I'm trying to put together a surf combo for this year and after all of the feedback and research I've done, it looks like I'm going to go with the Shimano Spheros reel on a ?Tica? rod. My question is, how large a reel either capacity or model number, should I be looking at?

Also, this probably depends mainly on the rod, but if you're throwing plugs, which is what I want to do, does that require a different action or rod length than throwing eels?? How long a rod, 9, 10ft and what action? I usually like to fish bombers but would like to expand my horizons (needlefish, small tins, eels if possible?).

I've been pretty much just a boat fisherman up to this point, so this is all kind of new. Thanks for all of the help, I appreciate it.

"Lou"

Lou,

I'm not much of a surf man with a spin rod but I've researched the hell out of the Spheros - great reports from everyone. I just bought (3) 4000's for the light spin on the boat & have (2) 14000 on back-order.

Hopefully the following spec's I got from Shimano will come out in a readable format.

Roop

Spheros drag Line Retrieve Per Crank (in.) Line Capacity (# test/yards) Gear Ratio Weight (oz.)
3000 12.5 30 8/240, 10/200, 12/160 5.1:1 12.7
4000 15 30 8/240, 10/200, 12/160 5.1:1 12.7
5000 20.5 32 10/240, 12/195, 14/165, 16/140 4.7:1 20
6000 20.5 34 10/300, 12/265, 16/170, 20/120 4.7:1 20.5
8000 20.5 35 10/390, 12/320, 14/270, 16/220, 20/160 4.7:1 19.8
12000 20 39 12/550, 16/350, 20/265 4.6:1 28.4
14000 24 40 20/350, 25/290, 30/220 4.6:1 28.9

You should be good with the 6K or 8K. Depends on how much line you want (braid you can get a lot more on there). They are a good reel. A combo between the smoothness of a Stradic and the water proof drag of the bait runner. The 4500 bait runners I have found balance out real well on 9 and 10 foot rods, with the added advantage of the bait runner function to expand its capabilites(chunkin) with out sacrificing weight/ cost/ reliablity.

I agree with Redlite that you should use either the 6000 or the 8000 depending on which one balances better on the rod you choose. A friend of mine uses one on a 9'6" Lami Triflex and the 6000 balanced better on that rod than the 8000 did. I don't understand how the 6000 weighs more because it appeared to be smaller than the 8000. The 8000 did not feel right on that rod.

What size plugs are you going to be throwing? What are the conditions like where you fish? Rocks, big surf, sandy beach - these matter when deciding what size rod you want.

Thanks for all of the feedback.

I'm thinking bigger plugs, like between 2-4 ounces. I guess I'm looking for something pretty versatile. I usually fish from Green Hill to Charlestown, no spot in particular, but something that could handle the breachway or the beach. It doesn't have to be very specialized.

Another thing I was just wondering is why they make the reels in the 12000 or 14000 sizes? Are those more geared towards boat use or are you recommending the smaller ones because they are easier to lug/use up and down the beach.

I like fishing braid, which I know you can fit more of on a spool. How much line capacity do you really need fishing from the sand?

Thanks Again,

"Lou"

This past year I was in the same areas (RI) as you more than I like to be (am a Cape man/ sand sissy). Down there I use my old 10 ft St. Croix Ben Doerr. ( I think it is rated 1-3, but have thrown more) with a Shimano Stradic 8000 loaded with 300 yds of 30 lb Fireline. Gots enough backbone to turn most fish quickly and lets me fish from bombers and needles (rarely) to my mainstay, ch#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& eels. Fish the breachways with eels frequently and have had no problem with this set up. I like to have lots of line for the breachways. Many nights where the guys that only have around 200 yds of line aren't gettin the fish cause they are out further than they can drift. I also prefer to have plenty cause if you only have 200 yds or so of line, one break off or birds nest, and you're done for he night.

My feeling about the bigger reels is to cater to people like my father. Big fish, they think they need a big reel. Plus in the days before braid, in order for someone to get 300 yds of mono on a reel, they needed to be big. Best suited for chunkin (cause you don't wanna hold that sucker all night) or for BIG fish like tuna.

Lou,

I am going to be using the 14000's on shark & tuna, load 'em up with 50# Spiderwire Stealth & hang on!

Roop :humpty:

I use the 8000 with 17lb mono/30lb floro leader on an 8ft. Tica.Fished that setup hard last year with absolutely no probs.

Wow, thanks for all of the great feedback. I appreciate it.

What is the advantage of a 10ft rod over an 8 ft rod? or is it just personal preference??

Thanks again.

"Lou"

I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes now adays with the advances in technology (rod building materials, braided line), but a longer rod is viewed as being able to cast further based upon pyhsics. I know that some people can cast just as far with an 8ft rod as others with a 10 ft or bigger rod and vice versa, but you also run into "backbone" issues. A bigger rod is stronger, thus it can handle more weight in the cast, but also gives better leverage to turn a fish when it runs or to keep its head up out of the rocks. A good example is at the breachways. Sure you could use an 8 ft "noodle rod" and get fish in, but after it takes you an hour to get one in and everyone else is ready to cut your line cause you're holdin everyone else up, you'll see that you just don't have the leverage to get the fish in cause there is so much bend in the rod. In order to have the same leverage with an 8 ft rod, you'd need a pool cue and that is not ideal/versatile for when you need to reach the outer bar with a bomber or an eel cause it will cast like a pool cue.
As far as fishing the sand beaches, you can get away a lot more with an 8ft rod depending upon the weight you are castin cause you don't need to turn fish. No obstacles. Down the cape the advantage of a longer rod is it keeps the line out of the crest of the waves more due to the angle between the rod tip and the distance out to your lure (once again geometry/ physics). This will have less of a dragging effect on your lure (not getting pushed into the beach as fast; less drag).

Man, I think I have just burned my brain out with all this technical talk. :huh:
I use ten footers cause that's what I was always brought up usin' since I was a little kid. Old habits die hard.........and I feel more powerful holding a bigger rod.

Shimano spheros 8000 on a 9ft Tica...great set-up
also...
Shimano Spheros 8000 on a 9'6" Breakaway (Thanks Mike @ MSBA show booth). Really looking forward to fishing this set-up this spring!!! :boots:

and I feel more powerful holding a bigger rod.

Mike I'm not going there....
:blush:

If you are looking to throw 2 to 4 ozs I don't think you want a 9 foot Tica. I have the 9' 3/4 to 3 oz model and the most I could throw was 2-1/2 ozs and that was pushing it. You might be able to get away with the 9' 2 to 6 oz model but that might still be pushing it when you are throwing 4 ozs. If you want to go with a Tica I would go with the 10 footer with the weights you want to throw.

Between my brother and I, we have a couple of Tica rods/Spheros reel set ups.

1. 7' Tica boat rod with a Spheros 6000 - great for casting plugs into shoreline or jigging in deeper water

2. 7' Tica surf rod with a Spheros 4000 - light tackle set up

3. 9' Tica surf rod with a Spheros 8000 - great for casting plugs and metals

We use powerpro braid on all set ups and can't believe how nice this combo casts. Very long casts and braid never knots or loosens up on reel.

I just matched up a tica 8' with a stradic 5000.

Maybe a bit short for you surf guys, but its a perfect combo.

I Santa brought me the 12000 and I am pleased so far from a quality/functioning standpoint. It is real smooth and well built, but we'll see how it holds up in the '05 campaign. I loaded it with 50# braid and it casts and stacks like a dream. Matched it with my 11' Lami and it just feels "right".