Wondering what you all consider "must haves" for this upcoming season?

I'm thinking one more reel/rod for a boat outfit but I'm not sure about going wire or not.

I'm interested in those new LED Petzels - might pick up one of those.

Some more plugs made by the members here - I wanto ta catch some fish on your hard work :hihi:

Definiately a better EEL maintainence system :doh:

... and all of this is up in the air if I get a boat too :D :D :D

How about you all. What is a must have this year or at least a want?

Just got it last weekend while out joy riding with the HABS guy......


New and improved bait tank!!!!! :happy: :happy: :happy: :happy:

Breathables and some guides cork tape and a reel seat for the black plastic stick I've been driving around with since Slip's get-together.

more time out of work.,so i can go fishing more, and some more plugs from the members here.:D

Last night I had a dream I was gettin this.

9' surf rod and slammer reel!

Just got a new sweet-water large mouth spinning rod/reel, a trout spinning rod/reel and some new baits (fresh and salt).

Oh yeah... I'll be orderin' the yak soon as well! Pickin' up the roof rack tonight! :)

A cap for my truck:ss:

1)fixed vhf & antenea
2)a pair of those terminator type rod holders that increase the spread for trolling
3) impeller
4)Penn 5500ss

I'll be happy with #1 & #3.

i need a couple more of these....

http://www.vanstaal.com/images/Spinning_Reels/VS_Black.gif

Goose nice boat ! I think Ive ridin in that before .

I dont have any idea what I want or need . I still have to get thru trout season first .

I would like a new 9' for the ditch and/or a 1087 for the beach .
Maybe some new lures and more time off around the new moon .

Fishfinder for boat...maybe a humminbird legend 3000 deep; hey, do any of you guys have one or know anybody who does?
Looking for a finder with bottom lock, but I don't want to shell out $800 for a Furuno.
After that I'm done; I almost had a heart attack when I combined all my credit cards last month. New house very expensive. Billy, start saving now!
Later,
Rick

Canal bike. I hate the concept - riding/fishing. But,........ I'm trying to figure out a guerillaesque design. Rods stuck in pipes waving around 10+' in the air hangin' off the back makes me cringe. Pedaling around with hip boots on also gives me the heebie jeebies. Yuck!

Boat. Another thing I really don't want. But,..... August was one long, long month last year.

Nautil 7500 for 1209
Nautil 6500 or Vs for 1088
Abu 7000 BG for 121 3m

I am sure I will see more things at some point and want them.....:D

Breathables
More free time
More time to fish
More quality time to fish
More time to fish with friends

Winning loto would help on the above, back to the grindstone.

JUST GOT A VS 150 AND NEW CABELAS GUIDE FISHING SHIRT.STILL NEED ROD FOR 150.NEED WARM WEATHER

want to save for another year so you can get that beauty!!
your more than welcome on mine this year!! and that goes out to all s-b members who have endured my posts over this winter with goofy pics and all, but you have to remember im stressing with the new baby comin and all!! what better way to release stress than to put it in writing! im all set this year with new stuff i could think of many toys i want but what do i really need!! some freinds that dont mind getting up early and comin in late and they dont get SEA SICK!!!:happy: :happy: :happy:

aLL seT,, !!!!!!!!!! now

:happy: :eek: :happy: :happy:

Specialist , if you are getting a BG 7000 for the 121 3M , why wouldn't you use it on the 1209?

I don't think I need anything this year. Maybe some really light waders or hip boots. My Girlfriend owes me a pair of Orvis waders from my birthday last year. I'm not sure if i want full waders or just some hippers for the Ditch. I generally wait till the tide gets down but there are some great spots where if you have hippers , you can get lower down the bank earlier which really helps when landing a big one.

I already have 1 7000BG for the 1209 that Mike made me last year. I can't get the distance I need with it yet. Thats why the new one is spinning. Plus if my brother ever goes with me he canuse the spinner, and I can use the conventional.

Some teasers, (never tried them) big spool of fireline, some new poppers and maybe a needle fish or 2.... I ain't got much but love what I have!

Must haves...
A whole bunch of 5 1/2" split tails.
A new schoolie rod and reel.
Another spool or 2 of braid.
A fishfinder for my kayak.
A PFD, Drytop and other accessories.
A kayak (already on order)

Like to have...
Twice as much time out as last season
Some fishing partners that don't mind getting 3 hours of sleep, then fishing 'til dawn before going to work.
An eel trap.

I'll probably lose my standing among the surviving Lepers for this, but I just bought a 10 wt fly outfit.

more LEAD fa the ditch, just can't seem to hang on to any.

Originally posted by Mike P
I'll probably lose my standing among the surviving Lepers for this, but I just bought a 10 wt fly outfit.

Whats up with that.

I knew you were starting to type with a lisssssssp. :faga:

but I just bought a 10 wt fly outfit.
Women weaken legs Rocko :D :D :D

Reminds me - I need to get a bulk spool of braid!

On my "wish list" is pictured below. (used 43 CABO express) with low hours. (saving my pennies)

On a more pratical note...

Put me down for a new set of orvis breathables and wader boots
and wading jacket..

A pair of cannon electronic downriggers with the bottom tracking feature (ouch...850 for each rigger + 1100 for the contoller + 400 for misc outrigger junk) thats a lot of gas and bait!

4 nice live custom bait boat rods (matched w/ penn internationals)

4 nice custom bottom fishing rods for fluking to tog.

OH YEAH! and a S-B.com T-shirt!!!

Br careful Mike. No limp wrists for fly casting! :)

Gasp!:eek: Mike say its not so!

I just bought a new Isuzu Trooper for beach/towing duty. Still need a new GPS, Shimano Baitrunner, wire line outfit and a part time job to pay for all this crap. Does it ever END?

I went to town last fall -- new waders, boots, Loomis rod, etc.

NEED a new fluke rod & reel
Maybe spool my 320GTi with some lead core to troll some tubes off the beaches and bars
Fireline

(Oh yeah, then bottom paint, new battery, fix the electrical glitch, wax, :rolleyes: )

Hydraulic steering for my
"Fishing machine"

That way I can let go of the wheel for a minute while trolling.

And I won't get arm cramps fighting 175 HP of fuel injected muscle to keep the boat going straight....

Can't wait for April.:smash:


Sandman-----NICE BOAT !!!!!!!!!!!

Hey John I bought the LED Petzel a few weeks back and used it last night cusk fishing. It's great! The thing weighs so little I forgot I had it on my forehead.

My purchases so far this year:
Nautil 6500P reel
Penn slammer rod
1 million candle battery rechargeable spot light
LED Petzel
fly tying material
more studs for my Korkers
two 7" black Mambos
Small spinning reel & jig stick for ice fishing

Next purchases are:
10' Lami spinning rod
Shimano 4500B baitrunner reel
more tackle

a few more flies,just made 600 jig heads.

MikeP nothing wrong with a fly rod lots of fun.

Scotch Bonnet, when you have a boat it never ends(just a hole in the water to drop money into.)

Is it april yet????

nautil 75
Rainshadow 1089
korkers
plugs plugs plugs

A 1205 Ron Arra & Breathable Waders!...

Also a couple of nice spinning reels!

couple new reels for a couple new rods.....and gotta find some new excuses to run off fishing.... and a notebook to write down all the weekends that I will be a "widow" (so I can REMEMBER THEM and take advantage of them!!!!;) ;) ).....

hows this for starters????

"well I GUESS you can go to phoenix for five days...but I will miss you......"

"well if you REALLY wanna go to that boring auction in PA for the weekend I guess I cant stop you...."


:D :D :D :D


boy its already looking good for spring lemme tell ya!!!

Damn, Goose, that was a nice boat!

Hey guys, I was considering about buying some tackles for surf fishing like wader outfits, carts, and etc. I'm considering about buying me a 12 feet rod that can hold a 15-40 lbs for Cape Cod Canal and other places. And I'm thinking about buying a new convential gear for the codfishing partyboat in plum island. And plus some more lures. Bicycle rigging things for my parents' car and for myself.

Another thing, I must lose more weight so I can look sexy while angling in front of the beach yuppie gals. And I'm not talking about your daughters...:D :laughs: :smash: Don't worry about it, men.

Ragfly - thanks for the info - I'm gettin' that petzel.

Notaro - don't seriously consider a 12 ' rod. Too big & you don't need it. 9' & 10' is sufficient for 90% of your needs and the 12 would be a bear to cast over & over...

Notaro...I have a 13.5', surf rod ( 2-pc that) that has been hanging in my garage for about 20 years that looks nearly new. I will sell it to you for the cost of the 12' rod...you'll be getting 1.5' for free! Heck I will even toss in a killer diawa surf reel. You want big...this is big. When you walk down the beach it will turn heads...Ask any girl....size matters. Its casts a 5 oz plug a mile but will rip off your fingertip if its cold out.

Honeslty, go for with a 9.5' graphite...you're muscles will thank me and it casts far-enough.

How much, Mr.Sandman? And what is ur real name?I dont wanna cal people by their nickname.

The rod is in great shape but take my advice...your money would be better spent on a smaller graphite set=up..ask anyone who has fished with these big rods. I was thinking of cutting it up to make a jetty-gaff. If you *really* want it I will sell it to you but (its really too big and too heavy compared to todays stuff.) It is really more of a conversation piece at this point.
Also, you would have to come over to the vineyard to get it. (I think it is too big to ship via UPS)

Think about it and if your still interest...PM me.

Jim

Oh, I see... I will PM u about it.:D Call me crazy if u want.

sandman. curious as to what is on it for a reel? big silver diawa by chance? i keep searching for 9000C silver series.

Yeah!...I think it was the silver series 9000 or 12000(?), I don't know it was big. I have a spare spool too. I still have it and it looks and works like new. It has an external bail trip (a red knob that strikes the bail) and it makes a loud KER-PLUNK! upon tripping. It was a monster. You could hear it 100 yards down the beach. I actually put new line on it last season and put in it the back of the truck but did not use it. I have not cast the rod in 15 or so years. I lent it to a visitor who saw it in my garage and wanted to try it a few years ago...when he returned he said.. "Thanks!, Thats quite the honker surf rig!".

I should take it down to the beach and reminisce with it....:D

Notaro,

This is the kind of stuff you throw with rods like that:
http://striped-bass.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5885

Notaro - trust us - you don't want or need a rod that big. Back when I was young and st, err, impressionable :D , I assumed - FALSELY - that to look the part & be the part, ya needed a big stick. So I went out and bought a 12 foot fiberglass Daiwa Eliminator and a Penn 8500. Boy was I stupid. That thing, while maybe a decent setup in some cases, was way overkill for a 5-11, 200# guy (OK - this was a few years ago :rollem: ). I could not cast the right objects anywhere near friends were throwing with their custom nine footers.

So a friend of mine wanted to buy it from me even after I told him it would be a miserable choice, but he bought the rod outright and swapped me his near new 6500 Penn for my 8500 Penn. He no longer fishes it and now uses 9' graphite sticks and smaller conventionals. I oughta bug him about it again :laughs:

Not only is it a bear and not too efficient to cast once, it weighs so much it takes a toll on you at the end of the day and you're not that big enough physically to punnish yourself for no reason. It also will not improve your casting ability or efficiency. Seriously, don't do it. And if you do, I'll bet my little wussy 9 footer against it any day :D ...

Seriously, John? John, I tried casting far, but I'm not sure how far I can make it. Okay, I'll your words for it. Why? Because sandman is gonna use it for his jety gaff.


Sandman, this type of rod and reel combo is used for lures? Damn, will it wear me out?

Really really....

That stick is probably for throwing 3.5 ounces & up before it even starts to load up the rod. 90% of the people I've seen on the beach with a 12 or 13' rod can't get the typical plugs out as fars as the decent casting fella with a 9 or 10. The 9 footer is easier to throw & quicker to learn. And did I mention it's a lot lighter?

yES, BUT WHAT COMPANY? i PREFER SHEAKESPEARE BEcause it's duarble and capable of making a long cast. i don't need ron arra kind. and i dont cast it with a convential outfit.

i'v seen lots of guys out there with salt water rod's casting with a fresh water style (one arm) and with not much distance. so many people forget to pull with their left hand, the proper tech. works wonders on your casts regardless of the size of the rod. my .02

Notaro - I would stay away from those. Although the Ugly Sticks are decent blanks, the finnished product isn't all that hot. So while you probably don't need an Arra, a factory Ugly Stick is probably not the best choice either...

Before we go deep into companies, blanks, and lengths and weights, let us know what you are going to do with this rod? Let's get some specifics. Do you already have the reel or need one of those too?

John, I honestly have no ideas. I just want the right gear for surfcasting on Onset, Castle Island, Canal, Granite pier, and etc. I don't a right kind of rod that will fit the type of Arra's. I prefer to use the spinning arra gear for baitfishing for stripers and etc.
i need something that can be compressed easily and fits my height. I'm 5'10 and 164-72. So what are ur suggestion?

My suggestion is to visit a few shops around your area and check them (hands on) or talk to one of the guys here doing custom rods. I am sure you can find something suitable for whatever your budget. (Bigger is not better, you don't want lumber)
BTW, you can get an Ron Ara in spinning but you don't need to drop that much coin. Talk to some of the rodbuilders on this site! Saltheart makes some pretty nice stuff from his photos... I am sure a fellow like that can hook you up with a top suitable setup.

I want to narrow it down some more. Are you looking to cast 1 ounce jigs & bombers? 3 Ounce swimming plugs? Eels? 3 ounces plus bait? * and Bait? There are a lot of different subsets of surfcasting that need to be considered. Say you were going to use a smaller Gibbs popper or a Bomber, you couldn't cast those with a 12 foot Uglystick and a Penn 8500. Sure they'd sail 50 feet but they wouldn't put any kind of load on the rod to cast it out. Now say you had an off the shelf 9 foot Daiwa Sealine that would cast these, you wouldn't want to put a half a pogie and a 4 ounce sinker on it because it would probably break on the cast.

There really aren't a one size fits all, especially for a 12 footer, that can do everything. So it's best to figure out what you'll specialize in first. Doesn't make a big difference either if it's spinner or conventional and I would recommend spinner at this time anyway.

If you can narrow it down between chunking and lighter pulgs/eels/jigs - that would be helpfull. Are you going to cast & retrieve frequently? Or spike a rod and soak some bait? That has some to do with this too....

casting and rods can you tell me what im doin wrong when my 40z lead sinker goes whizzing by the guys head 50yds down beach!!!!:smash: :smash:

40 oz is too excessive, tuna dude. and besides, combined with ur bait's weight and the sinker's weight, it wld be too heavy for u to cast.

no i dont throw beer bottles around that would break my line! lil space DUDE!!:laughs: OOPS YOU CHANGED AVITAR MY BAD!!!

okay, tuna salad, my bad. :smash: i think that 40 oz is a little excessive. where do u fish off?

i was fooling around with 4 oz weight ive never fished from shore but when i did weights go sailing, big swimmer plugs get donated to the rocks, i walk around all day with no socks cause waders i borrowed leaked! but it was fun!!:smash: :happy: :happy:

I think Mr. Macy is talking 4 oz not 4O z.........

Compressed, do you want a two piece? That is probably the first decision.

Once you decide what type of fishing you plan on doing the decision will be easy.

i can cast farther with a 8 or 9 footer than with an eleven footer!!!
this I know! not to mention fish for hours and not have that stabbing pain in my shoulders......:af: :rolleyes: !!!!!!!!!!!!!



LMAO!!!!
with a fresh water style (one arm) and with not much distance. so many people forget to pull with their left hand

I never realized until this past summer that there was a difference!!! went freshwater fishing with a great guy and fisherman and he laughed like hell when i reared back-two handed and launched that rubber worm like it was a 5oz hunk of lead!!!!! DUH! goes to show how much I know!!!:p :p :p (he still doesnt let me live it down either.....:rolleyes: ):D

Notaro

I got a 1265 Allstar by Saltheart last year that I can recommend as suiting me extremely well. It's a 2pc 10'6" and casts really well. I'm no long bomber, but this stick loads up 1.5 oz to 3.5 oz nicely. Gets 3/4 - 1oz out too. Check with SH or read about it on HatterasOutfitters.com

Nightfighter, I will try to hook up with SH. And since he is the "doctor" of custom surf rods and stuffs. So I'm sure that he can evaluate my build and my needs.

Don't let peoples preferences sway you from the right rod. 9 feet may be perfect for some and the way and where they fish. For others , a longer rod is better. I agree that 13 feet for someone to throw 2 OZ plugs may be overkill. You want to match the rod to your application and ability.

Fact is that if you can handle it , the longer rods , properly matched to the application , will cast further. You also need length if you often fish around large boulders or areas with high waves. It doesn't have to be one or the other. You can get lengths between 9 feet and 13 feet. Lots of people like 10 feet.

Landing fish is usually easier with a shorter rod. The shorter rod is a problem though if you have to reach over rocks , etc. A 13 foot rod has little utility on a fishing boat but by the same token , a 6 foot trolling rod has little use casting in the surf.

Certainly don't get any rod longer than you can handle. Also , be careful of rods that are too stiff for the weights you throw. They won't load so you might as well be using a broom handle.

Notaro - what's the longest rod you use now comfortably? What brand model is it? And what kind of distance & comfort do you have with it...

Thanks,

John

John, I use a 8 ft calyspo beachcomber combo or 8 feet zebro combo. but the tip of the zebro is ruined and the reel of the the beachcomber is dull. So I threw the reel away. I need a matching reel for my rod. i never use eels because i dont do a night fishing. because i got no car and it will upset my parents. Now, I currently owned a 9 ft star-something company produced combo. it doesn't really help me that much. b/c of the reel. im gonna buy me a light one for me to cast smoothly and far. i tried using arra's method, but it's hard, y'know? im not good with the pendelum.

SH, I never tried a 10 ft.

if you can wait till spring fishing.....and you hook up with one of us...I am SURE you could "test" a few rods and maybe get a better feel for what works for you!!!!;) ;)

I hope so. I can't wait to go fishing with all of you. It sure beats staying home.

It sure beats staying home.

NO KIDDING!!!:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I hate to be isolated in one place, y'know? But fishing all the time can be unhealthy for us because we don't exercise.

I hope I don't ruffle any feathers here, particularly since I am new to this board, but I think there are times where a longer rod is fine for repeated casting of lures.

I cast mostly down in Hatteras which is big rod country due to the distances have be achieved fishing relatively flat beaches. Unless one has a very slight build or reoccuring shoulder/back problems, I don't think a 12 foot rod is too big for lure casting.

I am only 5'8" and 43 years old, and I have casted 12 foot Tica, 11'9" breakaway, and 12.5 seeker for hours using tins like crippled herrings without any problems. See a fair number of others who are not particulary large who cast very large rods without any problems. A lot of it has to do with casting techicque

I agree with most here that all things being equal, a nine foot rod is more pleasant to cast (and work a lure) than a longer rod. On the other hand, a nine foot rod is not going to get the distance of a comparable 11 foot rod.

It comes down to what type of fishing to you want to do. Is it necessary to cast long distances where you fish?, are you simply reeling the lure in or do you have to play it a lot? or do you simply like rocketing lures a far, far, ways.?

That being said, most of the time when I fish in New England (Plum Island), I find that a 9 - 10.5 foot rod serves most of my needs. Good luck.

Tom

Hey Duck - welcome to S-B! Beuaracrat, eh? Won't hold it against you.

You're right about the long rod but there are a couple things to consider. Even though you all have the fish over the winter (and we want 'em back very soon! ), when we get them from April thru Dec, they are often in close, like REALLY close and a 8, 9, 10 foot rod is fine, easy on the body, and easier - often - on the wallet. One thing that is nice about up here is that the majority of fishing situations doesn't warrant the big rod @ 12 feet. IMO - one is better off with a smaller & more versatile rod before getting the 12 ...

but the tip of the zebro is ruined Notaro - don't know what a zebro is but I'm guessing Zebco... Anyway, any B&T shop can change the tip for you and if the rod is broken near the tip and not the tip itself, it can be cut flush and a different tip installed - really not a big deal and would probably cost you $5 - 10...

But fishing all the time can be unhealthy for us because we don't exercise. Uhhh - the fishing a lot of us do makes walking 18 holes look weak too. I suppose if you plane to fish hull gut and spike a rod in the car's drink holder, yeh there is not much exercise, but some of fish places where we walk miles in beach sand, hop a lot of rocks, & move from place to place to fish where we want. Believe me - if you are a moble surfcaster - there is exercise involved...

BTW - the "something star" is probably a Silstar... so so for off the shelf, I've had some before going custom...