Rod and Reel recommendations

I'm a bit leery of buying fishing rods and reels on craigslist from people I don't know, especially since I'm new and don't know what to look for in a rod and reel and whether it's purpose would suit me.

So I wanted to ask you guys if you can recommend a rod, reel, and line combination from Bass Pro that would work for most Saltwater applications. I do not think my 4 pound fishing rod would work out too well there!

Just something that would work at most hookups in the San Francisco or Santa Cruz areas. I don't know what kind of fish I'd be hunting, something that is easy for a newbie. But something beefy enough, if possible, to catch some of the larger  fish like Salmon, Halibut, and such.

I don't really know what I should have in terms of lures either, so advice in that regard would be helpful as well. Thanks!

Ha. Guess I should have used the search function. Thanks!

Rod and reel combinations are very personal in nature...  Some guys like Shimano and others prefer Daiwa etc...  I always say you can't sell a Ford truck to a Chevy guy.  That being said I recently picked up a Shimano Trevala and an Abu Garcia Revo Inshore.  Very light but strong and sensitive.  20 lbs. of drag on the reel.  Loaded it up with 40 lb spectra with a top shot of floro. 

Wow, VC that is quite the list of Rod & Reel posts! Thanks man. For now on, I'm just going to refer people to THIS post! Lots of good info. Now I've got to remember how to Bookmark posts on ncka again.

RBark, I'd look for a rod in the 6.5ft to 7.5ft length...rated for 12-30lb line...that can handle 2-6oz weight.
Don't stress too much about buying "the perfect" combo. Because this will not be your last rod or reel. That's also why I'd suggest buying something less expensive...so you can use & abuse this combo until you get an idea of what you really need in a rod & reel. By the time you're ready to upgrade the rod or reel, you will probably know exactly which model you want!

My reel recommendation would be a Shimano Cardiff 400 (or 401 if you fish left handed like I do). I have caught all kinds of rockfish, lingcod, halibut, salmon, sharks, rays, etc, with that reel. Spool it up with 20-lb test P-Line CXX.

As for a rod, you've got lots of options. Check the line ratings and make sure it'll handle 20-lb line. A good bomb-proof cheap option would be an Ugly Stick Tiger rod, like the 7' medium or medium lite. A lighter (and more expensive) option would be a Shimano Trevala rod, like a 7' medium lite.

Good luck!

Hi,

I'm still researching, and would like some input. I'm looking at the Penn 500L Jigmaster and scratching my head.  All the reels I've used have some sort of mechanism that goes back and forth to keep the line evenly spread out on the spool. But the Penn 500 doesn't appear to have any way of doing so. I can see maybe doing it manually, but that seems prone to messing up and difficult  when reeling a fish in. Can someone explain this to me?

Thanks!


EDIT: Google answered my question after I figured out that a level wind is what I was referring to. I am guessing that a level wind would be easier on newbies like me who are just getting started?

Another question... How do you use your finger to guide the line while reeling in a big fish? I'd be worried about losing a thumb or at least getting it sliced right open by a fishing line if the fish pulls the line out hard. Obviously since there aren't millions of thumbless anglers out there, this doesn't happen but I don't see how that is avoided.

An Ugly Stick BWC 2201 and a Penn 310 GT is a good starter setup. It will run you about $150 and will handle Rockfish, Salmon, Halibut and the like. The 310 GT has a line guide.

While you are at it stop at the dollar store and pick up a pool noodle to put on your rod that way it floats if you drop it. There are lots of tutorials online about how to do it.

Most conventional reels you pick up used can be easily cleaned up and serviced by your self.  Look up:

 http://alantani.com/

 That board can give you a lot of points about various reels, how to service them your self, and upgrades if you are interested.  Beware, upgrades can start off easy but soon turn expensive to the point where you should of bought the reel you wanted to begin with.  I won't say what all I have done to my Jigmaster, aka the Bake-a-lite Blaster, but I am a Penn Guy, and I  like to tinker.  Some really good reels can be had used for as little as 20-30 dollars that only need some drags and a good cleaning and you are off and running.  They won't win beauty contests, but they will put fish in the boat. 

Quite often you will see a member here on the water, with a really nice rod and reel and an old beater as a back up.  The beater may have been their first reel, its paid for, and it works.

I didn't realize until recently that I'm a fairly serious Shimano guy. I've had a ton of different reels, Daiwa's, Quantums, Abu's, accurates and a few others. The Shimano's have treated me the best and proved to be the most bulletproof. I just ordered a Torium 16 and will be pairing it with a Trevala rod. My Calcutta 400 is on a Carrot Stix Wild Black and my Stradic spinner is on a Tiger stick.

I've got nothing at all against any other reel companies, I still own a couple of Qunatums and a Daiwa or two. I've just had such a good experience with my Shimano's that they are what I buy now. Check out AlanTani.com, that guy is the ultimate reel guru. Every reel will have weak spots and possible issues. The Torium has documented problems with it's anti-reverse pawl and the weak stock drag. For less than $25 I can fix all that using his guides. Regardless of what reel you decide on, check that site out and you'll be able to figure out any shortcomings it's got. Make sure you use the search function.

Edit: hahah squidder, I guess I left my tab open to long. Good info bro!

I love a good Lami w/ a penn reel... both of them are just awesome. 7ft-8ft 10-30lbs 1-6oz MH good all around setup. up to you if you wanna go casting or spinning.