Hi everybody ( new with questions )

[OtterPop]

Well my friend had told me about this site , and alough I am a avid fisherman , I have never really bothered with doing salt water much just because of having a car which sounded like it was going to catch on fire and explode at any second.

Anyway , I came on here looking for a sticky on thread on maybe what to buy .. I did not find it so I read the threads and basically from that point I turned my head like a confused dog and decided to get another pepsi . I am asking a few things from you guys if you do not mind .

A good book I can pick up explaining methods , terms etc. Differences in off the shelf the shelf rods compared to "custom" , all I understood was something with using "blanks" I closed the thread in fear I would get a nose bleed from reading further.

What is the base setup you reccomend under 350 ( spinning or baitcast , it doesnt really matter , 10-25 I suppose? not really sure of the average weights in florida on pier and surf . )

Just basically need a compiled tackle list if someone has already made it or a thread thats already done like "whats in your tacklebox" etc..

Thanks guys and sorry for the basic questions as I am sure you get them alot , I just figured its better to ask to get the correct links and reading material rather than reading up on something I shouldnt of even bothered with . :--|

[Sandcrab]

Pier or surf? (makes a difference)
What type of fish are you targeting? (bonefish, barracuda, tuna, etc.)
What type of structure do you fish? (sandbars, wrecks, etc.)

You can get lots of setups for the surf. I would recommend nothing shorter than 10' for the surf. Spinning or conventional is your choice although it is harder to fish conventional (especially at night in a wind). The new Breakaway 13' rods handle 3-6 oz and are made for conventional or spinning. They are graphite and will enable you to cast long distances. They may be a little overwhelming to a beginner though. Other graphite rods in the 10-12' range average around $100.

The reel is more important. Make sure it is matched up to the rod. If you can, put the reel on the rod in the store and see how it feels. The biggest problem I see on the surf is unmatched outfits - especially huge surf reels on small (9') rods.

Remember - the rod holds the reel, the reel holds the line, the line holds the fish. Spend your hard earned money on a quality reel and good line and make sure to get a graphite rod if you plan on holding it out of the surf tube for any time period. A heavy rod (Ugly Sticks) will wear you down and does not have a sensitive tip to feel those small nibblers.

Just my .02. PM me if you want...

Sandcrab

[SALTSHAKER]

What all the guys say. If you are just getting into it, and opinions will vary all over the place. Look at the tica, tsunami and okuma solaris rods. They are off the shelf and are pretty good rods for around $100. As for reels I agree with the sand man get a good one. If you want to be thrifty with it, and I have and use them, the Okuma is not bad. There will be those that disagree with me but I have used them for a couple of years and they will do the job and will be easier on the wallet until you find your style. I have the breakaways and the nomads etc and they are awesome, but expensive you are just getting into it... good luck with your new quest and keep us advised on your progress. We here do not always agree but the opinions given are honest.... salt

[OtterPop]

Thanks for all of your replys ( im still looking for a decent book ) .. I have been happy with my loomis fly fishing rods , do they make decent surf rods? ( Most of this fishing will be done surf alough some might be on a pier from time to time )

What gear ratio am I looking for in a reel? , I was at sports authority ( considering the newly opened gander mountain is horrible by me ) and liked the weight and feel of the shimano calcutta ct50a , the daiwa millionare seemed to feel exactly the same .

Ive also been looking at the fin nor models , esp the ahab.

Also for the rod I would just get an ugly stick but after fishing for a while and using several of them they really do not offer any feel .

Its unfortunate alot of the reel / rod combos i would of liked to try out I was unable to due to no one actually stocking both at the same time

[Singletjeff]

I was at sports authority ( considering the newly opened gander mountain is horrible by me )

Wow, thats a first....I'm sure others will agree with me, Unless you have a different breed of Sports Authority down there.....I'd rather go to walmart than a sports authority up here. My biggest suggestion would be buy a well known name, rod and reel, not saying that all of them are going to be great, but at least its a start, they didn't get that big by being completely horrid....Avoid the no-name stuff, I'll agree with everyone else on getting a good reel....and spinning is the friendliest way to start. As far as books go, well that'll depend on what you want to target. I used to read fishing books and magazines all the time when I was younger, but now, I don't really bother, I've learned thousands times more off the internet than I ever did from a book....Treat these forums as a book, do a search for the type of fish or style and read it, if you don't understand what you're reading jot down a note and it will more than likely be explained in another thread, if not you can search for that and eventually figure it all out....

[Digger]

OP I lived the FLA back in the 1970's. I was south of Miami one thing I learn was each part of FLA fishes different. Some places that have inlets will use shorter rods, fresh water rods can work and people may wade fish. Others are on traditional beaches where you use a longer rod. Now the beaches in FLA don't have the current we have of the VA NC coast so you rarely if ever would need what we call a heaver(A rod that will throw 8-10oz + bait). But a 10 footer that throw 1-4oz can be good. Now this becomes the problem with books they are written for specific area's since what works in that area may not work well in another. Oh then there is bridge fishing.

Fin Nor makes a good reel. On the gear ratio I don't worry about unless I'm I'm looking for something to buzz a bait real fast such as Spanish.
I would suggest to go to the FLA board and see if there is somebody close to you that can show you what they use and sort of where.

[derekxec]

where at in florida?

[OtterPop]

Im in orlando atm , I had lived in sarasota and bradenton so I fished alot off the piers on the manatee river .. alough all i ever really caught was something that looked similar to a frog fish / angler .. things were ugly and kinda honked like catfish do .

I actually never recall catching anything off of a pier with brackish or sw that wasnt a "normal" kind of fish heh.

As for sports authority the one by my house is fairly decent actually , they also started stocking alot of fly fishing equipment as well ( not the best of stuff , scientific angler but its "ok" ) our walmart isnt that great even though we have several of them and a couple super walmarts .. It just seems the only thing I am able to find there these days is a Aladin or lion king fishing pole and some sort of "intresting" seat with a cup holder . ( ive actually had a rapala go through the sole of my shoe and poke me in the foot since there are just open packages and stuff laying everywhere ) But hey , probably the quickest place to get a fishing liscenes .

( as for the book or link , im really just trying to find out when you use a leader , what weights , bait etc on given circumstances , are there different knots for certain applications etc .. SW seems alot more technical. ) im going togo check out the fla forums now , thanks alot guys. really happy you gave me some time rather than just passing me by :)

[derekxec]

always use a bite leader, weight depends on how strong the current is, bait depends on what you are trying to catch :D

[GMinPA]

OtterPop - Dont let some of these titles scare you. Most are for the Atlantic Coast angler, but they have the info you are seeking. Check the big book chain-stores and you will probably find books that address fishing the Gulf Coast.

Good basic books on saltwater fishing The Compleat Surfcaster" by C. Boyd Pfieffer and Surf Fishing the Atlantic Coast by Eric Brunley. Sound info on knots, line, rod and reel selection in there. They address fishing the Florda coasts. Pfeiffer's book was published c. 1988, so some of the photos will take you back 20-30 years. Others include The Complete Guide to Surf and Jetty Fishingand The Surfcasters Giide to Baits, Rigs and Lures, both by Milt Rosko. Check the big book chain-stores and you will probably find books that address fishing the Gulf Coast.

Most poeple use 3-4 knots regularly. There is a small book that adresses about 12 fishing knots. Available at the chain stores.

If you are looking to spend $350 for a set-up, you may be able to use one reel, switching betwwen a pier rod and a flats rod. Don't make the mistake of ignoring the bait-n-tackle shops. They can get you good gear for that money.

[derekxec]

hey the bass pro shop suggestion was great you should go there! the one near me about an hour south in miami

lots of fine young ladies work there ;) haha so youll have a good time either way

also its good to buy rods from a baitshop even if you pay a little more for it than other places. if you have a problem with it they will usually take it back no question and send you off with a new one without having to send it in for warranty and wait and such

[OtterPop]

Ya I had not actually been to bass pro shops due to the car problem and it being on I-drive ( seems america is getting way over populated and I dont have the nerves to drive behind someone not deciding where they are going heh ) Car should be done at the end of the week ill check em out though.

[RuddeDogg]

Welcome to the family.

[OtterPop]

Well , I did a little searching and of course I am coming back with more questions ..

I looked at rods the other day and enjoyed the breakaway alough it seems the 2006 models are 13" only .. I was hoping for that su1266 model ( i think ) since I want a decent rod for pier and surf etc ..
Anyone have a reccomended size 10'6? ( a rod thats 1-5 ounces instead of 1-4? )

I also decided on spinning , alough everything i use is convential/baitcast .. I am not throwing it 30924823908423098 feet , plus the bantum's etc are easier to control . all i need to know is , a daiwa emblem 4500 or 5500 ( Im guessing 17-20 test will be the line I will be using ) .

[sprtsracer]

One suggestion on a good overall book:
Baits, Rigs And Tackle by Vic Dunaway!

It covers just about every kind of knot, leader, rig, tackle, etc, for just about any situation. Runs about $16.95 in tackle stores but you can probably find it cheaper on the web. It's a great book to start out with. Also, You may want to take a look at the Shimano Stradic reel. I have a 5000 that I put 30lb power pro on for pier use. Best spinning reel I ever owned. Ran me retail $139.95 but I had a coupon for $25 off any total purchase of $75 or more at West Marine, so that helped. Check Walmart for the Florida Fishing regulations magazine/pamphlet (slick color print one) and you should find a $25 West Marine coupon in there. I normally like to shop the Mom and Pop tackle stores, but couldn't pass up the $25 discount. Welcome aboard!

[KT_UMCP]

I got a 12' OM heavy and use a Emblem5500 and it works great.

[cygnus-x1]

I Have a 12' Hvy Tica with a Daiwa Emcast 5500 and she is remarkable. The OM is an awesome non custom rod and the Daiwa Reels are great for long casting. The Emblem is a bit pricier that the Emcast so it depends on your budget.

I have OM casting rods and they are great as well

[jkcam]

Welcome fellow Floridian. (Although I am in the process of moving to Annapolis, Md.) I've been in Florida off and on for the last 30+years and at least where I am located, the surf fishing is quite a bit different that it was when I surf fished as a kid on Long Beach Island, NJ. Generally, down here in east central FL. there are three types of surf fishing. There is the Pompano fisherman who perfer a custom 12' or so conventional rod with a tweeked Abu Garcia reel, (or Penn, etc.). The weight and bait fisherman that prefer some fiberglass/maybe graphite combo, heaver with a large capacity spinning reel to toss the bait out and put the rod in a holder and wait, or the beach walker, (me) that enjoys pretty light tackle "beach" rod that they use to throw either topwater or metal. I arrive at the beach with one rod, (my choice is a St. Croix Tidemaster 8' footer that is rated for 12-25lb line and 1/2-2oz lures. TS80HF (Tidemaster 8' spinning, heavy, fast). I use 15lb braided line, and 25-30lb flurocarbon leader. I am able to sling that rig pretty good, but I am also able to work it in the first trough, for snook, and anything else that is near by. Last week I jumped a Tarpon on the rig when the poon hit a 1 oz. Sting Silver. I like to walk and fish, walk and fish. Bottom line, go to where you are going to fish, invest some time watching what the locals are doing. Concentrate on the locals that are fishing a style you think you would like. Focus on the local tha is fishing your style and catching the most, and ask him (or her :rolleyes: ) what they are using and why. My St. Croix was $140 with a $110 Quantum Catalyst Spinner, for me a great combo that I can use on the beach, jetty or wading the Indian river. I can thow top, metal or plastic. No matter what, Florida has some great fishing opportunities, get out there and enjoy.

[barty b]

Otterpop,you have gotten some really good info here, like I said in the PM, for where you'll be fishing look into the Okuma solaris' and the diawa emblems, you won't be dissappointed.

[OtterPop]

thanks for all the help guys , i pm'd thumb about it and will end up getting an emblem ..


also ordered a couple of those books :) thanks for being so helpful guys , alot of the time you come on BB's as a new person and get no help since they get sick of seeing the same questions over and over.

is Fuji a make or "type\style" .. seems everyone uses them even in custom 700+ dollar rods.

( i am bidding on a zziplex right now but its around 300 with awhile togo i probably wont get it )

[barty b]

Fuji make guides and reel seats. A lot of people use them cause they are the best. If you decide to go with a high end rod,I can get you a custom built Connoflex Barracuda 11'6" 2-4oz medium surf rod for under 300$ built here local. Rod comes with Fuji alconite guides,fuji reel seat at your desired lenght and your choice of color(s) on the wrappings. This rod will probably be my next custom Pompano rod.

[OtterPop]

Hey guys :) Finally ordered my setup a st croix triumph rod , I figured the side would give me good surf casting and wouldnt look "AS" goofy on the pier alough im sure I will still get the ole TAKE IT TO THE BEACH looks.

TSRS106MH2 10' 6" power :Med. Heavy action : Mod. Fast - PCS ( no idea what this means ) 2 ( line weight ) 10 - 25 lure 2 - 6 wt. 17.00


And a Daiwa Emblem Pro 5000 for the reel , I was going to get a 525 mag / conventional rod but I still am not able to not get birds nests , im sure If i get them on my little shimano cu-200 ill get them on something larger. Thanks to every one who gave me wonderful information .

Now im just buying bait and tackle , ordered a bunch of gamakatsu 1/0 circle hooks ( some guy on ebay is selling 100 packs for like 4 bucks )

Now for my moronic question of the night , someone take a picture of their line with a shockline on it , hook and sinker. ( trying to figure out lengths and placement )

Heh I was really hoping with 15 years of fly fishing under my belt and like most of us , a life time of FWater i would be able to figure these things out.

( i recieved my new abel catalog , heh I was complaining about pricing on surf gear when salt water fly fishing gear is out of control , My abel setup had cost me 680 dollars on ebay , looks like i would be paying 860 just for the fly reel heh . )

[OtterPop]

looks like I need to buy larger than 1/0 heh

[OtterPop]

heh we will do that without a doubt jetty :) as for the seller he said gamakatsu ( alough he does sell other brands ) .. hoping I dont get jipped but for a total of 7 bucks its not like ill be in the poor house , yet.

[surfcast]

You won't be disappointed with the Diawa...I have Diwas not near the quality of the Emblem and some of them are over 18 years old now...and they still go everytime i do. Been wanting one of the St. Croix myself...I was going to suggest the Tica rods..and really like the Okuma reels i have..Good luck!!

[fisherkid]

TSRS106MH2 10' 6" power :Med. Heavy action : Mod. Fast - PCS ( no idea what this means ) 2 ( line weight ) 10 - 25 lure 2 - 6 wt. 17.00 It would mean it's a two piece rod.
One suggestion on a good overall book:
Baits, Rigs And Tackle by Vic Dunaway!
a very good book and it's nice to see you back here.
Good luck OtterPop and catch some fish
Fisherkid:)
For fish ID Vic Dunaway's Sport fish of florida is very good and gives advice on tackle, baits and locations for diffrent fish

[OtterPop]

Hey guys :) , Well I bought most of my books .. And well I made the mistake ( which I should of listened to others and gotten a rod for various things 1 for pier 1 for surf . ) and bought that 10'6 rod , now I realize its to big for a pier and to small for surf ..

So i have decided to stick to one kind of fishing and try the other later .

I am keeping my reel though which is a emblem pro
5000 , I will probably be keeping that as my goto unless I find a zeebass on the ground . And once I decide todo surf fishing Ill probably just buy the 525 mag since its easy for me not to birdsnest ( I had gotten to try one out )

Anyway , I returned my rod and now I am deciding on a Jetty , Pier rod .. Which the main fish i would like to target are sheep , snook , redfish , pompano , but really Im just out there to relax and catch anything .

I know you cannot tell me exact brands of what I should get since it is all personal pref , I have about 230 to spend ( doesnt have to be retail ill goto ebay ) , What size am I looking for? 8'6? Something similar to this? http://cgi.ebay.com/Lamiglas-Surf-Jetty-Rod-8-6-Spinning-Rod_W0QQitemZ170048326618QQihZ007QQcategoryZ36168QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Ive also noticed some rods of the same brand and model ( lets take st croix tide master for example ) will use same make guides but different kinds , Single metal piece or the tripod looking kind .

What ratings am I looking for? Ill be mainly fishing with live / or chunks of mullet .. having the ability to use jigs/lures etc would be very nice though .


Thanks again guys all of you have been very very helpful and its nice to see a place that answers questions even if they have been answered in some form or another 100x before

-op