New all rounder set-up - What do you think?

[Catchsomething]

Hey guys,

After an unsuccessful career with beach fishing, I want to move to a lighter set up to mainly fish from piers and rocks around Melbourne, an all-rounder for whatever I can catch, squids included, generally no natural bait, I would like to specialise in soft plastic however have the option of going bait if I want to.

I had a read to few posts and it looks like the general consent is rod 2-4kg 2500 sized reel and 10lb line, brand Shimano or Daiwa.

I have sort of shortlisted the following:
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... 0759-black
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... 1047-black
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... 8602-black

Is there much difference between the 3? I have a preference for the first due to the graphite blank.
Otherwise, the other option is reel + rod:
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... 1486-black
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... old-silver

Is it a good combination and is it worth spending $65 more?

Thanks all

[Sebb]

Hey guys,

After an unsuccessful career with beach fishing, I want to move to a lighter set up to mainly fish from piers and rocks around Melbourne, an all-rounder for whatever I can catch, squids included, generally no natural bait, I would like to specialise in soft plastic however have the option of going bait if I want to.

I had a read to few posts and it looks like the general consent is rod 2-4kg 2500 sized reel and 10lb line, brand Shimano or Daiwa.

I have sort of shortlisted the following:
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... 0759-black
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... 1047-black
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... 8602-black

Is there much difference between the 3? I have a preference for the first due to the graphite blank.
Otherwise, the other option is reel + rod:
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... 1486-black
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... old-silver

Is it a good combination and is it worth spending $65 more?

Thanks all

For soft plastic where you'll be flicking all day, nice light graphite and light reel definitely to be factored in.
I'd choose that catana sedona of all options you put there.

[mefish]

Recommend the Catana 702. I have matched with a Nasci 1000 for perfect balance. 6lb braid. However I mainly chase bream. Best of luck . Cheers Mefish

[frozenpod]

For an all rounder I would go bigger. 2kg rod is great for small fish like garfish, small flatties and KGW but undersized if you get onto a snapper, decent salmon or a skate.

I would suggest a 3kg rod 2500-3000 size reel with 15-20lb braid.

That would give you a lot more capability for a very slight increase in weight.

[Catchsomething]

Sorry I should have specified that I am in for something easy to set up and as "all-rounder" I mean sort of all common species in the 2kg range squids included. For the big fellas I have a surf road I can still use, my strategy will be to set the surf rod and be active with the new one. It looks like the catana 702 + sedona is the winning combination. What line would you recommend (I`ll get the spooling done at Anaconda)? I am planning to have my first sessions at Williamstown and Kerferd Pier. Not sure if to go for squids straightway or all the rest

[Andrews]

Welcome mate, I think you've come to right place looking for a versatile setup for chasing a mix of fish species and calamari, using jigs, soft plastics and the occasional bait.

I reckon you're pretty spot on, voicing Sebbs advice, for a rod/reel that you're constantly working you'd definitely want to go something that's comfortable to wield. I think for versatility, you can't go wrong with that 2-4kg mark paired with a 2500 reel, 10lb braid. It's an all-round stellar to chase anything from garfish to flathead, snapper, squid. Length wise, 7’02 is prime.

Speaking from my experience using a Shimano quickfire combo, I'd honestly throw it in the trash. A couple of reasons:
- Its uncomfortable AF, see that tiny butt on the rod, it's super unbalanced so all the rods weight is put on your wrist. I reckon it's the worse rod I've ever used.
- It's heavy, you'll 100% get a sore arm using this rod because it's so unbalanced.
- Eyelets corrode within a month, turn green and pit
I would NOT rate this combo.

I like the look of the catana, it's a well rated and tested rod, food for though if you wanted something similar with a full or split butt compared to catana's shorter one.

Two alternatives, I'd say if you're getting a rod, for the sake on $10 in a years time, would you rather something comfortable and enjoyable to use, or something that'll be uncomfortable. It would be great hearing from people who have used either of these.

Daiwa ARID-X 2-4KG 7'02 https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... 3358-black
It's slightly more @ $79, but comes with a full foam grip which would be more comfortable.

OR

Daiwa Revros 2-4kg, 7'02 https://www.bcf.com.au/p/daiwa-revros-s ... =BCF030505 This has the split grip and is $76. Either way, I think having either the full or split grip, will better balance the rod.

My mate used the Sedona reel and speaking to him he reckons it's alright, but that split handle and plastic grip is a little uncomfortable, he's recently updated swapped over to the Daiwa Laguna LT 2500 and he reckons it's night and day difference. The daiwa is slightly heavier by 25g, but he reckons it feels more premium, the single machined handle, foam grip and the 10kg drag (vs Sedona’s 4kg) has him rating it bang for buck price wise.

End of the day the important thing is that you find a combo that works for you and is comfortable for you to use. Excited to see what you catch on whatever you end up getting, cheers!

[Catchsomething]

Thanks Andrews (and the others) for the great tips. Definitely keen to spend $10 more if it`s worth it. I was mainly looking at Shimano as overall the feedbacks were better. Would you then go for a Daiwa combo? The Daiwa Laguna LT2500 is even cheaper than sedona by $20...
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... black-gold

[Sebb]

Thanks Andrews (and the others) for the great tips. Definitely keen to spend $10 more if it`s worth it. I was mainly looking at Shimano as overall the feedbacks were better. Would you then go for a Daiwa combo? The Daiwa Laguna LT2500 is even cheaper than sedona by $20...
https://www.anacondastores.com/fishing/ ... black-gold

The daiwa LT reels are light as compared to most shimano around the same price range. It'll make a diff when you fish all day casting plastic. Check the weight diff.

And yeah, 2-4kg rod catana or Aird with 2500 reel and 10lb braid line and 10lv fluorocarbon leader. That's a versatile setup I'd say.
When you fish for squid, make sure you put almost zero drag on the reel.

[frozenpod]

Sorry I should have specified that I am in for something easy to set up and as "all-rounder" I mean sort of all common species in the 2kg range squids included. For the big fellas I have a surf road I can still use, my strategy will be to set the surf rod and be active with the new one. It looks like the catana 702 + sedona is the winning combination. What line would you recommend (I`ll get the spooling done at Anaconda)? I am planning to have my first sessions at Williamstown and Kerferd Pier. Not sure if to go for squids straightway or all the rest

For squid a 3kg rod is a better choice than a 2kg rod, as is 15-20lb braid.

I would also be looking for something around 7'6" in lenght as it will give you a little extra casting range whilst still being light and precise.

[bowl]

For egi I'd go closer to 9ft for land base.
I use 9 ,10ft currently.
Mainly cast distance