Rod/Reel combo OVERWHELMING

[Tom Lagana]

Can someone recommend a rod/reel combo for around $100 that will serve me well in the Bay. Making my first trip out this Saturday morning. Also, what pound test line should be on it. Thanks for the help!

[Cowpokey]

Rod/Reel combo OVERWHELMING

Ugly Stik GX2 med-heavy spinning rod, pick any name brand 3000 size saltwater reel in the $40-50 range and load it with 20 lbs braid.

[Tom Lagana]

THanks! That's what I needed to know!!

[Cowpokey]

I would highly recommend the Penn Fierce spinning reel to go with that rod, but they are in between versions and the new model isn't scheduled to hit stores until next month. BPS is currently out of stock of the previous model in the 3000 size.

[JohnE]

Would recommend shimano socorro on an ugly stik striper with that budget (if you want a spinning setup). If you can spend a little more, go for a penn spinfisher on tiger lite.

[EMSer01]

I like the Penn Battle II combos. They are readily available from major retailers for just over $100


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[Yak Fish]

In general, if you don't know which rod you need, it may not actually matter. As you progress, you may have a different rod for each type of fishing, which is why you see many of us looking like a porcupine out there. I have rods for jigging, casting, trolling light lures, heavy trolling lures and top water as far as striper are concerned. I have other rods for casting small lures for perch and trout and really long limber rods for fishing large fish on super light line, like steelhead. Each has it's own purpose and you may or may not care to this level. Some folks own only one rod and they use it for everything and except under extreme cases, do just fine.

I think your highest end rod/reel should be one that you use for jigging as sensitivity and weight are very important. You also need to know which rod will get you that.
A casting rod is much different than a jigging rod. A jigging rod will tend not to cast a light lure very well because of it's lack of flexibility at the right places.
A trolling rod is basically somewhere in between these two for an optimal setup, but you can get by just fine without a dedicated one as long as you are not trolling really heavy lures.

I am not a fan of uglysticks personally. There are plenty of people that like them and they are extremely common because they are cheap and durable. The biggest issue I have is that they are not sensitive and are heavy because they are made more of fiberglass. Perhaps there are multiple versions, but the Uglies I've seen and used fit this description.

For a jigging rod, Backyard Custom Rods made me one and I have a Johnny Morris from Bass pro that are both really good and perfect for that type of fishing. However, the price tag on these is $100-$175 for just the rod. So like I said, if you don't know you need this, you probably don't need to pony up the big bucks for specialized rods and you can build your collection slowly to what suits you.

I use 20-25# braid with a similar weight fluorocarbon leader and that'll handle any fish in the bay....as long as your drag is set properly.

[Yak Fish]

Oh yeah....and it's not that overwhelming. If you try to figure it out in a day it may be, but when you meet people on the water ask to see their gear and it'll probably become obvious at that point (especially if they let you try it for a few minutes) why one rod is better suited than another for specific jobs.

[silasvirus82]

In general, if you don't know which rod you need, it may not actually matter. As you progress, you may have a different rod for each type of fishing, which is why you see many of us looking like a porcupine out there. I have rods for jigging, casting, trolling light lures, heavy trolling lures and top water as far as striper are concerned. I have other rods for casting small lures for perch and trout and really long limber rods for fishing large fish on super light line, like steelhead. Each has it's own purpose and you may or may not care to this level. Some folks own only one rod and they use it for everything and except under extreme cases, do just fine.

I think your highest end rod/reel should be one that you use for jigging as sensitivity and weight are very important. You also need to know which rod will get you that.
A casting rod is much different than a jigging rod. A jigging rod will tend not to cast a light lure very well because of it's lack of flexibility at the right places.
A trolling rod is basically somewhere in between these two for an optimal setup, but you can get by just fine without a dedicated one as long as you are not trolling really heavy lures.

I am not a fan of uglysticks personally. There are plenty of people that like them and they are extremely common because they are cheap and durable. The biggest issue I have is that they are not sensitive and are heavy because they are made more of fiberglass. Perhaps there are multiple versions, but the Uglies I've seen and used fit this description.

For a jigging rod, Backyard Custom Rods made me one and I have a Johnny Morris from Bass pro that are both really good and perfect for that type of fishing. However, the price tag on these is $100-$175 for just the rod. So like I said, if you don't know you need this, you probably don't need to pony up the big bucks for specialized rods and you can build your collection slowly to what suits you.

I use 20-25# braid with a similar weight fluorocarbon leader and that'll handle any fish in the bay....as long as your drag is set properly.

Best advise so far

[sega]

I would highly recommend the Penn Fierce spinning reel to go with that rod, but they are in between versions and the new model isn't scheduled to hit stores until next month. BPS is currently out of stock of the previous model in the 3000 size.

^ I second that. I got a penn fierce a few months ago and it has been an awesome reel for the money. My brother and buddy run them too. They've handled sharks, big rays, cobia, and all sorts of other species with ease. I think the penn fierce matched with an ugly stik is a good all round combo that is also very user friendly to the new bay fisherman. You can beat that combo to hell and it'll still come home with you in one piece at the end of the day.

[JohnE]

Ugly stick tiger lites are actually pretty sensitive, very durable, and versatile. I beat the crap out of my rods fishing bridge pilings and don't like spending a lot on my rods for that reason. Of course I would prefer to use something like a trevala. Almost got one last weekend, but got another tiger lite instead. The tiger lites are sensitive enough to feel little 3" black sea bass stealing clams when I am fishing for spades, sensitive enough to feel flounder nibbles, and plenty sensitive to sense striper bumps. I also think the ugly stick striper is plenty sensitive. Tiger lite is the best bang for the buck under $100 imo. I have 4 of them and have used them extensively to catch most species.

I have used the socorro I recommended extensively and it is a very simple, inexpensive reel that will last a long time if you take care of it. Many reels under 100 bucks are overly complex with too many parts to break...many of them are disposable, use for a season or two and toss them if you fish a lot. I agree that pretty much anything will work until you develop some preferences. I am sure that battle combo mentioned will be good enough and you can find one right away easily.