New guy needs rod suggestions

[taggermike]

There a many choices out there that will fill the needs you mentioned. There are also plenty of use gear available as well. I like graphite bait sticks but about any rod 6-7 feet long rated 20-40lb will work well. You can't beat the SoCal standards of Seeker and CalStar but other brands work well too. As for a jig stick, I like an all glass or composit rod 8-9 feet rate for 40 lb line. I don't think surface iron fishing is a "finesse" technique and use at least 40lb all the time. Again CalStar and seeker have many great rods but Saber and Shimano offer some nice options. ave not fish the PinHead series from Seeker but I have pulled on them and am impresses. They have 3 jig sticks in that series, I think, with the Ulua and the D-8 looking the best. Yak fishing is pretty tough on reels. I have no experience with Avets but If I was going to get some new set ups I might go with the Daiwa Seagates or Saltists. Mike