Time for some new toys: Beach/Rocks/Heavier estuary help.

[Witha]

Hi Raiders,

My annual ritual when winter comes around and keeps me off the water more often is to obsess over new tackle and toys. I'm a young fella and have only had the opportunity to invest in decent gear for a few seasons now, and it's time to retire my old kit and put a bit more investment into a new setup. I'm pretty happy with my ultralight soft plastics setup, but i'm looking for a new ~4000 size reel to double as a light beacher/rock setup and a heavier estuary. I've always used spin in the past, but have been toying with the idea of a baitcaster as well, any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated, your a wealth of knowledge!

Thanks!

Witha

P.s. also line and leader weight for rock/beach to match? So many questions!

[rockfisherman]

Baitcaster like an alvey take some getting used to... I love my baitcaster outfits because they add a different angle to the sport I love. Once you get over any birds nest problems you'll love it, speaking of which, there's a couple of handy clips on YouTube on how to rectify the problem when it occurs.

Bait casters do lack the zzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZ when a fish takes off with your line but you get used to it. A bonus is absolutely no line twist.

Fishingphase

[aidanhoh]

To accurately help answer your questions, a bit more info about what your intending on targeting, how you intend to target them, and what your budget is would be useful.

I can't comment on baitcasters as I have no experience with them but if I were to buy a versatile mid-upper level outfit based on what you've described, I would for look for a c.10ft rod with a rating of 4-8kg to match a 4000 sized reel. I personally use a Daiwa Seajigger 315 with a 2500 Shimano Sustain FE and 8lb and 10lb braid for anything from light beach fishing for bream & whiting, light rock fishing for bream, luderick & drummer, spinning for bonito, salmon & tailor from the rocks and beaches, and spinning for jewfish in the estuary. The same rod though also matches my 5000 sized Shimano Stradic FJ so would also match the 4000 sized reel you intend on getting. Other rods that are similar include the Shimano T-curve 1062 Spin, or the Daiwa Lateo Pirates 106M. As for the reel, I really like my Shimano Stradic FJ 5000 and have had no problems with it, but I'm sure anything around that price point will get you a very good reel for the purpose. Re line class, for a 4000 sized reel, I would probably spool up with 15lb braid and change leader strength (from 6-20lb) depending on what I'm targeting.

[Witha]

Great info thanks mate, yeah I am still juggling rods and reels as to my setup for each target area, from what i'm hearing I will be using my Shimano 2500 for my lighter whiting and bream work beach based and put those extra few dollars away for a stradic to go rock hopping with 15-20lb braid for the heavier pelagics (i'm with you have used one before and it was a silky smooth piece of gear). Have my 9ft old glass at the moment and definitely feel the need for a 10-12, eyeing off a 12 at the moment to get over the top.

As usual great wealth of knowledge.

Cheers

Witha

[SMn]

Alvey sidecast or Abu 7000i C3 overhead. Alvey are superb for beach and rock, light as well as heavy work and I've heard the Abu 7000i C3 overhead is pretty staunch as well... more technique required than spinning reels, but very enjoyable once learned.