Advice needed for a Googan-free reel selection!

[New Heritage Fishing]

Okay... Here's the deal. I'm headed that way in a couple months (end of April) and for the life of me, I can't decide what to bring. I want a broad spectrum bridge/pier setup and a surf setup... Also, are jetty combos similar or do I need another setup for that? I am terrified that I'm gonna show up with the wrong stuff... SO... Maybe you guys could help me decide.

Here are the reels we have to choose from...

Conventional/casting Reels -

Many Abu Garcia 6500's in multiple from options... CT "heavers" and levelwinds

Penn Squidder 140

Penn Level Line 350


Spinning Reels -

Okuma Avenger 6500 with extra Spool

Sea Striker 4000

Tons of littler ones (maybe for Sibiki???)


Okay. So assuming you had to cover as many scenarios as South Florida could throw at you, what would you bring? I have a bajillion rods to match with those reels, so any rod pairing advice is great too, as I probably already have some that will do.

Let's say 4-5 choices/setups

Help this poor Googan catch some fish!

Thanks guys,

Jacob

[Username28]

Okay... Here's the deal. I'm headed that way in a couple months (end of April) and for the life of me, I can't decide what to bring. I want a broad spectrum bridge/pier setup and a surf setup... Also, are jetty combos similar or do I need another setup for that? I am terrified that I'm gonna show up with the wrong stuff... SO... Maybe you guys could help me decide.

Here are the reels we have to choose from...

Conventional/casting Reels -

Many Abu Garcia 6500's in multiple from options... CT "heavers" and levelwinds

Penn Squidder 140

Penn Level Line 350


Spinning Reels -

Okuma Avenger 6500 with extra Spool

Sea Striker 4000

Tons of littler ones (maybe for Sibiki???)


Okay. So assuming you had to cover as many scenarios as South Florida could throw at you, what would you bring? I have a bajillion rods to match with those reels, so any rod pairing advice is great too, as I probably already have some that will do.

Let's say 4-5 choices/setups

Help this poor Googan catch some fish!

Thanks guys,

Jacob

I personally like the squidder, and for a spinner...I dont know I like the Baitrunner reels. ME, I go to the pier with a 12-20lbs small conventional on a 15-30lbs 10' rod, and a Penn Defiance 30 setup, 7' rod.

[New Heritage Fishing]

Thanks so much. What are your specific uses for your two different rods?

[gruntking]

i say bring the zebco's from the garage atleast that way when you do catch something the guys around you will be impressed

[Username28]

Thanks so much. What are your specific uses for your two different rods?

one for pompano and stuff (smaller setup)...and one for bottom fishing...snapper etc (larger setup)

[New Heritage Fishing]

i say bring the zebco's from the garage atleast that way when you do catch something the guys around you will be impressed

Dude, where I'm from, there are actual tournaments for closed face reels. It makes me kinda ill. That being said, I had a couple 33's when I was wee...

I totally HAVE caught Flounder and Weakfish with that thing.

Anyways, for real (or should I say for reel), are these reels South Florida quality or do I need to continue the search?

[Username28]

i say bring the zebco's from the garage atleast that way when you do catch something the guys around you will be impressed

Dude, where I'm from, there are actual tournaments for closed face reels. It makes me kinda ill. That being said, I had a couple 33's when I was wee...

I totally HAVE caught Flounder and Weakfish with that thing.

Anyways, for real (or should I say for reel), are these reels South Florida quality or do I need to continue the search?

I have never seen a Zebco reel hold up to very much. But thats me..


RIP ZEBCO aka Tommy

[edddieo]

I was being a smart ass on sabastion guys w/all top of line stuff I took my kids mickey mouse outfit put a big live shrimp and wamo keeper snook guys were pissed took a little to get him in. Just sayen its not the equipment...... But nice stuff helps... Went back 10 minutes later with my noodle rod wam keeper red guys weren't happy but started to watch technique sometime that is the key not what you use but how you fish

[Username28]

I was being a smart ass on sabastion guys w/all top of line stuff I took my kids mickey mouse outfit put a big live shrimp and wamo keeper snook guys were pissed took a little to get him in. Just sayen its not the equipment...... But nice stuff helps... Went back 10 minutes later with my noodle rod wam keeper red guys weren't happy but started to watch technique sometime that is the key not what you use but how you fish

I do agree with you...BUT...trying to flip a fish onto the pier....with a mickey mouse rod...aint gonna happen, especially if it's a nice snapper or a few pompano...I can see the rod/line snapping already.

FYI, I'm not a big fan on spending more then $300 on a reel, maybe $200 on a rod, I will never for the life of me, understand why people spend HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS on rods and reels. I had a torium 30 on a 9ft rod total cost was $300, that caught PLENTY of fish. I also had a baitrunner 3500 that caught PLENTY of fish.

I cant EVER see myself spending $500+ on a reel, EVER!

I have used van staals, I have used Stellas, I'll stick to my bairunners thank you.

[Username28]

Enjoy trying to flip a triple pompano by hand

[New Heritage Fishing]

So uh, I haven't owned a closed face reel in 2 decades... I'm just sayin', here, there are grown-a$$ men that still use that junk.

I don't condone the use of 33's over the age of 12... nuff said.

But to concede. I know of a guy that beat me in a tournament here in SW VA that caught a 49 lb. Flathead Catfish in a "Hawg Seeker" closed face reel spooled with zebco braid. It's humbling, but whatever. Maybe with his $500 check, he can get a real setup, or buy his kids much needed school clothes and food, or whatever his motivation was...

All I know is that it is totally possible to do odd things with cheap stuff. Sounds like that Snook is proof. I've seen "car hood" sized rays landed in the surf on junk I wouldn't expect local carp guys to cast here.

At any rate, I was just trying to confirm whether or not my gear passes the regular seal of approval from you guys. I didn't want this thread to get side tracked, as I genuinely wanted the info. I'm still looking for direct yes or no answers. I really appreciate the sincere responses and the light hearted ones as well. But getting back to the originial question, is my stuff tough enough for South Florida fish?

Thanks guys,

- Jacob

[Username28]

3 setups

1-abu6500 for bottom fishing for pomps

2-4000 series spinner for throwing gotchas, or bottom fishing

3- 2000 series spinner for tossing crappie jigs and or jigging for pomps

Have fun

Simple enough

[New Heritage Fishing]

Rob,

Precisely the info I was looking for. Thanks a ton.

[New Heritage Fishing]

Jettypark,


A poetic point, friend. If I'm 900 miles from home with a dozen rods and reels in the car... I'm having fun.

I hope to snap photos of a few SoFlo species of fish on a couple customs that I made myself while I'm there. I just want to make sure I'm putting all of the odds in my favor. It's a valiant cause I guess. I don't get much time off from work and I don't make a ton of money either, so my investments in my gear are as close to me as what kind of hammer I swing and what kind of boots I wear. I am a multi-generation D-I-Y guy. There is an important and crucial feeling of accomplishment I get from being able to say "I did this with MY stuff". If I catch a Pinfish on my custom, that'd suit me just fine, but a Permit, Tarpon, slob Snook, or Cobia would be a lifetime achievement for me. So, I wanna immerse myself in local opinion for as long as I can before I drive my junky 4-banger from the mountains of Virginia to the Keys bridges as long as possible.

At the end of the day, I don't want to be able to blame my lack of success on inferior equipment.

Beautiful response, man... I plan to have fun!

Cheers,

Jacob

[GO4EM]

Stradic 4000 can catch everything on the pier!