If you could take just one....
 

Friend of mine is in the market for an all around setup, not an avid fisherman, but likes to get out maybe 3-4 times a month during the summer. More fair weather fishing than any, light bottom species w/blues and stripers mixed in occasionally. I have given him my recommendation but would like to hear what others have to offer. Again, he is not particular to all the absurd/crazy things we all worry about so an intermediate level set up with the versatility to do all is what I would like to advise to him.

The constraints are as follows:

Budget: $250.00

Option A

Type: Party Boat Fishing

Target Species: Inshore (Fluke, Sea Bass :mad: , Blues, Stripers)

Rod: Off the shelf non custom (please specify taper and length)

Reel: Conventional (Mono or Braid capable)

Fisherman: Right Handed Retrieve (I'm a backward lefty)


To make a few changes to spice things up I would be interested to see what people would change given the above would read as follows:

Type: Private Boat/Charter

Rod: Custom ONLY

Hope to see some interesting replies....

Re: If you could take just one....
 

A little past your budget but this is a nice set up, I just found these prices from one site. Your might be able to do better.

Rod - maybe Seeker east cost rod BA-85 I think there around $142
reel - Newell 229 around $134

Re: If you could take just one....
 

For an all around rod for sure

A.Kevin Bogan Fish Poison

and

B.Kevin Bogan Fish Poison

Great all around rod for anybody... We have caught all the species above on the rod and it was great for all of them! Many of our customers went out and picked up one of kev rods

You can go get it the way ya want or pick one off the shelf and Kev will help ya pick the right one for no extra charge! He will match it with a real for ya!

Oh and it fits right around your pals budget!

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Real simple the Duck Or Bleed Special . A 40 to 80 lb 6'6" Uglystick and a Jigmaster 500 filled with 30 lb mono .

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Honestly, the Kevin Bogan basic tog rod I got is probably the perfect rod for just about any inshore fishing all summer long in the ocean. I'd match one up with a Penn Jigmaster if you want to go on the cheaper end, or maybe a Daiwa Sealine 20SHA and would dare anything inshore other than big bluefin to mess with my gear.

If you're talking private boat and more bay fishing than ocean fishing, I'd go lighter, but all-around inshore ocean fishing I think that set-up is tough to beat for the price.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Rod:Kevin Bogan ....the poison series is not much more expensive then a rack rod.
Reel: to fit the budget you can get a Takota 600 for around $100
..............
What I would buy on a 250 dollar budget:
Reel: a used Avet SX....$150
Rod: a used Lamiglass rod rated at 20-40lb...$100

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Penn 155L for 40 bux, when he is done with it he can give it to his grandchildren and so on, check the flea markets for the older models.

Any rod will do.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

the tsunami rods hold up pretty good and are very easy on the wallet.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Avet SX reel and a Shimano Trevala rod 6'6" mh.

Perfect inshore combo.

a little over $250 but worth it.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

I've had good experiences with the Tsunami Airwave rods. The Airwave boat rod can be easily had for under $100.

For a reel, IMHO the Shimano Tekota 600 is a good all-arounder. You should be able to locate one for around $150-160. Spool it with 20-30lb mono and go fishing. :D

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Why not a Bogan Fish Poison matched with a Penn 310 GTI?
Fits the budget and will work well for the casual fisherman!

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Several good recomendations mentioned. If he lives near the cranford area have him give me a call as I have a few setups both off the shelf and custom that might fit in his budget

MVP
Alex
201-741-1823

Re: If you could take just one....
 

How about a Penn Torque 50-100 with a saltist 30? I have one and have used it for the aforementioned trips. With some shopping around, a saltist can be had for about $150...Of course for a little more dough, I would always recommend a Fish Poison rod. I have a couple and love 'em too!

Re: If you could take just one....
 

I love those rods and the price makes them even more appealing!

Re: If you could take just one....
 

I have a couple of Tsunamis and they all work well. As far as reels go, your friend should either go with a Saltist 30 or a Calcutta 700 spooled with either 30lb. mono or 50 lb. braid, depending on what he'll be fishing for more, seabass and fluke, or bass and blues. Bass and blues, Calcutta 700 with 30 lb. mono or for fluke and seabass, either of the reels(Saltist would be better for deeper water) and 50 lb. braid.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

don't think an off-the-shelf Lami or Tsuami are considered custom?

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Go on ebay. You can pick up 2 vintage made in the USA Penn Special 3/0Senators(3.7 to 1 retrieve) for $30 to $50 each depending on how pretty you want them. They are like the AK47's of reels. If you learn to take them apart and put them back together you got it made. Then find someone with an Entertainment book. There is a coupon for Dick's for $20 off a $100 purchase. Take that to The Sports Authority( they take Dick's coupons) and pick up a couple of Ugly Stick Tigers( the SA usually has a large selection of Ugly Sticks) with solid stainless guides not those ones with inserts. One heavy and one mh. Depending on whether or not they are on sale you should walk away $110-130 with tax for both. There's a set-up with a back-up and you still have enough left over for a couple of 30 packs.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Thanks for the advice so far gents...

I leaned him towards the avet SX (workhorse IMHO) non-magnetic cast
08 model saw on ebay for $129 new, and then told him to get either a Tsunami trophy series 12-25 Med action which I think retails inside $100.

If he wants to spend a little more dough, I would no doubt point him in the direction of Kevin Bogan fish poison. I picked up a composite poison rod a few weeks back for my old man for his B-day (Jerry this is the one you are talking about) and for $160 this baby was sah-weet.

I'm so jealous of it - I'm tetering on just getting my own. All black no wrap with foam butt and rubber gimbal. :D

Re: If you could take just one....
 

ditto on the Bogan Fish Pioson rod - find one you like, he has a bunch on the rack- not much more $ than a branded rack rod - it will last forever - can't kill em.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

I love Avet reels and own several, however if I were an occational fisherman and could only choose one reel for all my salt water fishing it would be a Shimano Bait Runner spinning reel.

Now before you guys start jumping all over me (not that that ever happens here :rolleyes:) let me first say that I know a spinning reel is not ideal for bottom fishing. The reason I like this reel, especially for someone who doesn't fish frequently, is that with out a doubt, spinners are much easier to operate and cast. No backlashes, no lever drag to mess with etc. Further, you can fish this reel in the surf or on a boat. You can jig and cast with it and even snag bunker. The bait runner is nice since it allows you to drift dead bait or live line like you would with a conventional reel.

Having said all this, this reel can't hold a candle to the Avets when it comes to quality construction, smooth drag and durability. It's a compromise reel. Although not perfectly suited for all or any one type of fishing, it covers more of the bases adequately.

Let me put it this way... If one of my buds from the city that occationally fishes came to me and said. Hey, I'm going on a vacation down the shore.... We are going to spend a week at the beach and would also be hitting a few party boats for different stuff, can I borrow one of your poles? This is the reel I would give them. Besides, I ain't lending any of my Avets to some hack who wears black socks with sneakers on the beach... He wouldn't be getting my custom Bogan rod either ;)


OK..... Fire away :D

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Thats a great idea Gerry. With the right rod it could cover all your inshore fishing.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

My baitrunner (6500) is way heavy.
But I do love it.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

I love Baitrunners(for bass and blues anyway). Like Gerry said, not giving an Avet or any reel over 150 bucks to a tourist/hack/newbie.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

har-lee rod has a nice special. shimano rod matched with the new okuma 300 reel for about 80 bucks. good all around set up.:)

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Spending on a true custom rod for a "1 rod to catch everything" approach makes about as much sense as wearing flip flops on a polar bear hunt.

Conventional. 7'. medium fast. graphite. cork tape. 15-30# line class. lure rating 3-5 oz. (basically the blank the Lami TFX 7030 is built on)

Shimano torium 14 for braid... bump it up a couple sizes for mono.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Penn Jigmaster combo and spool with 40 lb. mono. This guy isn't all that serious about fishing and seems like he'll go 3 or 4 times a year at most. He's gonna regret spending a lot if he does.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

I have to respectfully disagree with your initial sentiment in your post, because you can get a great, over-built custom rod that will hold up forever to the specs you mention for well under 200 dollars. And it'll have good resale value should this person decide to quit fishing altogether. Not to mention if anything happens to it, a proud builder like Kevin Bogan or other local non-sponsor builders would likely repair it immediately for free (or very close to it). Not to say a production rod from a tackle shop is a bad decision at all, but a custom rod isn't really so crazy...

Re: If you could take just one....
 

For $250 to buy a custom rod and a "good" quality reel it's tough. Tell your friend to wait and save more money or take some of these suggestions on 3 pages of posts. I know it's tough but most new combos like what you're asking for will top $300. The reel alone is close to $200 depending on choice. That's why they have credit cards :rolleyes:

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Who's doing custom work for "well under $200"? Seriously, 'cause I'll give them some business.

I know exactly what I want... Lami 114-3F, #12 tip, spiral wrapped with cork tape handle.

If you have a guy that will put that in my hands for $200 all in, please drop me a PM.

Re: If you could take just one....
 

just had a custom built on a triflex 7650 blank.
20 + inches of cork, good eyes, and had it done for under 200.
Matter of fact I have over a dozen custom lami and ALL were below 200, from a very reputable builder


Lamiglas triflex blank 7030 custom with a Daiwa saltiga 30 levelwind is a great set up for both an occasional user and a serios fisherman also

Re: If you could take just one....
 

I thought the budget was 250 for a combo not 600+. That's proves you guys can't be trusted :rolleyes:

Re: If you could take just one....
 

Sounds good. Who's your guy and how do I get a hold of him?

Re: If you could take just one....
 

FYI - Call Kevin Bogan!
My Dad fits the description that Lefty quoted and just ordered a Graphite Fish Poison with a Penn reel for a hair under $250.00. Perfect set-up for what's described!

Re: If you could take just one....
 

pm sent