New to the forum and a new owner of a Saifish 245DC:
Anyway, I am getting some safety gear together from what I’ve learned form other threads, but I don’t know which way to go on my fishing gear. I live 3.5 hours away, but I plan make several trips to Edisto this year (and one to the gulf). I plan to start small by making trips to the Edisto 40 and 60 for bottom fishing as well as target some Spanish nearshore. Eventually, my goal is to be able to catch some dolphin and some deeper bottom fishing.
Anyway, I’m not looking for the best gear money can buy. I would like help in identifying a few starter rod/reel combos that are versatile enough for typical bottom fishing, Spanish, and eventally, dolphin fishing. I’ve seen the Penn Warefare in the stores and read about the TLD15 and TLD25. The warefare level wind seems nicely priced. I’d probably just look to buy combos for best bang for the buck. I could buy used too. I will usually have some children with me. Would conventional or spinners be best? Some of both? Do I need or want levelwind? What sizes? What line should I shoot to start with?
I’d keep an eye out for used TLD 15-30’s I’ve picked several good looking used TLD 25’s, a 30 and a 20…they seem to be pretty decent reels. A couple even came as combo’s with rods. Search here, craigslist, some other fishing forums and see what you can come up with.
If you’ve got the coin, go pretty and get Penn Internationals. Solid stuff.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
2007 Grady White 222 Fisherman / 250 Yamaha
Simrad NSS evo2 and G4
1- 23 boy that won’t move out)
1 - 19 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
Another place to look is the Facebook Marketplace. There’s a TLD20 on a Star Rod for $150.00 that would be a good set up.
Nice looking boat. Prepare to spend lots of money on toys.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
2007 Grady White 222 Fisherman / 250 Yamaha
Simrad NSS evo2 and G4
1- 23 boy that won’t move out)
1 - 19 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
I bottom fish with spinners all the time. My favorite weapon for slaying triggers is a 6000 spheros reel, 6’ 6" MH Trevala rod and 60 pound braid, but that’s just me…
10000 saragosa for jigging or live bait.
I just grew up throwing spinners in the gulf for reds and trout when a was 4 year old so it just feels more natural to me.
I do fish a conventional for a bigger live bait setup.
That’s a sweet looking boat. Good luck with everything!
I have 3 tld’s which are bulletproof. Penn senators are good for bottom fishing also. I think those 2 reels are good for both bottom and trolling and won’t make you broke. Senators are all over Craigslist. As far as spinning I like the Daiwa BG for the money.plus they are oversized and hold a lot of line.
Beautiful boat by the way. Congrats. Let us know when you’re heading out. I’ll help you out if I’m around.
Over the years I have bottom fished on charter boats, they’ve always used conventional reels. Why do I see some boats going out with spinners?
If you watch Modern Fishing with Jared (On Demand), he only fishes with spinning gear. Probably a good idea to have a few spinning rods offshore to throw at stuff…you might come across some schooled dolphin under debris and you’d want something easy to throw at them - spinning rods are easier to throw than conventional reels (at least to me). Or you come across a school of Spanish Mackerel and need to throw some clark spoons or Gotcha’s at them - you’ll need a spinning rod for that.
You can bottom fish with a spinning rod, but if the line has a lot of stretch or if the rod tip is too soft, setting the hook is hard. Braid would fix that.
When I first got our boat, I tried to find a one rod/reel combo set up for everything…big stuff and little stuff. You’ll notice guys that have been at this a long time have a lot of different set ups - that’s because you need light stuff inshore, medium stuff at near shore and beefy stuff offshore.
…last offshore trip fishing in 90 feet of water, The Warden (wife) insisted on using the medium action Diawa with mono to bottom fish. She wanted it because it was lighter than the Torium 30 conventional reel. After a few drops, she changed to the Torium.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
2007 Grady White 222 Fisherman / 250 Yamaha
Simrad NSS evo2 and G4
1- 23 boy that won’t move out)
1 - 19 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
Thanks for steering me in the right direction. I’m now thinking that with the kids and relative beginners that I will have around me - maybe I should get a level wind (i.e. Penn squall or Warfare). Good idea? Any reason i might regret a level wind?
Thanks for steering me in the right direction. I’m now thinking that with the kids and relative beginners that I will have around me - maybe I should get a level wind (i.e. Penn squall or Warfare). Good idea? Any reason i might regret a level wind?
If you are going to be casting level winds…you’ll likely get a lot of back-lashes especially with beginners. You and beginners will even get them on a straight drop until folks get the hang of thumbing the spool. Kids can catch on to using a spinning rod pretty quickly.
For drop fishing, I’m using my Shimano Toruim 20’s and 30’s on 6’6"-7’ rods. For trolling, I’m going to using my TLD 25-30’s and maybe that Toruim 30 (maybe) on stiffer rods.
For casting to the jetties or inshore docks, I’m all spinning rod stuff.
But if you are good with a baitcaster/level wind reels…you’ll be fine, it’ll just depend how you want to fish and where.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
2007 Grady White 222 Fisherman / 250 Yamaha
Simrad NSS evo2 and G4
1- 23 boy that won’t move out)
1 - 19 year old (fishing maniac)
1 - wife (The Warden)
3000 spinning reel on 7 to 7.5 ft. 6-12 lb. rod with 8-10 lb. braid will cast wherever you need inshore. Trout, reds, sheepshead. I use it at the jetties too but don’t let my baits get too deep to avoid sharks. Many great choices in this class. Penn Battle II reels are good value in reels, Shimano are smooth and light. I try to buy rods with lifetime warranties.
5000 or 6000 spinning reel on a 6.5 ft. 15-25 or 20-40 lb. rod with mono for jetties, casting schools, or bottom fishing nearshore reefs.
30 series non-level wind star drag conventional reel on 7 ft. 15-30 live bait rod with 30 lb. mono for slow speed trolling live baits and bottom fishing. Lever drags or star both have their proponents, I have and use both. Many get tired of level wind quickly, it doesn’t cast or free spool as well, more to break/service, and good ones are expensive. Should handle most any king, mahi, grouper, or school fish. Fathoms, Toriums, TLDs, Squalls all bring in the fish, and most rod mfgs. have a 7’ live bait model with a soft tip at a reasonable price.
For kings you will need a high gear ratio (> 5.0:1) to keep the lines tight if they run towards the boat.
I am a fairly new and have had a place at Edisto for a couple of years now. I will look for you when folks ask about teaming up especially for trips to Edisto Banks, Southwest Banks, etc. The TLD options are very good ones and you see those reels on charter boats. Welcome aboard and that is one sweet ride!
I am a fairly new and have had a place at Edisto for a couple of years now. I will look for you when folks ask about teaming up especially for trips to Edisto Banks, Southwest Banks, etc. The TLD options are very good ones and you see those reels on charter boats. Welcome aboard and that is one sweet ride!
Teaming up with another boat would always be welcome. We stay at a house owned by family members. Currently planning to make several trips in April/May and Sept/Oct.
Another Edisto guy here. Great place to fish out of. I second the TLDs. I have had several I have used heavily for many years and they are just as smooth as the day I bought them. I use them for offshore trolling, bottom fishing, and tarpon. Also a big fan of the shimano baitrunners for spinning reels. I have several that are spooled with 30# braid and are great for casting for school dolphin, live bait for cobia and tarpon, and the big bull redfish. I think if I was limited to six rods I would probably have 4 TLD 25s and 2 baitrunner 6500 spinning reels. Very versatile and not too expensive. Beautiful boat btw. Looking forward to seeing it around.
Welcome dmann and I echo the comments concerning that sweet looking ride. My new ride doesn’t arrive for another 2-3 weeks but have plans to make several Edisto trips to E40 and E60 this year as well. Maybe we can hook-up on one of those trips if the planets align.
Kevin
1720 Sea Hunt w/ 115 hp Yam
M’Ocean Sickness
2018 Sportsman 212 Open w/200 hp Yam
M’Ocean Sickness II
We run a Spring Special on TLD25/Billfisher Rod Combos for $229.99, and you get the 2 year warranty that is a great trolling starter setup. Also we carry the Penn Spinfisher Jigging Combos for only $179.99.
When you buy any reel from us new over $100 you get a 2 year warranty on the reel.
Stop by either location and someone will gladly point you in the right direction.
I agree for checking Facebook marketplace for used reels/combos. Just picked up 2 TLD25 combos for $150 for the pair and look like they have hardly been used
