Help with Small Boat Rod/Reel Combo
 

Got a buddy and his young son who are starting to fish a small tidal inlet in Ogunquit, ME. They know other folks use a small boat and motor with success. They drag tube and worms. It appears that this inlet gives up stripers in the 15lb range. My buddy and his son have the small boat and motor, and have purchased inexpensive starter combos. They have asked for some help and I'll be taking a peek at the combos this weekend. They are willing to trade in, but want to stay close to this price range.

I surfcast, so I'm a little shaky on rod/reel advice for this application. Here's what I'm thinking - Spinning combo 8' rod (they may occasionally cast from the beach - clams or squid - distance is not an issue), 3/4-3oz, 12-20lb. Would 17lb mono, with a 40lb mono leader be a good application (structure is minimal)?

What's the price range? I'm planning to add a 7' Tica spinning rod with those specs paired with a Spheros 4000 for pretty much the same thing. It will probably run about $135.

Thanks for the response! They are into cheap combos (Ugly Sticks, etc) right now. If they stick with it, they would probably progress to Tica's/Tsunami's next and more specific reels. If the spec's I'm thinking of look OK and they want to stick with the cheaper combos as a start, at least I'll be able to steer tem in the right, comparitive direction. Sounds like what you are teling me is that the specs might not be too far off?

I would think your specs are fine for tube and worm. Only concern I would have is the depth they need to reach in that location. Some drag the tube near the surface in shallow water while others wish to get it down deep. 8' is probably a bit long for my liking but shoudl work fine. I would opt for 7', but thats me. 17lb mono with the 40 lb leader is fine.

All my boat rods are 7 footers, I fluke, bass, scup, tog, cod,sea bass I would not go any longer, especially in a small boat.
Its tuff to have to find a place for a long rod in a short boat just to get the fish to the side.
There are a lot of nice rods in the 7 foot range. I have a great ugly stick that is a great match to a Penn 4500.

if you don't have good swivels, then use spiderwire instead of mono, because you'll get knots and twists, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Penn also makes an inexpensive rod called the roddy. Just like ugly stick.

Thanks guys - specs are in the ball park, stay w/7', 17/40lb mono/leader OK, get good swivels - check. :kewl:

7 ft is all they need. I got some mid level penn 7ft spinners that are fantastic. Maybe with a shimano baitrunner? Or a 704Z? i really prefer the sensitivity and low stretch of braid.

I assume use chose spinners because they plan on casting as well. If they are just trolling i would reccomend the penn 320gti.

The ultimate spinning combo is a 7’ St Croix Primer fast action with 10-20 lb line rating. Pair that rod up with a Bait Runner 4500. I use 20 lb Ande clear/blue mono, best combo I’ve found for just about anything. I caught a 51 lb striper and a 35 lb blue fin tuna in the same day. The set up is deadly to fluke, blue, sea trout, black fish, you name it you’ll catch it. The rod runs about $120, little more than an ugly stick but much better action on the rod. The btr4500 runs around $110 ish.

I pretty much agree with MKTV except that I have Tsunami 7' spinners with 3500 Baitrunners, loaded with 30#PP line. I use them for casting, drifting, trolling. They have removed the necessity for two mono conventionals and two spinners should I need to cast to a school.

I was ruining my expensive surf rigs by taking them on the boat and stomping all over them. The Tsunami-baitrunner combos are perfect for all purpose boat rigs, and then do everything very well. Rods are about $50, baitrunners $99.