How To Properly Pair Your Inshore Spinning Rod & Reel
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
Which fishing rod should I pair with this new spinning reel???
One of the most common mistakes fishermen make is pairing up the wrong rod with the wrong reel.
The truth is that pairing the right equipment together can be tricky.
In fact, most anglers don’t do this correctly (which means they aren’t getting the most out of what they’ve purchased).
So in this podcast episode, we’ve got the Salt Strong fishing coaches breaking down exactly how to best pair a spinning rod and reel.
You’ll discover:
- What questions to ask yourself before deciding on a rod and reel
- What our favorite rods and reels are
- Why “unbreakable” rods are bad for fishing
- How to choose a rod for kayak fishing vs boat fishing
- Why you should never buy a ready-made combo
- Why Luke likes short butts… heehee
- Plus a bonus snook tip
If you fish with spinning gear then this is a must-listen episode.
You can watch the video version of this podcast below (we recommend the video because we show several examples of rods and reels), listen to the audio version by clicking the play button underneath it, or listen to it on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify.
P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify and leave us a review!
How To Properly Pair Your Spinning Rod & Reel [VIDEO]
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE SALT STRONG INSIDER CLUB
How To Properly Pair Your Spinning Rod & Reel [PODCAST]
Note: Don’t forget to subscribe to the Salt Strong podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or Spotify and leave us a review!
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE SALT STRONG INSIDER CLUB
Related Podcasts:
- HOW TO FIND 90% OF ALL FEEDING FISH IN YOUR AREA (90/10 FISHING RULE)
- THE GREAT FISHING LINE DEBATE (BRAID VS MONO VS FLUORO)
Conclusion
If you fish with spinning tackle and artificial lures, pairing the right equipment together can be the difference between catching a ton of fish, or going home skunked.
The rod is the most important component, then the reel, and let the type of fishing you’ll be doing drive your decisions (not a brand name or how something looks).
Have any other questions about pairing spinning rods and reels?
Let us know in the comments below!
And if you have any other requests for Tackle Tuesday topics, please let us know down in the comments!
P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Click here to join us in the Insider Club!
Related Articles:
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
I have a Penn Spinfisher VI Liveliner that takes15-20 mono and 30-50 braid.. what spinning rod would you pair this with?
The answer to that question will depend on the type of fishing will you be doing with this setup… factors like the weight of the lures/baits you’ll be casting and the power of line that you’ll be using to handle your target fish matter more for selecting a rod than the reel that’s being used.
I will be fishing inshore/ surf for mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, jacks, etc.
Hi, So i am going to a buy a 1k would a light fenwick rod that is 7’4 with a fast tip work for that setup
Great video and thank you!
Here is my question based on what I’ve learned here:
I do in-shore. I’ll fish plastics, top water, cut/live bait and surf. I don’t mind specific set ups for specific needs. So is htere three set ups I can own to fit these needs? Size reel, length rod?
Thank you!
I’ve never caught so much fish
Thank Yall so much
Any tips on pairing a reel with st croix mojo inshore 7′ heavy/fast?
I put a penn battle 2 4000 on it and it just didnt feel…right
The Best Pod Cast You Guys have Done, in My Opinion.
As most of you know, I just went through this with my New Offshore Gear!
Understanding the “Y” Something Cost More is A Big Key!
Adventure Safely,
CC
Shimano slx combo, the rod is way better then the reel. Daiwa air combo rod is great the reel very smooth but the reel anti reverse bear sucks. Meh your cheap reels, buy once buy 5 times to get a reel for alitte bit more that lasts alot long, buy an expensive rod that dont last very long. Higher price reel with a mid priced rod seems the best compromise. Replace rods frequintly, reels are still in service. Freshwater reels as they state in america are reels bought and live a very very long time in the salt is australia. Stop being lazy with servicing your reels, shimano x crap and salt probullshit doesnt help. Daiwa magseL oil is outdoor speaker oil just expensive to purchase for a solution that never existed with quality stainless and serveing, thanks cant do that no more. I doubt my new reels will last very long due to costs cuts and inovative touch it once its gone technolgy
Shorter the butt the less power rating, the butt has more power then the blank. Most discrepancy over power rating is mostly due to this. Tip speed also needs to be considered the faster it is the more power to due to how quick the blank loads. Unforutanty for us aussies american rods are making their way here which are to long, butss are are too short and are too slow in action. Barra rods were once made to handle the 90% of fish caught which arent barra (like your large mouth bass not a very strong fish) so now our current line of rods lack the power to land most of the fish that are actually caught. Shimano use to build rods for us now the kinda dont unless your willing to pay rediculouse prices. Daiwa never has, their rod still suck (i modtly buy daiwa reels penn and shimano reels are rubbish)
Would you pair the tfg pss 764-1 with penn battle iii 3000 or 4000 for inshore fishing in Sarasota, FL. Also would you do the 7’6” rod or go down to the 7’. I’m purchasing my first rod and reel. Thanks!
For general inshore fishing in which I’ll be targeting redfish, seatrout, snook, and flounder in the bays/creeks, I use 2500 and 3000 reels (4000 are overkill). And in place of the Penn Battle III, I’d go with the Daiwa BG 2500 because its essentially in the middle of the Penn Battle III 2500 and 3000 in terms of size yet it’s lighter than both and feels smoother than the Battles. Here’s a link if you are looking to buy one online: https://fishstrong.com/collections/saltwater-spinning-reels/products/daiwa-black-gold?variant=32604853370965
As for the rod, I recommend a 7’6″ Medium to Medium Heavy Power Fast Action rod if you’ll be fishing open water situations in which casting distance is key. Otherwise, a 7′ rod will do just fine.
Thanks Luke! What line would you suggest I use with that reel with the 7’6” rod. Again it’s my first rig so I’m as new as it gets to fishing l!
Also leader line as well?
If fishing the flats and bays for trout, redfish, and snook with lures, I recommend 10 lb braid (powerpro is a solid choice) because you’ll get much better casting performance compared to 20 lb braid without losing much power.
For leader, I recommend 20 lb Ande mono for redfish and trout. And bump up to 30 lb if you’re going after snook.
I’m leaning towards a Daiwa reel for my new Bull Bay custom rod that I’m super excited you guys got to me so quickly! I’m fishing river/canal with current and structure/docks: I’m debating between Procyon/BGMQ vs the smaller/lighter Fuego/BG models due to the current/structure. I watched the unboxing/review videos, yet can’t seem to pull the trigger on one… do you have a recommendation of which might be the better choice between the Procyon and BG MQ?
For dock fishing, I prefer the BG/MQ because it’s the toughest of the ones you mentioned. But the Procyon is a close 2nd.
^Ditto to what Luke said!
Justin, can the Procyon 2500D-XH handle 20 Lb Braid? Also I purchased your Bull Bay Rod as well, so do you think the Procyon is a good fit for that rod as well?