Can I use a bait caster for rockfishing on a jetty

[Kenneth Chang]

I’m gonna go to the half moon bay jetty next week. My dad is gonna be crabbing and I wanna do some fishing. I don’t have a saltwater rod or reel like a 9 foot rod or a size 4000 reel. I have an abu Garcia Blackmax reel spooled with 30 pound braid and I have a 6ft6 medium heavy abu Garcia vengeance casting rod. Will these be ok to use for rockfish or cabezon?

[Sam]

First, if you do use that rod and reel setup you need to take into the shower when you get home and wash all of the salt off of it. Even the salt you can't feel. Get rid of all of it. Unspool the braid and wash it down, too, then respool it back on the reel if it is in good condition.

 

Second, when you fish saltwater there are far more species that can hit your bait. Many are strong fighters and are a lot bigger than a largemouth or smallmouth bass. 30-pound braid should be sufficient to land the saltwater fish unless you hook a big one that takes off for the deep blue water. You should have no problems with the smaller ones.

 

Third, braid does not do well in rocks so you will need to look at and feel the line after five or six casts to make sure the braid has not been damaged in addition to checking the knot and retying it after you catch two or three fish.

 

Fourth, you can use your setup if you are not afraid of having the rod snap when fighting a big one.

 

Fifth, be sure to bring your needle nose pliers to remove the hook. And watch the teeth. Saltwater fish have sharp teeth that can tear up your fingers and hand in a New York second.

 

Sixth, with the after Christmas sales you can purchase a heavy saltwater specific rod and reel setup for future use at a good price and fill the spool with a high test fluorocarbon line.

 

Give it a try and let us know how you do in sunny California and how long your rod lasts before it breaks.

 

 

[Sam]

 

[Gundog]

My advice, just purchase a cheap, heavy saltwater rod and reel. I know its a purchase that you may not use again for some time. If that is the case, buy used. I have a catfish and a panfish set up, both of which I use maybe twice a year. Both are inexpensive (cheap) but do the job well. 

[Joshua van Wyk]

Id get an Ugly stik striper or Catfish rod. With a Daiwa or Penn reel depending in your budget.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Yep, work just fine. Make sure you clean em afterwords!

 

Take pictures of your catches!

[soflabasser]

On 12/25/2018 at 2:23 AM, Kenneth Chang said:

I’m gonna go to the half moon bay jetty next week. My dad is gonna be crabbing and I wanna do some fishing. I don’t have a saltwater rod or reel like a 9 foot rod or a size 4000 reel. I have an abu Garcia Blackmax reel spooled with 30 pound braid and I have a 6ft6 medium heavy abu Garcia vengeance casting rod. Will these be ok to use for rockfish or cabezon?

Welcome to the forum. The tackle you mentioned should be enough for saltwater fish under 5 pounds. Avoid high sticking the rod or flipping the fish since it might cause your bass rod to break. Make sure to not let saltwater touch the reel and clean the rod and reel after you are done fishing. A heavy action 7-8 foot rod and size 6000-8000 reel would be better for jetty fishing if you plan on fishing for fish over 5 pounds on a regular basis. Good luck and have fun fishing.