what pole and reel???

 So I can only drop 1-200 and want to get a decent pole for now and reel for kayak fishing ..rockfish..lingcod...halibut...sea bass...I know how to set my drag and play out a giant fish and if it does not snap my line right away stand a chance.....should i just go down to a sporting goods store and buy a medium/heavy off the rack combo???

stupid question I know ....I know motorcycles and could tell someone the best tires for the buck etc...and be years ahead in my advice...I'm hoping for that here as I really dont know if the 89 dollar combo and some good line will get me through till i learn more etc...
I have now some light poles and spinning reels which handle the rockfish and fit in my boat...but i want to try for some lingcod and halibut a think an ugly stick and heavier spin reel might be the ticket...wal mart...outdoor world etc....
Any help would be great
Thanks folks
Craig

p.s  my view from work all day is of the point lobos south side kelp beds,,,killing me as this area of highway one carmel highlands is closed...and picture of his and hers new and used fish-n-dives as we headed out for 11 hrs on the bay friday

FWIW
the two bigger fenwicks and shakespeare combos in that picture above, were on loan from the estate I work for and will be returned...they are ok but i think i would want cheaper rigs with a shorter bottom handle for beating up in the boats

This topic comes up a lot.   I have had decent luck with Old penn surfmaster 100's on an ugly stick.  Some will tell you save up for a particular reel and a trevela rod (nice rod if their ever was one).  But if your budget is limited the  a Penn & Ugly Stick combo is a pretty safe bet.  It won't win any prizes for looks but it gets the job done.

thanks for the reply...leaving work will check this board later at home...on my cycle sites the same stupid questions go on everyday...the old members answer them in waves then need a break and some kind heart takes over for a while...are those available in stores???

For a starter, I'd spend the money on the rod & upgrade the reel later, if needed.  I have a few of the Ugly Stick Tigers and they are good, solid rods (~$60).  If you like lite, medium/high-end rods then I might suggest a Trevala (~$120).

my buddy tried on a cycle gear co. helmet the other day in gilroy and was really trying to get me to just stand there and tell him that it was good deal...180.00 half off...you know the pitch on cheaper stuff...made in the same molds as a real shoei or arai etc...etc...the sales guy is standing there almost telling him to buy it....I got him to hold off...he has a 5 yr old shoei now and it is top shelf at the time...when we got home he thanked me ,after watching some manufacturing clips and reading reviews...he almost bought no matter what I said.....this is how I feel going into this kayak fishing thing...i am buying stuff that later will not be what I want... medium ugly stick  and real combo from outdoor world until I know enough to make a danger to myself????
thanks for the replies

p.s I'm in monterey and would buy a nice used rod and reel if anyone local is upgrading or bought too many etc...let me know...
ooops did i just break a forum rule...

I think Bill is right about spending more on the rod vs the reel. You will catch more fish with a better rod. MH or M Trevala for $120. Not sure what would be the best reel to get with the $80 you have left but I'm sure others will chime in. Get the lightest reel you can though. Otherwise the reel will feel heavy when paired with the feathery Trevala. Ugly sticks are fine for drifting for halibut or trolling for salmon with the rod in a rod holder but they aren't sensitive enough IMO for rockfish/lingcod jigging where you are holding the rod all the time. Not to mention the added weight you will be holding all day long. I recently spent a day trying to jig rockfish with an Ugly stick & I was wishing I had my Trevala onboard the whole day.

You cannot go wrong with a Penn 500.  Ever.  Period.  Ugly sticks are classic yak rods also, Salty's comments notwithstanding. 7' medium or medium heavy conventional Tiger.

But, there are some other rods in the same price range that might feel better in your hands.  I am thinking of Sabre or Penn pacific sticks, can be had for less than 100.  You are going to end up with multiple rods and reels anyway, I predict.

For kayak fishing I'm also going to disagree with "the rod is more important."  I think a better reel on a lesser rod make more sense than vice-versa.  But, that's just me.

One of my favorite set ups is an old 7' Sabre (Cal Tackle Co) with a Jigmaster.  Of course it is an original Sabre, and the 500 has an acccurate frame, but you can get essentially the same setup for less than $200.


Bushy

gentlemen...thank you so much

so My research into the Pen 500 on ebay shows the model being long used older ones and different handle styles on lcean used ones...and new ones ..is there a link to this Pen 500 that you guys(and other reading) speak of...or is like a toyota camry...any camry is good and they made changes for decades....which one do i want to google for pricing to buy...oh and is this link below the type of rod you guys above spoke of

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_11151_10001_106536_-1?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=106536&cid=sc_googlepla&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CInAh_zVv7kCFWpk7AodKnQAnQ#.Ui509T9cWes

am i allowed to post ad links just for reference or is that no no

here is the reel right...used but it would do...or do i buy/find a new one
[ebay]111161042285[/ebay]

I think you're better off buying a new one.  they are inexpensive.  You could drop 40 rather than 90, but it's what's inside that counts.  If the insides are muck up, you are out 40.00.

Used 500's are great and I buy them, but only after I handle them and take a look inside.

Good luck.

Bushy

I have both the 500 and the surf master 100,  you can't  pry the surf master 100 out of my hands both are Penn reels both have similar gear ratios, but the 100 is a smaller lighter reel.  The 99 is a narrow version of 500, which may interest you as well.  There are a few 500 models out there, take down is easy, upgrades are availble but if you find an old one new drag discs and a better handle is usally the way to go.  Stay away from Squidders, the damn dog springs will drive you crazy!

I've been very happy with my Shimano Charter Special 1000 & 2000 reels.  They are lever drag & have level wind.  I need to send them out & have the drags replaced ... only took 10 years or so.  I'd like to get a few more of these.  I'd also opt for a few Avet SX or MX but that's just the shiny colors talking.

For kayak fishing I'm also going to disagree with "the rod is more important."  I think a better reel on a lesser rod make more sense than vice-versa.  But, that's just me.

Bushy

Left Twix, Right Twix .....   both are good!

i would vote for a salmon steel head rod from shimano. either the clarus or the convergence. i know the clarus has an over the counter lifetime warranty. ive used it already. you cant beat that. i would suggest the one piece:

if fishing heavy: Shimano CSC80HB Clarus Salmon Casting Rod (fishing with feathers and 3-6 oz of weight)

light: Shimano CSC80MHB Clarus Salmon Casting Rod 9 (lures. 1-3oz)

and any abu garcia round reel. you can find them used for pretty cheap. work horse reels and fairly light.

vin