FS Digest

I plan on fishing the surf this weekend and I am looking for cheap reel options, maybe around $50 to $70 if possible, also what pound test would be the best for fishing the surf, I plan on using 30 pound mainline with a 30 pound leader.

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by 2Highwaythrowaway

FS Digest

I picked one of these up and it's been good.

12000 series surf reel. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C21KDSK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Qr1oFbXA2985G

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by Hatemachine2020

FS Digest

What are you fishing for?

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by Thisiswrong11

FS Digest

Anything

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by 2Highwaythrowaway

FS Digest

On the higher end of your budget but a Penn Fierce 2 or 3 wouldnt be a bad option. Would recommend that over anything else in that range. 30 pound braided line to a 30 pound mono leader would be perfect depending on what youre fishing for.

What size rod?

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by mlima5

FS Digest

I'll second this. My Fierce 3 has been solid for the past year of constant fishing from my dock, kayak, and the surf.

Good luck finding one right now though. Plus the surf sizes bump it up to $90.

For your price range, the Penn Pursuit 3 will get the job done. It's a solid entry level reel that covers surf sizes.

https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Pursuit-III-Spinning-Fishing/dp/B07GKG5LQX/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Penn+Pursuit+III&qid=1597757156&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-3

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by ATWrongTurn

FS Digest

I have a 9 ft and a 10 ft rod

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by 2Highwaythrowaway

FS Digest

Where are you fishing and what are you targeting? $70 is going to get you very poor quality gear. For a start setup I'd aim for minimum around $150 for the rod and reel. The diawa BG 4 or 5k is a great option on a reel then a bass pro powerstick is what I recommend for a beginner setup. Another $20 for braid, a cheap spool of mono leader, then whatever you are planning on using for terminal tackle.

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by MakeASnowflakeCry

FS Digest

To be honest I’m going for anything, fishing the Chesapeake bay

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by 2Highwaythrowaway

FS Digest

Good response above.

I love braid (thinner and stronger).

My 50lb test braid is 20% thinner and 250% stronger than my 20 lb mono. (Which means I can fit more 50lb braid line on the same spool then I can 20 lb mono)

And your leader should not be the same thing as you main line. Otherwise its not really a leader.

Mono is great for the leader with briad bc it give it a little room to stretch (braid has virtually zero stretch)

Highly reccomand those Diawas mentioned.

Amazing reels. Extremely durable (Internally sealed too, so they can tolerate being dunked into the salt water)

For cheap rods I always go with an ugly stick. I have a few from when I was a kid that I've deemed indestructible. (And I still primarily use ugly sticks)

High-low rigs are a great choice for if you're using bait

I always go for the coated braid, bc without it, the braid is susceptible to abrasion wear. But if price is a concern that wouldnt make as much sense

Its gonna be a noticeable increase in price to get that , so if your not around rock or debris that would cause an issue, it prolly isn't worth it.

I fish jetties alot so it really matters for me. My friends lose 4x as much gear as me without the coating. And the strong no stretch braid helps me get outta alot more snags

(I use suffix superline, yeah its pricey, and prolly not for a first setup, but it lasts soooooo much longer. Idk the last ime I had a break off, and ive got some working with 5 y.o. + line. It holds up so well you can reverse it on the spool when it starts to fatigue (so the old line is in the middle/bottom of the spool and the unused stuff is now on top)

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by KaizDaddy5

lvpfisherman

Surf Fishing: Slightly off the subject, but you folks have any expert advises about: When is the best time to look for and catch sand fleas/sand crabs for surf fishing bait, early morning, sun set, evening; low tides or high tides? And, ideal locations along the beach to look for this bait creature??? Thanks!