Smaller Bluefish/Striper setup

[TriStateBassin106]

Hey guys, my family and I take a trip every year to the Jersey Shore to be more specific the beaches of cape may. I really want to get into beginner level salt water fishing for snapper blues all the way up to striped bass around the 28inch mark. What would be and all around setup for this level of saltwater fishing? I was thinking maybe a medium heavy spinning setup, also to any bluefish anglers out there what would be some good lures to chase them with? I have no intention of using peanut bunker at the moment, only artificial lures. 

[haggard]

I use a 7'0 MH/F spinning rod here in New England for schoolie stripers, paired with a Stradic C5000 size reel (which isn't as big as it sounds), usually with a soft plastic paddletail on a darter jig head, and it does just great for fish around 23-25 inches, biggest I've caught so far was 4.5 lb. Some might say this is a little light, but it holds up and is so much fun to catch these things on it. For surf casting you might want something a little heavier and longer. I haven't done bluefish yet but I hear a steel leader is recommended.

 

 

[soflabasser]

I have done a lot of inshore fishing and enjoy fishing with a 7 foot rod with a size 4000 spinning reel. It would be a good idea to choose a reel that can handle being dunked into saltwater, has a good drag system, and is easy to clean. 

[Fallser]

Depends on what your definition of snapper blues is.  To me they're bluefish in the 8 to 15 inch range, so light to medium tackle would work if that's what you're looking for.  Think of them as pan fish with teeth and a nasty temper.  Blues that size aren't bad eating.   Medium tackle should handle fish in the in the 16 to 24 inch range.  This time of year they'll be chasing silversides and bay anchovies along with peanut bunker.  Rapala type minnow lures, black/silver, blue/silver, green/silver.  2 to 4 inches in length.   Floaters and shallow divers.  Don't forget poppers.  Top water's a blast.  I don't use wire for the smaller blues, but I'm fly fishing for them.  Even when I was using spinning tackle I seldom used wire.  A heavy mono or fluorocarbon bite tippet/leader, 20# to 40# will keep them from biting you off.

Don't use soft plastics, even the little guys will bite them in half.  Don't lip them when you land them.

  Stripers are going to be tougher.   This time of year they're more of a night time proposition.  Pretty much them same type of lures and poppers, maybe add a deeper running lure or two.   If you can afford it, hire a guide that does night trips for stripers.  There are several in the Cape May area.

  If you use your fresh water gear, make sure you wash it down with fresh water when your done for the day or night.

[ArthurLK11]

Can't give you a specific brand, but for fishing the back bays I like a 7'0"-7'6" medium power rod with a 3000-3500 reel and 10-15 pound test. If you want to fish the ocean out front I would up size to a 9'0" medium heavy rod at minimum with a 4500 reel and 20 pound test. 

 

As far as lures go for blues my favorite are various metal spoons. Hopkins, Kastmaster, Krocodile, etc. Cheap and easy to use, don't get damaged, the fish love them. 

[soflabasser]

Make sure to buy a quality reel made for saltwater fishing. You might be able to use the cheap low quality stuff for freshwater but it is not the wisest decision for saltwater fishing. You need a reel that is corrosion resistant and has quality components so it can take the abuse from a strong fish like a shark or other powerful fish.  Do not leave the reel on the sand and make sure to carefully clean the reel after you are done fishing.

[Mr. Aquarium]

Penn squadron is a killer rod. 40 bucks.  Have caught many many fish on it, Lakers, pike, stripers blues, bass, catfish. Throws up to 1.5 ounce. But I’ve fished 2.5 on it.  I have a penn battle 4000 on it. Honestly it gets fished everywhere I go. Salt or fresh! 

[soflabasser]

Penn and Shimano both make good saltwater reels.

[Deeare]

Sounds like you’re not going to be surf casting so I’d go with a 7.5 foot rod rated up to 2 or so ozs and a 4000 size reel with 40lb  braid. For lures I’d start with savage gear sand eels, Diawa sp minnow, hogey paddle tails and a couple top water poppers.