6 foot rod. That setup will let you use certain techniques to catch reds/specs like flukes, hollow body swim baits, shrimp under cork. 15-20 braid and I would use a 10-15 pound leader.

[MCS]

A ML will handle specks and reds, a M/F will make easier work of big bull reds if you expect to get into them. The President used to come in an XT version that was supposed to be saltwater worthy. I don't think there is an xt version of the current President. Any reel should be rinsed thoroughly with fresh water immediately after fishing in the salt. The President should be ok especially at the price you get them for.

Correct about the XT they replaced it with the purist model and lowered the price to widen it from the supreme. I have a 40 size president XT and love it! Beast of reel.

[kikstand454]

Fishing off a pier, you are not going to want to use a finesse setup. Even if you catch some fish that rod can handle, you still have to hoist them up from the water to where you are- no small feat! A rod that would be good for finesse bass fishing would only be good for catching small trout and whiting off a pier IMO. If you hang a redfish of any size, it is going to bully you into the pilings and cut you off. And we won't even talk about any other fish typically caught off a pier ( catfish, mackerel, sharks. ...etc) .

In general though, if you are fishing out of some sort of boat or wading, a medium spinning rig with braid and a smooth drag can handle almost all trout and most lower slot reds . I wouldn't use a ML rod unless you were specifically targeting speckled trout over grass beds. If you want assurance to get in the slightly bigger fish, you want a mh. Inshore fishing is a different strength set than bass fishing. The power even a small jack cravelle has is insane.

Fwiw I fish as much, no. .. probably more. .. inshore than I do bass fishing. And I use an old curado on a mh berkley lightening rod in my kayak. This is because the old curado is almost all plastic, and the lightening rod is strong and cheap. Salt will kill everything you own. Period. Even if its "made for salt" its only a matter of time. You just have to do the best you can and take care of your gear. Lightly mist your rods and reels with fresh water everytime you take them out in the salt. Rinse all the lures you use that day too. If a reel gets submerged, its time for a complete tear down. When you get home. Not a week later.

Any bass rod will work inshore, and any decent quality reel will also if you baby it. Saltwater designed reels are the way to go however. You can use saltwater stuff for bass fishing and vice versa- Lures and everything!

Have fun.

I warn you though. ..... its addicting. Trout are delicious and after you catch your first red on topwater, there's no going back!

[Daniel Lin]

Thanks for quick replies everyone. On a side note, I'd like to build a flipping stick in the future as well. Since I forgot to factor in the whole winching a fish up a pier part, would it be unreasonable to get say, an extra, older round reel Abu Garcia baitcaster off Ebay or something to put on said flipping stick to dedicate to pier usage?

[kikstand454]

^ that could work.

[SirSnookalot]

Great advice but only kikstand has it right.  A ml rod is the absolute worst rod to have, it's barely ok for small fish and limited to only to boat or light beach use, you'e dead from a sea wall or jettie.  For a 1 rod and reel combo I would only consider a 7 or 7'6 med hvy and a 4000 SALTWATER reel.  A second set up a med rod and 3000 reel is good for boat and beach.