SportFishing and Charters Forum - need tackle recommendations for starting out fishing in the gulf

I'm getting my new-to-me boat ready to take offshore out of Texas in the next month or so. I've been out on charters a few times and only used their tackle. What are your recommendations for rods/reels starting from scratch? Will definetely be doing the bottom/snapper fishing but will also target kings and the blackfin tuna. No sure if I'll be able to master trolling until i get the basics down but tell me otherwise.

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Shimano Talica TAC25II Lever Drag on Shimano Terez rods will be all you need for trolling kings and even wahoo and whatever else you run into probably. It has more drag than a Tiagra 50W, just less line. Back it with braid and put a 100 yards of top shot on it.

As for red snapper, do you want spinning rods? If so, any 8000 series Shimano should be fine on jigging rods. That's a perfect setup for snapper, mangroves, etc.

After reading a lot more posts and getting a few pm's, I agree with Miss Trial that the Talica would be a great reel. But with starting from scratch for about 4 rod/reel setups and associated other fishing gear, the $$ starts to add up real quick. Most of my cash has went to getting my boat ready so I don't think I can do the upper side of gear yet. I've seen a few posts on the TDL 30IIA (about 1/2 price of the Tiagra) and was wondering about quality/bang for the buck for it. Guess I'm looking for a good learning setup to take 2-3 friends out to the rigs, trolling for kings, bottom fishing for whatever, and just general being out on the water. I've fished a lot on the bays and flats for reds, trout, flounder, etc. and am confident doing that but I've only been out on a few charters in Texas and wasn't impressed with their standard Penn-on-a-broomstick setups. With my new-to-me-boat, there'll be a LOT of learning in the next few months.... I'm leaning towards Shimano as they appear fairly solid with very few negative reviews. For aruguments sake, suppose my budget on ALL my fishing gear is $2000, how would you outfit a boat for the Texas gulf?

BTW, I spent some money on a good chartplotter and fish finder so if there's any advice for using it out of Rockport/Port Aransas, I'd also appreciate it.

I would recommend the Shimano Tyrnos II. Cheaper than the Talicas and Tiagras but just a little more than the TLD II. I think two speed is a must as fishing the gulf you never really know what size tuna will show up around the rigs. Back with braid with a mono top shot and you would be surprised at the size fish you can catch. The shimano Torium 16 is an excellent bottom reel for about 170 a piece, find the right local store and sometimes you can get a deal on the rods. I would recommend 4 Shimano Tyrnos 30 II, 2 Shimano torium 16 (for bottom fishing) and your choice on 2 spinners. I would recommend the shimano Stradic but the penns are easier on the wallet.

I would go to your local store, talk with the guys there and see what they can do for you on some sort of discount. Getting all your gear at once does have advantages. Also if you have the time sometimes they cut deals in the off season more.

If your looking for a spinning outfit for bottom fishing... i just bought a couple penn battle 7000 they are the same as the sargus but with a button down drag system and 20 dollars more... i think they'r the best bang for your buck spinning reel out there.:thumbsup: