3 Responses to “Best salt water fishing poles reels and gear?”

1. zipper Says:
   October 11th, 2011 at 3:40 am

   Ugly Stick by Shakespeare.

2. Ole Fisherman Says:
   October 11th, 2011 at 3:47 am

   You have a $2000 budget? For ALL gear including rods/reels/tackle?

   I’m guessing you’ll be fishing in Salt and Freshwater/Brackish water? Offshore? Inshore? WHERE you will be will designate what type of gear and outfit’s to purchase.

   First, you’ll have to decide HOW you’ll be fishing- mostly with bait OR mostly with lures. Will you mostly be trolling OR mostly casting?

   Bass Pro has an excellent review area for ALL their gear they sell. A good idea is to peruse their site and read reviews of reels/rods/tackle that looks good to you.

   Here are some examples of excellent Reels to choose from:

   1. Fin-Nor OFS Spinning reel- (This reel is great for anything from Bottom-fishing Offshore to Jetty/Surf-fishing. If you want a reel to catch Bull Reds this is it. VERY, VERY durable!)- http://www.basspro.com/FinNor-Offshore-Spinning-Reels/product/89192/38974

   2. Penn, Special Senator Conventional reel- (A workhorse reel that could be used for Bottom-fishing Offshore to Trolling for large Gamefish. If you plan to go Offshore OR fish for monsters in an ICW shipping channel think about this reel.)- http://www.basspro.com/Penn-Special-Senator-Reels/product/21821/101472

   3. Penn, Slammer Spinning reel- (An excellent reel for Inshore fishing for Reds, Trout, Flounder, Snook, and small Tarpon. Could be used in Salt OR Freshwater. Great reel!)- http://www.basspro.com/Penn-Slammer-Spinning-Reels/product/96639/68982

   You could get some bait-casting outfit’s, but the “learning curve” can be tough. If you havn’t got the time to “practice” casting, stay away from bait-casting outfits.

   Rods??????

   Depends on WHERE you’ll be most of the time. Will you be sitting Offshore on a reef OR in the mouth of a creek on the ICW?

   In my opinion, Ugly Stiks are fine for any Bottom-fishing Offshore or Trolling- but, when it comes to Bass fishing Or Inshore Flats fishing you’ll need a more sensitive graphite rod.

   Let me know where you plan to be and I’ll add some suggestions for you.

   Gear and tackle????

   Most of your “terminal tackle” can be selected for you at a good Sporting Goods Store. I suggest you go to your local Bass Pro Shops or well-stocked Sporting Goods store. DON’T go to Walmart/K-Mart/Etc- they won’t have enough quality gear and their customer service is non-existent.

   Lures??????

   Once I know WHERE you intend to mainly go fishing, (and what species of fish you intend to target) I’ll be able to suggest some good lures for you.

   Get back to me!

   Hope this helps ya?

   UPDATE: $2000 is plenty for 3-4 medium/high-grade Offshore outfit’s and some trolling lures.

   For Trolling Offshore I’d suggest you go with a Conventional reel. If you don’t want to use your thumb to spool line back onto the reel purchase a conventional reel with a level-wind. A good workhorse reel, with a level-wind, would be a Shimano Charter Special- they are very popular with Charter Capt’s.

   I also strongly suggest you have a good spinning outfit available for tossing jigs to Cobia and for general purpose bottom bouncing. The Fin-nor OFS I suggested earlier is a great reel.

   You can purchase expensive rods, if you wish- but, realize, Ugly Stiks are able to do the job and if you break one, they are EASILY replaceable. Typically, Ugly Stiks run about $70-$80. For that price point you could have 3-4 as back-ups. Usually, I don’t endorse Ugly Stiks- but for Offshore fishing you really can’t beat their durability and price.

   Personally, for trolling Offshore, I like C & H Lure brand. They are inexpensive, durable, and work.

   Lil Stubby- http://www.candhlures.com/store/C-amp-H-Fishing-Lures/Lil-Stubby-c48/

   Stubby Bubbler- http://www.candhlures.com/store/C-amp-H-Fishing-Lures/Stubby-Bubbler-c51/

   Alien- http://www.candhlures.com/store/C-amp-H-Fishing-Lures/Alien-c41/

   All of these lures can be trolled by themselves OR with a cigar minnow. Realize- if you plan to troll near Tampa your going to typically hit these species- Kingfish, Mahi, Spanish Macs, Tuna, Sails, and the occasional Grouper or AJ, (Amberjack).

   You may want to try Bottom-fishing! There are a TON of great Snapper and Grouper reefs around Tampa. Goliath Grouper are VERY fun to catch- but you can’t keep them. One of the more tasty fish, (in my opinion) is the Mangrove Snapper. Blackened Mangrove Snapper is excellent.

   And the best part about Mangroves? They are everywhere and relatively easy to catch. (They are all around the Tampa Bay bridges.)

   Your obviously a novice to fishing. Think about hiring a charter to “show you the ropes”. You’ll be more successful, have more fun, and be a bit more safe. Understand- Offshore fishing isn’t easy. It can be dangerous, esp if you don’t know what your doing. You don’t want to get a 10/0 hook embedded in your hand OR FACE! Or accidentally gaffed or bit by a Wahoo. (OWWWWWW!)

   Safety first!

   Anything else you need to know?

3. Brad Says:
   October 11th, 2011 at 4:18 am

   I would go with a penn rod and reel. i have one i have never used if your interested. i got it for free from my friend who was moving. shoot me an email

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