Gear Info

[The Dad Fisherman]

W/ the fishing season winding down ( and before you guys start giving me crap I said winding down not ending) I am starting to think about my needs for next season. The wife OK'ed me for a $250 budget to get some new gear (might be able to stretch it to $300 w/ some creative grovelling). My question is what kind of Rod and Reel would you guys recommend in this price range. I don't own a boat so it will all be from shore. Any Suggestions????

[Karl F]

What do you fish mostly? Plugs, eels? Bait and weight?
Spin? Conventch?
That would kind of narrow it down for recommendations.

[The Dad Fisherman]

I have always fished Spin gear so I'm very familiar w/ that. As far as fishing for stripers this is the 1st year that I have done it. I've always been a freshwater guy...until this year. I managed 5 keepers, 2 on chunking and 3 on artificials. Haven't tried plugs yet, most of the artificials I use are Yozuris and Storm shad. I would prefer to fish more artificials, including trying plugs, as that is what i'm most used to in freshwater.

I would like to try slinging eels as that seems to be what brings in the big ones (at least thats what I'm hearing here)

I don't know if this clarifies things for you or not but any Suggestions are well appreciated....thanx

[Karl F]

That's helpfull, for me anyway, thanks!

I would say have a 1088, or 1087 Batson rainshadow built for spin, matched with a Penn 560 slammer. You could throw artificials, plugs and eels with this set up, and be within your budget. If you don't like the 560, look at the 5500 ss from Penn. There are a number of fine rod builders on this site, that could build that rod for you, or you could wrap it yourself, I did my first rod last year,(a 1087 Batson RS), still together!

I know have 3 of the 560's, love them. Will have a 1088 by next spring

Good luck, and happy spending!

[JohnR]

I'll echo what Karl is saying with a couple caveats. A 1087 is a bit light for heavier eels and plugs. It will do OK but I'd be hesitant to toss a big snake or a big plug / tin on a 1087. A 1088 will handle that fine but won't load up as well on a bomber. It will be fair on the lighter stuff and good on the heavier. Those Batons & the Patroits are probably the best bang for the buck customs going. Yes, a Loomis, Allstar, or Lami would be a better rod but the difference in coin almost pays for your reel. If I were you I'd get the 1088 (both are 9 footers) and keep your eye out for a nice 8-8.5 footer in the used market to throw the lighter stuff with...

I've been using a 1088 about 75% of the time for the past 2 years and really like it... If you are handy and have some time, you could actually build a 1087 and a 1088 yourself for not much more than having one done for you. They are a little labor intensive but not overly so.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Thanx for the info guys. I would probably lean towards the 1088 as I like a little backbone in my rods. any idea what the cost of one is? How do you guys feel about the store bought rods. I definitely don't have the time to build one so I would need to buy one.

[Mike P]

I think you could get a Batson 1088 for under $200---say, $180 as a ballpark price You'd pay almost as much or more for an equal quality factory rod.

For a reel---depending on how "wet" you usually fish, I'd go with a Shimano Stradic 8000 if you're gonna stay reasonably dry, or the Penn 560 Slammer or the old standby 704Z if you're gonna get wet a lot. Expect to pay about $80-$90 for the 704, $120 or so for the Slammer, and about $130-$150 for the Stradic depending on where you buy it.

[Scotch Bonnet]

#^&#^&#^&#^&s has Stradics' on clearence for $99. I picked up a 6000 today

[Washrat]

don't over look the shimano bait runner 4500B. I have been using this reel for the past 7 years and have not encountered any problems. The bait runner feature allows the fish to take the bait and run with it without it feeling any pressure and with a quarter turn of the handle you engage your regular drag system. This reel is good for plugging as well because of its light weight and water proof drag system.

My 4500B has causht thousands of fish even tuna, been dropped in the sand and surf, single handedly caught two commercial striped bass limits (80 bass over 34" in two days), and never had a problem. All for 119.99 at the bait shops

[Nebe]

Save your cash and buy a tica.. I have a 8 footer and can cast further than most folks using 9 or 10 ft poles. plus its only 70 bucks... then with the money you will save, buy a slew of plugs.

[Christian]

i would also go with 1088 or 1087 although i havent used one, but from all the good stuff ive heard thats what im doin. im also on a budget, im buildin them. maybe you might want to look into getting an old penn 704 too. im fixin up one thats been in the family 40+ yrs . i would look on ebay for the 704z and buy the parts ya need to make it work.

[capesams]

if u would like a 1088, wrapped plain jane, cork tape,fuji reel seat, guides,,,,,, done this winter[u pick up] $145.00 plus tax.

[bud8fan]

If I were you I would jump at Capesams offer for the rod!
I would suggest a Mitchell Nautil 6500 for the spinning reel.
There have been quite a few lately on Ebay brand new for under $100. So between the rod and reel you would still have some $$ left over to be able to spool all three spools with braid!!
The deal on the Stradic is a great one but not so sure how they would hold up if they were dunked! As we all know the Nautil is waterproof! Mine has two seasons under its belt and numerous dunkings with no problems whatsoever!!


Hope this helps!


Russ

[JohnR]

Those Stradics clearance from last years model?

[Scotch Bonnet]

The model # is ST-6000FG

[JohnR]

FG is the new one...

[bud8fan]

I thought that Shimano had price protection and that any stores found selling their products at less than their suggested retail could loose the right to sell Shimano products?

I wonder? Maybe Shimano is planning on changing the Stradic again? This would make it acceptable for #^&#^&#^&#^&'s to sell at a clearance price.

Either way its a deal!!

[Scotch Bonnet]

There were no Stradics in the main display case, only in the clearence case. I remembered hearing good things about them here, so at that price I couldn't resist. I believe the 8000 was sold out though.

[blackeye]

old standby for the reel-704 or 704z, under $$80. spool it up with 50lb power pro and cast a mile
I'll side with eben on the tica rod
use the xtra cash to buy another 704z

[BasicPatrick]

The new Stradics are "FH"

The previous generation Stradics are "FG"

The Original Stradics are "F"

I own all of the above in multiples and have dunked each many times. I rinse every time and oil as needed. Never had a problem and I fish a lot (read more that three times per week)

[JohnR]

Originally posted by BasicPatrick
The new Stradics are "FH"

The previous generation Stradics are "FG"

The Original Stradics are "F"

OK - they were the previous generation - still a really good deal. Yes, there is price protection..

[The Dad Fisherman]

Wow, got into work this AM and can't believe all the responses.

Question on the reels. How do the ones you guys recommended stand up to abuse. I currently have an Okuma Epixor EB65 and its a great reel functionally but its only 3 months old and it looks like I've had it 10 years. Fishing on the rocks has really taken a toll on it. I've checked out the Penn reels and they look like they can take some abuse from the rocks but how about the Stradic or the Mitchell. How do they take the abuse?

Thanx for all of the info...this is awesome.

Capesam I may take you up on that offer but it might be awhile. I got the approval on the budget but I'm still waiting for "Finance" to cut the check.