Mrk1

Looking to try my hand at some inshore fishing, I am out of Newburyport MA. Ive got two young boys so want to stay inshore. At this time of year I am really looking to stock up a supply of gear for next year.

Does anyone have recommendations for a pair of good starter rod combos?

BackEastDon

I purchased the small Maxel Hybrid 20 conventional reel and was looking for the right rod for it. In searching, I found a video with John Skinner using this reel with the Tsunami TSCC 701XH rod. John typically likes a lighter tackle set up but in this video he was dealing with heavier current and needed a rod to use with heavier bucktails in order to hold bottom. I mostly find myself in this same sort of situation inshore so I figured I'd give it a try as this is only a $60 rod. I've used this rod with this setup quite a bit and like it a lot.

GulpMan_102SC

Check out the Dawia BG Combos

bigv2832

PM Sent

bigv2832

I bought 4 of the 6'9 models this year for my charter business and LOVED them. Fantastic rod and so inexpensive. Everything from schoolies to bass up to 51". Drifting and trolling. Big big fan of these off the shelf rods. Before I used to build my own just have the acid wrap, but the light weight, feel, bend, power, and ergonomics of these rods are awesome

I believe they are like $100

Mrk1

Penn Squall conventional combos keep coming up in my searches, also in stock locally.

8gv

What brand of fish is your target?

Mrk1

I really don’t have enough experience in my area to pin point anything. I know it makes a difference for sure but just trying to get out there.

I’m thinking drifting and trolling best suits my boat so stick to that direction rather then tight spots and casting.

8gv

I added some rod/reel combos to my gear this year and the search was frustrating.

Every time I found something online that I liked it was out of stock.

Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops' shelves were practically bare.

Lately they have been restocking and you might find something there.

BPS in Hooksett NH (no tax) had some nice combos today.

Three Lantern Marine in Gloucester had some good combos when I was there last week.

Because your catch can vary from tinker mackerel to 30# stripers, you might consider medium to medium/heavy rods with reels suited to 30# monofilament line.

Whatever you start with, expect to be buying more if your kids like it.

For reels I would usually suggest the Penn 209 but the two I bought this year had issues straight out of the box so I returned them. There are online reviews that suggest that these aren't the same quality of their predecessors.

Penn Squall and Warfare level wind reels seem to be better.

I like the Penn Mariner II rod in Medium.

When kids start out action beats size.

Look around for a concentration of boats.

That's where the fish are!

Mrk1

Awesome thanks

PolishFly_Maine

I can't really speak to conventional gear too much because I stick to spinning for all inshore. With that said, I have had fantastic luck with Tsunami rods and (don't laugh) Penn Fierce II spinning reels. Full set ups for well under $150 so I don't cry the blues if a sport or friend bangs them around or high sticks a big striper. I've got at least one Fierce with well over 1500 stripers and still going strong after about 3 years but I am very careful to rinse after every trip with fresh water. Compare this to a Diawa BG of the same vintage and usage that is starting to grind and a Penn Conflict that (same & same) that has a ball from one of the bearings that is rolling around inside.

I do have a couple of other random Penn's that are still performing well (spinfisher, SS, Battle, etc).

tarpononecharter

I'd like to offer two suggestions.
First I have always like St. Croix rods. They have a number of lines ie. good, better and best in both saltwater and freshwater rods.
Secondly when I first started fishing I bought good rods and great reels. The more I learned I started to buy great rods and good reels.

Mpellet

What kind of money are you looking to spend?

Mrk1

Thinking $200 ready to go

Mpellet

You’d have to bump up a $100. This is the most versatile rig on my boat. I’ve caught everything from 6oz Scup up to 40lb+ Stripe Bass with this set up and everything in between. I liked it so much I bought a second. On the big fish, you’re not gonna power them in with the reel but combined with the great action of the rod it’s doable.

What’s funny is the entire set up doesn’t look much bigger and isn’t any heavier then a toy fishing rod and reel you’d buy for $15 to fish in a small pond.

https://www.fishermansworld.net/shtr...xoCRg4QAvD_BwE

with this reel

https://www.fishermansworld.net/dabg35saspre.html


My older BG Reel has 100s of saltwater fishing trips on it. I just disassembled and serviced it this week. I was really happy to see how great it looked inside after all that use.