I am a lifelong fisherman, however I have never used a baitcaster. I will explain what I need help with after I tell you how I got to where I am. You will not believe this story, but I waited until today to post this so you wouldn't think it was an April fools story.
I travel a ton. About 5000 miles a month to be more specific. We traveled the last 6 weeks up north in the snow and ice and upon returning home last week I needed to wash my car to get the salt off. So I did. After washing my car, it was wet (naturally) so I decided to hop on 295, go up two exits and loop home to dry it off. As soon as I got on the interstate I saw some toy that had fallen out of a truck on the side of the highway. I looked to see if there was anything else when I saw it. A fishing Rod.
i pulled over to grab it, thinking to myself, "It had to be run over. It's gotta be broken." Being on the side of the highway makes me nervous, so I didn't inspect it at the time. I got it home and found a few scratches, but nothing that would alter the performance of the rod or reel. I am a "walmart fisherman," so I have never owned a rod/reel combo worth more than $40. I looked online and found that this particular reel is worth $250. The rod is another $250. I found a $500 rod/reel on the side of the highway!
What is more, is that literally twenty minutes earlier I told my wife I was going to Wally world to purchase a new saltwater pole for the summer!I feel bad for the guy who lost it, but in reality, I am just excited I found it! I will mention the reel is a team Daiwa Luna 253. The rod I will be ambiguous about and say that it is a medium-heavy 7 footer. I am ambiguous because now none of you can claim it as yours!
I kid you not, I couldn't have thought that up if I tried! But now my problem.
I don't know what exactly this rod and reel are capable of fishing. I have done research and it seems like it is a perfect combo for fishing flats and saltwater/ brackish creeks, but i don't own a boat, nor do I have easy access to fish those conditions. I would be mostly looking to surf fish and to pier fish, but I am not sure if the set-up could handle that.
Also another problem is that I don't know how to use a baitcast reel well. I took it out to an open baseball field to practice (don't want to be learning when I am trying to fish) but I was unable to cast further than 25 yards. When I get the hang of it, what kind of range should I be able to attain with this reel realistically?
Another ignorant question I will put to you is this, is the lure weight listed on the pole a maximum sinker weight i should use for it? Will I break the pole if I go over it?
Should I maybe try to sell it and buy a nice (albeit not as nice) spinning rod?
Sorry I am a moron, but I am a lucky moron. And now I am a lucky moron with a super nice set-up. I wouldn't mind a little input from the experts though!
Mcjeff
