Need rod/reel suggestions

[wolfgang]

Can anyone suggest a good, versatile spinning rod and reel setup for fishing tidal creeks for red drum and trout. I'm a surf fishing junkie so most of my gear consists of 10 foot medium heavy/heavy rods. But I want to start exploring some of the creeks on the SC coast. I'm guessing that something in the 7 to 8 foot range in a light to medium action, with maybe 10-12 lb mono would be about right?? I'll probably be fishing with bait and maybe an occasional artificial. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Fish'n Phil]

I think the rod and reel are a matter of preference but I agree that a 7' to 8' rod is fine. Big puppy drum can easily over power a light action rod.

From what I've read on this board you can't go wrong with Shimano reels (Symetre, Stradic, for example). However, I have a Quantum Kinetic pti that I love.

Check out the various inshore rods. A decent budget rod is the Ugly Stik Intercoastal 7' one piece medium heavy ($40-50 at Wally World) but Bass Pro has a similarly priced inshore rod. TICA rods are very light and nice as well.

Good luck!

[Rockfish1]

find the lightweight, little brother version of your favorite heavy surf rod and reel if your going the factory rod route... not sure what your looking to spend, but the Tica and Tsunami line are readily available and not to pricey...

[HellRhaY]

i'd go with shimano. shimano terramar and a stradic fi.

[hokieboy]

I have two tsunami rods in the 7' length that i use for this and they work great. I have a penn 4400ss on the spinner and a 6500c3 abu garcia on the other. Two great setups for pups and such. Not real fancy but deff workhorses that can handle the job...

[wolfgang]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback!

I really like the Shimano Stradic, but its a little out of my price range. Looks like I can get a good Penn for about $50 less than the Stradic.

'hokieboy' - did you mean the Penn 440SSg that retail for about $90?

Does anybody have any experience with the Penn Captiva?

What about Cabela's line of Salt Striker rods?

[HellRhaY]

other term for captive is "CRAPtiva" it's gonna crap out on u on the second fishing trip. invest your money on the good stuff and you won't be buying a new one verytime the cheap ones die on you.

[chump]

I've got a BPS Inshore Extreme rod and a size 2500 Stradic. Very comfortable to toss arties all day long.

[stupidjet]

zeebaas

[Rockstar]

I have the Allstar Select and Coastal rods and i'm very happy with them compaired to the Tica and Ugly Sticks I owned. If you need a quality cheaper end reel check out the Shimano Sahara and Daiwa Laguna.

[sprtsracer]

The Stradic models have been changed to a new style, so you may be able to pick up the old style Stradics on sale for much less. Nothing wrong with the old style (light light blue models) as I have the 5000 FH and love it. Check the web, Ebay, etc. and don't forget your local Mom and Pop tackle stores. I know the old style Stellas for example have been reduced by over $100 in a lot of cases. My advice is to get the absolute best equipment you can afford the first time around and it will give you many years of service. Go cheap and you'll end up replacing it every year or worse yet...loose fish. My experience with the Captiva was a good one, initially, but I have found that there are a lot of "lemon" captivas out there, so I consider myself VERY lucky. I have since sold my captiva if that tells you anything. The old style Stradics are made in Japan, which used to have a bad connotation, but these days, like their cars, the quality control of the Japanese products has improved drastically. The Chinese made reels (ala captiva)...well...you be the judge. I think the toy recalls, etc, speak for themselves. Good luck!

[texas sharker]

wolfgang,

'fwiw (based on 4+ decades of bay/creek/river fishing), i think ANY of the 7-8' Medium action "brand name rods" (like a Shakespeare Ugly Stick) with a "plain vanilla" open faced spinning reel is hard to beat as a "beginner rig".

Personally, i prefer a 8' Popping Rod with a revolving spool casting reel (like a Garcia Ambassador 8000 - i find them on-line & at 'garage sales", CHEAP. it may be just my prejudice, but it seems the older ones are better-made), loaded with 25# mono.

GOOD LUCK on the water.

yours, ts

[DrumintheSuds]

This is stepping out of the box but I love using 9' Ugly Stick downrigger rods. They have a light action but they are strong. I use them in the surf as well and they will hold up to anything that hits them. I pair mine with ABU Garcia 6500's.