Im new and looking for some advice for rod and reel purchases

[pbr0417]

I am an avid fresh water fisherman but last summer went out on my first fluke charter out of Belmar, had an amazing time and am already thinking about multiple trips for this year,looking for some advice on rod and reel purchases i have no idea on what exactly i should be looking for, i do know i want quality and not something that will fall apart in a year, and im also curious on if any of these set ups can be used for other various types of saltwater fishing, i do know that most of my salt fishing will be done with a boat as opposed to off a pier not sure how much of a difference that makes.

thank you in advance with your help

[NJ Guy]

A reel you really cant go wrong with a Avet Sx 5.3 its good for fluke all the way to mahi mahi or the canyon HS-15 both are very high quality reels. a rod you really cant go wrong with st croix but if you want to save a few bucks i really like the daiwa VIP series.







BUT if you have the bank $$$ i reallly like the penn 965 & 975 reels they are pricey but i have 2 of the 965's and 1 975LD SO FAR! I love em

[Reel Time]

 i'm gonna chime in and say it depends on what your gonna do.

 for fluking, chunking for stripers, and wreck fishing  baitcasters are preferred for ease of use when you have to constantly let line in or out.

 but your not gonna cast with them, or atleast not from the start with out having a big backlash mess. with time it gets easy.

 also the above mentioned are a couple hundred bucks plus. for starters a good reel that will last for years should be around 130.

 stick with the main name brands and you should be good togo. level wind isnt really mandatory either, you'll get used to guiding the string with your thumb if need be, and thats one less thing to go wrong.


 for a rod, dont go to light. one day may be 4 oz of lead to get deep and the  next will be 6+oz's,,,,, i love my xxheavy tsunami, its about 70 bucks and handles the weight needed to get deep awesome.

[NJ Guy]

i have heard people really like the penn GTO's as a more affordable option as well. i really dont use many spinning reels besides shimano baitrunners so im not tooooo much help there

[Hunter 2]

The reels mentioned above are great choices, The St Croix Premier/PM70MHF  is a good all around rod and will handle anything from Fluke to small Tuna and they have great customer service. I have this rod matched with a Penn 975/LD reel. I use this combo for Fluking in deep water,Bluefish, Stripers,Cod and Blackfish.  I also have a lighter setup for shallow water Fluking when less lead is required to hold bottom.

[Luna Sea 5]

I like my G-Loomis rod and a Penn spinning reel.  I like the 550ss for fluke.

[bassnblues]

If you don't want to spend a lot, I'd suggest looking at Tsunmai rods. The Classic series is real nice. The 5 star series is super cheap but I think you get what you pay for.

I'd get a 7 footer rated for 12 to 25 lb line with a Shimano TR200 if you go conventional or a Penn Slammer 550 if you want a spinner.

[Wex]

I have to agree with the majority, I have a St. Croix matched with a 3500 Shimano baitrunner that I've fished with for the past 10+ years, have caught everything from flounder,tog,striper and even drum!
 

[Luna Sea 5]

I like my St. Croix, but my G Loomis feels a bit more sensitive and even a light weight rod, can hold some good weight.

[bassnblues]

St Croix is my favorite rod brand too. Can't beat the quality and price IMO.

The new Triumph series is a great value.

[fellinger]

I've used the Penn 310 GTI and have never had a problem with it. I use it for all my bottom fising and even this year for trolling stripers and blues.

[BigAl13]

I switched to a spinning setup for fluke the penn 550ss is a classic, and i happen to have one for sale pm me if interested