Hey guys, this is my first post. I'm a pro fly fishing writer looking to get a decent spinning setup to fish the NJ shore for stripers this fall for a story. I have never spin fished in the ocean (!) and can use some help with a setup. Will be using plugs exclusively, from the surf and occasional jetty.

Any recommendations on rods/reels (including sizes) would be greatly appreciated. Looking to spend $350-400 on the setup.

Also, if there is any place to get some nice USA-made hand-made plugs?

If your just starting out but want a good reliable setup go with a Penn 650ssm (about $100) on a Lami SK 10 MHS(about $90) then spool up with 50Lb braid (about $30) and get your self an Aquazkinz Medium Plug Bag (about $80)

There ya go $300 and you still have a few bucks to spend on Plugs. This will get you started and then you can figure out where you want to go from there.

Do you tie your own flies? If so next year we will help you pick out a Lathe, Drill Press, Bandsaw, Sander, and help you go over Wood Types 101 :D

TDF, :hihi:
Ahhhh the evolution of the Surfcaster

Thanks for the tips! And yes I do tie my own flies. I actually do some woodworking and have all that stuff, but not interested in plug making.

What kind of wood are they made of, anyway? Just curious.

TDF has picked out a nice surf set up for you. Make sure the Penn reel is the ssm model and not the ssg. There's a big difference in the quality.

As for plugs, check out some of the sponsors on this site. They make plugs that look great and catch as good as they look. And the plugbuilders on this site all do quality work here in the Northeast and stand behind their products.

Good luck and welcome to the site!

What kind of wood are they made of, anyway? Just curious.


Depends on what you want them to do...Muuuaaahhhaaaahhhhaaaa :devil:

Give in to the Dark Side

So there are three different sizes of that Penn reel. 250yards/15lb test, 250/20 and 250/25.

Where does 50lb braid come in? Which reel?

50lb is roughly 12 lb test diameter....so you can put on lots of line and not give up strength....in case you hook into that cow.

the 650 will match up with that rod....the 750 is a bit large

I would strongly suggest you get some 30lb Fireline in lieu of 50lb braid. It is a bit thicker, but is much more forgiving for an inexperienced spinner user. The last thing you want to be doing on your first trip out is spending your time picking out a wind knot. Fireline will not knot up.
30lb Fireline is about 15-17lb mono equiv.

Thanks for the tips! And yes I do tie my own flies. I actually do some woodworking and have all that stuff, but not interested in plug making.

What kind of wood are they made of, anyway? Just curious.

be very careful, that's how I got started
First it was a surf rod, just for those sunny days when the bluefish came in and were just out of reach.
Then it was some of those pretty plugs
Then I tried making a few, it did'nt look hard.
Hundreds of plugs later, my wife and kids are looking for a seven step program for me.

Don't worry, I don't envision myself getting too into the plug thing. Or spin fishing for that matter. My heart has been in fly fishing (and fly tying) for 30 years now!