Big Game Lures

Big Game Fishing Tips & High Quality Lures

Picking a Boat Fishing Rod & Reel?

Hi,
Can anyone help me pick a boat fishing rod & reel for saltwater in-shore fishing. I am mostly fishing in the long island sound, for blues fluke and strippers. I would like to do bait fishing and also use poppers and jigs. Is there a rod and reel combos that would accomplish both types of fishing?

Also what lb test line is good?
Also what type of line should i buy? (braided, mono, flouro)

In my opinion, your best bet for an inexpensive but well built boat rod (for trolling or bottom fishing) would be an Ugly Stik.

Here are some links to some good ideas-

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_354____SearchResults

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0011493110349a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&No=18&Ntk=Products&QueryText=ugly+stik&sort=all&Go.y=9&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=19&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

For Topwater fishing (with Poppers) and Jig fishing I would suggest you go with a higher graphite content rod such as one of these-

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_97106_151002000_151000000_151002000_151-2-0

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_59430_151002000_151000000_151002000_151-2-0

Fluke fishing is mostly a "bottom bouncing" affair. Although you can easily catch Fluke/Flounder with bait, a better way to fish is by using artificial lures. Here is a decent article on Fluke fishing-

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/fishing_articles/Regional_Fishing/United_States/New_York/10_Ways_to_Catch_Fluke_134.html

If I was setting up for Striper, Fluke and Blue fishing I would have 4 different outfit's- 2 heavier action "boat rods" for bottom fishing/trolling and 2 medium/heavy action rods for tossing lures.

What TYPE/BRAND of outfit's is strictly up to your budget.

Here is what I would pick-

1. 2 Ugly Stik Boat rods with Shimano Charter Special reels. Shimano Charter Specials- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_7934____SearchResults

OR

Abu Garcia 7000 C3i- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_89108____SearchResults

OR

Abu Garcia C4's or C3's- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_74091____SearchResults

and 2 "lighter action" outfit's consisting of-

1. The above Daiwa Inshore Rod with either 2 Penn Slammer Reels- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_96639____SearchResults

OR

2 Fin-Nor OFS 65 Spinning reels- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_89192_151001002_151000000_151001000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_SEARCH

MAKE SURE to read all the reviews on the reels and rods I've suggested.

Other options?

Penn SSM Spinning reels, Shimano Symetre and Sustain reels, Shimano Calcutta reels, Quantum "Cabo" Spinning reel, Pflueger Supreme XT, Etc.

14-17LB Mono line is common. Braided line allows for better sensitivity to strikes, no stretch, and higher strength. If you can afford Braid it works well for most fishing situations EXCEPT for trolling. I suggest you TRY braid on one of your 4 outfit's and see if you like it before spending extra money on all 4. If you decide to go with braid you MUST use a leader, (getting un-hung on a snag can be a major hassle without a leader). I personally like Power Pro braided line, but there are other lines that will work just as well.

So in regards to your "mainline" it is strictly a "preference issue" which you need to experiment and find what works best for you.

However, in regards to Flurocarbon leaders, I think everyone will agree that Fluro is an important part of ANY type of fishing and you should probably have at least some leader material in your tackle box.

Anyway, hope this helps ya? Good luck!

Fluke fishing with light tackle off Mount Sinai, NY