Newbie needing guidance on gear

[rsthomas]

Hello All, Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of this forum. Always wanted to do some saltwater fishing. Planning to hit the Ventnor city pier one of these days. Any suggestion for a starter gear set ? Appreciate your help in advance.

[bulletbob]

Guys might advise you to start off with high end gear from a local tackle shop or outdoor store, but for your situation, I would get a moderately priced light to medium duty salt water spinning outfit 7 to 8 feet, that can handle maybe 4-5 ounces of weight and about 17-20 pound test.. that should be fine for pier fishing where you will run into fluke, smaller blues, and maybe some kingfish, triggerfish, tog etc.. Any big dept store has that sort of thing on hand. You can spend as little as 30-40 bucks on something like that, to several hundred..

You can get a decent Daiwa salt water rod and reel , between 7-8 feet, and a bunch of hooks, some sinkers, and even a lure or two, for $100 bill.. I have gotten eye popping deals on used gear in great shape at garage sales, for super cheap.. $5-10 bucks for perfectly operating rods with suitable reels, that were not "high end".. Some guys will not fish generic gear but I always have,and never had an issue as long as its decently built gear in good shape.. You do not need to spend a fortune for what you want to do,,, If you are ever in NY state, I'd be happy to set you up with good solid setup for pier fishing, no charge.. I have more than I can ever use...

[Ol Pedro]

Rst, I agree with Bullet. Don't spend much until your sure what you need. Go to the location that your going to fish and just watch. See what's working. Hopefully someone on this site has experience at that pier.

[Goin Fishin]

That's great advice from 2 very experienced fishermen. That's a perfect way to get a new guy on the right path to enjoy fishing. Nice job guys.

[rsthomas]

Thank you so much guys. This is really helpful!

[bulletbob]

rs... I seldom get to the NJ shore anymore ,sadly, but was brought up there... For decades we fished with whatever trash hand me down gear we could find, or purchased[if you were lucky to have the money] at 2Guys, or a local sporting good store.. Caught a lot of fish with very crude tackle.. Nowadays , I see guys using ultra sleek, ultra refined, ultra high tech gear to catch fluke, Porgies, Sea Bass, Ling etc... I don't get it.. Go on a party boat, and a mate or cap will grab a rental rod from 1970 thats painted, has all the sleek lines of a pool cue, and 60 pound test on an ancient corroded reel, and outfish all the guys around him using the latest and greatest $1,000 boron and magnesium technology ... Modest gear will catch fish to start.. Go out and ask questions, see whats being caught, and how, and just get in the game..You'll learn fast, and THEN when you are starting to know there whens, whys,and wherefore's, there will be plenty of time and opportunity to purchase better gear.. I have a bunch of dept store gear from the 60's,70's, 80's, thats still in perfect working order, and still catches fish.. Its not the rod and reel that catches fish,, Its the guy/girl holding it...

If you want to keep business local, go into a good bait and tackle shop, close by, tell them what you want to do, that your are JUST STARTING, and would like to keep it simple and affordable... They will understand try to accomodate your wishes/needs, and will provide way better advice than a big box store... Wal Mart might be cheaper, but the few extra bucks spent at a tackle shop close to where you want to fish, will be dollars well spent... bob

[Gerry Zagorski]

Some great advise here. I would add you want a spinning and not conventional set up. Spinning reels are much easier to cast and I think you'll want a minimum of an 8 foot pole since if you'll be fishing in the surf, a longer pole will give your a longer casting distance.

You also want to make sure to hose the reel and rod down with fresh water each time you use it in the salt water to keep it from corroding. Use a gentle spray not full force.


Good luck and let us know how you do.

[bulletbob]

He said he would be fishing from a pier, so a 7 footer would be probably be ok, but personally I would still go with an 8 footer.. That would be a better set up for surf or jetty fishing if he wanted to try that....Yes, as gerry said, keep it clean, hose it down, and it will last... Salt water is tough on gear,and keeping it clean is mandatory,, unless you want corroded green junk in fairly short order,,,

[tautog]

I would go cheaper on the rod and get a good reel. I have a lot of good rods for under 60 bucks but very few good reels under 100.

[nutleysigns]

When you go to the pier and you see someone catching fish, see what they are using and ask some questions. Most people are helpful. And go to your tackle shop, they will help you.