Newbie advice on reel Spin or cast

[hooznxt2]

I am getting into surf/jetty fishing. I am looking at getting a rod and reel together and am not sure what is good or if I should be looking at spinning reels or casting. I know casting reels take a little more work. Please give me some advice.

[jscrib]

I mostly fish a spinner in the surf with 6-8lb mainline.

I will occasionally fish one of my bait casters with 12lb when looking for bigger fish.

Bottom line, fish with what you are comfortable with and it shouldn't make a difference.

j

[Odasan]

As jscrib said, fish with what you are comfortable with but, I really like using conventional gear. I feel that I can cast more accurately (doesn't matter most of the time) and I love hearing the reel scream on a good cast. I also feel that the conventional has more power on the retrieve with no line twist.

[YakN'Surf]

If it is your very first rod/reel i would get a spinner. But if you already have some spinners i would give a baitcaster a try. They definitely take some practice but once you get it down you will love it, especially for fishing lures and stuff.

[wkk]

Either one will work. I use both but tend to use my spinner more than my baitcasters in the surf. The spinner is much better at casting light weights and casting in the wind. I use a Diawa Tierra 2500. This reel is great. Sealed so it still performs even if it accidently gets dunked. Came w/ two spools. I use 8lb on one spool and 30 lbs spectra on the spare w/ short leaders of choice. The reel is built tough and I've used it in alaska for catching 15 plus pound salmon. The drags are reel smooth. I've tried spinners from shimano, penn, quantum etc. None of them perform as well as the Daiwas. Daiwa seems to have better line twist technology and the reels cast a mile.
As for rods, i match this reel to a Shimano clarus 2 piece 7"6 rod. It's great for traveling. I've taken this setup w/ me to mexico, alaksa and canada. Worked great on catching fish from shore.
Pretty much any reel & rod combo will do. It just comes down to personal preference.

[socalkid]

Hello,

What kind of surf fishing are you going to be doing? If im going for surf perch I fish a 9' spinning rod with 6-10lbs line. If im going after sharks and using cut bait I use my 10' casting setup with 20lbs mono. If im going after halibut I use a 7 1/2 or 8 foot casting rod with 10-12 lbs mono or 40lbs braid to a short 15lbs floro leader. Different kinds of surf fishing need different kinds of gear.

Out,

Chris

[lco]

I use a spinning reel. Sooner or later your rod will hit the sand
(if your surf fishing) and spinning reels are less likely to get sand
into the working parts. If fishing at night " birds nest" on a conventional is kinda time consuming.

[gotone]

spinning reel wiht 10-15 pound test with about 7-8 foot pole

[BeachCruzer]

8-9ft/ 6-12 lb rated spinning rod with decent brand name spinning reel. I have a Cabellas 8.5 ft pro Steelhead 2 pc rod ($50) with a Shimano reel ($40). (see Cabellas on line) Use 6lb for the perch, corbs and croakers, and 12 for halibut and that odd striper or seabass that might be cruising the surf. (good luck with that!) Use a 2 ft flourocarbon leader with a carolina rig. Take some Gulp sandworms or grubs with you in case you can't find sandcrabs! Bait up and start pumping it out there working down the beach until you get that bit HIT! If you go for the day take two spools so you can switch from light to heavier line and have the appropriate tackle for both. Take snacks and your camera so you can post pictures of your catch right here for all to see and envy!!!

[wsbkiller]

Light to medium spinning gear if you're going to be moving down the beach casting grubs and so forth.

Conventional bait casting reel (nothing fancy) and a 12' to 14' medium to heavy action rod if you're going to heave it and leave it.

Surf fising takes an investment of time (and some money)to figure out what does and doesn't work for you in your particular area, for your particular target species. Be patient and don't be afraid to experiment. Pay special attention to the old timers you see out there.

Good luck and tight lines!

[Odasan]

What did you decide on?