Wow, thanks for all of the replies all. I truly appreciate it.
Sounds like a solid majority of you are fans of the Penn Battle reels and ugly stiks. I’ve been reading some reviews of the battle, sounds like a lot of people like the 4000 series for reds? I suppose I will probably do like most of you said and go to Haddrell’s and tell them what I’m looking for and get set up.
Toobusy, it’s funny you say that. I actually found out this weekend I won’t be able to take the boat down there and my first reaction was that I’d just get a kayak then.
I drive a 4runner so I’m gonna start looking for a Yak that I’ll be able to transport with it without having to have another person help me get it up top, if that’s even possible?
Thank yall again for all the help, I’m gonna go use the search to get through some old threads and look for info on yaks and rods/reels.
You can’t go wrong keeping your boat at Carolina Boatyard. I keep mine there for about 6 months out of the year. Thay are good people and Tracy Kerr will take good care of you!
mines is there too. i’d like to meet you sometime DF
Toobusy, it’s funny you say that. I actually found out this weekend I won’t be able to take the boat down there and my first reaction was that I’d just get a kayak then.
I drive a 4runner so I’m gonna start looking for a Yak that I’ll be able to transport with it without having to have another person help me get it up top, if that’s even possible?
AS for reels, I prefer the Okumas to Penn because they have better drags with higher ratings than comparably priced Penn (Battle, Fierce, Sargus)
Don’t know if you’ve got a rack on your truck, but getting a yak on top isn’t that difficult. Lift one end onto the rack, pick up the other end and slide forward.
You can carry a yak on anything if you want to bad enough.
Hay Peapod. My boat is Columbia right now, doing some work on it and the trailer. I’ll let you know when I am back at the yard. I’d like to meet you as well.
Hey Tommy. What Okumas do you use? I bought a couple of cheapie Avenger 30’s and for what they cost, I have really enjoyed them. I have more than gotten my money out of them.
The penn fierce is cheaper than the battle and there are not really any bad reviews on it. Thin bail wire but no com plants on that performance wise but what ever you do do not buy the fierce combo from penn the rod is GARBAGE!!! Buy an ugly stick separately.
I just bought one of these combos as a “beater” rod. Spooled with 20# braid - I’ve been having problems with wind knots on every third cast or so. I am going to spool it with 12# today and see if it works any better.
jug, going lighter on braid will not help wind knots. folks use up to 50lb on inshore rigs to combat that issue, especially with baitcasters and heavier plugs like topwater.
stradics and battles are 2 different classes of spinning reels. i love my symetre 4000 with 20lb powerpro- under a hundred bucks and it’s proven on 32"+ reds around structure. definitely go check stuff out in person at haddrell’s- you’ll leave happy and ready to fight some fins!
Thanks… I been using braid on spinning gear for 10+ years, never saw problems like with this Penn Fierce. A knot from time to time is expected, but this thing knotted up bad every 3rd cast or so. I will respool and try again - will let you know. Its a good looking cheap reel, I should have know better.
About a year ago I was in your position looking for rod/reel combos and not wanting to spend a lot of $ while learning. I bought two closeout Daiwa Regal xia reels online for $55 total. One is a 4000 and the other a 3000. I fish from a kayak and it turns out I never use the 4000.
A buddy leaving town sold me his well used Daiwa Coastal 2500 which is the same size as the regal 3000 but with smaller spool capacity.
I use them with an All Star ProII and an Ugly Stik. I once hooked two Bonnetheads simultaneously and brought them both in working the rods alternately. One was about 45" the other 36". Both combos handled it without any problems. Fishing from a kayak inshore, I don’t think I’d want reels any bigger than these. They’re spooled with 20# braid.
I also got a 7’ Lowes Supertouch Graphite rod from the same buddy. He’d removed the reel clamps and taped the reel directly to the handle claiming it made it much more sensitive to the touch. Looks kind of ghetto and I haven’t tried to put a reel back on it yet. Has anyone else ever heard of this? He claims it’s common up north.
