Groundfish rod and reel suggestions

Did some searching and found lots of recommendations for rods and reels. Many are just too expensive for my budget right now though. I can get hold of this setup fairly cheap ($80 for all, or $60 for rod/reel combo) through a friends discount and wanted to know if it was worth getting.

• Penn Pursuit II rod (PURII1225S70 7'0", fast action, 1 piece, 12-25 lb. mono, 20-40 lb. braid, 3/4-2 oz. lure)
• Penn Pursuit II 6000 reel
• Spectra Power Pro braided line (50 lb. test, 300 yds.)
• Berkley Trilene Big Game (25 lb. test, 595 yds.)

Is the braided line really necessary or should I just stick with the Big Game 25 lb. test? I'll likely be targeting rock fish species, lingcod, kelp greenling, and the like. Fishing will be from jetties or my kayak (shallower depths, probably <120 ft.). Is this going to be a capable setup? I'm also trying to get an idea of what kinds of tackle I should be getting my hands on for these fish.

Also a little OT, but has anyone fished local sloughs to where they live? I've read that there are fish to be caught in them, but I have no experience with that and would love to learn (tackle, rod, etc.).

Edit: To reflect my alternative $150 budget +/- $10 or so.

Edit #2: What gear ratio should I be looking for in my reel selection?

Most of us prefer casting/conventional reels for groundfish. Is there a particular reason you're looking at a spinning rod? Not saying it won't work, it's just not my personal preference.

Also, you may want to avoid such an inexpensive reel. Saltwater and sand are really tough on cheap gear, and kayak fishing involves lots of both. Would you rather buy and trash multiple cheap reels or buy one decent one that'll last for years?

If I were in your position looking for a decent but inexpensive setup, I would keep an eye out for a used Penn conventional reel (like a Jigmaster, for example) and pair it with a 7' Medium Ugly Stick Tiger rod.

With a little searching and a little luck, you should be well set up for less than $150. And that setup will last for YEARS.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Braided line is absolutely not necessary, but many prefer it.

And... Sloughs are likely to hold striped bass. They might also hold black bass, panfish, catfish...

What sloughs are you thinking of?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/spo/5528011114.html

Boom!

That would be a perfect rockfish setup for you.

JUMP ON IT!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Most of us prefer casting/conventional reels for groundfish. Is there a particular reason you're looking at a spinning rod? Not saying it won't work, it's just not my personal preference.

Also, you may want to avoid such an inexpensive reel. Saltwater and sand are really tough on cheap gear, and kayak fishing involves lots of both. Would you rather buy and trash multiple cheap reels or buy one decent one that'll last for years?

If I were in your position looking for a decent but inexpensive setup, I would keep an eye out for a used Penn conventional reel (like a Jigmaster, for example) and pair it with a 7' Medium Ugly Stick Tiger rod.

With a little searching and a little luck, you should be well set up for less than $150. And that setup will last for YEARS.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There's no reason in particular that I'm looking at spinning rods. That's just what I'm familiar with. I used the other type when I was a child on some charter boats fishing for albacore, but that's the limit of my experience with those. I'm completely open to trying them though. It seems as though they are the better option. I'm also cool with spending up to $150 for a SOLID rod and reel. I'm just really looking for suggestions because this is a totally new fishing environment to me.

Braided line is absolutely not necessary, but many prefer it.

And... Sloughs are likely to hold striped bass. They might also hold black bass, panfish, catfish...

What sloughs are you thinking of?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmm okay I'll keep that in mind. The slough I'm thinking of is Hookton Slough. I live up in Humboldt. I've seen a couple people fish there before.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/spo/5528011114.html

That looks awesome! But it's a 5 hour drive from me!

Boom!

That would be a perfect rockfish setup for you.

JUMP ON IT!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The offer remains open so I don't have to decide just quite yet, but I'll keep it in mind!

I love using a light weight spinning rod for rockfish. It's a fun challenge getting big Lings out of the rocks and sometimes holes.

My rod reel I am using now is the trevala M spinning with a Sedona reel. 30 power pro.

 I have to say that I have the left handed version of the GT 320i and it is more awkward than a monkey humping a football. And I fish goofy foot. It is my least favorite reel even when compared to inexpensive stuff. Sorry, just my 2 cents. 

I'd recommend casting rod and reel setup for kayak fishing. When you're jigging it's easier to release line and you can get fast reels which great when fishing for lingcod.

I have a Shimano Clarus 7ft rod icasting Heavy that I'm selling for $60/bo. It's a nice rod for striper and rockfish, caught lots of lingcod with it. Throw in a casting reel like a Lexa 300 or Okuma 350 and you're good to go.

I've upgraded to a more expensive setup so I don't use it anymore.

Tiger stick, med heavy, Penn 209 w/20# mono. Simple, cheap, and I can afford to lose it. To each their own, but I take just enough to fish, and plan on losing everything but my paddle. Just my style.

Cochino has it dialed, using ice fishing mini rods!

Bro Go to Pacific Outfitters up there. they have some cool combos. they have a Squall 20 with Squall rod that is good.

Hookton Slough is basically just the bay.  I've seen halibut caught there, but the more likely biters are sharks and rays.  Same with Mad River Slough and Ryan Slough.

The suggestions for an Uglystik and basic Penn are good ones.  As long as your drag is smooth you have the potential to catch any of a number of big fish around here.  I use Uglystiks with various old Penns, and they've caught me tons of rockfish and lingcod, lots of salmon, and even halibut and thresher sharks.

See ya around Humboldt. 

 

Tiger stick, med heavy, Penn 209 w/20# mono.

Run this with 30lb braid backed with mono.  Use a 20 lb mono leader behind a banana weight for your bait fishing or a little heaver for your plastics.

If you are fishing here, you aren't allowed to target rockfish, cabezon, greenling or lingcod deeper than 120' so that's fixed for you.

Hookton Slough, as well as other sloughs around, have rays and sharks.  You can get into leopard sharks which are good eats.  It's fun.  I would run a spinning reel setup for ease of casting at night fishing the sloughs.  still something cheap.  40 lbs big game with a coated wire leader and you're in business.

Make sure you know the regs frontways and back.  There's basically nothing open that you would be targeting from a kayak until May 15 here when RCG opens.  Leopards are open year round in the bay and sloughs but not outside.

Have fun, I'll probably be seeing you around.

Tiger stick, med heavy, Penn 209 w/20# mono. Simple, cheap, and I can afford to lose it. To each their own, but I take just enough to fish, and plan on losing everything but my paddle. Just my style.

Agreed, but would defer to Penn 500 for the better drag system, and higher line capsacity.

You gotta switch out the drag washers for carbontex, and grease them.  but that's easy to do, and make it a whole different reel for sure.

Bushy

Tiger stick, med heavy, Penn 209 w/20# mono. Simple, cheap, and I can afford to lose it. To each their own, but I take just enough to fish, and plan on losing everything but my paddle. Just my style.

Agreed, but would defer to Penn 500 for the better drag system, and higher line capsacity.

You gotta switch out the drag washers for carbontex, and grease them.  but that's easy to do, and make it a whole different reel for sure.

Bushy

PS I'd also go with 30# braid and use a 20-25# mono leader.  For RCG's.  Haibut, Salmon, all mono.