Fishing Questions,Questions and more Questions!

General Fishing Discussion
1

I am seeking some advice in regards to the gear that I fish with when I am fishing for reds and trout in the rivers and the gear I fish with for surf fishing.

Surf Fishing
12 ft ocean master with 350 yards of 100 lb braid and 250 yards of backing.

9 ft rod with 350 yards of 60 lb braid

13 ft rod with 350 yards of 60 lb braid

Two, 8 ft bait rods with 250 yards of 30 lb braid

</font id=“red”> What would an ideal set up look like for surfishing? Rod sixe? line strenght, ETC… Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Trout/ Redfish

  • two, 7 ft rods with 225 yards of 30 lb braid
  • 6 ft 6 inch speed stick with 20 lb braid
  • 7 ft rod with 200 yards of 30 lb braid.

Again, I really need some advice and tips about what size rods I should be using, what kind of action? what line is best? Currently I feel like my red/ trout rods are either two light action or not big enough.

PS… if you or any one you know of has any old rods and reels that they do not use anymore but are still in good quality condition please let me know! Unfortunately I am pretty tight on my budget right now and have not had a lot of money to purchase new gear which is why I am asking all of you to reach out to me if you have way too many set ups or you have simply upgraded your rods and reels a little bit. Obviously i am willing to buy the gear, work the money off if you need help with and side projects or can go on a payment plan!

Thank you ahain!

2

First off, your trout and red setups sound plenty stout, although you don’t mention the rod actions and power. For trout, I normally fish 1000 series reels on ML fast action rods (6-12 pound). 10 pound braid with a 20 pound fluorocarbon leader. Reds and general purpose inshore are 3000 series on M fast action rods (10-17 pound). 20 pound braid with same 20 pound flouro leader. That setup can do double duty on trouts, reds, sheepshead, flounder, Spanish, etc. if you don’t want to spring for smaller “finesse” setups.

As for surf sticks, I fish a few ocean master conventional heavers (12 ft, 6-12 oz) on Diawa black gold reels. I use 20 pound mono (300 yards) because I fish up in Hatteras a good bit and braid is bad in a crowd at the point. Also have a few 10 Ft spinning rods on 4000 series reels for in between stuff. For the small double dropper rig whiting/pompano/etc. setups that are fished relatively close, the aforementioned 3000 series rod/reels are more than adequate. Around here, the 10 footers will do the trick for all the big stuff unless you are paddling out baits, and then you’re better using something like a TLD or bigger on a fighting rod.

Hope that helps.

3

There are a few inshore situations where 30 pound braid is warranted, like fishing docks for big reds or sheepshead, but even then it’s not necessary and you may find 10-20 pound braid works as well and with lighter weights.