Looking for advise for a friend

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

any place you need a special rod and reel to fish isnt worth fishing in my opinion

the setup in that canal allows everyone to see what other people are doing so you have the hot rod/reel/lure, etc. My gut tells me 30yrs ago guys were slamming trophy fish on off the shelf rods and mediocre reels

But as an observer, I think the proximity of fisherman in the canal leads to obsession over lures/rods reels. Is it the gear or the fisherman?

I agree with you 100 percent, even if you're a lowly boat guy. Most of my fish are caught within 50'- 100' of the bank. This includes plugs/shads/eels.

Lamiglas 1203M's(yellow fiberglass) and penn squidders/newell 229's have accounted for more fish out of the canal than any other rod make, I'd guess. having said that though, I'd go with the new technology available simply because it makes you look more important.

I'd go for the Saltiga Z4500 or Z5000 and XRA1322 custom built over the other setup any day. The mojo has only been around a couple years and is still unproven. The Ron Arra series is still the standard, IMO, particularly if you get the custom built version.

Best thing is if your buddy springs for the expensive setup you can take it if his hands for pennies on the dollar when he gets sick of the canal...

SPEND THE MONEY!!!!