Getting started nearshore fishing, need info

[bbhntr48]

Looking to expand our inshore fishing out to the closer nearshore reefs like McClellanville Reef (PA-34). What is a good rod/reel setup for this fishing? I will be fishing out of a 19ft center console, so I will have to watch weather closely. Any advice to get started?

[Highstrung]

Don't let anyone knock spadefish, they're fun on light tackle. Keep a heavier set rigged up with an ugly eel or even a big rebel for cobia.. people act like they're smart, they're not. You can just plop it in front of them and swim it next to the boat to get them to bite.

[fro]

Ocean is closed

[ecu1984]

Just get a couple Shimano TLD 15 or TLD 20
Easy to use, tough as nails and you can troll or bottom fish

[CUduckreeper]

Couple of 5-6K size spinning reels on Ugly Stik Tiger rods are very versatile.

[scdiver]

Penn Battle on an ugly stick will tackle most fish you encounter. Can make it as fancy as you want.

I typically fish 2500/3000 at the reefs for sheeps/drum/flounder.

Bigger reels for cobia/grouper. Caught boatloads of fish on tlds and graphite frame Penn LD before we switched to toriums and other metal reels.

I picked up 4 tld15 and 2 tld 20s earlier this spring on rods for $600. Kingfish with the kids, cobia and tarpon live bait stuff.

Does not have to be a crazy expense. Check FB marketplace for deals.

I gave a bunch away when sold our Parker and had replace for some nearshore fun.

[bbhntr48]

Good info, thanks for sharing

[Saltydog235]

Penn Battle 5000 on an Ugly Stick is a good place to start on the low end. Upgrade to the Spinfisher or Slammer for a better reel. If you want a Shimano in the same size, it'll be an 8000. Shimano reels are smoother drags and lighter. Penn's are heavier and workhorses.

A better choice on the nearshore stuff in a conventional reel would be an Avet SX or MX series spooled with 40-50# Power Pro, you won't tear one up and they'll handle most anything. Pair that with an Ugly Stick or a better fit would be a Tsunami or OTI Fathom Blade.

Keep some 3000 size reels on board for the spades and some white wire coat hangers to put jelly balls on.

Get some 80g slow pitch jigs and a cheap Tsunami slow pitch rod too. You can order slow pitch jigs and assist hooks in bulk packs of 100 off Ebay for not much more than a 3 pack at the tackle store, same hook that doesn't hurt your feeling when it gets cut off or needs to be replaced. Tip those with a little squid or cut bait and you'll catch bigger fish. Keep some 4-6oz Spro bucktails on the boat too. On that inshore stuff, always tip the jig with a little bait, you get more action.

[JABIII]

[dhall1693]

I’m a cheap ass but they work and haven’t had an issue. For my near shore and big bulls I target, I used peen fierce 6000 with the tiger rods, and I have a few squals I’ve picked up off market place that have been working well too. I’ll upgrade when they brake. I also use a ton of the 4000 series as well for inshore and smaller reef fish, and stripers here in the upstate.

IMG_4195.jpg
IMG_3905.jpg

[2thDoc]

please dont say "big bulls" ever again

[2thDoc]

and i'm kidding. you can call em whatever you want....

[swampknob]

String jellyballs off the boat or even drop them down and then bring them up... spadefish will follow. light spinning reel for them. Slack tide will catch them best.

Get some live eels and fish them off the back while you do that and youll outcatch everyone around you. Float a balloon and put some on the bottom.

[Maggie Glover]

Spadefish are under-rated fun for sure. What I always enjoyed nearshore, really nearshore, was trolling for Spanish with Hopkins spoons and small weight in front. I have done it in 16' jon boats and in way too expensive fiberglass boats. I'm talking 15'-30' feet of water and it last throughout the summer. Find the birds and bait balls and have fun.

If you do want to try the reefs, go buy six packs of sabiki rigs and jib some live bait. The use that live bait to catch everything from cobia, kings, sharks, etc. I have taken kids fishing and they were mad when I put the sabiki away because they were having so much fun with it.

Last, think about this conversation thread ten years from now when you have boat a bigger boat and burning through a couple hundreds of gallons of fuel per day going offshore. Good luck, MG

[Highstrung]

If chasing Spanish and enjoying it is considered beneath people I don't want to be right. Day fresh Spanish on a grill are good. I do like casting to them, it's like ole white bass fun.

[bbhntr48]

Last, think about this conversation thread ten years from now when you have boat a bigger boat and burning through a couple hundreds of gallons of fuel per day going offshore. Good luck, MG[/QUOTE]

Possible problem for sure. I am getting to the age where I value these experiences more than I did 20 years ago. I am gonna enjoy each day I can still be outside for sure

[Saltydog235]

Possible problem for sure.

Oh, it's not a possible problem, it's a guaranteed problem. Golf and hunting are pretty expensive hobbies/sports but they can't suck a wallet dry near as fast as offshore fishing.

[Short_track_champ]

Oh, it's not a possible problem, it's a guaranteed problem. Golf and hunting are pretty expensive hobbies/sports but they can't suck a wallet dry near as fast as offshore fishing.

Offshore fishing costs almost as much a racing! But damn I'm missing it.

[Highstrung]

Yeah, I've chased everything.. intial, entry costs are high.. golf depending on where you're living..

Erased

I did a mini break down on costs all of those hobbies.. I didn't enjoy hashing it out.

[Saltydog235]

Yeah, I've chased everything.. intial, entry costs are high.. golf depending on where you're living..

Erased

I did a mini break down on costs all of those hobbies.. I didn't enjoy hashing it out.

Never do a cost breakdown, takes the fun out of it when you realize what things cost.