Hello all,
I’m requesting for some advice in regards to my last rod and reel setup for inshore. I have a Penn Conflict 4000 with a medium power/moderate action rod rated for 8-17 for live bait with 20 lb braid. I also have Penn battle 2 2500 on a medium light/fast action(6-14 lb) with 10 lb braid for soft plastics. I want one more rod for spoons, top water, etc and I was looking at the shimano c4i+ stradic. I want to vary my reels sizes and I think the 3000 will suit me fine. My question is do I go with a medium power 8-17 lb or a med light 6-14/17 with a 3000 sized reel? I love st croix and I’m torn between the tide master or MOJO inshore. Any advice is appreciated on those rods as well. Do I stick with the 3000 sized or is that too much reel for inshore? Will the 3000 size go well with a med light set up? Just realize I primarily kayak fish so I need the drag and line capacity. I want another light inshore setup and if I’m going to chuck out that cash I want to make sure I get it right the first time. Thanks
-Tobes
That’s a high end combo, but it is well worth the money. The 3000 is the same as the 2500 except for higher line capacity. 10-15 lb. braid works great on these reels. To me, the reel is much more important than the rod, but you can’t go wrong with St. Croix. To each his own for the action preferred with different lure types. One rod labeled med-light is the same as another ones medium. My favorite inshore rod for the money is a Calico Jack (7’, medium action) made by Hurricane (South Bend). It is around $50.
I like a shorter rod (6’) in the kayak for top water and blade baits. Medium Heavy with fast action for a quick recovery after each twitch is perfect for top water. I have an older stradicFI 3000 on a St Croix Premier Rod(PS60MHF)
The stradic ci4 3000 weighs less than a battle 1000. SO you can use a bigger reel with more line and more drag and still be lighter than with other small reels. I have a ci4 4ooo i use for fishing docks and cover and it weighs less than most 2000’s so i dont get tired using it. and I put my ci4’s on big bear rods and they are awesome. I mean real awesome. My buddy here on JI owns big bear and i can put you in touch with him if you want. HIs blanks are better than st croix. When he started his company he used st croix but has since stepped up. His rods have a grip like you have not seen and they are awesome. Dont get me wrong st croix are great rods and you cant go wrong with them but you should at least check out a big bear. I am not just trying to promote his business, i made the switch to his rods and now i dont like any other ones in the same price range.I can let you check out one of mine if you like or i can put you in touch with rob and you can go by and check out a room full of them. DEf get the ci4, they are great reels and very light.
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
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Toby, I have the same setup you are looking at, Stradic 3000 (White, not the Ci14), on a St. Croix Tidemaster TIS70MLF, spooled with 10 pound braid. I LOVE THIS COMBO!!! (So much so, I am asking Santa for a new one this year!) I like the longer rod in the yak, especially if I need to lift it high to avoid oysters on a run, or if I need to jockey a fish from one side to the other around the bow. I find the 3000 to be plenty of reel (my understanding is just more line capacity than the 2500), and the rod is tough enough to horse redfish, yet sensitive enough to feel the trout bite. I hear you can’t go wrong with the Ci14, but my budget didn’t allow it!
DD
Annoy a Liberal, Work Hard and Be Happy!
Thanks fellas I appreciate the ■■■■■■■■. @ dolphin Dave I have already seen the benefit of a 7 ft rod on my yak. I had a catfish go to multiple sides of my yak while I was fighting him and the length definitely helped me there. I didn’t realize the ci4 was so light, the last rod I need to complete my setup is a med light/fast action. If you want jimmy Adams, you can pm me his name and contact info and I’ll definitely contact him.
pm sent
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
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Tidemaster is a good quality rod and I have fished it for years. with no complaints. Another rod that i like is the falcon 7’6 either coastal or lowrider with a stratic 2500 or calcutta. Medium gulf caster for artificial and redfish MH for live bait.
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