Saltwater rod/reel advice.

[MOPanfisher]

There is a decent chance that I might get to partake in a trip to the Louisiana coast to fish for redfish and sheepshead.  I have never wet a hook in saltwater and also I never pass up a good reason to buy a new rod/reel.  I did a search and saw.a site.salty 10 or something like that.  They were reccomend in a plain ole 7 foot medium action rod and something along the lines of a 3 to 4000 size reel, Penn Battle II was mentioned.  Since I have made it 54 years without getting to fish saltwater I don't want to spend a lot of $ on somehing that has no other use.  I am thinking something along the lines of  a St. Croix 7'6" in either M or MH and the aforementioned Penn Battle II.  Honestly I have some 6'6" medium and medium heavy rods that could be respooled with different line and probably do fine.  But they seem to me to be a bit light for redfish but I don't know a thing about them so any advice would be appreciated.  The St. Croix and Penn combo I was thinking of could be had for $250 or so pretry easily.  Something about the Penn reel being sealed so it doesn't get saltwater in it??

[tjm]

When I lived on the east coast I fished Narragansett Bay several times (1970-1985)  a year with my same fly rod and reel that I used every day and with  a medium 6' spinning rig. The only thing different was to soak every thing in the bath tub for an hour or two (dilutes the salt)  and then rinse it really well with fresh water. I still have the rods and reels and they still work, although I havn't used them in years. In fly rod I'd recommend a 9'6'' 7-8wt and intermediate line based on what I did up north. I'm guessing that what ever you use for 3# bass would likely work there as long as you are willing to wash it every day and thoroughly clean and lube when you get back. You will never go very wrong doing what the locals do.

[Quillback]

I used to fish saltwater myself quite a bit, mainly trolling for salmon, it was always with bait casters, and I liked Penn 309's.  Like TJM says you really don't need a saltwater dedicated reel especially for a short trip, just rinse it off every day and you should be fine.  

I haven't fished for redfish myself, so no idea on appropriate spinning rod, but I think a 7' 6" medium action would work fine unless you're going after those big 30 lb. bull reds.

[kjackson]

I was on a media trip to Venice in March--just in time o catch the coronavirus stuff-- and fished with Lew's new inshore rods.  My fave was a 7-foot medium spooled with 30-pound braid.  That rod would be a great medium crankbait rod-- so take that as a guide.  We were fishing ¾-ounce Red Eye Shads (you really need to have some of those if you're going to be fishing artificials at all) and Strike King's Thunder Cricket.  I caught my two biggest reds--a 48 and a 45-- on that rod.  On previous trips, I've done well fishing with a 6 ½-foot MH rod and 20-pound braid. 

IMO bass tackle will deal with most reds you're going to catch in the marsh as long as you're using heavy enough line. Having said that, I've not done the popping cork and shrimp thing, so I can't speak to that.  One caveat-- if you get into bluefish, you'll wish you had a steel leader.  

 

[oneshot 1]

Been thinking going down that way fishing from shore. Seems the Reds come up in the ditches and bays when it gets cold for down there. If you can find them Live Shrimp seem to be the ticket. I have MH Rods I would use with 30# Line. 

This is fishing on the cheap for me. LOL

oneshot

[dpitt]

I would not go less than an 8 weight for salt, also drag can come into play, so a decent reel is a good idea, especially if you connect with a big bull red.  Salt water  fish strength is incredible.  Lots of those salt fish have big eyes, so I like longer floro leaders.  Floating salt line is best, but freshwater works,  just wash it good the same day you fish, same with a non salt sealed bearing reel. 

[netboy]

I used to live on the Laguna Madre near Corpus Christi, TX and fished for trout and redfish most every day. If you have a decent rod/reel setup for bass fishing that should be perfect for trout, slot sized reds and sheepshead. A 7 foot spinning rod and a 2000 to 3000 series reel is all you need. 

Now if you want to target bull reds then you will need something heavier.

[snagged in outlet 3]

^^^ this.  

[MoCarp]

Any good bass rod you will be fine just rinse them out well after, 6500 abu and a 7 foot flipping stick you will do well...and leave the braid home

[MOPanfisher]

Well it will have to be a spinning set up, but I get it, all you guys just don't want me to buy a new rod/reel.  LOL.  I kind of thought the rods/reels I have would work, but have been wrong before.