Phantom 4 pro equipped with a bait release mechanism I plan to use for shark fishing. Can carry a 2.5 lb payload safely.
So my question is I want to get a conventional rod and reel set up nothing too big I’m just trying to stay in the 6-8ft shark range. What’s a decent setup priced from 200$-400$
With drone fishing you need a lot of lightish line. The line has to be thin so it doesnt create as much resisistance. Like 50lb jbraid. I would go with a 50 size casting reel or bigger. They sell some older okuma 50w big game re like the solterra for like 150ish 200, they are beast for the price. The 50 size caster should hold about a 1000 yards of 50lb braid. A 50w would hold like 4000. Don’t be afraid of a decent used reel. A 50 will have a much higher gear ratio, faster line retrieval and less drag. The big game reels that are 50s will be geared lower stronger slower retrieve with a lot of drag. I would go with something like a diawa saltist with 40 or 50lb braid. The penn squal would be a cheapish off the shelf combo from the big game reels category.
Ultimate Budget Setup:</font id=“size3”>
Rod $53 Shipped:
Reel $80-$125 Shipped:
Okuma TPLD 90 Titus
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Okuma-TPLD-90-Titus-Platinum-Ultima-Lever-Drag-Saltwater-Fishing-Trolling-Reel/163514811910?hash=item26123e0606:g:XTsAAOSwPatcUMdP
Shimano Triton 50
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-Triton-50-reel/123709322994?hash=item1ccda676f2:g:gZAAAOSwbrZcdfep
Okuma Solterra 50w (like 40 said)- couldn’t find one on ebay right now at the right price but you can find them for $80-$120
Line $80-$165
I wouldn’t go cheap on the line, it’s arguably the most important part when shark fishing. I can’t speak on how the weight of the line will affect the drone, but Jerry Brown is by far the best line… Id get 80-130lb.
http://www.spartantackle.com/index.php/jerry-brown-braid/braided-fishing-line.html
I forgot to mention I’m looking for a rod with no rollers on it. And also I want a 100% new setup unless I can find a lightly used local set up. I’ve had good luck with the daiwa j braids.
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Penn Squall if your going for new…
If you want to size them up in person i have a 50 style casting reel, a 50 big game reel and a 50w big game reel. If you want to keep your setup light get a graphite reel they are plenty strong. Personally i would go with a 50 caster or 50 big game reel for drone fishing because of capacity and weight and depending how far of drops i want to do. Also i would do some test runs on dry land to get everything down.
My saltist 50 black gold is a very good reel and i got it for 100 on sale new. ASFN fishing on youtube has some drone shark and surf videos.
I think I will go with the Penn squall 60. It’s about 170$. Is it worth it to upgrade and get the 2 speed Penn squall 60 for 300$. Will it make it that much more easier to reel in a shark?
Thats a good setup for what your looking to do, just dont get a levelwind model the level wind will mess up sharkfishing. A 2 speed reel has 1 gear for faster retrieve and 1 for a stronger slower retrieve. Low will be like 1:1 high is like 3:1 and a single speed is usually geared like 2:1. Most of the time you can keep up with the sharks around here with a normal reel. I like to say my arms got 2 speeds, ive only had to use high gear (reel as fast as i can) on 2 sharks that charged the beach The slow low gear is good for reeling in big weights. With the beach kayak shark fishing you take giant baits and huge spider weights and it is about the same effort to fight a 8ft shark as to reel in a big spider weight. Thats the only thing where two speeds have shown more ability then the single speed model. You can leave your reel in the rod holder and reel in big weights way easier. I just pump my rod to make reeling easier. I would get the single speed and buy some higher 3nd braid like max quatro or the newer j braids. Those are about 20% stronger and thinner than power pro.
2 speed FTW
You’ll regret not getting the two speed, it’s way easier to fish with.
Penn Squall SQL30VSW 2 Speed - $240 brand new on ebay
40 if your reeling in those spider weights like that there is an easier way. I used it before and it works great. I came across this video a few years back. You use a low lb mono to break and let the spider weight cone in backwards when using large weights.
Ill give that a try for sure. Reeling the big spider weights is a work out and unnecessary strain on your gear.