Trying to learn more about Rod and Reel setups

[surfisher]

Never ever leave your house without a surface iron rod and a good swimming jig tied on. I've learned that lesson a few times, even if its dead winter and cold as shit, always bring your surface iron rod!

Anyways, I like using small gear too because it's much lighter and less bulky. The daiwa 20 is an awesome little reel and holds more than enough braided line; I don't think I've ever had a fish dump more than half my spool on it. The reels are tanks and can take a beating and still keep chugging along.

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by BIG JOAQUIN

...Be carful with kayak selection as some have cosmetic blems which may have an effect on how you determine their value.

LOL, dear Lord.....

Originally Posted by BIG JOAQUIN

...If you are just starting, get a 30lb rod&reel combo. A rod rated for 20-40lb mono and a reel that can carry up to 300 yards of 50-65lb braid. Use 20-40lb leader based on current conditions. Smile and have some fun.

Originally Posted by surfisher

Never ever leave your house without a surface iron rod and a good swimming jig tied on. I've learned that lesson a few times, even if its dead winter and cold as shit, always bring your surface iron rod!

I think this is the connection I'm missing. What's a Surface Iron Rod? A 30lbs setup? What's a swim jig setup, 40lbs? What do I throw with a 20-40lbs setup?

I think I just need to spend a lot of time researching and reading. My analytical brain is having a hard time connecting the dots.

[2-Stix]

Here is ALL of my set ups:
Sabiki rod with little old school penn 150

Shimano Curado 300e
Plastics/lite flyliner/squid strips
Calstar GFGR-800XL 8' 10-25
20/50# floro/braid

Avet SX 5.3 MC
Medium flyliner/surface irons
Calstar GFDH-800ML 8’ 15-40
30/50# floro/braid

Avet MXJ 6/4
Heavy Irons/surface Irons
Calstar GG 690J 9' 20-50
40/65# floro/braid

Avet MXL 6/4 Raptor
Dropper Loop/back up heavy flyliner
Calstar GFGR-700M 7’ 20-50
40/65# floro/braid

Avet JX 6/3 MC
Heavy flyliner/back up dropper loop
Calstar GFDH-800MH 8’ 20-50
40/65# floro/braid

I generally take the 3-5 sets ups. Sabiki if I am not fishing squid and need to make bait, the bass rod if fishing the kelp, the dropper set up always, the heavy flyliner always and the jig stick always.

I use these set ups on the charters and the yak. I did not start out fishing this quality of gear. After about 6-8 months I upgraded most of my gear and sold off the other gear. I took a 20 year break.

[chris138]

Sub-thread:

Sibiki rods and how worthless they are...

1. no flex easily lets mackerel shake off the hook, and has zero sensitivity.
2. no ability to switch them over to another setup once bait is made, like a backup flyline or iron
3. virtually impossible to re-thread on the water if sibiki breaks
4. internal line routing which is supposed to eliminate tangles, actually tangles the sibiki and it gets stuck inside

The only thing more ridiculous than sibiki rods are people who use an ultra light tackle for sibiki. I don't get it... do you want to spend 5 minutes landing 2 small greenbacks? 65# spec on sibiki WTF.

Actually, 65# spec on all rods. IMO, every rod you have onboard should be capable of landing the largest fish you are targeting.

Bait rod: TLD15 paired with uglystick tiger medium 7', 65# spec... $140 total and can easily hang with any fish you will encounter. Plus, you wont want to shoot yourself when you dump it in the surf.

Jig rod: saltist or sealine paired with a cheap 7' medium heavy rod and straight 40-50 lb mono.

The best kayak rig is one that you don't mind losing in the drink... unless i get sponsored by shimano then I can just dump Trinidad's for days and give zero fux haha

^If 2-stix yard sales at the launch, he's out $2-3k. If i lose all my shit its like 600$.

[2-Stix]

Originally Posted by chris138

Sub-thread:

Sibiki rods and how worthless they are...

1. no flex easily lets mackerel shake off the hook, and has zero sensitivity.
2. no ability to switch them over to another setup once bait is made, like a backup flyline or iron
3. virtually impossible to re-thread on the water if sibiki breaks
4. internal line routing which is supposed to eliminate tangles, actually tangles the sibiki and it gets stuck inside

The only thing more ridiculous than sibiki rods are people who use an ultra light tackle for sibiki. I don't get it... do you want to spend 5 minutes landing 2 small greenbacks? 65# spec on sibiki WTF.

Actually, 65# spec on all rods. IMO, every rod you have onboard should be capable of landing the largest fish you are targeting.

Bait rod: TLD15 paired with uglystick tiger medium 7', 65# spec... $140 total and can easily hang with any fish you will encounter. Plus, you wont want to shoot yourself when you dump it in the surf.

Jig rod: saltist or sealine paired with a cheap 7' medium heavy rod and straight 40-50 lb mono.

The best kayak rig is one that you don't mind losing in the drink... unless i get sponsored by shimano then I can just dump Trinidad's for days and give zero fux haha

^If 2-stix yard sales at the launch, he's out $2-3k. If i lose all my shit its like 600$.

I fish beach breaks up here. Everything it strapped at launch and landings horizontal. I have leashes on all my rods. I have watched dozens of yardsales. I have a very solid system and brave 3-5' surf. Its not fun, and I am not trying to be macho. I have not been rolled yet. That time will come. The thread was asking about your set ups. I was sharing mine. I am very particular, and a total gear head in all my sports. I spend a ton of time and money on gear. Avets are extremely easy to work on and the best value point I have found for my needs. If you want down and dirty the Ugly Sticks and TLD's are great and will do all the same things.

[chris138]

Originally Posted by 2-Stix

I fish beach breaks up here. Everything it strapped at launch and landings horizontal. I have leashes on all my rods. I have watched dozens of yardsales. I have a very solid system and brave 3-5' surf. Its not fun, and I am not trying to be macho. I have not been rolled yet. That time will come. The thread was asking about your set ups. I was sharing mine. I am very particular, and a total gear head in all my sports. I spend a ton of time and money on gear. Avets are extremely easy to work on and the best value point I have found for my needs. If you want down and dirty the Ugly Sticks and TLD's are great and will do all the same things.

Ya I'm not knocking you for using good gear... and there's guys who spend waaay more on kayak setups. You know what you're doing, and how how to avoid "accidents" in the surf zone or on the water. Avets and Calstars are premium equipment... and it goes without saying that they aren't a great entry level for a guy who is new to ocean kayaking.

[2-Stix]

Originally Posted by chris138

Ya I'm not knocking you for using good gear... and there's guys who spend waaay more on kayak setups. You know what you're doing, and how how to avoid "accidents" in the surf zone or on the water. Avets and Calstars are premium equipment... and it goes without saying that they aren't a great entry level for a guy who is new to ocean kayaking.

I put in a lot of days on charters as well and needed gear that would cross over. Its a bit over the top for the yak, but right for the charters. I had the $200 Penn combos. They worked. When business is good, I get good gear. The last 2 years I was able to spend what I wanted. So I did. My dad is a surfboard builder and flyfishing guide...so I grew up in the water and with good gear. He ruined me.

Fish the Ugly and TLD for a year, and if your still going out, maybe bump up gear.

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by 2-Stix

Here is ALL of my set ups:

...

I generally take the 3-5 sets ups. Sabiki if I am not fishing squid and need to make bait, the bass rod if fishing the kelp, the dropper set up always, the heavy flyliner always and the jig stick always.

I use these set ups on the charters and the yak. I did not start out fishing this quality of gear. After about 6-8 months I upgraded most of my gear and sold off the other gear. I took a 20 year break.

Wow, awesome post.

My neurotic self loves the fact you have (mostly) matching gear. I did that with my freshwater bass gear and always felt confident on the water.

For your iron presentations, where is your designation on whats "light" and "heavy" iron? All of the rigs I have now, I can only confidently throw lures around 6oz, and even that is pushing it....