Need advice on fishing gear.

[yaky yak]

I bought all my rods at Big 5. Either Ugly sticks or sabre rods. I got a 8ft Sabre Pacifica stroker rod after work last night for 45.00. at big 5.
Iv landed some big threshers and my PB yellowtail (36lb) this year on them and never had a problem.
I bought a 9' super seeker jig rod used for 180.00 and lost it in the surf at La Jolla first time I took it with me(that hurt)
Reels are a different story. A cheap reel will cost you fish. but on the flip side you don't need a gold 400.00 reel. The sealine is a good reel for the money. I am always searching craigslist for good deals. It don't take much money to replace and upgrade the drags on a used good reel. I have an avet, and a tyros16 2 speed and a sealine, but my lucky reel seems to be a old jigmaster with a few upgrades Ive had for years. Bought it new on sale years ago for 30.00.
Just saying those Sabre rods may not impress the guy paddling next to you, but they'll make an impression on that yellowtail swimming at the end of your line.

[Baja_Traveler]

I've got an old Sealine that looks exactly like that one - it's seen years of trouble free use. Don't sell it short just because it didn't cost a lot. It can handle anything La Jolla throws at it...

[StinkyMatt]

Take that sealine apart, clean it, grease it and you will have yourself a good reel.

The little one is perfect for the bays.


Do not blow 160 bucks at this point in the game. Go get a couple of rods and you are in the game.



There are guys on here that go out fishing with an arsenal worth a couple grand on the back of their kayak. Rarely do YT and Hali's surface to inspect your gear before they bite your hook.

[Necron 99]

Take that sealine apart, clean it, grease it and you will have yourself a good reel.

The little one is perfect for the bays.


Do not blow 160 bucks at this point in the game. Go get a couple of rods and you are in the game.



There are guys on here that go out fishing with an arsenal worth a couple grand on the back of their kayak. Rarely do YT and Hali's surface to inspect your gear before they bite your hook.

What Ol Stinky Matt Said. It don't have to be pretty. It just has to work. You can find instructions for cleaning and greasing your reel at alantani.com

[slobslayer]

Those will work... Like they said, it doesn't need to be the nicest out there. But make sure you check your reels before you head out. I fished la Jolla yesterday, when I got out there my 40# setup wouldn't go into free spool so I had to fish my 25# setup. I hooked my first YT On and iron and it broke me off about 20 ft down. Very frustrating. BTW I only fish with big 5 rods and reels

[tomahawk]

All these guys have great advice. I have all manner of rods from custom Calstar to Wal-mart special. My son has a Big 5 sabre 270 and abuses it. He has caught many fish including 45lb Bluefin and Albis without issue.
I would stress what slobslayer said about checking reels thoroughly before heading out. I clean and lube my reels routinely. Some of them are sensitive even to the order the screws are torqued. Check going in and out of free spool and that it free spools correctly. I have put back together reels, have them go in and of free spool, crank perfectly, and only be able to cast 10 ft.

[HAVABASS]

Bloodydecks.com has a TON of very good used tackle in their classifieds.

Find a buddy who knows gear and get a great deal.

High-End reels are always the best in the long run (Shimano, Accurate, etc.). Most have lifetime warrantys.

Good Fishing

[WahooUSMA]

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Take that sealine apart, clean it, grease it and you will have yourself a good reel.

The little one is perfect for the bays.


Do not blow 160 bucks at this point in the game. Go get a couple of rods and you are in the game.



There are guys on here that go out fishing with an arsenal worth a couple grand on the back of their kayak. Rarely do YT and Hali's surface to inspect your gear before they bite your hook.

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