Hey Gang,
Spring is just around the corner and I am ready for some fun in the suds.
I have been a fly fishing addict for 18 years. This past year I won an auction on SB for a spinning rod and custom plugs. Now I am addicted to casting and working custom wood as well as other artificial baits. I have a Van Stahl 200 and a custom SaltHeart rod and love the combo.
I am now looking into a casting reel/rod setup. This year I will fish 60% boat and 40% surf. I need a casting reel for live bait/large artificial lures that will be at home in the surf as well as the boat.
I need suggestions for rod/reel combo that will work in the surf/boat. I am open to 2 rods and one reel if possible. Saltheart will be building the rod(s) and I need a reel to match.

Saltheart, please provide specs for the rod(s) (2-piece). And members/experts please give me your input on the reel.

I am comfortable spending under $500 for the casting reel.

Happy Holidays
Bruce

Shimano 400TE or 700TE, hands down the best conventionals made. If you get either one you won't be sorry. IMO

penn 525 mag, abu 7000, or penn squidder.

#^&#^&#^&#^&mont mentions the Calcutta - good choice - really top notch reel. I'm not a big fan of some of the older 700 Calcuttas but have not played with the new one. The older 400 and the new 400 is fantastic. Some of the higher end Abu conventionals are great after the drag update...

What weights will you be throwing?

Check out the Tweaked out 7000 M+d's can do..............

If you go with braid , the Calcutta 400 is very nice. If you are using mono , I think I'd go with a bigger Abu 7000 model.

I need more info to spec out the rods. I'll PM you later when I have more time.

one more vote for the calcutta.

avet sx magged.

I asked a similar question recently and based on the replies to this post, http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/showthread.php?t=27359&highlight=calcutta , decided to go with the calcutta 400b level wind matched with an all star 1265 w/ 6" cut from the butt. I don't have the rod yet so I haven't tried it out but I thought some of the feedback on that thread might help you out.

Sorry I have not replied, its been a crazy week. I will use this reel/rod combo will be used for casting 2-4oz wood/metal and livelining bunker, herring,eels or legal size scup. 80% of the fishing will be with artificials.
(When I was a kid my grandfather had a few scup traps, striper's really like to eat them and the hit is usually pretty agressive..)
I do not remember if they were legal size or if there was a minimum size. That was back in the mid 70's and early 80's.

If you're not gonna throw anything under 1 1/2 or 2 ounces, I'd go with an Abu 7000C3. The extra line capacity and the ability to handle heavy (65 to 80 lb) braid make it an excellent choice. The factory drags are good, too, unlike the smaller Abus.

I use an older penn 650 which works well with both.