[njadam]

Looking to upgrade some tackle. What would you guys reccomend for a sea bass / fluke rod to be used in the sandy hook area? Thanks.

 

[saltflyfisherman]

I like 7.5-8 ft rods, I have 2 st croix downrigger rods, nice soft tip combined with pro gear reels 251 or 255.

 

[Blynch]

Penn 320gt2 levelwind reel with a 7.5 foot tica wreck series rod... youre good to go:thumbsup:

 

[PalmersTackle]

i would think if your head boat fishing in the bay you could go with a 7' 12-20 lb rod maybe a 955/965 penn sized reel--but you mentioned sea bass so i guessing your going out front in the rocks...now it's alot different
still like 7' rods better but take it up to 15-30 lb. test and 965/975 penn.
avet has some great reels and fair pricing.
I use 2 shimano calcutta conventional rods rated 15-30 and love them for sea bass and fluke (if i'm not bucktailing i use spinners for bucktails.)
paired with pro gear cs501/cs551on ea. great reels and last for ever..
tsunami has a great conventional rod out for around $85.00 rated 15-30
light weight but real strong..
if you want to spend some money can't beat a custom rod from barn sponsors jpr or fish poison..those guys build some awesome stuff, and can certainly get exactly what your looking for.
hope this helped

 

[sandwashslugger]

For fluking/sea bass I have a 6'6" EH Shimano Convergence rated at I believe 15-30# and 1-3oz lures, along with an Abu Ambassadeur 6600 C4. The setup is SUPER light, extremely strong, and very sensitive. My setup has 50# braid and can handle not just fluke/sea bass, but also stripers and drum. For peace of mind you get a lifetime warranty with the convergence. :thumbsup: Oh yeah, expect to pay under $200 as well.

 

[AguaKid]

Any thing in 7- 7 1/2 ft matched with Penn,Abu or some matched to fit budget will do fine. Off a party boat conventional .

 

[FarrellX]

depends if im on the shore, on my kayak, on a boat in the back, on a boat in deep water...

i have a few set ups i like..ranging from 2 6' ugly sticks each with 2 daiwa spinning reels, ones an emblem i believe, not sure of the other..its old, and all gold....

favorite on the boat is a 7' daiwa black widow rod (awesome grip) with a daiwa millionaire reel. nice M action setup, fairly small reel, and pretty light weight.

heaviest set up is a penn long beach, 6' Heavy action, with a big penn long beach reel. i hardly ever uuse this though...


all with a rod or 2 in between.

 

[Captain Jims Charters]

i'm fishing an avet sx 2.0 with powerpro, mated to a st croix conventional musky rod. this is my go-to rod for most fishing.

I also have a shimano trevala butterfly jigging rod that is nearly indestructable. I have a penn 975 levelwind on it. It's a light little rod that simply refuses to break. I have caught more quality seabass and fluke on that rod than any other rod I own.

my deep drops require a bit more meat, so i use a star rod nickelite rod with a abu garcia ambassadeur morrum 9000 levelwind, with 50lb powerpro. This rod is for 10+ oz conditions...

i have a bit of a high end fishing gear addiction..

this year i'm looking for a nice spin outfit for light bucktailing in the back bay.

 

[sandwashslugger]

i'm fishing an avet sx 2.0 with powerpro, mated to a st croix conventional musky rod. this is my go-to rod for most fishing.


this year i'm looking for a nice spin outfit for light bucktailing in the back bay.

That's a super nice combo, a little more than I am willing to spend incase I flip the yak. That's why I went with the convergence/abu.

I picked up a real nice Shimano Clarus MH spinning rod (specs: 6'6'' MH, 8-17#, 1/4-3/4oz). It's super light so you won't get tired from jigging, super sensitive, and super strong. I have mine matched up with an Okuma (forget the model), has 10BB and is super smooth, and 30lb power pro. I love my shimano's!

 

[Captain Jims Charters]

That's a super nice combo, a little more than I am willing to spend incase I flip the yak. That's why I went with the convergence/abu.

I picked up a real nice Shimano Clarus MH spinning rod (specs: 6'6'' MH, 8-17#, 1/4-3/4oz). It's super light so you won't get tired from jigging, super sensitive, and super strong. I have mine matched up with an Okuma (forget the model), has 10BB and is super smooth, and 30lb power pro. I love my shimano's!

the avet sx is the 5.0 ...i also fish an avet MXJ single speed on a shimano rod, cant think of the model. I like the SX a little better, however the drag on it needs a little work, gotta get it serviced. agree they are pricey little buggers, and wouldnt fish one in a yak... i'm always terrified someone is going to kick in my pilothouse door and find the 3 grand in fishing reels hanging on my bulkhead. Screw the electronics, the reels are worth the money hah.

My spin rig will be a penn slammer 460 (i already have the reel)... i was looking towards the st croix triumphs (yeah yeah chinese st croix, but half the price). I will look at the shimano clarus series.. I want something versatile but light.

im also looking at something to be in the 12lb class of braid...real light and sneaky. my avet reels are 20lb p/p, i like it a lot.

 

[sandwashslugger]

You could also try the Shimano Compre 6'6'' MH as it is a good bit stronger than the Clarus yet it is just as light. My clarus I got I will also be using for river stripers and even for largemouth bass when throwing giant jigs and swimbaits. Very versatile rod.

 

[birdman skark river]

go cheaper

:wave: Look for some thing that can handle 4 to 8 onces. Any reel with a good name on it will do. I would say to use 50 pond power pro. It dont cut your hands in the tie. good fishing and I will see you out there.

 

[Captain Jims Charters]

i also like the smaller shimano butterfly jigging rods (trevala) ...the 6'6" medium conventional is $99, and it is waranteed for life so long as the damage occurs during normal fishing (you cant break it in a car door, but if it breaks on a fish, they replace it).

The damn things are light as a feather and nearly indestructable. The solder on my tip came loose after many many many fluke and seabass caught on it, just mailed it back, they are sending me a brandy new one.

i have had a 6500 series abu (the C3 i beleive) on it, and like it a lot, also mates well with penn international 965s and 975s.

i'd stay away from the GT2s - i find them too heavy and cumbersome for some reason.

 

[NO MOJO]

i also like the smaller shimano butterfly jigging rods (trevala) ...the 6'6" medium conventional is $99, and it is waranteed for life so long as the damage occurs during normal fishing (you cant break it in a car door, but if it breaks on a fish, they replace it).

The damn things are light as a feather and nearly indestructable. The solder on my tip came loose after many many many fluke and seabass caught on it, just mailed it back, they are sending me a brandy new one.

i have had a 6500 series abu (the C3 i beleive) on it, and like it a lot, also mates well with penn international 965s and 975s.

i'd stay away from the GT2s - i find them too heavy and cumbersome for some reason.

I love the Trevala's, I own seven of them. I have them paired up with Penn 955's and 965's. Great rods for fluke and sea bass. I also have some Trevala spinners that are great for casting to blues and stripers in the fall.

 

[Uncle Connie]

I have the trevelas as well with Avet reels on them with 65# powerpro braid. Can do any fishing from inshore to offshore with the same combo.