bought new offshore boat, looking for fishing tips

[fish raptor]

Originally Posted by Rockport24

Honestly you can land a pretty big striper on that outfit, but I would go to a 6500 size reel and maybe a little bit heavier rod and that would serve you well for some very large stripers. What lure weight is the St. Croix rated for? I like rods rated in the 2-3oz category, allows you to toss most plugs, eels, plastics without feeling too heavy. Sure, you want to be prepared for a big fish, but you don't something so heavy that it just takes the fun completely out of the smaller fish.

The 7' St. Croix med/heavy power, fast action is rated for 1/2 to 1 1/4oz.. I guess I would like to know just big a fish I could realistically catch on a routine basis with it.

Cant throw much weight with that. The rod was quite expensive ($250 I think) but it has a gorgeous feel to it, super pleasant to use, I guess that is why I like it so much. It is rated for 280 yards of 20# braid but I guess i best keep it for the lighter stuff and get another heavier spinning rod & bigger reel to be safer. If I knew I wasn't going to get anything too big I would use but do not like the idea of hooking a larger fish and loosing it by having too light of tackle. More worried about the rod than the reel.

lots to learn..... need to go to the Conn. Show and talk and see first hand.

[Got Stripers]

I've built most of my spinning rods for throwing plastic, but they are light compared to what most use and I've rarely lost large due to the rod or terminal tackle. I alwyas have a conventional Abu 7000 set-up with an ugly stick, but I don't know why; I rarely use the damn thing. I use 30# powerpro on Stratic 5000's primarily and 4000's for early schoolies and albies later, spro swivel and either 20#, 30# or 40# seagar leader depending on method and target species.

I love the shimano med-light butterfly spinning rods, they are one of the most versatile, light and powerful rods I've used and I have two on board for my drifting and jigging. I like them for drifting for fluke, sea bass or stripers and they are fun once you get on a good fish, but even a 2 lb sea bass you can feel.

Most of my fishing involves my own Ledge Runner Baits and Kalin Ulimate jig heads or bucktails tipped for sea bass or fluke.