What Rod For An All Around Setup?

[SmoothLures]

I'm getting a Daiwa SLX20SHA soon but need to pick out a rod... I'm looking to be able to do some light drum fishing, 4-5 oz+ bait so I was looking at the OM 12' 3-6 oz, but also toss bottom rigs with it. I was thinking Tica 10'6" 3-6 for bottom rigs for whiting and other bottom fish for the table.

Is this possible with this reel or should I get a few Abu 6500s for some Ticas later? I'd do a dedicated drum setup but we don't really have that many big drum around.

Hope that makes sense, thanks.

[kingfisherman23]

The OM 3-6 is an excellent rod for surf fishing with the 20, but I like it even better with the 30 for some larger bottom feeders like drum and skates.

I don't own one personally but I think that the shorter length would make the Tica a better pick for double duty as a pier/surf rod.

Evan

[SmoothLures]

Anyone else? Will the Tica and 20SHA be way too heavy for bottom fishing?

[sand.trout]

Tica dolpin UGSA12H2C it's rated at 12 but 6-12 is the sweet spot. JMHO, stay away from the older model Ticas at that size. Lot of guide problems.
The new Dolpins come with fuji guides.
Google digital dagger.
another excellent choice is the OM.

oh man sorry about the 12ft. these come in the size you're looking for to.

[SmoothLures]

I'll go with the Dolphin series but will the lighter Tica and the 20SHA be too heavy for table fish?

[kingfisherman23]

That's a valid point. You might look at the OM 10', I think it comes in a 3-6 oz that has a lighter tip.

[surfchunker]

there is really no magic rod .... for pomps and mullet a 3-5 oz rod in spinning with braid is the way to go for table fare or even a 1-4 oz rod .... for the smaller fish I prefer a spinning setup ..... a 9' is about right .... and no need for a high dollar rig either

[Catfish713]

i have 2 favorite set ups for down here in Texas, first is a PENN 309 after you remove the level wind, spool that sucker up with 25# or 30# berkley big game and put it on a 10' or 12' diawa MH or H rod and you cant beat it for small shark, reds, jacks, black drum, or even tarpon down here in the surf,

next is an Abu Garcia 6500 or 7000 spooled with 15#, 17# or 20# set up on a 10' diawa, (i actually like ugly sticks too cuz they have alot of give which is helpful in this application) this lighter line and faster reel set up on a shorter more limber rod is great for fishin for Smacks and kings from the pier,

most of my rigs are more specifically built for certain species, but these two rigs are top notch all around for those two applications.....atleast down here in the Lone Star State ;)

hope this helps :beer:
Tight lines and God bless :fishing:

[medicdav66]

I have never fished in Texas, but here on the East Coast (NC) we prefer shorter medium action rods from a pier and the 9-13ft rods for surf. I have different rods/reels for each application. I use a 6ft Heavy rod for King fishing from a pier. Or I use a lighter-action rod with 2-hook rig for smaller bottom fishing. Then I have 11-13ft rods for surf fishing to get the casting distance.
Most of my equipment is Penn and is both spinning and conventional. Most of my rods are also Penn, though I do have a couple Okuma set-ups.
To have to choose just one size rod to try to fit all uses, I would go with a 8-10ft med/heavy action rod. Penn Pursuit or Pro Guide series.
Now the reel is another matter. I used to use only spinning, but after casting over 100yds with my new SLX30sha the other day, my mind may be changing on that!

[Catfish713]

hey Medicdav66 you oughta come visit down here some time, ud probly like it...........the only reason we still use 10' or so rods for pier fishin down here in Texas is usually cuz our piers dont get too too crouded so we still have the room to cast em and since our waters dont get deep as fast down here on the gulf as y'alls we need a little more casting distance to get out baits out to deeper water where the kings tend to hang out (although there is the phenomina where we get kings swimmin in between the jetties and they are VERY easy to hook)(i dont usually use bait for kings and smacks, i tend to stick to sling blades and casting spoons) although we still need that 10' to 15' foot heaver to hit the 2nd or 3rd gut................and i agree with you on the good all around, i love my spinning rods but when i got my PENN surfmaster 250 i was sold, i LOVE my baitcasters now :beer: