Help with a setup....

[Traffic]

Hi all,

I'm still fairly new to fishing. I fell in love with Bass fishing. I have gear for the "Cattle Boats" but i want to buy a setup or two for fishing LA/LB, Newport, and SD Harbors. I thought i was going to buy a Baitcasting setup and a Spinning setup but i noticed nobody using spinning gear. Either way i am clueless as to what type of rod(s) to buy (length, action, line rating). I have got my eye on the Daiwa Advantage HSTA. I tend to take better care of gear that I spend more on. Plus I like the way it looks, it got a good review, and its in my price range. The rod should be within that same price range (give a little or take a little more).

I would be using it either when renting a skiff or float tubing. Any help would be appreciated.

[yellowkiller312]

i would go with a calstar graphiter 8 foot with a corvalus well for a little offshore i would get a pro gear cs 501

[maxlikestofish]

if youre down to spend the money crucial the 7' drop shot rod if youre just fishing spotties(CRCD70M). if your targeting biggerfish a beefier rod would be appropriate. but on the other hand ive got this Team Daiwa Rod that was like $60 and i love it.

[Traffic]

is it the Daiwa Tierra? What ratings should i look for? I thought 7', 6#-15# line rating.

[T BICKLE]

shimano teramars are great bass rods(140$) with a shimano citica (110$), also just picked up an abu baitcaster COMBO for 80 bucks (dont know the model) but its pretty sweet. both rods are in the 15-25 lb line class. the abu is 6'6" and the teramar is 7'
i fish them with 20lb braid and a 12-20 mono top shot

[TurdRoller]

nothing fancy for bay fishing, keep it simple. i feel the teramars are too stiff for the smaller fishes. shimano clarus rods..something in 7'6. they are cheap and have a good warranty. get a little abu garcia 4600, 5600 or maybe the revo sx (black one) throw on some 10 or 12lb and grab a few 3 or 4 inch fishtraps and some ledheads and have at it. i love fishin the bay. good luck!

[Firebird]

If you're going to be fishing the harbors, you might have more fun if you go super light. Something like 6-8 pound test. If you go this light, you'll probably have to go with a spinning rig. Shimano makes a good light weight spinning reel. I think the model is the Sahara.
I find that I have more fun fishing light tackle in the harbor. More challenging and more action between you and the fish.
If you fish cattle boats, you'll want to go heavier because you don't want to hold up the rest of the boat while you fight your fish on light tackle.

[TurdRoller]

oh yeah forgot about that. spotties on 6 lb is a blast

[fongster]

Key text: "I would be using it either when renting a skiff or float tubing."

6-10# for the bay--you'll have the most fun and get bit more too. Hard to choose a line test? Here's my take: 6# is fun but I don't feel like nursing in fish all the time. I also can't effectively throw bigger baits like spinnerbaits and bigger swimbaits on it--the rods that are for 6# are too light. 8# is a better choice but I'd probably do 10#. It's still light enough to get bit and have lots of fun on bay bass. You won't have to worry all the time about teeth and snapping off "heavier" lures on casts. I like a 7 footer for the bay. Look at Clarus, Compre, or Crucial from Shimano ($80 to $130 for 7 footers). The effective line rating is the lower to middle of the range spec'd, i.e. 8-14# is good for 6-8# and 8-17# is good for 8-10#, 10-20# is 10-12#. Match with a 100 or 200 size baitcaster. I like low-profile ones in the bay as I can handle lighter lines better than round-style ones--just more comfy for finesse fishing. Look at Curado or Citica for a mid-priced one. They have series above and below in price, too. Hope this helps.

[SealBeachKid]

Originally Posted by fongster

Key text: "I would be using it either when renting a skiff or float tubing."

6-10# for the bay--you'll have the most fun and get bit more too. Hard to choose a line test? Here's my take: 6# is fun but I don't feel like nursing in fish all the time. I also can't effectively throw bigger baits like spinnerbaits and bigger swimbaits on it--the rods that are for 6# are too light. 8# is a better choice but I'd probably do 10#. It's still light enough to get bit and have lots of fun on bay bass. You won't have to worry all the time about teeth and snapping off "heavier" lures on casts. I like a 7 footer for the bay. Look at Clarus, Compre, or Crucial from Shimano ($80 to $130 for 7 footers). The effective line rating is the lower to middle of the range spec'd, i.e. 8-14# is good for 6-8# and 8-17# is good for 8-10#, 10-20# is 10-12#. Match with a 100 or 200 size baitcaster. I like low-profile ones in the bay as I can handle lighter lines better than round-style ones--just more comfy for finesse fishing. Look at Curado or Citica for a mid-priced one. They have series above and below in price, too. Hope this helps.

Y U P...

[PAYRAZE]

There are a lot of talent on this board and most of the recommendations are solid. Here's my 2 cents - I fish SD Bay alot - MB sometimes and the kelp off of LJ and PL as often as possible.
In the bays we use 4# / 6# / and occasionaly 8# - usually Ande clear but have tried and like fluorocarbon. I have what I think is the perfect bay/kelp boat so I take too many rigs. Don't let the baitcast snobs talk you out of a good spinning set-up. I throw mostly baitcast (Pflueger President / Garcia Millionaire / Quantum PT) but I'm neer without a spinning outfit to drop shot or pitch small baits around boat docks. Break offs are few and far between if your drag is set correctly - we've landed quite a few legal 'buts on the 4# - up to 15lbs - with patience.

Out in the kelp it's 8 - 15# - mostly baitcast. We are almost 100% C & R so we're not too worried. I'm more the type to buy what feels good in my hands than be brand specific - I fish Shimano / Ugly Stick / Fenwick / Daiwa rods because they felt right when I bought them. The pricey matched outfits are nice but I've never had a problem keeping up with anyone fishing the high priced stuff. It always comes down to talent and practice.
Rule of thumb - if it works in freshwater it'll work on local salt species - remember to clean up thoroughly when you're done. At the end of the day you and your friends are going to remember what you caught - not so much what equipment you used.

P.S. Bass Pro Shops has some great prices but the Fred Hall show is more fun.

[bigiron]

I use a Clarus 70MH and a Curado 200 for 10#
and a Clarus 66M with a Curado 100 for 8#

both are great light bass setups.. would work great for bay bass.