Best Size Rod & Reel For Inshore Flats Fishing (For Small Trout To Big Redfish)
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on December 17, 2019
What’s the best size rod and reel combo for inshore fishing?
That’s a question we get asked all the time and it’s a valid question!
You might think that if you go too small, you can’t handle big fish, but if you go too big, it’s going to be tough to cast all day, and smaller fish won’t really be fun to fight.
In this video, I’ll address all of these concerns and give you the exact setup I use for nearly all of my inshore fishing trips, including my favorite type of rod, favorite size reel, and the mainline and braid I normally use.
And since we don’t accept sponsorships from any equipment manufacturers, this is completely unbiased advice based on the equipment I actually fish with.
Enjoy!
Best Size Rod & Reel For Inshore Fishing [VIDEO]
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When I’m inshore fishing, I actually go pretty light.
Here are a few reasons why:
- I’m not fishing heavy structure, so I don’t worry about getting broken off
- I’m usually casting artificials all day, and heavier tackle makes that a lot harder to do
- The gear these days is very well-made, and you’d be surprised at how well light tackle handles big fish (I’ve caught redfish from 5 to 35 pounds with the setup below)
Here’s my typical setup:
- Rod: 7′ 6″ medium to medium-heavy rod with a fast action tip
- Spinning reel: 3000 size reel
- Mainline: 10 lb braid
- Leader: 20-30 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon
Conclusion
If you’re fishing for inshore fish on the flats, you don’t need to go super heavy (even if there are big snook or bull redfish around).
A 3000 series reel on a 7′ 6″ medium to medium-heavy rod with a fast action tip and 10 lb braid with a 20 lb leader can handle everything from a 15″ trout to a 45″ redfish.
I didn’t mention any brands in this video, but you can check out reviews of some of the rods, reels, and fishing line we’ve used below:
Have any questions about the best size rod and reel combo?
Let me know in the comments below!
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I’m looking for a recommendation from you for a casting reel for flats fishing. I don’t like spinning outfits to fish crank baits, I.e. top water, shallow running baits, etc. You only have one in the tackle shop, should it be adequate? Thanks.
Hey Kenneth!
Yes I would recommend what we have in our shop (everything in our shop is what we have personally used)
What fishing rod and reel would be a good all-around combination for docs and structure?
I would go with a 7′ Medium Heavy Power Fast Action rod paired with a 3000 size reel. If fishing structure you want to go heavier on the line so no less than 20lb braid. You want to be able to pull those fish out and away from the structure effectively.
I have a 7’6” Med hmg inshore that’s 8-20lb 1/8-1oz would you recommend going up a power to the Med-hvy 7ft 12-25lb line 1/2-1.5oz or is that generally to heavy for inshore work?
Hey Steve!
The 7’6 med would be the better option overall.
Thanks Tony!
So I’m a year late to this discussion, but thanks for the video and explanation. It really helps to get a good visual on best rod set up. I did have a quick question, how light of a braid can you put on a medium heavy rod? For my popping cork setup, I have a 7ft MH rod with a 2500 Battle II. Before, I had that 2500 reel on a Medium rod, but I wanted something a little stiffer. Will 10lb or 15b braid have any negative effect on a MH rod?
Hey Reid!
Theres no problem using 10lb braid with a MH rod. The majority of my rods are MH power and I use 10lb braid. The only thing you may want to consider is using a slightly looser drag since the rod doesn’t give as much as a medium power would.
Thanks Tony, I appreciate the quick feedback. Tight lines
My last comment was accidentally anonymous…
I’m currently using a G Loomis Greenwater 6’6 medium-heavy to fish soft plastics close to mangroves from my kayak. I’ve found myself standing up on the yak more recently however, particularly to get a better vantage point and extend my casting distance. I’m looking for a 7’6 med to med-heavy fast action setup that will allow me to fish greater distances on the flats and something that works well for topwater. I’ve been eyeing the G Loomis E6X inshore, the St. Croix Avid and some G-loomis progreens to name a few. Any suggestions for long casting/topwater options from a kayak? Short rod butt is a plus! Thanks.
Hey Mike!
I haven’t used the G Loomis rods, but the St. Croix Avid is a great choice with a medium power and fast action in the 7’0 to 7’6 range. If you want the butt end to be a bit shorter I would go with the 7′
I’m currently using a G Loomis Greenwater 6’6 medium-heavy to fish soft plastics close to mangroves from my kayak. I’ve found myself standing up on the yak more recently however, particularly to get a better vantage point and extend my casting distance. I’m looking for a 7’6 med to med-heavy fast action setup that will allow me to fish greater distances on the flats and something that works well for topwater. I’ve been eyeing the G Loomis E6X inshore, the St. Croix Avid and some G-loomis progreens to name a few. Any suggestions for long casting/topwater options from a kayak? Short rod butt is a plus! Thanks.
Im currently using a MH 6’6 ugly stick gx2 with a daiwa bg 3000. I’m currently learning so I’m out for whatever I can get inshore would it be beneficial for me to get a better 7’ …7’6 rod I guess I’m asking would the benefits be worth the extra money for me now .
Hey Won!
A 6’6 rod is just fine and will get the job done, but if you want to see some better distance with casting I would recommend a 7’6. However, if you are in a kayak a shorter rod will be easier to manage than a longer one.
Interesting, I read that when fishing for speckled trout and since their mouth is very delicate and tender you’d want a rod that is more on the lighter end with slower action. Then again I’ve consumed so much information during this pandemic I don’t know what to believe anymore.
Would a 7-footer with a medium power and moderate action be a good all around spinning rod(speckled trout, red, bass)? What would you recommend? I’m rocking a Osprey CE 3000 reel
Cheers,
Chris
That technically is true for all fish, but I put more emphasis on the rod’s ability to let me deliver and present a lure to the fish while also feeling for strikes and getting good hooksets (all of which favor the fast action rods with medium to medium-heavy power rods). The added benefits of those factors far outweighs the potential for some hooked fish to potentially get off.
You can catch inshore fish on just about any rod, and I agree with Luke that it is more about how the rod feels and the effectiveness of it to properly present a lure.
As far as trout go, when I know I have one on I will back off on the drag which takes pressure off of them. Same with snook as they can tear through your leader. With most fish I make sure I get a solid hookset and then back off on the drag as needed.
The rod you mentioned should be just fine for inshore.
Luke and Tony, that is the only explanation I’ve seen of why so many people are recommending fast-action rods for trout fishing while others are focusing on the threat of trout spitting hooks and the desire for soft rod tips. As with most problems, the answer is a compromise, mitigated by proper use of the drag. Thank you!
You’re welcome!
I needed a new bait casting bass reel, so I bought the chronarch g for salt water hoping to use also for inshore. I’m set on spinning gear, but for inshore bay, wading fishing (Texas gulf) what length, action and power rod do you suggest to match this reel? Thank you in advance.
With a baitcaster I use a 7’ Medium power rod with a fast action. I prefer the shorter rod because I mainly retrieve and twitch lures with the rod tip down, so the shorter rod helps keep from smacking the water every time. Also, I have found that too stiff of a rod with a bait caster makes it tough to cast.
Hello,
I’m looking for a good reel size for my 7 foot medium heavy ugly stik. I mostly bank fish for catfish and hybrids.
Thanks
Brian
Side note, I like to use 30lb power pro braid. Not sure if I should go with a 3000, 3500, or 4000 reel (or another suggestion).
If using that heavy of a line I would go with at least a 4000.