Conventional boat rod and reel recommendations

[Atsoi88]

Hi MR

I'm in the market for a new conventional rod and reel to take on the party boats. Need a rod and reel that can do everything from catching porgy to Cod fish. So far I have my eyes set on the Diawa saltiga G jigging rod and the Diawa Saltiga 20 hyper speed reel. Or the shimano trevala f butterfly rod pair with the trindad 14A. Let me know what you guys think.

 

[jaa1456]

Those sound like good set ups, but do plan on jigging the entire day you're fishing? I always take two rods one jigging and one standard boat pole. I personally use toriums and saltist reels, for this type of fishing. I really like the new Release Reels, it's a newer company made in America but I'm slowly replacing my old reels with their stuff. As for rods I like my Tica boat and wreck rods the best.

 

[jackson6745]

My favorite all around setup is a 7' shimano Terez (50lb-100lb) and a Trinidad 14a. You can use this for just about anything inshore and it won't be overkill or underpowered for the application. Not to mention how extremely durable the trinidad is, and the no questions asked warranty on the Terez rod.

PS don't get the treveala, it has too much bend for bottom fishing for tog and cod.

 

[Hecdr34]

Also checkout Avet reels. They're made in the US and they have amazing customer service. That's all I use

 

[jaa1456]

Also checkout Avet reels. They're made in the US and they have amazing customer service. That's all I use

That's all I use to use as well, but switch over to Accurate over them also made in the USA and Release Reels. The Avets are overpriced for what they are.

 

[Atsoi88]

Rich- Does that rod have a nice sensitive tip and strong backbone?

Jaa1456-Just looked at the Release reels and they are extremely light well, perfect for jigging all day.

Hecdr34'-I heard the avet feels really industrial, sorta like reeling a Van Staal.

 

[jackson6745]

Rich- Does that rod have a nice sensitive tip and strong backbone?

Yes, exactly what it is. Go play with one in the tackle store before you purchase any other factory rod.



The avets are great reels. I just hate lever drags when I'm bottom fishing. This would be my lever drag reel of choice though.

 

[Atsoi88]

Wht wrong with lever drags while bottom fishing compare to regular star drag?

 

[jackson6745]

Wht wrong with lever drags while bottom fishing compare to regular star drag?

Not that it can't be done, but it is faster to flick a switch on star drag reel and safer to keep the same amount of drag. What I mean by this is that in the excitement of a fast hard strike, such as that of a blackfish, it is very easy to push the lever past the strike setting, or not quite far enough. Either mistake can cost you a fish.

Also when you fish higher drags, like when you cod or bass fish with heavy lead, lever drag reels get binding problems. The tighter you make the drag, the stiffer the reel becomes when you turn the handle. This is true for all lever drags. You don't get this with a star drag reel.

Sorry to get all in depth and stuff I run recreational fishing boats for a living. I tried most equipment out there. Actually, I've abused most equipment out there to know what holds up

 

[bigsink]

Come on Rich, what do you know? That setup is phenomenal. Makes me miss my boat. You will be happy with it.

 

[jackson6745]

Come on Rich, what do you know? That setup is phenomenal. Makes me miss my boat. You will be happy with it.

I bet you don't miss the expenses though

 

[Atsoi88]

Jaa1456- can you give me more info on the release reels. Do you think they are as smooth as the shimano Trinidad A?

 

[jaa1456]

I personally have never used a Trinidad reel, but they are smoother than any other reel I own. Including large internationals, Avets, accurates, pflugers and m shimanos. Like I said I'm slowly replacing all of my conventionals with them. The only downside to them is like Kjackson mentioned that they are lever drag and not star drag. I do prefer the toriums for bottom fishing with the star drag, but with enough time in you get use to the lever drag. They are easier to get a birds nest on also. I think release reels are looking into a star drag but that might be awhile. Look into their specs on their drag.

 

[Atsoi88]

Btw has anyone been out cod fishing?

 

[jaa1456]

I go out every year a few times. My boat is winterized right now, but we picked a few cod in December off of some wrecks in NJ. 150+ of water. The boat will be back out in March and I always go up to Mass in May.

 

[mbg75]

Shimano rods are a no brainer for their warranty. Right now I'm addicted to my trevala jigging rod.

I just swap out reels for different fishing.

Love Newell's for bottom fishing. Super durable and no frills.

I now have a rack of custom rods that don't get used.

That Trinidad 14a is a little monster.

 

[bobby1]

Get yourself a gloomis pro-blue series rod and a penn international reel. Little costly But you won't be happier with any other choice. I've have my set up for 6 years and caught everything from mahi to porgies. Do your research.

 

[Atsoi88]

There just so many options to select from, and the point of the thread is to help me narrow down to what combo, will suit me for primarily bottom.

Yea im pretty sold on the Trinidad 14a.

 

[jaa1456]

I don't think you can narrow it down to 1 set up honestly. I have over a dozen set ups for bottom fishing alone. I don't care for gloom is rods at all and I really like the newer series of bottom fishing rods that St. Croix came out with recently. I bought one but only got to use it once on a slow day, so I can't really comment on it much.

 

[SteveZ15]

Get Calstar 700 ml Or seeke Ins 72L Jigging Reels I Like Avet Bottom Fishing Peen 975 Or Calcutta 400