Delaware Bay Fishing

[granbury12]

I will be fishing in the Delaware Bay and will venture out into the ocean this year and was looking for some suggestions on tackle. It was suggested that I purchase Penn Reels 320, 330 or Shamino TLD 15 or 20 with braided line. I will be fishing for Striper, Blues, Trout, Tog, Flounder and Sea Bass. I have fished in the Chesapeake for the last few years with spinning reels fishing mostly for Trout, Croakers and a few Striper. I would appreciate any advice on recomended equipment and I am open to new suggestions. Thanks

[Frank007]

The reels you mention are fine. HOwever, at that approximate price point, I would strongly recommend Shimano Charter Specials (around $130 each).

I would put the reels on a 15-30 or 20-40 lb rod (St Croix or Star) or, my preference, a St. Croix Muskie rod rated for 17-40 or 20-50 lb line.

If you are willing to spend in the $200-250 per reel range, I would recommend the Daiwa Luna 300 (my preference), the Shimano Calcutta 400, or the Penn 975.

I would spool the reels with 30 lb braid.

My favorite setup would be the Daiwa Luna 300 on a St Croix muskie rod with 30 lb braid.

Old Inlet Bait and Tackle down near Indian River Inlet can take care of you.

[granbury12]

Thanks for your input. I will look into the recommended equipment.

[B-Faithful]

Personally, i would look no futher than the Penn 320LD GTI.. Level wind over the shimano tld's and you can cast, troll, jig, chunk with em. It is the best all around reel for the money. Heck my father puts away his GLD stuff and whips out his 320 LD GTIs and uses them on schoolie bluefin when running offshore and not fishing DE Bay.

[snakeeyes]

IF YOUR LOOKING TO STRIPER FISH, YOU CANT BEAT A SHIMANO 4500B WITH A 6'6" UGLY STICK, COMPLETE SET-UP UNDER $140 I HAVE 6 IDENTICAL SET-UPS. YOU REALLY CANT BEAT EM UP... GOOD LUCK...

[old hat]

I'd go with the Shimano Baitrunner as well matched up with a 15-30 # spinning outfit for chunking for bass and drum. Get yourself a lighter St Croix 6'6' premier with at Shimano Stradic 2500 for jigging bucktails and BA's in the rips. Those shimano charter specials are great reals for the price and certainly would be a nice choice as well for chunking if you want conventional and could do double duty on the fluke.

[The Classic]

I would use those heavier reels for big bass and drum. During the middle of summer you will be catching a lot of croaker, flounder, and school blues and I would use your lighter tackle for those. Personally I find the small avet lever drags with braid to be very versatile in the bay.