Multi-Purpose Rod & Reel Combo

[Roy]

I would be grateful for some advice on buying my first salt-water rod & reel combo.

As I've probably mentioned elsewhere in the forums, I go salt-water fishing about 6-8 times per year, but it's always been on head-boats, where the gear was been provided.  But now I'd like to buy my own rod & reel.  Again, the intended use would be on head-boats or charters, again maybe 10 times a year.

I know that some experienced guys have an arsenal of rod/reel combos, and they select their weapon depending on the targeted fish.  But that's not an option for me.  Ideally, at least for now, I'd like just one rod/reel combo that is well suited for all of the usual suspects targeted on head-boats and charters, e.g., black fish, ling, blue fish, fluke, sea bass, etc.

For example, I thought about perhaps an Ugly Stik Tiger 7'0 Medium, with a Penn Special Senator 114H reel.  But for all I know, this could be a dumb idea.

I'd like to spend less than $200, and definitely less than $300.

Again, I'd be grateful for suggestions.

[bassnblues]

I'm assuming you're wating to target fluke and blues in the summer season...

I'd get a 7' rod rated for 12-25lb line. Ugly Stiks rods and Penn reels are a good choice.

Conventional or spinning depends on your preference. The Senator sounds a bit big. If you go conventional, the 310GT is a nice reel.

[Jeffish]

My suggestion is to take a trip to your nearest Dicks, and pick up a rod/reel combo there. They have a lot of penn/ugly stick combos that will fit your fishing needs/budget just right.

[Roy]

Thank you, bassnblues.  I appreciate your response, from which I learned that I should be looking at 7' rods rated at 12-25 lbs, and that the Senator is probably too big for my needs.  Just checked out the 310GT.  Sounds good.  Reviews on the 320 sound like it would work, too.  Again, thanks.

[Bucktail]

My suggestion is to take a trip to your nearest Dicks, and pick up a rod/reel combo there. They have a lot of penn/ugly stick combos that will fit your fishing needs/budget just right.

 

[Roy]

So, here's what I bought:

Rod: Shakespeare Ugly Stick (#110070), medium action, 7' length, line weight 10-25.

Reel: Penn GT Level Wind 320, Ratio 4.3:1, Capacity 320 yards at 20 lbs.

Question:  Going to the tackle shop to get it spooled with line.  What kind should I get?

Thanks.

[Hotrod]

50# Power pro

[bassnblues]

good luck with it.

[SouthPaw]

50# Power pro

[Bucktail]

I love braid.   But, for headboats, I would recommend 30# mono.

[Hotrod]

Yea.  true.  some don't allow braid

[Roy]

Upon the recommendation posted below, yesterday I got my reel fitted with #50 Power Pro. 

It doesn't come in clear, and since I don't know the different uses of the different colors (green,yellow, red), I went with green because I suppose that's the most natural.  *shrug*.

Thanks for the tip that a head-boat might disallow braid.  Didn't think of that.  Would that be because braid would be harder to dislodge if I were to get stuck on the bottom?   

Anyway, I'm heading out for sea bass tomorrow on a head boat.  I guess I'll find out the hard way whether braid is allowed.  Will post a report.

Thanks to all.

[Bucktail]

You will have no hassles bringing the braid for bottom fishing, or usually even jigging.  But most PBs will frown on using it when they are chumming or chunking, like on a bluefish boat where tangles are fairly common.

That Ugly Stik sounds a bit light for the reel and line you are matching it up to though.

[SurfJockey]

Untangling braided line sucks.  Well, untangling any line sucks, but braid is far worse.

[Hotrod]