Looking for advice on a surf casting set up.

[Fishin' Blues]

Well, I went to Bass Pro Shops yesterday and I've developed a bad case of GAS(gear acquisition syndrome) for a new surf set up.

I mostly fish around the Weymouth area, so I don't need a 13 foot mega launcher, but I do travel occasionally and would like to get something of an all purpose set up.

I'm thinking about going with a St. Croix(I've always like these rods for some reason) 10' MH surf rod with a Penn 750 SSm.

I was wondering if anyone has thoughts on this set up.

I'd love to get a Daiwa Saltiga but I don't think the Queen would be happy with me buying a $700 reel.

[tattoobob]

I don't know much about St Criox

I would save my money up and buy a Lamiglas GSB 1201 M
and a VS250 with 65 # Power Pro

I know you don't want to spend 1200 bucks on a set up,

The penn 750 ssm is a great reel and easy to maintain yourself.

[capecodkid]

I used to have a St Croix Premier surf. It was alrite, I like my avid better. Its 10ft rated 1/2-4oz. Good pencil rod also. For an all around rod you can't beat a GSB 1201M like tattoobob said. For a reel look at the Diawa Emblem($150) and Diawa Saltiga Surf ($400) if you don't want to spend $700+. Also the Shimano Spheros is a nice reel for under $150.

[hyefisherman2]

Originally Posted by tattoobob

I don't know much about St Criox

I would save my money up and buy a Lamiglas GSB 1201 M
and a VS250 with 65 # Power Pro

[Fishin' Blues]

Where do you get a GSB 1201 M? I don't see that model on their web site.

[niko]

sounds like a good setup. i've got a bunch of st. croixs and they are great rods. nice and light so you can throw for hours. maybe swap the penn for a shimano - but that's a tossup. go to belsans in scituate he's got a nice selection to check out. good luck, paul

[tattoobob]

Originally Posted by Fishin' Blues

Where do you get a GSB 1201 M? I don't see that model on their web site.

You have to have a rod builder build it for you, it would be in the rod blanks section

[luds]

What in your mind fall under all purpose. If you're going to fish mostly just the weymouth area a 10 footer would be overkill in my mind.

[Mike P]

St. Croix is a good product. You could do a lot worse. They're American made blanks, are reasonably priced, they come with a warranty and the company has good customer service.

The set-up you're considering sounds OK to me.

[gone fishin]

Buy it from a shop like M&D - you will get the straight scoop on the gear you are buying. Bass pro didn't impress me as far as having someone in the know talking to people. Mostly mfg. reps there. Also you will have a better chance of having help with your gear when you buy from someone who services what they sell.

[GattaFish]

9' Lamiglas SS91MHS 1-4oz 15-25 line Mod/Fast Good all around 9' rod for the Money. They also make a 10' 1 piece model too,,,, SS101MHS 2-4 oz and 17-40 line. And yes get something from a local shop,,,,,,

[Fishin' Blues]

Originally Posted by luds48

What in your mind fall under all purpose. If you're going to fish mostly just the weymouth area a 10 footer would be overkill in my mind.

I occasionally fish Duxbury Beach and the Cape/Vineyard.

I've been using the same Penn 704z and 9' Ugly Stik set up for the last 15 years. The 704z doesn't handle braid very good, imo, and my shoulder was pretty sore at the end of this year. I need something lighter.

[chief10]

that st. croix 10' M is good for plugs up to 2 1/2 ounces and isn't built for throwing eels. I have one it's now my son's. that penn might be too big for that set up I'd go with the 650. you could scrap the whole idea and get a custom rod done for less than $200 put your 704z then take your time to find a reel to match. just my 2 cents

[Clogston29]

plugging or bait? rod sounds good. i've never liked penns myself, if your looking for a braid friendly reel, look at the shimano spheros (plugs) or baitrunner (bait) - very smooth and you shouldn't have any issues unless you dunk it - only alittle over $100 i think, maybe 120.

[Clogston29]

also 1201m blank = XS 101 MS factory lamiglass rod
at about $310 for the factory rod, I'd look at getting a custom, it'll probably end up cheaper with better components. Check with Mike at M&D's.
if your looking at the 2 piece, I'd caution you that the 1202m (the two piece version of the 1201m) is a much different and stiffer rod than the 1201m - I only use the 2 piece for bait. The 1202L might be a good option, but I don't know much about it (that would be the XS 10 MS factory rod). Just alittle confusing, huh?
good luck.

[leptar]

Tica Dolphin 9' with the Spheros 6000 is a good travel setup...

Spend a little more and get a Loomis 1266S with a Saltiga 4500Z...

Don't want something that will stop boats but will toss lighter stuff then a Loomis 1023S with a Van Staal VSB150.

Don't want to drop alot of money for a rod and reel that is going to bounce around for a season in the car... check out the Spheros reels and Tica Dolphin rods....

It's your money and do what you want but take a look at the site sponsors.

[Pete F.]

Convert the 704 to manual bail and use 20# Fireline on it.
I have a 10' St Croix Avid and like it for plugging. It's rated just about correctly as far as what it will cast.