Rod Gold Reel
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Help with choosing a surf reel?
I live on the south shore of Long Island and this year we might get a cabana. I always go to the beach and I like to fish as-well, just have never gone fishing on the beach =] I already have an idea for a rod 10 or 12 foot, probably 10. Here's the thing, I have heared mixed reviews on which are better for surf/casting. Either conventional reel or spinning reel. If I were to go with the spinning I would probably get the Black and gold Daiwa. I don't really know my conventionals. I am no noob to fishing in general but to Surf I am.
In case you don't know what fish frequent Long Island:
Stripers, bluefish, weak fish, fluke, flounder, sea robins = a bunch more too.
I wasn't planning on buying online, I could only imagine that you would have to feel it first.
In my opinion, the Daiwa Black Gold is an excellent choice for Surf Fishing.
The only other Spinning reel that will be as tough and inexpensive would be:
1. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_96639_151001002_151000000_151001000_151-1-2
2. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_89192_151001002_151000000_151001000_151-1-2
In regards to conventional- IF you were going to go in that direction I would look hard at these:
1. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_74091_100001001_100000000_100001000_100-1-1
2. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_28380_100001001_100000000_100001000_100-1-1
3. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_103564_151001001_151000000_151001000_151-1-1
Abu Garcia C-4's & C-3's are what many inshore guides through-out the East Coast use as their reel of choice.
If you decide to go baitcast/conventional I don't think you could go wrong purchasing a C-4; they are bullet-proof.
When I Surf Cast I use Power Pro 10/40 Line, (has the diameter of 10Lb Mono and the strength of 40LB Mono), with a heavier leader of Fluorocarbon line, 14-20LB. Braid is not perfect for all applications of fishing but it EXCELS in Surf casting because of it's low (no-see'm) diameter & high strength.
Anyway- Hope this helps ya? Check the reviews on the reels I mentioned.......
PS- Go to your local superstore tackle shop and check out the one you want- THEN order from Basspro or Cabelas. If you buy from either one of these company's you'll get 90 days to return the reel no questions asked............
Bassplayer- You are suggesting that a Penn Squidder will out-cast a Spinning reel with 10LB Power Pro Braid, (or 15 LB Mono)?
And a Spinning ROD is just as good (if not better) to use with a conventional/baitcast reel? Did you fall off the pier and hit your head? (lol) That California sun finally bake your noodle or are you just "baked"? (just teasin' ya!)
UPDATE: Caunltd is right in many ways. The Emblem Pro is a nice reel and has gotten decent feedback. It's because of it's "plastic" construction that it gets low points from me.
When you are climbing around on jetty rocks or transporting gear would you prefer plastic construction or metal? Personally, I prefer metal construction and a reel that has over 20 years of solid service.
I know people (including myself) that have owned and used their Black Golds for over 25 years.......Can this be said about the Emblem? I don't know, it's only a few years old.....
By the way, it sells for $144. Here's the link to Cabelas- http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0023266317315a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=daiwa+emblem+pro&sort=all&Go.y=10&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=16&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1 If your gonna spend $144 why not purchase the Fin Nor OFS- it's the finest reel made in it's class, (no question!). All in all, the BG is the best reel you can purchase in your price range.
In regards to "wind knots"- Caunltd is right. Power Pro is not the best braid you can purchase, however, it is the cheapest with good feedback. I've never had issue with it and if you follow certain guidelines you should not either. However, here are some links to better/more expensive braids- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_80755____SearchResults
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10201100____SearchResultsC
I find that people who get wind knots tend to "overcast" or "power cast" too hard. If you pay attention when you cast you should have no isuues. And wind knots usually occur when your rods spinning guides are too small or you are using a baitcasting rod with a spinning reel.
Er- The Daiwa BG15-BG20 can catch a variety of larger and smaller fish due to it's metal construction which has no "flex" and keeps the gears in-line. I've used mine to catch 6lb Flounder to 30LB Redfish (a 30LB Redfish fights like a 50LB Striper!) and both were still "sporting" and I had no issues with "sensitivity" or bulk......Don't trust my judgement- Read the review's here- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_2038____SearchResults?ordProd=Y&CMID=BOTTOM_selectitems#itemDetail
It's been fun "sparing" with you Caunltd......Lets agree to disagree?...Thumbs up!
EDIT: I agree Caun. But with your 10LB diameter Braid you should never have to use 5-6 OZ of weight to keep your bottom bait-rig secured to the bottom. I've fished in "washing machine" surf (5-7 FT waves during a Nor' Easter) and never had to go beyond 3-4OZ because I use Braid in conjunction with these nifty weights. Check them out- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_46438_151005006_151000000_151005000_151-5-6
(I'm sure you either use something similar or have seen them. These are my "go to" lead when nothing else will hold. I've got a variety of them in different brands and sizes.)
When I Surf cast (using lures) I usually use Spoons, Jigs, Top-water's, and saltwater sized Husky Jerk type Minnows. Your totally right about having 2 different rods. Personally, I always take (at least) 3 rods when I go Surf fishing. One for chunking lead (bottom fishing), one for chunking heavy lures, (usually Topwaters), & one for light biting fish (casting 1/2-3/4 OZ Jigs and Spoons).
However, both of the heavier action rods are rigged with Stren Sonic Braid and the lighter action is rigged with Power Pro 8LB diameter braid. I've never had issue with wind-knotting. But I also don't use rods over 8-10FT. In my opinion, you don't need as long a rod when using braid because you make up the distance when casting because of the lower diameter of the braid. As you add length to your rod is when you get problems with knotting and line twist.
Before Braid you HAD to use 10 + ft rods, but now that you can use lower diameter line.........I have 2 8fter's and a 10 Fter. Believe it or not, the 8 FTer's cast almost as well as the 10 Fter, (give or take 10-15Yrds).
When I've had accidental bail-tripping with my Surf outfit's I've never lost any riggs or lures because braid does not "snap". At worst, the only thing I've lost was my bait......
Anywho, cool conversation! 75% of the monkeys on YAnswer's are newbie's or inexperienced; nice to speak with someone who has the same knowledge of fishing as I do. Thumbs up!
EDIT #50 (lol)- Hey! If it works for you BP that's cool.
However, be careful!
Because of how guides are wrapped on spinning rods, (and the "spine" differences between BC and SP), they aren't really designed for bending in the opposite direction. You could be hooked into a big fish and POP!- one of your guides could come apart from the blank, (which is not very hard to fix; but still a hassle). OR worse, you could snap your rod!
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