[Elrod]

Okay, I've looked at some threads here and other sites and have an idea of what I think I want for my $150 budget (budget still in committee/could get slashed).

Just about every year I seem to make it to the ocean once or twice with the opportunity to surf and/or pier fish and I expect that to continue. I have some garage sale setups that should be fine for the pier, I have a 10'' salmon rod (too soft for the surf) and some 7' uglies that would probably work for the panfish in the short surf. My current spinning reels are pretty much maxed out when handling salmon too. So...I really need a bigger rig for surf casting. I'll probably end up at the NC, SC, & FL coasts...and perhaps TX or CA. I'm happy to catch whatever will bite, but looking for bigger stuff...drum, macks, blues, shark, etc....while I try to catch something smaller with my 7' rods...or hang out with my kids.

I am thinking the DIAWA EMCAST PLUS + 10' OCEAN MASTER SURF ROD (17-40lb. / 4-8oz. lure) combo at Bass Pro sounds like a good investment. They do have the "sport" reel and a cheaper rod for about half the price, but I don't want to go too cheap...I'm hoping it will last me "forever" considering I would fish it a few days - 2 wks/yr. Any thoughts - good all around setup for $$, can I get comparable quality cheaper (first trip is April 7th to Hilton Head-don't have a ton of time to bargain shop...though can look online-no fleamarkets with much saltwater gear here this time of year)?

• A rod rated for 17-40lb. line - if I throw a 30lb. Powerpro (8lb. comparable dia.), is there any concern for it being too small dia. for the rod? If so, why does the manufacturer put a minimum?
• How much spool/reel size will I need? I'm thinking between 4500(390/12lb.), 5000(414/14lb.), 5500(290/20lb.), 6000(320/25lb.) sizes. I imagine I'll use it more for soaking bait with the occassional casting of lures or pier use (80/20). I may also use the reel for salmon fishing

That's a novel...and I'm probably overthinking...just want to make a good one-time purchase that will hopefully get me through most any surf situation. Thanks in Advance!
E-

 

[sundrop]

Cabela's Salt Striker™ Baitfeeder/Surf Rod Spinning Combo

I have been considering this combo from Cabelas. I like the idea of having the baitfeeder option so I can set the drag for fighting and trip the lever for a lighter drag to set the rod in the holder. Once you get the bite you just flip the switch to your fighting drag setting. Penn is my fav but for the price this looks good. Okuma is making some good stuff at a fair price now too.

 

[Elrod]

Thanks sundrop.

I looked at this too...never used a bait feeder reel, but sounds like a very nice thing to have.

My concern on this was primarily the rod is rated at a line weight of 10-25lb. & lure of 2-4oz. for the 10' (if I'm looking at correct versions) which from what I have read sounds a little restrictive to the light side for some conditions/species. Of course this is coming from me with VERY LITTLE experience surf fishing. I heard he SaltStriker Reels are made by Okuma too. I'm just not familiar with them. I had heard good things from a couple people about the Emcast & Ocean Master...on a FL forum..which is what started me looking at them.

 

[luremaker]

A good combination for you might be the Qkuma ABF 40 on a Diawa Sealine-X 10 foot stick. Easyly under your budget. The reason rod manufacturers put a low to high rating on a rod is that this is where the rod will preform at it's best or did through feild testing. The same goes for the lure weight size.

 

[Elrod]

Thank you Luremaker.
Now you guys have me thinking a bait feeder might be a better all-round option. The Avenger sounds like it would do the trick, but if I can swing it, I think the Epixor EBF50 might be worth the upgrade for a little extra muscle & durability....but the Avenger sounds like a good plan B. It really depends on how much I decide to spend. I just don't want to have to buy something else in a couple years because I went too small or cheap.
Do you have experience casting these baitfeeders into the surf? I'm a little bit concerned with the distance based on the beaches I've fished previously (Hunting Island & Hilton Head) were fairly long sloping. It sounds like the Emcast Plus is a good caster - but no baitfeeding option.

Currently I'm tossed up between the Emcast Plus 5000 & Okuma Epixor EB50 with the ABF50 as a budget saver. I really wish I could see these things in person...ahh well...I'll keep my eyes open. Any more feedback is welcome.

-E

 

[lefty]

One thing I'd toss in is that the surf at Hatteras (at least out at ThePoint) is significantly more vigorous than most other places. You first suggested
a rig designed to through 4-8 oz -- I've been out there and watched 8 oz roll right back up onto the beach. In most places, 8 oz might as well be a cinder block.

Most of the time, 8 oz will hold just fine out there, so IMHO, your 4-8 oz target is right on. On those extra vigorous days (like when there's a hurricane in Florida) you can use a sputnik sinker to get a little extra holding power.

 

[Rob S]

Never used a sputnik sinker, will definitely look at those. If 8 ain't holding it, I'm fishing something different

 

[Elrod]

Thanks again Lefty.
I'll have to pick up a couple sputniks. Most of my trip to Hunting Island was ruined (at least the fishing) because of Tropical Storm Alberto. I couldn't hold the bottom for anything...the one day we had steady 35-40mph winds with heavier gusts.

I'm really looking forward to the trip. I probably won't be able to do all the things I'd like to do...but relatively speaking surf/pier fishing is cheap and I can still spend time with the family. I should be able to "warm up" a bit on my Hilton Head trip in April.

I can't wait for warm weather! This has been a long winter. I'll keep looking for some deals....

 

[luremaker]

The baitfeeder function will not interfer with the castabilty of the reel. The baitfeeder has two distince advantages in that it will let you set your fighting drag at what you want it but when engaged will let a fish pick up a bait without feeling the resistance. Secondly it will let you put the rod in a rod holder and not worry so much about it while you get a cool one out of the ice chest or have to make a trip into the dunes.

 

[jparker812]

I just purchased a Cabelas salt striker SS65 with a 7.2 ft rod for $50.00 and I am very satisfied with this rod. They have longer rod combos available and for the money you can't beat this combo. If you are like me and don't fish every weekend or day available it doesn't make good sense to spend alot of money, but this is a good quality combo compared to ones I have shopped for.

 

[Scott Hobbs]

10-4 if 4-6 oz doesn't hold its time to be some where else, in front of the fire place with a warm toddy

Have seen where 4-6 ounces would beat you back to the surf cart or truck.

tight lines <*)))))>{

 

[speckhunter80]

Unless you are a hard core storm suds man you will seldom ever need more than 4oz. If you need more, than chances are good you are wasting your time anyways.

 

[Elrod]

I hear ya...I quickly realized it was probably a waste of time in the storm surf last time. Since I don't get that many opportunities...I continued to add weight...still a waste...didn't have nice toddy and fireplace to go to though at the campground.

I did look at Cabela's online again and it appears they may have added a combo or I didn't see it before. They now have a OKUMA EPIXOR EB65 matched with their 10' SaltStriker rod that is rated at 2-8oz. & 15-40lb.
It looks like they may be clearing out the rods I saw previously. This is looking more attractive. I'm heading to Vegas in just over a week. If it's not the middle of the week, maybe I can hit the Cabela's in Nebraska and see if they have this setup...it would be nice to take a look at it before ordering. I appreciate the info guys.

Surf Cart? Is that a quad or dune buggy? Or kinda like the beer cart on the golf course?

 

[sundrop]

 

[lefty]

My surf-fishing buddies from Church were at Hatteras the weekend Hurricane Jeanne came ashore in Florida, two, three years ago or so. Thursday evening and Friday morning, they were holding open paper bags, shouting "here fishie fishie" and catching high-slot reds when they jumped in. I guess the waves at that time were around 4 feet... as the surf increased to steady 6' waves, the bite pretty much died off...

but it still beat working.... which I had to do in Philadelphia the next week, when the remnants of the hurricane made it up there and flooded out my route back to the hotel....

10-4 if 4-6 oz doesn't hold its time to be some where else, in front of the fire place with a warm toddy

Have seen where 4-6 ounces would beat you back to the surf cart or truck.

tight lines <*)))))>{

 

[Elrod]

Nice Cart...I don't think I've actually seen one yet the place I've been...lots for piers...not for the beach though. Now if I leaved near the coast, that would be a nice way to go...just needs a portable hammock or lounger to go with it.

Maybe I can start organizing fishing trips to some of these great locations. We have a few guys at church that have talked about setting up a trip. We did a local camping & salmon fishing trip here last year that was nice. One of these times I'd like to try some Yak fishing too....ahhh...dreamin'...I'm not able to get out nearly as much as I'd like as it is... Do you do most of your fishing from your kayak Lefty?

 

[lefty]

One of these times I'd like to try some Yak fishing too....ahhh...dreamin'...I'm not able to get out nearly as much as I'd like as it is... Do you do most of your fishing from your kayak Lefty?

Yeah, most of the time... I figure I paid for the yak, I'd better use it. If I don't have time to hit the lake (~20 mins away) I'll walk down to a neighborhood pond and try my luck from the bank. The surf-fishing trip is mostly a fellowship opportunity - get to hang out with 50+ of my closest friends, and not have to be Daddy if I decide to leave my boy at home... (I'm thinking of bringing him along every other year...)

Give us a shout if you're heading this way, we can find a way to get you hooked up with a yak and a piece of water...

 

[Topsail Angler]

Nice Cart...I don't think I've actually seen one yet the place I've been...lots for piers...not for the beach though.

That cart Drop showed can be used on the pier or on the beach. Here's another version I like better for the beach cause it doesn't have that little wheel in the front that is just going to get clogged with sand and is useless on the sand anyway. Otherwise it's about the same and can be used on pier or beach.

 

[Elrod]

Thanks for the great info guys. Anyone have thoughts on the Okuma Epixor EB 50 vs. EB 65 for what I'm using it for. The 10' combo I'm interested in comes with the Epixor EB 65 for $155. but I'm thinking the EB 50 is $10 cheaper purchased separately and I could team it up with a 10' Daiwa Eliminator for about $120.

The Cabela's Salt Striker Reel/Rod combo sounds fine, I just don't really know what quality the reel is...I'm assuming they skimp on something since it's cheaper than the Epixor combo.

The Avenger ABF 50 or ABF 65 are teamed with a 10' Whuppin' Stick for $80-$85. For $95 I could put the Avenger ABF on a Diawa Eliminator. I don't know much about the Diawa Eliminator Rods, but they seem to get good reviews for the money. I looked for the Sealine-X that was recommended and found out they discontinued this line.

Bottom line I would like a "good" setup that will last me given that I would fish with them a max of 15 days/year...more likely half that. I need to be quite certain that it won't need to be replaced anytime soon because my wife would be happy to execute the tackle monkey and I'm not sure I could save him.

 

[straps57]

10ft Ugly Stick, 6500 Shimano Baitrunner. It will last you a lifetime.