looking to buy a baitcaster

[jwilliams92]

I am looking to buy my first baitcaster for the surf. I have narrowed it down to three, Penn 525mag, Abu Garcia Blue Yonder(if tackle shop has it), and Shimano TLD15. If anyone has some suggestons about these or any other ones it would be very helpful. Also any other tips are welcome, Thanks

[hokieboy]

I have a blue yonder and love it although i have heard the penn is great too. I dont think casting a tld15 will work as well as you think, JMHO...

[Rockfish1]

if you get the 525 mag, you'll be getting 2 reels... your first and the last you'll ever need for fishing... the blue yonder is sweet, got one, but for fishing here on the Carolina coast you'll be a lot better off with the Penn...

[Tracker16]

I have a pair of blue yonders on a matched set of Ocean Master rods that are beautiful. I use them from shore but not in breaking surf. They just seem kinda delicate for that. I have a Saltist 30H that I would use anywhere though. It's built like a tank. Don't have a 525mag yet (hope to soon) so I can't say about them. You could buy them both and sell the one you don't like :D

[scsurfcaster]

I agree blue yonders for the beach but not breaking surf. Have you considered a sl20sh diawa. I think they are even more indestructable than ther penn525.

[jwilliams92]

Thanks for the ideas. Rockfish1 do you have any fishing spots in the area that your willing to share? Just for some good fishing, no spieces in paticular.

[Shooter]

The big question is where and what will you be fishing for will make the choice narrowed down. Such as spot and mullet fishn or Cobia and king fishing off piers or something in-between.

[scsurfcaster]

You can always use a bigger reel for smaller fish but you cant use a smaller reel for bigger fish

[jwilliams92]

thanks guys. Mainly looking for a good general purpose reel...surf mainly but pier sometimes. Fishing for anything I can catch.

[Rockfish1]

Thanks for the ideas. Rockfish1 do you have any fishing spots in the area that your willing to share? Just for some good fishing, no spieces in paticular.

New River inlet, anywhere up and down the island you can find a hole, slough or point will normally hold a fish or 2... the piers on the island are all heating up also...

[jwilliams92]

Thanks Rockfish1

[seajay]

You can always use a bigger reel for smaller fish but you cant use a smaller reel for bigger fish
Say's who?

[scsurfcaster]

your gonna have a hard time with say a 60# cobia on a 5000 with 10# test. But, you wont have any problem with a 5# bluefish on a 525mag with say 17# test. My point is that if I were buying a general purpose reel I would go with something a bit larger rather than smaller. Now if you are fishing the sc coast for pompano, mullet,little blues, smaller black drum( like what you see in the surf), ladyfish, puppy and yearling drum and the odd bull the smaller reel would be fine. If you are fishing up north the bluefish are bigger, big cow stripers, maybe a cobia, bull drum, or who knows what if you are at the outer banks, id go for something a little bigger even though it might still have to be used for pompano or something. how many cobia or kings have been lost on little jigging poles when someone was throwing for spanish? That being said if you are an ultralight tackle guy, that is an art unto itself and some guys catch big fish on insanely light tackle. Theres a guy in sc that fishes for bonnethead sharks on like 4# test and catches them. That takes skill. My point is for a regular guy who want a general purpose reel, I might go with something a little on the heavy side and work down. As for my own experience, I started with a 5000c on a 6' for surf fishing or a zebco33 on a 6' whip, then went to a 9", then a squidder on a 12#, now I fish a 13' with a 6500 or a 9' w/ 6500 and thats good for me and it caught a bunch of decent sized fish. If I mainly fished the outerbanks, i might go with heavier or tougher stuff. Forida, maybe not, maybe so depending on my target species. But id betcha that I could whip the majority of fish I hooked anywhere on either coast with that 6500 on decent 9 or 10' pole. 525 mag is similar and tougher.

[seajay]

Very well put SCSurfcaster. I do fish Ultra-light. On the beach I use both a 525 and the B/Y. Both are great reels. To respond to jwilliams Get you a used 525 Mag put it on a decent 10' MH Action Rod and you will have a Pier&Surf set-up. As you get comfortable with it. Then get the B/Y and the long rod of your choice. And you should be good to go.

[SmoothLures]

I'd get a Daiwa SL-X 20 over the 525, just personal preference. If you're not soaking big chucks of bait for big fish, I'd get a 6500 or 5500 sized Abu.

[jwilliams92]

thanks guys....I'm working on another post....when you read it don't kick me off of here..lol

[jwilliams92]

Sea-jay..I vaction at Amelia Island any suggestion for the area?

[jwilliams92]

What does everyone thing about this combo for pier. Shimano TLD15 with a Shimano Trevala Jigging rod.

[Rockfish1]

it'd work, but I got other stuff I'd rather use...

[drawinout]

Have a Daiwa SLX30SHA, and love the reel. I've also heard great things about penn and abu conventional surf reels, and will add to my arsenal when I have the chance..;) Your best bet is to find a way to try out a few different reels/rods, and go with what works for you.. Not sure about penn's new ownership, but myself and many others can vouch for penn products standing the test of time..

[jimmy z]

I've used the 525 mags, the 525 gs, the Daiwa 20 shv, and Okuma's Contender 203 reels. I've used the BY's and the older CT c3's, and like 'em all.
But if I had to go with one, it would be the 20shv, just because it hold more line.
They are all good reels.
Okuma has a nice reel with that Contender, BTW.:)

[jwilliams92]

The plan for today is to goto the tackle shops and check some rods and reels. Wish me luck

[drawinout]

Good luck! I'm sure you'll find something that will work for you.

[Lipyourown]

525 Mag all the way.

[9 rock]

saltist 30 is where I would go






9rock

[GreenFord]

525mag!

[jwilliams92]

I have come to terms with the fact that if you don't fish the Gulf Stream, the local tackle shops give me the feeling that you are wasting thier time asking about Surf Fishing. I would love to be able to spend a couple 100K on a boat. I digress... Well I had made a decision. I picked the Blue yonder(for now) and a Star 10ft. The Blue Yonder just felt a little better than the 525 and it was the best price I have found it. Only to not get either one, because the rod was not in stock. So now back to the beginning.

[jwilliams92]

Well fella's, the tackle shop called and said that they found a rod stashed in the back. So I am the proud new owner of a Blue Yonder and 10ft Starhttp://www.pierandsurf.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=171&pictureid=718