Rod & Reel Suggestion/s please

[BigBad64]

Hi all,
still relatively new to saltwater fishing and still getting set up. Currently I have a Catana 902 Shorespin with 20lb braid / 20 lb leader I've been using down at Gunnamatta over winter. I also have a Shimano Jungle Stix 732L loaded with 6lb braid / 10lb leader.

I'm reading the "Landbased Fishing Guide To Port Phillip Bay" and see that two spots close to home - Olivers Hill & Daveys Bay - both recommend long surf rods for bait fishing. (Pages attached).

I gather the Catana 902 and Jungle Stix 732 set-ups don't fit the bill, so can people recommend some decent rods / reels that would handle these spots over Spring / Summer? It would be nice if the same rod / reel could also be my bait fishing rod at the surf beaches if I decide to take it easy and do that instead of surf-spin sometimes next winter. (I'll only be able to get one rod/reel purchase past the financial controller)

While I'm asking questions, with the dropper loops, the diagrams in this book suggest you tie the dropper loop, then cut it near the join and tie the hook on with a Uni knot. Is that right? (Diagrams attached)

[Fish-cador]

Got a budget in mind?

For beach/rock bait soaking I use penn prevail 11 footers. I pair them with sustain or stradic. If the weather is rough i use the sedona 5000 reels as i can afford to get these reels get wasted faster.

[CarlG]

I never cut the dropper loops. Simply push the doubled line through the eye of the hook, (from the gape side), and then pass the hook through the loop that is formed out the back of the eye. Brilliant ting rig.

[poodoo]

I have a 11 foot seajigger or 13 foot nitro messiah as my beach / rocks spin gear.

[poodoo]

Matched with 4000 and 6000 sized reels

[Basti]

Yeah a budget will help us suggest. You want something 12ft. 11ft is better for ppb, but longer is better on a back beach. 12 is a good compromise. Something rated 6-8kg or 12kg should be ample. 5k or 6k reel

[Rustie]

I have a 11 foot seajigger or 13 foot nitro messiah as my beach / rocks spin gear.

Same as mine... seajigger n messiah! good Taste! lol :rofl: :rofl:

poodoo, do u find the seajigger cast better then the messiah even tho it is 11ft vs 13ft messiah? or is it just me?

[Lightningx]

My friend has a 13 ft messiah as well. Had it for awhile actually but prefers casting his 11 ft penn prevail. I have a couple of prevails as well matched with okuma Salina II 5k.

[smile0784]

I just leave it as a loop.
Easyer to change hooks over if u want to downsize.
If y he loop doesn't fit through eye of the hook or you want a longer branch off the leader you can cut it about 1cm from the knot and it wont slide.

I been using both methods for years in bermagui and western port.

Hope it helps

[Scraglor]

Yep, solid rigs. My go to for most fish