Last time I checked, everyone who lived in Connecticut within an easy commute to the Rhode Island south shore was fishing in Westerly and Charlestown. (Just check the license plates at the Weekapaug Breachway and you will get my drift.)
My advice to you would be not be to spend too much before you know what you are doing, salt-wise.
I think, after a short time on your local pier, you will find that Connecticut pier fishing pales in comparison to the surf and inlet fishing available to you in RI – particularly during the upcoming fall run. Then you will find that a pier set-up is not a good surf outfit, and it will collect dust.
I suggest you get a Penn 6500 and a cheapo rod. Put off the purchase of an expensive rod until next year, after you have done more saltwater fishing. You can always sell the reel on a message board or on Ebay – but I bet you will find it more than sufficient. Surfcasting beginners tend to overstate the importance of what they can purchase. It’s not like buying a car – the value of high quality gear will not be immediately noticeable to a novice. I’ve guided people with St. Croix rods and Shimano reels who can’t cast for crap and don’t know the first thing about reading the water.
You are better off buying an instructional book, like Daignault’s Striper Surf or Woolner & Lyman's Striped Bass Fishing, than anything else.
Good Luck – Joe
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