Which Reel to get?

I fish near Santa Cruz, rent a 16ft motorized skiff and fish no more than 2-3 miles off the wharf. Generally I fish for Rocks, Lings, Halibut, White Sea bass. Been using my cousin's Ugly Stik Tiger BWC 2202 7'0 MH 30-60lb with penn 330 gti. He told me this rod is a bit too much for the kind of fishing I'm doing. My b-day just passed and got a Ugly Stik Tiger  BWC 2201 6'6" M 15-40lb as a gift.

1) Is this fishing rod good for the fishing I do? (I can return this and get myself another model if need be)
2) My cousin recommended Penn 320 gt2 reel. Is this a good reel for this rod? Any other recommendations?

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Imo you can't go wrong with a shimano tr-2000 charter special. I have friends who have been using that reel for years and never had a problem I have had mine for 2 years and switch it between poles for different fishing. I think they are around 130

Ugly Sticks tend to fish toward the heavier side of their ratings, I'd go to the shop and look for the 7' version in ML or L.  I don't have much experience with penn's newer gear but I'm not a fan of the levelwind. I think the Daiwa sealine X is in the same price range and a good value for the money.  Thats just my personal preferrence though, I use mono and like my gear as light as the conditions allow.   

Thanks for the suggestions. In the Daiwa Sealine which model should I get SL-X30SHA or SL-X20SHA for either The M action or ML action Tiger Stik.

I'd go for the 20 but the best thing to do is go down to the tackle shop you're gonna buy from and mount it up to the rod you want and check for balance and feel.

Whats your price range, I tossed the sealine out there cause its generally at the same price point as the penn.  Others have suggestions too I'm sure, it'd be in your best interest to check them all out. 




edit, I just seen your other question on the rod.  Just want to reiterate that my preferrence is toward lighter gear. I'd first look at the ML, and test it with a 4-6 oz jig on the end of it. Then try others from there.

mount it up to the rod you want and check for balance and feel.

I completely disagree with what agarcia said, except this. 














j/k 

My favorite cheap reel is still the Shimano Cardiff 400(or 401 for lefty).  Two years going strong, and no problems!  My first one was "donated to the sea", otherwise I would have had one for 4 years now.  Love the profile on it, holds a ton of line, has clicker, level wind, etc...

Also, go with braided line 

I had the model wrong it is a tr-2000 LD and here is a link

 http://www.basspro.com/Shimano%C2%AE-Charter-Special%C2%AE-TR2000LD-Reel/product/7934/37797


I use this reel in the bay for shark and in the delta for striper and sturgion it has been a bullet proof reel. I'm going to buy another one so I don't have to switch it around

I returned the Ugly Stik and would like to order the Calstar Black West coast (BWC-270-7C) (12-30)  (Fast) that I've found slightly used for $105.00. Would the Tr-2000LD work well paired with this rod? I probably would like a level winder as I'm fairly new to fishing and believe the Daiwa Sealine doesn't have this feature. Any more comments and suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

I'm not familiar with calstar I use mine on a a mh 7' tiger and a 6' mh ugly stick if that helps

I have the Diawa Saltist levelwind it is a great reel for the fishing on our coast will handle anything that you throw at it from rockfish to hali to Albi it can handle them and has IMO a smooth drag. Cast great and have not had any problems in two plus years with no service. Will be sending in next month just to keep it at its best. I have no complaints with Diawa Its all that I rock now for the most part. Unless I se some amazing deal that I cant pass up.

I returned the Ugly Stik and would like to order the Calstar Black West coast (BWC-270-7C) (12-30)  (Fast) that I've found slightly used for $105.00. Would the Tr-2000LD work well paired with this rod? Any more comments and suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

The 7' , 270 blank has been the go-to do everything workhorse for a long time, that rod will serve you well.   

I have the charter special 2000 but I think it is a bit heavy for jigging lead up and down for rockfish.
It's a good one for trolling though.

Listen to Agarcia the 270 calstar is an awesome stick. I prefer the 196 because it's a little lighter but you can't go wrong with the 270.

I second the vote for the Daiwa sl20 but the charter special is great also. I think the 1000 size is all you need for local fishes including Wsb and albacore. Load it up with 20# or 25# izorline or big game mono and you are set.

Gear shopping is fun! 

-Eliot

   How about an Avet sx (left or right) 159.00. I've had mine for about a year and love it, not a level wind though. I have it paired with a shimano trevala  (med.) and seems like a great all around set up for what ever you could throw at it for around here!!!(norcal) 

   How about an Avet sx (left or right) 159.00. I've had mine for about a year and love it, not a level wind though. I have it paired with a shimano trevala  (med.) and seems like a great all around set up for what ever you could throw at it for around here!!!(norcal) 

I have the exact same setup and love it.

Anthony