Best Size Rod & Reel For Inshore Flats Fishing (For Small Trout To Big Redfish)
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
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:
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7ft rods are the way to go for most applications. Anything longer is considered a specialty rod.
I find that you don’t get that much extra distance (maybe a few feet per cast) with a 7’6” but where I do see a massive difference is in the maneuverability and comfort that a 7 footer gives you. They are also more accurate for pinpoint casting / sight fishing
7’6 is just too long in most cases
Those couple of feet can be the difference between a strike or no strike. That strike zone can be fairly small! Rod length can definitely be a preference, and I definitely feel accuracy really comes down to the person holding the rod. I have a 7’10 rod and it took a little while to get used to, but i’m able to cast with it now just the same as my 7’6 rods.
I’m on the fence between medium and medium-heavy to pair with my 3000 reel. Any thoughts? Mostly fishing artificials around the marsh or docks but throw some live or cut baits as well. Thanks!
I typically go medium heavy to play it safe. There isn’t necessarily a standard as far as the stiffness of rods from one brand to another. For example, a medium power of one brand could feel lighter or heavier than a medium power of another brand.
Thanks! What would you do with a rod from Black Pelican? Hard to get ahold of one before ordering so can’t say if M or MH would be the better fit.
No problem! He uses Century Rods for his rod builds. The century Weapon Jr. is a Medium Power Fast action and is perfect for throwing artificials. A medium heavy is a bit on the stiffer end so I would go Medium with those rods.
You mentioned 10 lb braid w/20lb mono or flouro leader. Splicing those sizes together can be challenging.
A uni to uni knot or an FG Knot works great, never had any issues.
It seems you focus more on spinning gear than on bait cast. Unfortunately, I prefer the latter.
Yes I primarily use spinning gear. Less of a hassle for me personally. We do have other coaches that use bait casters.
Can you add a video on adding line to the Fuego2500 and 3000. Specifically I’d like to know how much mono to load first and then how much braid (power pro10#) including how to calculate the mono yardage that is added first. I know Kuke has had a video in the past explaining this but I can’t seem to find it. Sorry I really appreciate it.
I bought the fuego from salt strong and it came spooled with braid
Thats a tough one to narrow down specifically. Once you dial in the right amount of mono, that mono can stay there for a while and all you have to swap out is the braid from time to time. What I will do is spool up some mono and then use a 150yd spool of braid to top it off. If there is a big gap to the edge of the spool when I am finished I will use a spare reel to remove the line and re-do the mono backing until I get it right.
Hey! I bought a 7ft MH St Croix mojo inshore for mainly fishing Florida SW. I would be fishing some artificial but also a lot of live shrimp. I have it paired with a 4000 battle 3 dx. Im mainly fishing off of small piers roadside or fishing under bridges and docks. Should I go back and see if I should get the 7’6 MH or would I be fine with the 7ft. Thanks
Hey Dylan!
I would go with the 7’6. That little extra length can help with casting and leverage on fighting fish togetthem away from structure.
So I’m trying to decide what rod size to get (settled on a size 3000 reel), I’ll be kayak fishing and doing a combination of docks and mangroves / flats and have been told by a few people to go medium or even medium light, but all my online research is saying medium / medium heavy (esp for docks). I’d also heard that 7′ might be better from a kayak than 7’6″, but I think I’ll be standing most of the time so might be leaning towards 7’6″ but would be curious to get your thoughts on power and length!
Hey Hugo!
I prefer a 7’6 Medium Or Medium Heavy power rod. The extra length helps on a kayak especially when fighting a fish and they happen to swim around or under the kayak. I stay away from rods that are medium light. A bit too “noodley” for me and have missed a lot of hook sets due to the amount of flex. On a kayak you also have to factor in that the kayak will move with the fish.This makes having a stiffer rod more beneficial for hook sets.
7ft rods are the way to go for most applications. Anything longer is considered a specialty rod.
I find that you don’t get that much extra distance (maybe a few feet per cast) with a 7’6” but where I do see a massive difference is in the maneuverability and comfort that a 7 footer gives you.
7’6 is just too long in most cases
7ft rods are the way to go for most applications. Anything longer is considered a specialty rod.
I find that you don’t get that much extra distance (maybe a few feet per cast) with a 7’6” but where I do see a massive difference is in the maneuverability and comfort that a 7 footer gives you.
7’6 is just too long in most cases
Hey! I am looking at the MH but can’t decide between the 7’ and 7’6. Any pros/cons to each?
I would go with a 7’6. The extra length helps with casting distance and accuracy.
Tony, the 7’6 only slightly helps with distance..
7 footers are by far more accurate
7ft rods are the way to go for most applications. Anything longer is considered a specialty rod.
I find that you don’t get that much extra distance (maybe a few feet per cast) with a 7’6” but where I do see a massive difference is in the maneuverability and comfort that a 7 footer gives you.
7’6 is just too long in most cases
Would a 4000 reel work on a 7.6ft medium heavy moderate fast spinning rod?
For sure! I wouldn’t go any bigger than that though. Also depending on the brand/model of reel, some 4000 size reels will be bigger and heavier than others of the same 4000 class. I personally would stay in the 2500 to 3000 size if fishing inshore for reds and trout.
After spending 10 days in the Keys this past May I would definitely agree with your choice for best rod and reel size for inshore fishing. A friend and I did 5 inshore guided trips while we were there with 4 different outfits. We are very experienced anglers but figured we would rely on the tackle provided by our guides. Most of them used 7’ Star spinning rods withe Penn Pursuit 3 reels spooled with 15 pound braid and a flourocarbon or mono leader. Fairly inexpensive set ups but they are almost bullet proof. That’s why the guides use them. No need to spend a fortune to catch fish and have fun doing it. Those set ups were just right for casting jigs and shrimp along the edge of the mangroves for snook and redfish.
Definitely gets the job done! (and doesn’t hurt as much if one goes overboard)