Good rod and reel brands to buy.

[TheWoodsman]

Not looking to start a pointless debate, i have narrowed down my rod and reel brand choices based on reviews and have these left but since i will be fishing in NJ would like people from here to get the final word from. I will be saltwater fishing for porgy, sea bass, fluke, striper, ect...

ROD

-ABU GARCIA
-DAIWA
-PENN
-ST.CROIX

REEL

-ABU GARCIA
-DAIWA
-SHIMANO

Thanks for your help and if i can get both for less than $200 that'd be great

[bassnblues]

Not sure what you're looking for but generaly speaking I personally like St Croix rods and Shimano reels.

[Hotrod]

    Boat or Surf ?  oh and...

[TheWoodsman]

Mostly on a boat for porgy striper bluefish fluke striper ans what i said but a few times i like to go right off the beach for striper and such. Since my post i do like what was said above and am looking to get mostly a st. croix rod but how long you think for what i do most boat some surf, 61/2 or 7 maybe? Also i think the shimano spheros might be my next reel, what do you all think? Thanks

My previous was a uglystick rod and shakespear reel as well so anything is a step up.

[Salty Dog]

St.Croix-Tidemaster 7' to 7' 6".
Shimano .

[Wreckfish]

I second or third the St Croix Tidemaster.
Matched with a Penn GS525 if your can still get one or the new Penn Squall.  If it's spinning then I would consider the Shimano BaitRunners reels.

[TheWoodsman]

So yes on the tidemaster but no on the shimano spheros? I heard it was a good reel compared to the baitrunner if you arent going to be using the baitrunner feature? Also i heard the spheros was good all around compared to others as well. Please mention what reel you feel i shuold get and if you stick by your answer please reenforce it becuase i reallyy do appreciate your insight. Thanks

[Wreckfish]

I've never used the spheros, only the baitrunner. But if you are not interested in the baitrunner feature the spheros is a good price and you can't go wrong with a Shimano reel. You might want something a little longer the 7ft for the surf.

[bassnblues]

I've had a Spheros for 3 years on a 7' St Croix for bucktailing fluke. Nice reel, no problems.

[TheWoodsman]

 I think 7 foot is what i have to get becuase yeah you want long for surf but i am on boat more and you dont want to long of a rod there.

Well thats good. 7' rod with a spheros just like i want. Feel free to tell me about your spheros in any way like what else have you caught wuith it besides fluke and what did you get the 4000? Thanks

[bassnblues]

The outfit I'm refering to is a St Croix Premier PS70mhf. It's 7' long and rated for 8-14lb line. It's paired with a Spheros 4000 which is spooled with 15lb Power Pro backed with mono.

It's a real nice setup for fluke and has been my bucktailing rod for the last 3 years. I've also caught small blues with it. I havent tried it but I'm sure it'd be great for tossing small storms at stripers in the fall.

I mainly fish on my own boat so I can get away with lite tackle.

For a more all around choice you may want to step up to a Premier PS70hf. I've have one of these for many years and it's my main striper outfit and I use it when I occasionally hop on a PB for fluke.

Hoope ths helps.

[bassnblues]

Just looked at the St. Croix site and I see they make a ps70xhf. This seems like a nice striper/bluefish rod. Can't say for sure because I don't own one.......yet. 

[TheWoodsman]

I saw it but like the real cork handle as opposed to a cork tape.

So the baitrunner is always in the top for reels shuold i get a new baitrunner and be done with it?

[TheWoodsman]

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