New Rod/Reel Combo - Dad's Xmas present!

[dpjax]

Live in North Florida. This will be salt water. Some river type, some offshore. Nothing huge, def under 20/30#.

Budget is $250 or less. Looked at Gander Mountain but thought I'd check online first.

Thanks for any help!

[Capt Rick]

I have been using the Pflueger Medalist Reel's and Ugly Stick Custom inshore rod's for the last four years on my charters, and have not had one problem with them putting plenty of fish in the boat!.

I catch these all summer with those combo's!

http://home.att.net/~rlhiott/curtis1.jpg

[Nonong]

You mentioned "some river type and some offshore".... Thats pushing the envelope for standard light saltwater which is 30 lbs test. If your'e going below the standard light line test for saltwater and something big strikes offshore you'll be in big trouble. Even estuarine rivers contain fish that can tax your skill and that line tackle class could be inadequate unless of course you can do a Stu Apte. :)

First things first, what do you intend to target in estuarine rivers and offshore? What type of fishing will you choose? You can go bottom fishing, jigging, drifting, crankbaiting or spin trolling. You have to set your parameters. Tackle class for inshore may not be compatible for offshore. In which case you will need an inshore combo and an offshore combo. Two combos is not an option. A reel line compromise would be to have one spool filled with say 12 lbs. test for inshore and another spool for 20 lbs. test for offshore. A rod in the 6 or 7 feet length would do. Select one with an action to suit your parameters. Versatility for cranking, spin trolling, jigging, etc.

Why not visit the shakespeare website? Their saltwater spinning reels matched to an ugly stick rod could fit your budget. Or better yet, buy the ugly stick rod and buy a different brand reel based on the remainder of your budget. I'm sure you can get a good deal with the better known eggbeater brands. Choose quality, durability and reliability.

Hope this enlightens you in making the best choice.

[Capt Rick]

For the big inshore red drum I use nothing less than 20lb braid with a very tight drag. These fish are up to 33" long, with most of them between 25"-30". (Like the pic below)

http://home.att.net/~rlhiott/redfish36.jpg
As you probably know, the 12lb test you recommend would not stand a chance with these fish.:thumb:

You can catch a lot of fish offshore with 20lb test,,,,but yeah,,,I would use at least 50lb test for offshore bottom fishing.
Anything 20lb test and under, is considered light where I'm from.

A red drum this size (46") should be caught on no less than 30lb test!

http://home.att.net/~rlhiott/redfish_4.jpg


O-Yeah,,,,,get a Pflueger Metalist (6040) reel with 20lb braid, on a Shakespeare Ugly-Sitck Custom rod (USCISP 1170 1M). That combo is hard to beat for inshore salt water!!