All around setup? HELP

[Ben71382]

Hi guys my name is Ben and I am new to SC fishing. I have fished all my live in the Northeast for stripers, bluefin and sharks. I have some friends who do a lot of fishing here, but they still recommended that I post here to get some more input. What I am looking for is fairly simple. I am looking for a good all around setup that I can use for island hopping and small/medium tuna. To me that means anything from 5lb bottom fish up to albacore and smaller yellowfin. I think I have a good idea for the reel, thinking about the Avet MXL loaded with about 300 yards of 50# JB line one spectra. From there I figure I can do wind on topshots or fc leaders to be able to quickly adjust to the species I am targetting. There has to be one setup that can do it all where all I have to change is line type, and I figure by using wind ons I can accomplish just that. I have done a lot of splicing for giant bluefin setups, so I am comfortable with the rigging. I just got a Shimano Calcutta CLCX76H rod but my friend tested out his, same Heavy model but 8' instead of 7'6". He fished his over the weekend and said he thought it was a little stiff for fishing live bait. I would have loved the MH, but it wasn't an option. I have no problem with a longer fight on light tackle for the bigger stuff, but I don't want to be out there with a trout rod at the same time. On the other end of the spectrum I don't want a broomstick for the small stuff, which is basically what the heavy calcutta is, just way too stiff, no feel. Your basic goldylox scenario, I need it to be not too light, not too heavy, but juuuuuust right. I looked at the Shimano Teramar also in heavy (line wt 15-30 same as the calcutta) but this one had a little more feel and wasn't as stiff, and the price was affordable ($129).


So...to shorten this long explanation into one simple question...

What is a good (and affordable) setup for all around fishing. I am assuming that the MXL is a good choice for this given the line capacity and rating, but I am open to other options as well. Considered the shimano tyrnos as well.

BTW, it may sound like I am stuck on Shimano but that isn't the case, just seams like so far they are the only ones in my price range.

Hope somebody can give me some good feedback here, I appreciate it.

Tight lines!

[gatothecat]

Calstar 800L w/ MXJ 50# Izor spectra and 25# topshot is a great all around setup

[FishStalker]

Well, IMHO there is no ONE setup that will do it all. I prefer to have rods/reels setup for various situations.

However an MXL loaded with 60# hollow and wind on leaders will allow you to fish from 15-40# topshots, no problem. That will allow you to cover quite a bit of ground. You may have a hard time finding a good rod that will adequately cover that whole range though.

[hucklongfin]

Check out OC Rods 80JL for use with the MX. Tony of OC Rods is in Mission Viejo by Margueritte and Jeronimo.

The Teramars and Calcuttas are best at fishing plastics and horsing the Bass out of the boilers and kelp. I used the CLC-X80MH w/15# this weekend and had no trouble fishing squid and sardines. I used the TMC-X80H w/20# and also had no trouble. Both can easily go up one (or two) line classes.

[Ben71382]

Mark,

That is pretty much what I suspected. I looked at the Teramar 7-6 Heavy and it seamed lighter than the 7-6 Calcutta Heavy that I ended up getting. I figured that the Teramar Heavy was probably equivalent to the Calcutta M-Heavy. The kid workin the shop I went to wasn't too psyched on the Teramar and sold me on the H calcutta, just being a salesman I suppose. I imagine that the Calcutta line of rods is superior to the Teramar series, however I think for what I want to do the Teramar might have been sufficient.

Calstars are excellent rods too but for the rod type I am looking for I think they are over $200. I am looking for something under $150. If I can find the right rod I'll get rid of that Calcutta for $150, hasn't even had a reel on it yet, I'll post on classifieds.

[BigHammerKing]

what about a calstar or seeker 270H-8. its an 8' 15-40# all glass rod. it is light weight and with a saltist 30T you can fish 20-30# topshots reliably. i use this rig for 30# bait with 50# spec to a 10' 30# flouro leader and the rod is very nice for the spectra. a stiff graphite rod (fishing spectra) is not very comfortable when you hook a yellow or tuna of any size.

[BOILER]

I 2nd the 800L. You can fish 3 line classes with it being 20-25-30lb test. It is probably my favorite local stick. Also the Saltist 30T is a good suggestion but kind of big when you drop down in line class. I like the 20 better personally for what you're looking to do with it. Torium 16 would also work very well for this application. Check out the classifieds and do your homework. You might be able to find a high end reel that way and have something better then you expected.

[BigHammerKing]

Originally Posted by BOILER

Also the Saltist 30T is a good suggestion but kind of big when you drop down in line class. I like the 20 better personally for what you're looking to do with it. Torium 16 would also work very well for this application.

why is a torium 16 a very good reel for said application but the saltist 30t wont be as good?

[Ben71382]

I ended up getting the 80JL from Tony at OC Rods. Sick stick, 8 ft rated at 15-40# and is composite glass/graphite. Enough sensitivity in the tip for fishing live bait, and enough backbone too. I fished it this weekend on the Toronado on an overnighter and caught a bunch of calicos and a sheeps head. I ended up putting the MXL on it loaded with 25# test mono, but I am going to put JB Line One spectra on and then fish a topshot. Can't wait to test this setup against albies. Thanks for the help.

[hucklongfin]

Considering where you live you owed it to yourself to go checkout Tony's rods. Glad you liked it.

[acekey]

270h-8.