Inshore spinning setups....

[Skolmann]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

The BGs are decent but they wont hold up to drag ripping hardtails for very long. Nor will they last long in the salt. I'd look towards a 4000 size reel a step or two above the BG.

I have several first generation BGs ranging from a BG 10, 13 & 15 that I bought way back in the mid to late 1980’s that I still use on occasion today. Originally they were used in freshwater but since the mid 1990’s, I’ve used them for snappers to winter flounder to fluke to cocktail bluefish and albies. They were built like tanks. Yes, the are on the heavy side but you can use and abuse them them and they’ll take it. They are not in my top rotation of reels these days but they are each fished at least twice a season. In years past, when I fished them more often I would have them cleaned/serviced at least every other year. Not saying the newer text generation of BGs are built to the same standards but as I said, the originals were just about bullet proof.

[Duffman]

What do you think of the casting egg Doc? Read about them for years how the surf guys use them but never did it myself.

Always thought about using some flies tied with fluro behind old school snapper poppers. Figure that’s kinda the same thing as a casting egg.

We have tried using fly gear on the boat but with 3 guys in the cockpit waving wands on a 22 footer it just doesn’t work!!!

[Skolmann]

Originally Posted by Duffman

What do you think of the casting egg Doc? Read about them for years how the surf guys use them but never did it myself.

!

I like them & they have produced for me both from a boat & the surf.

From a boat, I like tying on a closer fly, surf candy type teaser or sometimes just a jerk shad type soft plastic (anywhere from 3-5”s depending on what bait is around) to 3-5” flurocarbon leader tied behind a 1 ounce casting egg. After casting, I’ll allow it to settle for a few moments before starting a retrieve like I’m working a topwater popper. The casting egg creates a commotion to simulate feeding fish. The fish sees the fish/lure and BAM.

From the surf, I’ll use the same lures but also will use a #00, #0 and sometimes a #1 Clark spoon. The spoons are deadly when spanish mackerel are in the surf. Also use this set up fishing the jetty/wall at Manasquan Inlet.

On occasion I’ll swap out the casting egg for a dehooked popping plug and tie the fluroleader to the rear eye.

[Duffman]

Originally Posted by Skolmann

On occasion I’ll swap out the casting egg for a dehooked popping plug and tie the fluroleader to the rear eye.

That’s a killer idea! I like it!

Never thought of casting the Clark’s. Only trolled em before.

[Skolmann]

Originally Posted by Duffman

That’s a killer idea! I like it!

Never thought of casting the Clark’s. Only trolled em before.

Learned that trick when I lived in Florida. Since the Clark spoons are so light they are difficult to cast for any distance (& I’m not a fan of the product they make called a castable Clark spoon). A casting egg/dehooked popper in the 3/4-1 ounce range is the perfect weight for casting out a trailing Clark spoon without interfering or impeding it’s action.

[Hookmanski]

I've been running the Tsunami Shield on my surf casting rod for 2-3 seasons now and its held up great for a $100 reel, and I definitely haven't treated it all too well

[Skolmann]

Originally Posted by Duffman

Always thought about using some flies tied with fluro behind old school snapper poppers. Figure that’s kinda the same thing as a casting egg.

Pretty much the same theory. See no reason why it wouldn’t work.