I am planning on buying my first saltwater conventional rod/reel, and would appreciate your input.

I use them extensively in freshwater, just have not purchased one for the salt yet.

My fishing varies - sometimes in the Canal, but a lot more in the surf. Mostly plugging. Not yet into the jigging but know that I need to as I watch the guys in the east end of the canal. Most of my plugs are in the 2-3 oz. range. The rod will also be used occassionally for chunking.

I'd like to know what make/model rod you would suggest, as well as the reel. Also, would you spool it with braid or mono?

Thank you all for your input.

I do a lot of canal fishing and plug throwing off the beaches. I use a Abu GArcia 7000c3 with 30 pound super braid. Its on a 10' Tica rated 2-8 oz. IT throws 2 ounce and up plugs really well, and is good for bucktails. IVe been using it for eels a lot this year, i would like it to be a bit softer at the top but it works. For under 200 bucks with a spool of line its tough to beat. I have only used my spinning rods a couple times this year, it pretty much covers all the bases for me, the only drawback is throwing lighter stuff (1-1/2 oz and under) not much distance and backlashes can be a problem.If i could do it over again i woulda dropped a couple more bucks and got the 7000 Big game, i saw it for a dollar more the week after i got my reel, ya cant win...

You have a lot of options for reels.

With 3 oz plugs, I would default to the Abu 7000 series. New production models are only offered with level winds.

If you can find a used Abu 7500 CT Big Game (no levelwind) or an Abu 7000 CL Big Game (with levelwind), I'd go with those.

The Abu 6500 series are good for lighter weight lures as well as eels.

Also, the Newell P-220, 229, and 235 are nice (all non level wind). Get the older models with the aluminum spools, or get a limited production run of the P's from http://www.charkbait.com.

The Daiwa Sealine X 30 and 20 SHV's (SloSH) reels are fabulous too (non levelwinds) for the money. These are awsome chunking reels by the way.

Take a hard look at the Penn 525's too.

Shimano Calcutta 700 is a nice reel, but I don't think it offers a lot of line capacity. It comes in levelwind and non-level wind configurations.

Avet makes an interesting baitcasting reel.

I have a preference for braid (try Berkley Spiderwire Stealth) on the levelwinds, and mono (Berkley Trilene or Sufix Tritanium) on the non-levelwinds.

Make sure to match the preferred gear ratios to your style of fishing.

If you can find one , get one of the black Abu Garcia BG7000CL. I prefer Cortland spectron on conventional reels. For all around use the 35 LB. For the Canal , 50 pound test. Another good reel is the Penn 525. Its fast as greased lightning though and will be tough for a beginner but it will cast far and has some good line capacity compared to other reels roughly its size.

If you take the Canal out of your requirements , an ABU 6500 size would be nice and so would a Calcutta 400.

for rods , i think you asking too much of a rod to be both a good plugging rod at 2 to 3 OZ and a chunking rod. maybe get a good pluggoing rod and a separate chunking rod. The same reel will work on both.

RockyRoady in the classified forum had an Abu 7000CL Big Game for sale the other day....I bought the 6500 but the 7000 may still be available!;)

Abu 7000 is the best all-around choice. Look for a version that says "Made in Sweden" on the side plate, not one that reads "Assembled in Sweden" (from parts machined from cheap-assed metal in China or Taiwan :af: ).

The Calcutta 700 is another choice. Many anglers find the width to be cumbersome on the rod, but it's well-built and smooth.

The Penn 975 has its fans (I'm not one of them). It eats level wind pawls like M&Ms, and the free spool button has a nasty habit of popping up on the cast.

That pretty much covers the bigger level-wind market.

The smaller Calcutta 400 is a damn good reel. For the Canal, it holds enough line if you run 50# braid, but I find the slow retrieve coupled with the smaller spool diameter a problem when I have to hump jigs over the face of the drop-off without the jig hanging. It's probably my favorite reel to throw eels with, tho.

I have

TWO Abu 7000 CL Big Game's for sale at $180 apiece + s/h.

ONE Abu 7000 C3 (non level-wind) for $170 + s/h.

These are both brand new, in box with papers, and Swedish manufacture (not the crappy new product that Pure Fishing is cranking out).

-WW

I have a 1209 patriot with a penn 525 mag. It is a sweet rod and works 2to 5 oz well. The rod is rated 1-6 oz but 2 to 5 is a truer rating. It is spooled with power pro and can be yours for $250

here is a pic. 10' 1 piece

MG - I have the Calcutta 400 and I love it.

Although, there ARE days I want to throw it in water. I've put in about 150 hours on the reel and I still backlash. Its hard to cast into the wind with a Danny plug...the things like a kite.

Personally, I like the levelwind. Especially if your just starting out; it gives you one less thing to think about when its dark and your standing knee deep in the surf. Plus, I figure its easier to remove a levelwind than to install one.


Good luck

abu garcia 6500 with a good 10ft rod 1-4oz look at the ugly sticks

I like a Penn Squidder for chunking. For lures in the 2 - 3 oz. range, a Penn 965 would be great.

oh yah start with 14lb mono once you get the hang of casting a convetional reel switch over to braid

I agree with CanalRat...start with mono... braid will amplify a mistake into a bird's nest.

However, you will need to change over to braid if you plan on hunting big fish around big rocks.

I disagree.,... I hate braid around rocks... braid for sand, mono for rocks, 20-30lb.....

Squidders are solid reels, I use one alot, slooooow reel, good for lobbing big eels and jigging....

For low cost and still a custom, look at a Batson 1089 or Allstar or something similar, the 1089 wont through a bomber very well, but it will chuck 2-4oz jigs and plugs with ease....