Looking for Salt rod+ reel setup

[Nunz]

I have 200$ to spend. I'm looking for a spinning setup that will be used for saltwater, specifically to catch

 

-flounder

-striped bass,sea bass

-bluefish

-false albacore

 

from shore and kayak. I understand in a perfect world I would have a rod and reel for both kayak and shore, and  for the different species, but I only have 200$. Does anyone with experience fishing salt have any good ideas as to what the best overall setup to handle these things might be? 

[Scrapiron]

This will probably get moved to the Salt forum.

 

Around the coast (inshore) of NC, Med Light Fast rods with a 2500 -3000 spinning reel with 10 -15# braid and a FC leader is the preferred setup. I went Med.

 

A Shimano Nacsi and a Fenwick HMX puts you right at $200 (retail). That's a popular combo (6'9" to 7') and I've watched some large redfish get caught on that setup.

 

 

[Nunz]

41 minutes ago, Scrapiron said:

This will probably get moved to the Salt forum.

 

Around the coast (inshore) of NC, Med Light Fast rods with a 2500 -3000 spinning reel with 10 -15# braid and a FC leader is the preferred setup. I went Med.

 

A Shimano Nacsi and a Fenwick HMX puts you right at $200 (retail). That's a popular combo (6'9" to 7') and I've watched some large redfish get caught on that setup.

 

 

Thanks. I will move this to the salt forum, didnt realize there was one on here. 

[Darren.]

Agree with @Scrapiron on reel size, though I am currently

using 1000 size Stradics for inshore and striper fishing. I 

use 10 and 15# braid with a 6-10# leader.

 

Rods are ML, M, and MH (casting). Nothing longer than 6'6"

for me.

[Nunz]

49 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Agree with @Scrapiron on reel size, though I am currently

using 1000 size Stradics for inshore and striper fishing. I 

use 10 and 15# braid with a 6-10# leader.

 

Rods are ML, M, and MH (casting). Nothing longer than 6'6"

for me.

Thank you. My concern was will a 6'6-7'0 m-mh rod small enough for a kayak and flounder jigging be able to hold up well against false albies and massive stripers? Lure weight would range between 7/8th -1.5 oz striper lures to 2-3 oz bucktails. 

[fishnkamp]

I would definitely look at a Penn Battle II combo. Check West Marine's website.

[Stephen B]

2 hours ago, Scrapiron said:

This will probably get moved to the Salt forum.

 

Around the coast (inshore) of NC, Med Light Fast rods with a 2500 -3000 spinning reel with 10 -15# braid and a FC leader is the preferred setup. I went Med.

 

A Shimano Nacsi and a Fenwick HMX puts you right at $200 (retail). That's a popular combo (6'9" to 7') and I've watched some large redfish get caught on that setup.

 

 

Good pick with the NASCI (it would be my second pick); however, the Daiwa Fuego LT 2500  has better line capacity but also is a better reel IMO. Ultimately, the rod power can vary with the manufacturer so let us know what brands you are looking at.

[WRB]

Take a look at Okuma inshore rod & reels, very popular out west with the plastic navy.

Tom

[Nunz]

21 minutes ago, Stephen B said:

Good pick with the NASCI (it would be my second pick); however, the Daiwa Fuego LT 2500  has better line capacity but also is a better reel IMO. Ultimately, the rod power can vary with the manufacturer so let us know what brands you are looking at.

I'm thinking about a daiwa bg spinning reel, and I honestly don't have a clue on which brand makes good rods for these species. I usually stick with shimano and daiwa. I own a dobyns and powell but those are more specialized for freshwater game. 

[Stephen B]

While everyone has their preferences. Most will agree that Shimano and Daiwa make the best reels (Saltwater and Freshwater) although Abu Garcia, Lews, etc have a great following. In saltwater most of the big charters and avid saltwater fishermen use customs, but IMO there are a lot of reputable rod companies. I would look at Gloomis/Shimano, Daiwa, and St Croix rods.

 

Ultimately, rod choice comes down to application, weight of the lures, etc.

[PatrickKnight]

Any 7 foot ml or medium power fast action rod with a Daiwa BG 2500.

 

 

[BrackishBassin]

If you want to go even cheaper, a 4000-5000 size reel (Battle 2, BG) and a GX2 or Ugly Stik Elite will handle all those species you mentioned plus bigger rays and smaller sharks without any issues. 

[Darren.]

11 hours ago, Nunz said:

Thank you. My concern was will a 6'6-7'0 m-mh rod small enough for a kayak and flounder jigging be able to hold up well against false albies and massive stripers? Lure weight would range between 7/8th -1.5 oz striper lures to 2-3 oz bucktails. 

Nice thing with kayaking is you can let the fish pull you,

assuming you aren't anchored. I'm just a short-rod fan

when it comes to kayaking. I haven't yet encountered an

issue that would make me yearn for rods over 6'6".

 

Exception being (so I guess I *have* encountered an issue)

is distance casting if I need to reach a feeding frenzy further

away from me. Hasn't really been an issue in fresh.

 

Other thing, striper jigging rods that I've seen are often

shorter anyhow. 5'9", 5'10", etc. Guess it really depends on

how deep, etc.

 

Heck, I'm still learning the salt side.

[crypt]

12 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

I would definitely look at a Penn Battle II combo. Check West Marine's website.

I have all Penn for salt,fish about 75 days a year in salt,200 in fresh and I use my Penns for fresh also.

[biggiesmalls]

Daiwa BG is hands-down the best reel in your price range at the moment. Blows Penn Battle out of the water. 

I'd use a Dawia BG 2500, maybe bump up to a 3000 if you want that extra capacity. 3500 and 4000 are a bit overkill unless going for larger stripers and such. Spool up with 20, maybe 30 lb braid on a 6'6" or 7' medium heavy rod. 

In your price range, can't go wrong with a Calico Jack. That setup above is exactly what I use when handing out a setup to someone who doesn't fish often (except with medium instead of medium heavy). 

 

Drew

[new2BC4bass]

Haven't used my BG yet, but it is a nice looking reel and gets very good reviews.  A couple rods I like at $100 are the Fenwick HMG and Hurricane Redbone.  For whatever it is worth, I've been told the Ugly Stick is the number one saltwater rod in Florida.  Personally I'd rather have the regular Berkley Lightning.

[Nunz]

16 hours ago, Stephen B said:

While everyone has their preferences. Most will agree that Shimano and Daiwa make the best reels (Saltwater and Freshwater) although Abu Garcia, Lews, etc have a great following. In saltwater most of the big charters and avid saltwater fishermen use customs, but IMO there are a lot of reputable rod companies. I would look at Gloomis/Shimano, Daiwa, and St Croix rods.

 

Ultimately, rod choice comes down to application, weight of the lures, etc.

What is a reputable custom rod company?