Looking for a <$200 Inshore Setup

[Buzzbaiter]

I’m going to college in Florida, which  should give me ample opportunities to look beyond freshwater and start catching some of the fish that live in the Gulf. However, I don’t have a dedicated saltwater setup and don’t really know where to start. I imagine that I’d spend most of my time targeting snook, baby tarpon, speckled trout, and redfish. When I come back to Maryland for Christmas and Easter, I’d probably use the same setup to target rockfish, too. Not sure if that’s realistic for a single setup, but I just need to get a foot into the saltwater door.

 

What setup (rod/reel) would you recommend for <$200? I’m more interested in slinging lures than soaking bait, if that helps. Also, what line (type and test) should I use? 

[JN94]

Spinning or casting?

[Buzzbaiter]

3 minutes ago, JNorman said:

Spinning or casting?

Spinning

[garroyo130]

Shimano Spheros SW and Star Stellar Lite or Tsunami airwave rod works well at just a bit over $200. You can sub the Spheros with Daiwa BG to get closer to your price point ... although I wouldn't due to weight. 

[LrgmouthShad]

Congrats on your decision to go to college. Make your time worth it and have a plan for what you want to achieve out of college. Don’t let the money and time of college go to waste. Study hard 

[you]

You're gonna love it! I've spent a lot of time kayak fishing inshore gulf flats between Steinhatchee and Homosassa. My favorite setup for trout and reds is well under your budget: Lew's Carbon Fire (7' medium) paired with a Shimano Sienna (4000). The Lews is stiffer than most mediums, which I like for distance, and, despite the price, the Sienna has held up beautifully in saltwater. Just needed a little lube and break-in.

 

I'd generally recommend Shimano reels for saltwater. I've had bad luck with Daiwa and Penn, but YMMV.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Not much difference between an inshore schoolie rod and a slot red rod.  Some FW gear crosses over really well. You have to match the rod to the lure your throwing.  1/8-3/8 lead heads with a fairly small plastic is most common down there for shallow water.  Ideally you want a rod that can load with at least 1/4oz and still be able to handle twitch baits up to 1/2 or 5/8.  A solid 7'-7'6 (depending on preference) M F 1/4-5/8 or 3/4.  I like a 7'6, just because they cover water really well and you can still be fairly accurate in tight spaces, but rods that are for twitch baits topwater and bucktails I like rods that are closer to 7'.

Quite a few great rods for the money

Tsunami Carbon Sheild

Star Sequence 

Fenwick Inshore HMG

Daiwa Sol TD

See if you cant get a Fuego or Exceler on sale.  The peanut gallery who loves to repeat the "frame flex" trope is so over exaggerated.  Your drag should never be that tight to begin with.  If you need to keep a fish a fish out pilings or rocks then you should be using heavy spinning tackle or casting gear.  The advantage with a Fuego or Exceler LT over the metal framed reels is about 2ozs.  That may not sound like much, but it makes a big difference.  If you have to have to have a metal framed reel then theres no question the Spheros SW is the reel you want.  Its essentially a Stradic FK minus a bearing. 

[casts_by_fly]

Penn fierce 2. I have one and it’s a great setup for the price and for what you want. Pick the size to match what you’re throwing. I have the 4k plus 9’ rod up to 4oz. 

[thunderblack]

I would go with a Shimano Teramar 7'-0" - 7'-6" in Medium or MH. A Shimano Miravel 3000 and 15 lb braid. Great combo in your price range. 

 

Great lure options

Mirrolure plugs

Rapala xrap

spoons - silver and gold

grubs - 4"

swimbaits - 4"

[NavyToad]

The Shimano Spheros SW is the best bang for the buck and a very good reel - period. Digitaka has them for $112.

Take the rods suggested to you, grab a beer, pull up a chair and get on the internet. Tackle Direct probably has the largest selection and from there you can look around for bargains. Inshore/surf fishing is a deep rabbit hole - there’s a striper fishing forum that might help point you in the right direction about all things inshore.