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Started By
Message
Need a rod/reel recommendation
Posted on 3/20/23 at 10:39 am
Posted on 3/20/23 at 10:39 am
Hey everyone, I just moved to Charleston, SC and am excited to get fishing down here. So I'm looking to invest in a decent, versatile rod and reel combo.
The type of fishing I'm going to be doing will likely be from river piers or shore, and eventually from the boat in Charleston Harbor (whatever is biting in each of those areas, including shark). I very likely will not be doing any surf fishing or venture off shore.
I grew up fishing walleye and musky in WI and saltwater fishing with my dad in SW Florida, so I'm pretty experienced.
Any thoughts on which route I should go for a combo given the above? Willing to spend a few hundred bucks.
The type of fishing I'm going to be doing will likely be from river piers or shore, and eventually from the boat in Charleston Harbor (whatever is biting in each of those areas, including shark). I very likely will not be doing any surf fishing or venture off shore.
I grew up fishing walleye and musky in WI and saltwater fishing with my dad in SW Florida, so I'm pretty experienced.
Any thoughts on which route I should go for a combo given the above? Willing to spend a few hundred bucks.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 10:58 am to Chucktown_Badger
quote:
So I'm looking to invest in a decent, versatile rod and reel combo.
Your going to get a lot of responses regarding brands. I'd go to your closest Haddrell's Point in Charleston area and talk with them.
You will likely be wanting 1) 7-7.5ft medium Spinning Rod 2) 3000 spinning reel 3) 30lb braided line. You will be able to catch any fish from shore or pier with that set up in the Charleston area. You will be spending somewhere between $150-$350 most likely.
This post was edited on 3/20/23 at 11:08 am
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:00 pm to Chucktown_Badger
I didn't even read your parameters 'cause it won't matter.
3 words.
Zebco. Thurdy. Three.
3 words.
Zebco. Thurdy. Three.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 2:06 pm to Saskwatch
I like Saskwatch's post and a local shop would likely have some inside advice.
Would suggest considering a 7.5 ft rod and 20lb braid for casting distance which is sometimes a huge help when you are fishing from land. (you can always add a leader for fishing larger species or toothy ones)
I fish in central Florida doing a combination of inshore and fresh water fishing and the Penn Battle combo has been reliable for many years. Would put it on your list of brands/models to take a look at.
Would suggest considering a 7.5 ft rod and 20lb braid for casting distance which is sometimes a huge help when you are fishing from land. (you can always add a leader for fishing larger species or toothy ones)
I fish in central Florida doing a combination of inshore and fresh water fishing and the Penn Battle combo has been reliable for many years. Would put it on your list of brands/models to take a look at.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 6:42 pm to Chucktown_Badger
West Marine has Penn battle combo's BOGO 50% off. I'd get a 2500 or 3000. 7ft rod. 30 lb sufix 832 braid. I have a few 2500's and they handle everything up to bull reds just fine. Idk about sharks...
Posted on 3/20/23 at 7:27 pm to Chucktown_Badger
I just bought a Penn Spinfisher IV 3500 and a Falcon Coastal 7’ medium action rod. Caught several 28-30 inch redfish, 8lb channel cat and 50+ black drum and some pompano and speckled trout with it. I was going to buy another Shimano but with some reel lube added this reel is as smooth as a shimano and more sturdily built. The drag is incredible. Rod has some amazing feel and yet some backbone. Iam a new Penn fan.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 8:50 pm to Saskwatch
quote:.
Your going to get a lot of responses regarding brands. I'd go to your closest Haddrell's Point in Charleston area and talk with them. You will likely be wanting 1) 7-7.5ft medium Spinning Rod 2) 3000 spinning reel 3) 30lb braided line. You will be able to catch any fish from shore or pier with that set up in the Charleston area. You will be spending somewhere between $150-$350 most likely.
Exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Thank you. Haddrell’s did come up in my search so I was definitely gonna head over there after asking you guys. That budget range would work.
Posted on 3/21/23 at 5:22 am to Chucktown_Badger
Posted on 3/21/23 at 5:25 am to rodnreel
quote:
Need a rod/reel recommendation
quote:
rodnreel
Ask and you shall receive...
Posted on 3/21/23 at 6:56 pm to DownSouthDave
So I went over to Haddrell’s tonight and gave my parameters to the guy, asked about Penn and the others and he put me in a Toadfish 3000 combo. It was one of the few options that broke down to two pieces. I’d obviously never heard of it because it’s local to Charleston but the reviews look good. It’s aligned with the specs you guys recommended. 7 feet ish, medium action, went with 20 lb braid. Didn’t see a lot of bait casting options, which is what I grew up on fishing for musky, but that wouldn’t be a great option for some of the fishing I wanna do anyway.
Likely won’t catch a damn thing for a while but I’m gonna have a lot of fun doing it. Load up the cooler, pack the wagon, and get after it while watching the sun set.
The rig
My soon to be fishing “home game”, across the street from our place. 3 weeks ago my sunset view also included an xfinity store and a four lane busy road in Chicago. Life is good.
Likely won’t catch a damn thing for a while but I’m gonna have a lot of fun doing it. Load up the cooler, pack the wagon, and get after it while watching the sun set.
The rig
My soon to be fishing “home game”, across the street from our place. 3 weeks ago my sunset view also included an xfinity store and a four lane busy road in Chicago. Life is good.
Posted on 3/21/23 at 7:06 pm to Chucktown_Badger
I'm not a fan of 2 piece rods, but that setup will do everything you're looking for perfectly.
I love visiting Chicago, but definitely an upgrade IMO.
You'll be back here asking about boats in no time.
quote:
3 weeks ago my sunset view also included an xfinity store and a four lane busy road in Chicago.
I love visiting Chicago, but definitely an upgrade IMO.
quote:
Likely won’t catch a damn thing for a while but I’m gonna have a lot of fun doing it. Load up the cooler, pack the wagon, and get after it while watching the sun set.
You'll be back here asking about boats in no time.
Posted on 3/21/23 at 7:31 pm to Chucktown_Badger
No matter what you may hear, you can never go wrong with a shimano.
Posted on 3/21/23 at 9:51 pm to speckledawg
quote:
I'm not a fan of 2 piece rods,
It was for ease of transport, if I need to throw it in the car.
quote:
You'll be back here asking about boats in no time.
I'm going to join a boat club, a fellow OT poster may be able to connect me with someone so it's $350 a month for whenever I want to go out. That's gonna be the play for the first year at least.
quote:
I love visiting Chicago
Me too. Gonna be much better than living there and dealing with the "other stuff" that was less fun.
This post was edited on 3/21/23 at 10:01 pm
Posted on 3/31/23 at 8:31 am to Chucktown_Badger
Largely off topic, but didn't want to start a new thread. I know that it's best to fish when the tide is running, and I went down the other day when I thought it would be (in between high and low). It was largely slack at that point.
With this tide chart for today, when would it be running the most? I assume there's some kind of rule I could follow.
With this tide chart for today, when would it be running the most? I assume there's some kind of rule I could follow.
Posted on 3/31/23 at 9:25 am to Chucktown_Badger
The tide charts are only basic guidelines. Sometimes the wind can have an extreme effect on tides. Sometimes it will hold the tide up and other times it will blow it out with both being at different times than your tide chart.
Many guides and fisherman including myself do best at the beginning or end of a tide flow. Just as it’s starting to move or almost before it stops.
Many guides and fisherman including myself do best at the beginning or end of a tide flow. Just as it’s starting to move or almost before it stops.
This post was edited on 3/31/23 at 9:27 am
Posted on 3/31/23 at 9:28 am to Chucktown_Badger
LINK
Check out this link and input your area. It has a lot of great info as well as suggested peak fishing times.
Check out this link and input your area. It has a lot of great info as well as suggested peak fishing times.
Posted on 3/31/23 at 9:42 am to Mister Bigfish
Thanks for the info and replies. Greatly appreciated.
Posted on 4/1/23 at 9:40 am to Chucktown_Badger
I’m local. Usually last couple of hours falling, then first couple of hours rising is your “best” time.
You’ll catch something from that pier. Reds, trout, stingray. Not the best spot in the world, but it’s ok.
Cross the Ashley River Bridge by you, stay to the right, about 6-7 miles away on Sam Rittenburg you’ll cross the Ashley again. There’s a pier there that produces at times. Bonus, at dead low tide walk the water line, you can find fossils.
Google Pitt St Bridge, it’s a partially destroyed bridge in Mt Pleasant, probably 20 minutes from you on a low traffic day. Get there early, not much parking. You can fish from the old bridge or wade, lot of firm bottom there.
There’s a pier on the Mt Pleasant side of the Cooper leftover from the replacement of the old Cooper River Bridges. It’s a very good spot, just be aware it can be snaggy from rubble in the water. Lots of regulars there who are willing to give advice. There’s a guy with a YouTube channel who fishes there regular, IIRC it’s Jigging Jerry.
Don’t write off surf fishing. That rod/reel will work perfect for trout, reds, flounder, whiting, pompano, etc. You don’t have to cast 100 yards out, a lot of the fish will be in the suds. Walk the beach at dead low, note where the gullies and holes are, that’s where they’ll be when the tide comes in. There’s some spots on Sullivans Island there’s essentially no waves incoming, you can cast jigs, top water, etc around rock groins.
If you can get boat access, high tides are the time to wade the grass looking for tailing reds. Stay in the short grass, long grass is pluff mud (soft bottom).
If you want to use baitcasting, nothing wrong with that. I use my largemouth rods/reels, just wash the reels good when you’re done. And largemouth tackle (plastic worms, flukes, swimbaits, topwaters, rattle traps, etc all work. ZMan is a local company, you’ll see Trout Eye jig heads, they’re also produced locally.
I don’t know if this site allows pm’s, if so feel free to ask questions.
You’ll catch something from that pier. Reds, trout, stingray. Not the best spot in the world, but it’s ok.
Cross the Ashley River Bridge by you, stay to the right, about 6-7 miles away on Sam Rittenburg you’ll cross the Ashley again. There’s a pier there that produces at times. Bonus, at dead low tide walk the water line, you can find fossils.
Google Pitt St Bridge, it’s a partially destroyed bridge in Mt Pleasant, probably 20 minutes from you on a low traffic day. Get there early, not much parking. You can fish from the old bridge or wade, lot of firm bottom there.
There’s a pier on the Mt Pleasant side of the Cooper leftover from the replacement of the old Cooper River Bridges. It’s a very good spot, just be aware it can be snaggy from rubble in the water. Lots of regulars there who are willing to give advice. There’s a guy with a YouTube channel who fishes there regular, IIRC it’s Jigging Jerry.
Don’t write off surf fishing. That rod/reel will work perfect for trout, reds, flounder, whiting, pompano, etc. You don’t have to cast 100 yards out, a lot of the fish will be in the suds. Walk the beach at dead low, note where the gullies and holes are, that’s where they’ll be when the tide comes in. There’s some spots on Sullivans Island there’s essentially no waves incoming, you can cast jigs, top water, etc around rock groins.
If you can get boat access, high tides are the time to wade the grass looking for tailing reds. Stay in the short grass, long grass is pluff mud (soft bottom).
If you want to use baitcasting, nothing wrong with that. I use my largemouth rods/reels, just wash the reels good when you’re done. And largemouth tackle (plastic worms, flukes, swimbaits, topwaters, rattle traps, etc all work. ZMan is a local company, you’ll see Trout Eye jig heads, they’re also produced locally.
I don’t know if this site allows pm’s, if so feel free to ask questions.
Posted on 4/1/23 at 12:07 pm to riverdiver
quote:Bull shark says howdy.
You can fish from the old bridge or wade, lot of firm bottom there.
Posted on 4/1/23 at 3:09 pm to Chucktown_Badger
Pfluger 30 presidential 6.5-7.5’ ML pole.
And a
Pfluger president 35 or 40
7.5-9’ medium light action pole.
The 8-9’ pole you can cast a small JHook and 1” finger a mile wade fishing. I prefer a longer light salmon style pole for wade fishing, just can cast so much farther, add a kastmaster or top water and you can cast across the bay on accident lol.
As long as you fishing open water and no overhead I love me a 8-9’ pole for shore fishing.
And a
Pfluger president 35 or 40
7.5-9’ medium light action pole.
The 8-9’ pole you can cast a small JHook and 1” finger a mile wade fishing. I prefer a longer light salmon style pole for wade fishing, just can cast so much farther, add a kastmaster or top water and you can cast across the bay on accident lol.
As long as you fishing open water and no overhead I love me a 8-9’ pole for shore fishing.
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