Kayak Fishing Forums

Choptankfishfinder · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Denton, MD

I'm looking to purchase two new 7' rods with conventional reels. I'm fishing the Chesapeake Bay and off of Ocean City surf. My primary targets will be striped bass, flounder, bluefish, and anything else big enough to bite. I'll be using the set-ups for trolling in the flush-mount rod holders behind my seat ('09 WS Tarpon 140). Any recommendations on a nice conventional reel that will last me 5-6 seasons? I don't know much about reel maintainence, but I do wash them down with the hose after each trip, and use reel lube when needed. I'm looking to keep it under $200 for each combo, and I'm not too sure about what kind of rod/reel to match with my #15-#20 braided line. Any recommendations?

robmandel · Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 1242 Location: Castaic, CA

for the reels, get daiwa sealines.

http://daiwa.com/Reel/detail.aspx?ID=190

they're solid, good drags, cast great, never break, and really resilient on the saltwater. easy to maintain as well. for the 20X is good for 15-20# line, the 30X for 20-30#. the 40 and 50 good for 30-40#. I recommend filling with 300 or so yds of 50# spectra then a 50-75 yd topshot of whatever mono you want to use. I have a bunch and love them.

as for rods, to keep it under $200, the ugly stick tigers or penn power sticks. I personally like the daiwa saltist or sealine rods too. think shimano makes the talavera series in that price range.

out here, the seeker and calstar are really popular but a bit more expensive. a 196 or 270 will run about $150-175 in their basic glass series.
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