New guy needs a little help!

[Searchin70]

Hello Everyone! I'm new to this board but have been lurking around for some time now...Tons of great information. I have been learning a lot but at the same time getting more confused and indecisive along the way. I'm new to surf fishing and am in the market for a new set-up. I know this has been asked a million times but I will ask again and try to explain in detail what I’m after.
I live in Raleigh NC and have had striper fever for some time now. I mostly fish for the land locked species but just made my first trip to O/I last weekend. I fished from a boat and we managed to bring in 11 stripers in about 6 hours, all between 14 and 23 pounds. We kept 2 between us and let the others go to fight another day. It was a great time even though I didn’t get my 40lber! Maybe next time! Anyway! I plan to get into surf fishing this year as I don’t always have access to a boat and I will enjoy the challenge that surf fishing will bring. I currently have a:
- Fin-nor power-light spincast setup
- Penn 5500ss with 7 foot Quantum M-H saltwater rod
- Penn Spinfisher SLS 7 foot light action rod
- 7-foot Penn power stick PS4801 light action rod
- older Daiwa 2600c reel
- Don’t laugh! Silstar RXB60.

I am looking to go the conventional route and I know there is a learning curve but I'm patient. So here's the deal. I have seen so many different make and models my head is spinning. I would like to get a setup that I could use throwing bait and for plugging but it looks like this is a lost cause so, I may just use the 5500ss for plugging for now. I plan to start frequenting the NC coast from Southport up to the Outer banks fishing for different species depending on the time of year. Striper, Cobia, Drum, Tarpon.. The inevitable Shark and Ray!. I'm sure I will eventually wind up with more than just one surf outfit but for now I will stick with one. Cost really isn’t an issue but I don’t see myself dropping 5 bills on a reel either. It looks like a bunch of the NC regs use the Daiwa's or the Penn 525 so here is what I have narrowed it down to.

Daiwa SL30SH
Daiwa SL-X30SHV....Does it have a clicker?
Penn 525 Mag w/HO Custom Mag Conversion
Daiwa GW-Z30SHW
Avet SX
Avet MX MXJ
6500 C3 CT Sports Mag....small line cap and no clicker.
Any Abu Garcia that may do me better....There's so many!


I'd like the reel to be as basic and lightweight as possible, a fairly large line cap, a line out alram, good in the salt, good drag, and casting distance! Does this reel exist?It doesn’t matter if its level wind but I hear these cause issues with shock leader knots?
I will more than likely go with a 10' Tica rod with cork grip but this isn’t written in stone. If I have missed something that may do me better please feel free to advise.

If any of you have read this novel thanks a bunch. If any of you respond thanks even more...maybe we could hook up one day and I could learn a thing or two. I appreciate your time!

[Cdog]

I'd like the reel to be as basic and lightweight as possible, a fairly large line cap, a line out alram, good in the salt, good drag, and casting distance! Does this reel exist

Yep sure does. Daiwa Sl 30 SH. Have one that I have fished Summer, Fall, Spring, WInter for 3 yrs now without a problem. As far as rod a lot of th times you will need to toss at least 8 oz sometimes more. Make sure your rod is rated to 10oz like th Tica 12' or look to say th Ocean Master rods. Hope this helps some.

[Drumdum]

I'm with Cdog here also,Diawa 30,neither model has a levelwind. Also,I'd tend to lean more towards the OM for a surfrod as opposed to the Tica,because it will handle 8 plus with no problem. For a beginner,I'd suggest both "red brakes" be put in the diawa,and the OM will be hard to load at first until you get the technique "dialed in"..

[Searchin70]

Thanks for the Replies guys! 12' rod huh? Is that what everyone is using at Hatteras or is this for all parts of the NC coast? I've read other posts where people were using 9' and 10' rods? I'm assuming y'all are using those 12' rods to get heavy weight out in order to hold the current at the cape? Sorry that I sound so clueless but... I am when it comes to the surf. I would like to have my stuff together when I make my purchase.

[Searchin70]

Opps! I forgot! Do those "red brakes" come with the reel or is this an add-on?

[Drumdum]

Originally posted by Searchin70:
Opps! I forgot! Do those "red brakes" come with the reel or is this an add-on?

They should be in a package with the reel,along with two white ones.. The white ones are a little quick,especially if you've never thrown one..When it is new in the box the factory installs no brakes.Unless the guy that sold it to you did it,there are none in the reel..
12ft I'm sure could be used anywhere,but holding a 9 or 10 footer is much more comfortable,if the current isn't too bad. The OM will definatly get you out there,if you need to cast any distance to the fish..

[Puppy Mullet]

Listen to DrumDumb on this one. Get this rig and you will be in the big leagues without going broke!

[kip]

searching,

i live in raleigh and have a "small" arsenal of rods and reels. started building my own rods and do a little casting practice, if you want to get together and go over a few different set-ups (rod and reel combinations) shoot me a PM and we can exchange phone numbers.

just got back from a trip to the OBX with some success (40" 27lbs) and missed out on a blitz that a few of my friends enjoyed. at any rate, i would be happy to help out.

kip

[CusterFHB]

The 12'er is the basic size for a "heaver"...the smaller rods you see, (Lami,breakaway etc..) are typically customs designed to be shorter with the heaver capabilities...

My arsenal has 2-12'ers, 1-11'er, 2-10'ers, 1-9 and 1-8 and 2-7's.....They are used based on conditions and type of fishing...It would be a awaste to use the heaver fer tha sea mullets when they are on the bar, conversely, the 9'er is for metal to 3 oz..so It is sorta like golf, a club fer every situation..

Good Luck...

and Like Puppy Mullet sed..If drumdum sez it, It gotta work...he one of the best fishermen I know...

Custer