Baitcast setup for inshore
 

Father's day is coming up and my wife wants to get me a new rod/reel. Fished open face all of my life, but thinking about a baitcast setup. I also want to better cast lighter (1/4oz) jigheads since the 13 Fishing I use is closer to a MH than M. I fish inshore Lake Borgne, Lake P, Delacroix, Shell Beach. Never fish freshwater.

Current setup - 7'2" 13 Fishing M Green Omen with a Shimano Stradic FJ 3000
Budget: Reel - Max $250; Rod - Max $150
Reel - considering Lew's BB2 Inshore Speed Spool.

TIA for any advice on what reel/rod for second setup?

Hey Fox, I too just swapped over to baitcast and love it I starte a similar thread explaining why and what, have a look

http://www.saltycajun.com/forum/show...ight=bait+cast

Thanks for the link. Helps with my decision of a baitcast setup over another spinning.

I am interested in the Lew's inshore BB2 that was mentioned in your thread. I cannot figure out if there are extra corrosion protection properties other than the three holes for washout compared to the Lew's regular speed spool. I am not religious about maintenance. Hopefully someone informed will chime in about whether the added cost of the inshore version is worth it over the regular Lew's or if something like the tourney pro would work fine in salt?

my next will be LEWS for sure. I hear great things about them. went with the BP for the return policy, next will be Lews!!

shimano chronarch, I rarely spray them off after use. Been using mine in saltwater for years, and its still smooth. It does have a little squeak when reeling, but it doesn't affect the smoothness. I hit it with some reel magic and it goes away. I'd recommend a falcon bucoo for the rod. Fair price of 120ish. I like a medium action.

I have the BB1 inshore...The BB2 is a wider spool...Best reel I ever owned and I don't rinse after use...They have internal , magnetic and mechanical brake control..Once you get it set for you you don't throw it you toss it...I don't see any need for a wider spool for fishing specks and reds....For me anyway lighter is better....

bubba

What rod did you pair it with?
It appears the weight difference between bb2 and bb1 is only 0.3 oz. I might have to get both in hand to feel the difference.

I have a 7 ft. allstar shrimptail special and a 7 ft. castaway light action popping...The BB1 seems to fit in my hands better being smaller...I like to have a baitcaster in my palm mostly...

Thanks Bubba. Tackle Warehouse has a 15% off sale through today. I am going to go with the BB2 because I want a lefthand model.

Still thinking about the rod pairing. Do you have any problem with 1/4oz jigs?

Im a lefty too...... gotta link on that 15% off unit?

I went from Calcutta's to BB1 inshore on all rods. All my rods are Falcon inshore 7'6" Med Gulf Caster or Poppers. Love it for the price, but going to all custom rods this year. Nothing wrong with the Falcons, they are a very fun rod for trout all the way up to big reds. Normally pull out a 6'6" Falcon lowrider for topwater.

I got the BB1s from Amazon for $175 each shipped to the house.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_...page-LEWC.html

Sale ends today at 5 P.M. Pacific Time ...

Don't beat up your wallet too bad LoL

BTW ... Excellent customer service and good pricing on shipping. Especially on expedited services.

I have a shimano crucial 7 foot medium and a falcon buccoo micro 7 foot medium. If your ever near the bonnabel boat launch let me know and you can try them out.

I live close by and may take you up on that.

I just ordered the BB2 inshore LH for $178 shipped from Tackle Warehouse. Thinking about pairing it with the Falcon Lowrider Salt 7'6" M Gulf Caster on the recommendation of a friend.

I am novice to baitcasting and really just getting into techniques for artificials. Would this be a good all purpose kind of rod or would the 7' M Popper be better for a beginner?

Cool. I live really close by. Pm me and I'll let you try my gear and show you the basics of using a bait casting reel. I can use a medium heavy rod and still throw a weightless zoom finesse worm against light wind with almost any decent reel.

1/4 oz. is no problem....I usually fish shallow marsh and use 1/8 oz. jig with weighted cigar float which is only about 1/8oz...I use 14# original stren and on my redfish pole I use 30# sufix 832....No problem with either but the braid tends to twist around the end but lots of oysters so I deal with it...I tought my grandson when he was 8 and my nephew when he was 7 to throw a baitcaster and just put the cast control a lil snugger than it should be to cut back on the backlashes...

Like everyone said 1/8 oz or weightless is no problem once you get the hang of it, 1/4- 1/2 oz is perfect. Just don't cast into the wind for a while so you do not end up with a mess. Learn how to set the reel so it performs well. One big thing that can help is take your reel(s) to a tackle store and get someone to spool the reel tight (especially if you use braid).

Thank you everyone for all of the help. The Lew's BB2 inshore LH shipped this morning and will arrive in a couple of days. I did not order a rod and will go around to a couple of local shops once the reel is in to get a better feel for balance. I would still like some advice on what I should be looking for in terms length, action, and power. As stated before I am a novice to artificials and have started by throwing a lot of 1/4oz jigheads with matrix shad, but intend to get more experience with a broader range of lures and techniques.

I want to get a rod that will be the most versatile and pair well with my other setup. My 7'2" 13 Fishing Med Fast spinning rod with the 3000 stradic FJ seems to be a good for throwing live bait, popping corks and anything in the 1/2oz range. If you had this as your setup what would you want for the second rod to go with the baitcast for primarily inshore fishing? Short rod for accuracy, longer rod for distance...etc? I appreciate any help, my head is spinning trying to figure out the rod.

If I had to bring only one of my rods in that price range I would bring my St Croix PC70MM

Do you fish the trestles or causeway a lot? A medium heavy is nice for 3/8 and 1/2 oz jigging that deep water. Also moves a redfish good if your fishing for reds in the marsh.

Since you already have a spinning that's good with popping corks that's the route I would go.

The only MH rods I own get used for bass fishing. I dont find they are sensitive enough for me to detect subtle trout bites in the winter. I fish exclusively with ML and M inshore. Not saying thats the only way though, just what works for me.

Thanks. The spinning setup is great for popping corks. It has a lure rating of 3/8-3/4oz and an 8-17 line rating, but fishes in between a M and MH. We fish out of seabrook, but have not done many trips to the Trestles or Causeway thus far. We have mostly been fishing in and around Lake Borgne. My father and I fished Delacroix Pre-K and just were able to get a new boat last year so trying to find our way getting back into it.

What lengths do you prefer?

Honestly.....its very difficult to find a rod sensitive enough to feel that subtle bottom bite on a tail that has enough backbone to effectively work a top without wearing out your wrist. They exist, but not in the price range you are looking for. This one will get you close. I have this rod with either a lew's tourney pro or a shimano chronarch. nice set-up without breaking the bank.

What price range would I have to jump to for that?

250-400.... H&H rods(not the bait company), Waterloo, Sarge Custom just to name a few

I could go up to $250. If I jump up to a pricier rod what length, power, and action should I get?

Definitely go with lews. I'm fixing to make the switch and I fish higher end Shimano and Daiwa. Get a good medium light rod that loads up well and you will cast fine


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I'd pair that lews with a Duce Rod.. 7' med action and fast tip.....

I just got the Curado 200HG.. Awful sweet...12 # seagur Fluoro Abriz-x line... I half spool all my trout reels with with 20# as filler... Topshot one with 12# floro, several with 15# floro.

Suffix "Seige" is also a great mono line I spool with my spare rods and reels that my friends use.

NOFOX, PM sent for a custom rod builder

Baitcast setup for inshore
 

That really depends on personal preference. If you are going to buy a high end rod I recommend you call some of those companies I listed or search out other custom builders and talk to them about what you want and what you are willing to spend.

You may be better off buying a lower priced rod and seeing what fits you best before dropping the cash

I may do this or I may just go with something in the $150 range and get a 3rd setup next year.

Not sure I want a full cork handle, but a buddy recommended a Crowder E-series lite in either:
7' ML (8-15lbs) F (1/4 - 5/8oz) or
7' M (10-17 lbs) F (5/16 - 1oz)

Other options I am thinking about are the:
Lews Custom Speed Stick Inshore 6'9" M (8-15lbs) F (1/16 - 3/4oz)
TFO Tactical Inshore 7' M (6-12lbs) F (1/4 - 3/4 oz)

The Lew's rod seems interesting, but I can't find any reviews on it online.

Just wanted to say thanks for everyone's help. After speaking with another friend and going to a local store to play around with rods, I think I am going to get a Kistler Helium 3 with 15% off. So my last question is should I go for 6'8" or 7' considering it is my first baitcaster and I have a 7'2" 13 Fishing spinning outfit?

Kistler Helium 3 Light/Medium-Heavy (10-14lb) Fast (3/16 - 7/8 oz)

Go to Puglias on Veterans and check out some rods. The TFO are really sweet for a good price. I have also been liking the 13 fishing rods and for $100 they can't be beat.

Baitcast setup for inshore
 

7 foot. This ain't bass fishing.

Btw I have a 7 foot medium heavy Dawai zillion rod that's the same price range as that kistler. You might want to compare.

You wont regret the helium 3.

UPDATE: Before ordering I emailed Trey Kistler and he talked me out of the light/med-heavy rod for inshore. I then procrastinated trying to decide between the ML fast (Trey's recommendation) or the M extra fast Helium 3. Tonight I looked on the Kistler site and they had $100 off the 7'0" ML extra fast zbone and there was a 15% off coupon code, so now I have a new zbone on the way.

Way more rod than I need, but $160 off seemed like a great deal and he subsequently said I could return the rod if I'm not satisfied.

Thats a very nice rod.

good choice. Youre gonna be spoiled now