Rod/reel recommendation for new boat
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter

I just picked up a new to me Glacier Bay 260 and I need to get new rods and reels to go with it. I’m curious what others would recommend as a good setup given my moderate budget and location. I’m in South Texas and plan on using the boat probably 3/4 of the time snapper/bottom fishing the rigs and wrecks, the other 1/4 running out to the shelf to troll for pelagics. Target species will primarily be wahoo and mahi with hopefully the occasional YFT and billfish thrown in. Near shore (30ish miles) will be red snapper/grouper/cobia/kingfish. My rod/reel budget is about $2500 to get started with. I’d definitely appreciate any input to make sure I’m spending my limited funds wisely!
#3
Senior Member

For Bottom fishing and Jigging I whould get X2 Daiwa BG's on Okuma Cedros jigging rod MH to H for snapper/BSB and cobia and x2 Torium 20 or 30 PGA's on Cedros XH or XXH jigging rods for Big Grouper/Snapper.
For all your trolling needs the Tld25s on Ande or star Aerial stand up Rods is great for Mahi, sails and even Wahoo. https://www.nssnc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TLD25-ASU601A
For slow trolling Kings you want a live bait rod with a soft tip to prevent pulled hooks and to stop the bait from getting best up. This TLD15 Combo will do great
https://www.nssnc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TLD15-TTBC701MLB
For all your trolling needs the Tld25s on Ande or star Aerial stand up Rods is great for Mahi, sails and even Wahoo. https://www.nssnc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TLD25-ASU601A
For slow trolling Kings you want a live bait rod with a soft tip to prevent pulled hooks and to stop the bait from getting best up. This TLD15 Combo will do great
https://www.nssnc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TLD15-TTBC701MLB
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter

#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter

That’s great info and exactly what I was hoping for, thanks! I’ll definitely take a look at those.
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#6
Senior Member

The TLD's are easily upgraded into another class of reel with power handles and better drag washers - they'll take 12# like a champ which will handle your prescribed duties without flinching.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter

Thanks everyone, this was really helpful. I’m going to go ahead with getting the TLD 25s, 2 Daiwa 6500BG, and 2 Torium 30PGAs. I think that ought to cover me really well for everything I’m wanting to do for now.
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#8
Admirals Club 


Good choices, I have a diawa bg 6500 on a cedros and like the rod, The real I think I wish I went to the diawa BG 5500 as Diawa reels are run a size or so larger than most.
Highflier
Highflier
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#12
Senior Member

I have BG5000s and 4000s for Cobia and I'll use the 4000s to pitch to little Mahi. I think you'll be good with the 5000
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#13
Senior Member

Don't forget some smaller reels for pitching to schoolie dolphins
Here's what I have
4 TLD 25's on 6'6" Penn Rampage
1 BG 6500 on Tiger Lite Jigging rod
2 BG. 5000's on 7' Penn Rampage
1 Battle II 6000 on Penn Rampage
and then an assortment of smaller reels for pitching.
Here's what I have
4 TLD 25's on 6'6" Penn Rampage
1 BG 6500 on Tiger Lite Jigging rod
2 BG. 5000's on 7' Penn Rampage
1 Battle II 6000 on Penn Rampage
and then an assortment of smaller reels for pitching.
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#14
Junior Member

First choose what RATIO/retrieve and braid lb?...For topwater light BG 4000 with 40lb j-braid. 50-65lb braid go to bg 5000, AZORES 90 or better SLAMMER HS/SARAGOSA 8000.
For jigging better go with slow reel that brings more power and tires less as that SPHEROS IS TOP!.....and you can put spool 10k in gosa8k: more retrieve, capacity! and save line....you would 37" to 46" retrieve.
65-90lb braid?you should go up to 30oz like the big bg(6500 is mammoth size!).....and low ratio as lethal100, cabo or spheros.
For jigging better go with slow reel that brings more power and tires less as that SPHEROS IS TOP!.....and you can put spool 10k in gosa8k: more retrieve, capacity! and save line....you would 37" to 46" retrieve.
65-90lb braid?you should go up to 30oz like the big bg(6500 is mammoth size!).....and low ratio as lethal100, cabo or spheros.
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#15

I fish out of Corpus Christi on a catamaran as well so welcome to the club!
I fish all Avet reels and use pinnacle rods (THT sponsor). I would start with 2 30 wides and 2 smaller reels. I use 4x SX Raptors and 4x EXW30s. The raptors work for top water trolling and can put out more drag than my 30 wides but I can also use them to drop for snapper and cast for cobia.
I fish all Avet reels and use pinnacle rods (THT sponsor). I would start with 2 30 wides and 2 smaller reels. I use 4x SX Raptors and 4x EXW30s. The raptors work for top water trolling and can put out more drag than my 30 wides but I can also use them to drop for snapper and cast for cobia.
#16
Junior Member
Thread Starter

I fish out of Corpus Christi on a catamaran as well so welcome to the club!
I fish all Avet reels and use pinnacle rods (THT sponsor). I would start with 2 30 wides and 2 smaller reels. I use 4x SX Raptors and 4x EXW30s. The raptors work for top water trolling and can put out more drag than my 30 wides but I can also use them to drop for snapper and cast for cobia.
I fish all Avet reels and use pinnacle rods (THT sponsor). I would start with 2 30 wides and 2 smaller reels. I use 4x SX Raptors and 4x EXW30s. The raptors work for top water trolling and can put out more drag than my 30 wides but I can also use them to drop for snapper and cast for cobia.
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#17
Senior Member

Second the comment to go with a 5000 Bg, the 6500 is a monstrosity for general use
#18
Senior Member
#19
THT Sponsor 



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