NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
The Surf Fisherman Forum => From The Surf => Topic started by: tabasco_joe on April 19, 2007, 08:03:38 PM
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I'm a long time freashwater bass and trout fisherman who is going to give surf fishing a try this year. I have a two week vacation planned for Maine in July. I'll be right along the coast near Damariscotta. So I figured this was a good time to give it a try. I prefer a bait caster and have a lot of experience with them in fresh water. Suggestions for a starter combo?
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Hey T_Joe welcome to the site,,,I do surf fish but not with baitcasters, but dont worry someone here will steer you in the right direction
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Are you sure you want to stick with a conventional reel? The reason I mention this is that you don't have much of a choice today. There are some manufactures that make 1 or 2 surf reels but not many. I will research this for you but you probably will have to get it via internet / catalogue.
Then comes the rod art long and the guides are smaller all along the rod. I have not used a conventional reel for the surf in a long time and I have been fishing ever since I could hold a cane pole for snapper blues in Keansburg. I used to use a Penn Surfmaster which I don't think they make anymore.
Spinning is so much easier to come by and to use. The last thing I want to do is dig out a birds nest. Unlike freshwater baitcasters with their magnets to slow down the reel saltwater reels are void of these, your on your own so to speak. :-\
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I looked in a number of catalogues and found a few rigs that might be able to be paired up for baitcasting.
Reels:
Shimano Calcutta TE
CTE30 240 / 12 $339.99
Diawa Saltiga
SA15 270 / 15 $349.99
Quantum
BC30PT 270 / 14
169.99
AVER
SX5.0:1 375 / 16
175.99
Cabelas
GWC30 220 / 12
$99.99
Rods all casting no spinning
St. Croix 10' 6" Med/Heav mod - fast action line Wt 10 - 25# Lure wt of 2 - 6oz
$240.00
Penn Guide Surf
10' line wt 15 - 40 lure wt 2 - 8oz
109.99
Shimanmo TRC100ML
10' Med / Heav action line wt 15 - 30 lure wt 1 - 5oz
269.99
Ugly Stick BWC110010
10' heavy action line wt 12 - 40 lure wt 1 - 6oz
$69.99
As you can see they are still available but you got to look for them. Some old bait & Tackle shops might have these in stock. Your best bet is to get out your phone book and start calling the shops in your area. If you get stuck I can give you a couple of old shops that might be able to out fit you around Toms River area...Good Luck