Need some fishing gear help!

B

bmilla35

Joined
Aug 29, 2007
Messages
1,601
Hey guys...I am going on vacation to Cape May August 7th and really would like some advice on what gear to get for fishing. Unfortunately, what I have now isn't too great (at least for what I will need it for). One intended use is for surf fishing so I can fish on the beach. I don't quite want one of those huge surf set ups though. On vacation we are going on a head boat for blue fish, so that would be another use.

The biggest reel I have that is still in good shape is a Browning..called a Gold Medallion (or GM5000). It is pretty old but I doubt it was ever even used! Normally what I use for fishing for bass or what not I use a Shimano Sahara 2000FA on a Fenwick HMX. I can pretty much guarantee that set up is wayyyy too small.

We can also talk about fishing line...what I have now may not be heavy enough (it's a various assortment from 6-16 pounds of fireline and ironsilk)

Soooo...I guess if the Browning reel is too small I need a new reel, but either way I would need a rod.

Disclaimer: I don't know very much about fishing...so please be patient lol. Also, I understand what I am asking for may not even be possible, in which case we will figure it out as we go!

Thanks for any help guys :thumbup::D
 
Any chance you could borrow/rent the proper sort of gear when you get there? That way you don't have to spend a bunch of money for specialized gear that's to be used one-time or rarely.
 
For a one time trip, rent the gear you need. Why spend a lot of money on gear that will be used once and eventually sold on Ebay or somewhere similar.
 
I'm not een sure what a flipping rod is lol. But I will use the thing at least once a year. I want to fish more..so maybe I will use it on the Allegheny river or something.

I will check out that site spinscam..thanks!
 
If you're surfcasting you might want to try the Penn Slammer series.

http://www.fishermansheadquarters.com/penn_slammer.htm

Not too expensive but you didn't state a budget in the first place. It's not a dedicated surf reel which usually has an elongated, shallower and reverse tapered spool but it can serve double duty for inshore waters. I particularly like the ones with the liveliner mechanism (ala Baitrunner by Shimano) which is pretty useful when surf fishing. If you're adept at using a baitcaster then its an ABU Garcia C4. Couple them with a minimum 12 footer (I prefer 14ft), 2-3 piece surf rod (30lbs rating minimum) and you'd be set for most surf game.

Make sure you know how to tie a good shock leader knot else surfcasting can be dangerous. Find an open field to practice, you'll find that you'd need to adjust the way you cast when casting with a longer rod with a heavy plug/ sinker.

Line wise, I've used mono, braids and fused lines. Mono is preferred if the place you're fishing is snaggy.
 
Loneriderz said:
If you're surfcasting you might want to try the Penn Slammer series.

http://www.fishermansheadquarters.com/penn_slammer.htm

Not too expensive but you didn't state a budget in the first place. It's not a dedicated surf reel which usually has an elongated, shallower and reverse tapered spool but it can serve double duty for inshore waters. I particularly like the ones with the liveliner mechanism (ala Baitrunner by Shimano) which is pretty useful when surf fishing. If you're adept at using a baitcaster then its an ABU Garcia C4. Couple them with a minimum 12 footer (I prefer 14ft), 2-3 piece surf rod (30lbs rating minimum) and you'd be set for most surf game.

Make sure you know how to tie a good shock leader knot else surfcasting can be dangerous. Find an open field to practice, you'll find that you'd need to adjust the way you cast when casting with a longer rod with a heavy plug/ sinker.

Line wise, I've used mono, braids and fused lines. Mono is preferred if the place you're fishing is snaggy.
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I'll check the reels out..thank you! I can't use a baitcaster at all by the way lol

That set up will work for the head boat and possibly river fishing too? someone on another forum recommended a trolling combo from Penn (the Depthmaster I want to say?) What are your opinions on that?
 
my fave all around bass combo is a shimano calcutta on a 7ft falcon cara flippin rod. LOVE that rig!
 
I am a Penn guy and Slammer is a great choice... Another "do all" reel is a Shimano Baitrunner.
 
bmilla35 said:
I am very close to just giving in and getting this..will it suffice? I would like it for this weekend so I need to order it very soon (aka have it one day shipped)

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p...Id=3998294&cp=2367438.2367824.2291514.2291517
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yes it will work.. tip, read the bell of your reel and do not go over the poundage recommended. you will get more line twists and etc... if you need thicker line you can always attach a leader. keep that in mind. i think its a good choice. the ugly sticks are tanks, the penn reels are well known. (i prefer shimano over penn) but thats an opinion.
 
hung-solo said:
yes it will work.. tip, read the bell of your reel and do not go over the poundage recommended. you will get more line twists and etc... if you need thicker line you can always attach a leader. keep that in mind. i think its a good choice. the ugly sticks are tanks, the penn reels are well known. (i prefer shimano over penn) but thats an opinion.
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Alright thanks! I kinda just had to pick a rod using the advice all of you gave me and my best judgement. I hope it was the right one! I didn't really plan on even getting a 9' rod
 
bmilla35 said:
Alright thanks! I kinda just had to pick a rod using the advice all of you gave me and my best judgement. I hope it was the right one! I didn't really plan on even getting a 9' rod
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just remember these reels and rods will last you a good lifetime IF you do not get sand in it (if you do take it a part and clean it or have a pro clean it) keep the reel maintaned.. so do not drop this rod in salt water OR sand if you can help it..

what are you fishing for? whatever bites? have you called the local piers or what not to see waht is biting? thats good info to have bc if its blues mainly (as an example) you will need 20-30 lb test line for leaders bc their teeth are very sharp and fray line like its their job.. so get all the info you can.. use google, lots of old fishing reports from last year around that area and time that will tell you about what will be biting as well
 
hung-solo said:
just remember these reels and rods will last you a good lifetime IF you do not get sand in it (if you do take it a part and clean it or have a pro clean it) keep the reel maintaned.. so do not drop this rod in salt water OR sand if you can help it..

what are you fishing for? whatever bites? have you called the local piers or what not to see waht is biting? thats good info to have bc if its blues mainly (as an example) you will need 20-30 lb test line for leaders bc their teeth are very sharp and fray line like its their job.. so get all the info you can.. use google, lots of old fishing reports from last year around that area and time that will tell you about what will be biting as well
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Well most of the time I will be fishing for whatever is biting. One night we are going out on.a head boat for blues. But that might change because my friend said they just spawned and all anyone is catching is little ones. But you think I should just get 25 pound line?

Also, I try to take the best care of my stuff. I was very paranoid about getting salt water and sand in the rod I used last week in ocracoke. The only salt water I got on the reel was from the waves that splashed on it. And despite my best efforts a little bit of sand always finds its way onto the reel..which I cleaned out as thoroughly as possible
 
bmilla35 said:
Well most of the time I will be fishing for whatever is biting. One night we are going out on.a head boat for blues. But that might change because my friend said they just spawned and all anyone is catching is little ones. But you think I should just get 25 pound line?

Also, I try to take the best care of my stuff. I was very paranoid about getting salt water and sand in the rod I used last week in ocracoke. The only salt water I got on the reel was from the waves that splashed on it. And despite my best efforts a little bit of sand always finds its way onto the reel..which I cleaned out as thoroughly as possible
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yes just get the line for a leader not your actual line on the reel. your line on the reel should be 10-16lbs.. read the reel it will tell you the range. use a union or blood knot to tie the 25lb leader to your 12lb line. it works like a charm

ocaracoke NC?? if so awesome.. ride up to hatteras, anywhere around the lighthouse is a good spot and north up to rodanthe. esp late oct - early to late december is fantastic fishing.

you will always get al ittle sand and saltwater on your reels. just remember to clean them well and oil them periodically. your manual should show you what to do. its not rocket science... tight lines friend and good luck

if you are going on a boat take yoru bass rods.. they are easier to maneuver and cast offf a boat unless you are bottom fishing..

as for yoru knots to use to tie thick and thin line together use this site. its awesome site.

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php
 
hung-solo said:
yes just get the line for a leader not your actual line on the reel. your line on the reel should be 10-16lbs.. read the reel it will tell you the range. use a union or blood knot to tie the 25lb leader to your 12lb line. it works like a charm

ocaracoke NC?? if so awesome.. ride up to hatteras, anywhere around the lighthouse is a good spot and north up to rodanthe. esp late oct - early to late december is fantastic fishing.

you will always get al ittle sand and saltwater on your reels. just remember to clean them well and oil them periodically. your manual should show you what to do. its not rocket science... tight lines friend and good luck

if you are going on a boat take yoru bass rods.. they are easier to maneuver and cast offf a boat unless you are bottom fishing..

as for yoru knots to use to tie thick and thin line together use this site. its awesome site.

http://www.animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php
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That site should prove very helpful..my knowledge on knots is very low. I was going to ask how to tie the knots you mentioned but i'll check the site out first.

Unfortunately the only bass rod I have is my Fenwick Fnx...and the top 3 or 4 inches is is broken off (which stopped me from using it).

Every year my family and my aunt and uncle and their family rent a house on Ocracoke...it's a beautiful place! I love it there...they aways talk about going somewhere else but I can't picture it being any nicer than that. I was there from July 24-31 this year and the water temp. was in the low 80's! Maybe that is why the fishing wasn't so great? lol. I never went to Hatteras for fishing but will throw out the idea to the family for next year. We normally go on a little charter boat with one of the locals (i want to say his name is ryan o'neal) but we waited too late and he was all booked up

I guess I will have to wait to get the reel to see what weight they have listed on the bell?
 
bmilla35 said:
That site should prove very helpful..my knowledge on knots is very low. I was going to ask how to tie the knots you mentioned but i'll check the site out first.

Unfortunately the only bass rod I have is my Fenwick Fnx...and the top 3 or 4 inches is is broken off (which stopped me from using it).

Every year my family and my aunt and uncle and their family rent a house on Ocracoke...it's a beautiful place! I love it there...they aways talk about going somewhere else but I can't picture it being any nicer than that. I was there from July 24-31 this year and the water temp. was in the low 80's! Maybe that is why the fishing wasn't so great? lol. I never went to Hatteras for fishing but will throw out the idea to the family for next year. We normally go on a little charter boat with one of the locals (i want to say his name is ryan o'neal) but we waited too late and he was all booked up

I guess I will have to wait to get the reel to see what weight they have listed on the bell?
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you should be able to find out on the penn website. just look up the model and read up.. my guess is that it will not be over 12-16lbs.. thats plenty if you get quality line like Berkely big game. thats some strong line and its cheap too. also buy the leader line like mentioned. you dont need much so buy the smallest spool you can since you do not fish much

hatteras is nice too.. the fishing is better than ocra.. imo... but yes water temp is everything in fishing.. late fall and early to mid spring are the best times to fish for all different kinds of species.. BUT you can still catch more on the OBX than you can most beaches in NC.. we camp out at Rodanthe.. also dont forget to hit piers. sometimes you can catch more on them than on the beach.. we took plain ole bass rods, tied up 2ft of 25-30lb mono leaders and used gotcha plugs.. caught 3 five gallon buckets full of blues in 1 hr.. we slayed them. caught some trout too.

as for your rod. since you do not fish much why dont you buy something cheaper? buy a surf rod 9ft -11ft (9 is a good all around number) i have 12ft rods :D...

and get a bass rod for jigging off a boat or what not.? for the price of the 190 surf combo you are looking at you can have 2-3 decent rods that will add up to that price
 
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