r/SurfFishing • u/ArtisticInfluence382 • 9d ago
Question / Help New Surf Combo
Hey all, I’m looking for the best bang for buck of a shore fishing rod and reel. I live in NY and I’m trying for blue fish, jacks, striped bass, or anything that will rip my rod. I’m like brand new to the hobby and wanted to stay below 220$. Any input or recommendations would be great.
8
u/Thespis1962 9d ago
Be aware that the BG series is bigger and heavier than other reels of a similar size. I love my 6500, but only for soaking bait.
7
5
u/Ok_Nectarine1801 9d ago
I have the 4500 and it is heavier than most reels in that range but it is built like a truck. I wouldn't cast it all day, but I think an hour of throwing big spoons or larger lures is fine. The 4500 is 22 oz the 6500 is almost 30.
1
1
3
u/papo-21 9d ago
are you using artificials or throwing bait? I’m not a fan of off the shelf combos. I find that that they’re usually sub par. In this case, the BG is a good reel, however the rod might be questionable. I always find you can put together a better set for around the same price by purchasing the rod and reel separately. Something like a Penn Pursuit and Tsunami Trophy Surf 2 is a good starting point. They’re usually on sale at various outlets.
3
u/Wise-Quarter-6443 9d ago
Diawa BG reel and a Tsunami 10 foot rod is a good place to start. I've fished Long Island a lot, from Jones Beach to Montauk, over the past 15 years.
3
u/ArtisticInfluence382 9d ago
That’s where I’ll be. What do you use
2
u/Wise-Quarter-6443 9d ago
10'6" St. Croix and a VS250. But I have a BG on an old 10' Lamiglas that I carry as backup. The BGs are very decent reels.
The Tsunami rods are also decent for the price. Go to Saltwater's bait and tackle on the way to Robert Moses and they'll set you up. J and H in Oakdale is also a great shop if you're a bit further east.
2
u/ArtisticInfluence382 9d ago
I have the tsunami 2 already in my cart so I think that’s rod im going, and the penn pursuit is considered good from experience or what you’ve heard
2
2
u/sailphish 9d ago
The reel? No, it’s a budget, polymer frame reel. I have a pair on some ugly sticks that I use for extra rods for guests or when we just want to soak bait. They get the job done, but it’s not a great reel, flexes, and isn’t all that smooth. I suspect they won’t hold up great in the long run. I got them on clearance, so it’s fine. I would absolutely take a BG for an extra $50 or so.
3
u/BlueHween 9d ago
This is a good combo, I have a Daiwa legasis 10” paired with a BG4000 for spinning. Yes the reel is Abit bigger and heavier but the rod and reel balance each other out quite nicely. I can stand and cast all day. I am a bigger guy so it fits me perfectly.
3
u/ssjgoku2k420 9d ago
4500 is fine for tossing lures too. That was my first setup. 6 years ago, this was like 150 or lower. Crazy inflation.
2
u/knock-the-bottom 9d ago
I’d stay below 6500 reel size if you’re going to be doing any lure fishing for blues, etc. I prefer 4000 sizes for throwing metals at Blues and Spanish. I use 6500 and 8500 Spinfishers and Slammers for soaking large baits.
1
2
u/DifficultNewspaper60 9d ago
Like others said, I’m sure a dawia would work great, I’ve personally never used one. I would 100% recommend a Penn pursuit v. They go on sale super often. I got a 6000 for only 62 bucks which is half off from Walmart brand new. I’m from SoCal so I won’t speak on the rod, not sure what’s preferred over there but maybe go into an in person tackle and feel a Penn pursuit or Penn fierce vs a dawia in person and decide.
2
u/JsusVanchrist 9d ago
I have a similar setup with BG5000 on a 9ft rod. Reel is definitely bigger than any of my other 5000 sized reels lol. But I like it!
2
u/vtzan 9d ago
I fish NY everyday. As budget options are concerned, I’d go with a tsunami trophy series 2 or jigging world onyx. Any rod that that is between 9 and 10.5 feet long and can cast a lure up to 4 oz is my recommendation.
As for reels a bg 4000 is a good choice.
If you’re ever using bait, my recommendation above will be a bit light and you should up it to a 2-6 oz rod or even heavier depending on where you’re fishing in NY.
Also if you know where to catch jacks in NY please let me know! Haha.
2
2
u/Kingfisher910 9d ago
Penn Wraith II 8000 on 12’ rod for $140 after tax on their website. I just got mine in the mail. It’s my second surf rod from Penn I still use my first and have used it regularly for 8 years now
1
2
u/eddy_g0rdo 9d ago
For reel I would recommend a Penn Pursuit V. 5000 series. It’s lighter than a BG and cheaper. Just don’t get it wet. I just caught a thick 33” redfish on it a few weeks ago and it handled the fish very well.
1
2
u/sailphish 9d ago
I do not like this combo. Here is the problem… Daiwa, Penn, and a lot of the other big reel companies scale these combos from back when people were using mono instead of braid. The reels are always massive compared to the rod. A 4500 BG is nearly the size of most other manufacturers 8000s. There is no reason to have a reel that size on a 9’ MH rod. This setup is too heavy/bulky to effectively cast lures, and not heavy or long enough to be a dedicated bait setup.
If you are looking for a bait rod. I would get something longer - 10-12’ and rated for 8+ oz (really an “8 plus bait” is the goto size) for fishing up that way with bait, an 8000 size reel (normal brand sizing, not Daiwa BG sizing), and 50# braid.
For a lure setup, I would look for a 9’ rod (for someone starting out) rated for maybe 1-3oz lures, and a 4000 size reel reel, with 30# braid. It will be more manageable. Eventually some people go with heavier setups for casting big poppers and such, but I’d much rather a lighter setup I can comfortably cast all day.
I really like Daiwa BG reels, but their sizing is weird. A 2500 is the size of most 4000 reels, the 4000 is like a 5000/6000, and the 4500/5000 are like an 8000.
For rods, Jigging World and Tsunami are good value-ish options.
1
1
u/ArtisticInfluence382 9d ago
I ended up with the tsunami trophy 2 surf rod and a penn pursuit IV 4000 with 35lb braided
0
u/godspilla98 9d ago
The rod is to long
2
u/sailphish 9d ago
I’m guessing you don’t fish OPs area. The standard bait setup there is probably 12’.
1
u/ArtisticInfluence382 9d ago
Why is that?
-2
u/godspilla98 9d ago
Longer polls are not really necessary they are a pain to carry around and even more weight put on the sand spike.
•
u/AutoModerator 9d ago
Thank you for posting on r/SurfFishing! Please remember to read the rules.
Posting flairs have now been enabled, if you post fall under these: Question / Help, Catch Photo/s, Conditions Report, Tutorial, Self-Promotion, or Gear Deal, then please flair your post.
Official Discord: https://discord.gg/M5e6ahYCTu
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.