Fishing Q&A

What fishing reel or size needed for a 9ft rod? Shimano 4500?

My boyfriend is really into his fishing and wants a larger fishing rod. I think he wants a general purpose one to do everything his 6ft rod can't do as well. I've gotten him a 9ft Shimano rod, 20lb line and bought a Shimano 4500 reel but not sure if I need to change the reel for a larger one? Think he'd like to try for larger fish (e.g. jewfish / mulloway) and maybe also use it for surf fishing... Any suggestions for an alternate reel or is the one I have adequate? Many thanks!!

Public Comments

1. The one you have will probably do the job but I recommend getting a Penn 7500. That will handle just about everything he wants to catch.
2. Not often you get a girlfriend wanting to buy her boy friend fishing tackle. I myself will never use a 9Ft rod for surf fishing, the rod is to short and will not be able to cast my bait behind the breakers. I use a 13 Ft custom built graphite rod for with Saltist reel for surf fishing. Remember is not the size of the reel that counts, but the components inside. Should your boy friend prefer to use his 9Ft rod then I would recommend the following reels. Daiwa 20 or Daiwa 30
3. The shimano is a good reel, I would step up the class to a 6500 if it is possible. If casting for distance I would also say a 13 plus foot rod would be better. If he is using it from a pier 9 foot is great.
4. ask your local gamder montin for advice
5. first off..i don't think he's going to catch a Jewish off the beach..(if he does please let me know where..lol) you can never go wrong with an ugly stick..they are indestructible. and have a life time guarantee.if he is fishing off of a boat he don't want a pole bigger then 7' anyway..you can save money and buy 2 ugly sticks of different lengths for the price of 1 shimano..the shimano stradic 4500 will do him just fine it's a super smooth reel. just make sure you take good care of them eg: rinse after use..oil. they are also super strong.i reeled in a 5 1/2 foot black tip with a 7' ugly w/4500 stradic and 30lb power pro...what a fight...
6. Shimano 4500 is an excellent pick for a 9-foot rod. It could also go on a 10-foot. It's a great reel for saltwater surf casting. Smooth drag and quick retrieval.
7. wish i could get my girl to buy me fishing things,12 years and i am still waiting................ i suggest this..........with a 9' pole,fishing freshwater i would get him an ambasaduer(?)7000.excellent reels.i use them for live bait fishing for carp and catfish matched to either a 9'-10' rod medium heavy to heavy action. if usinf it in saltwater i would match it up with a penn 209 leverwind.another excellent choice.great for fishing from piers for reds and small sharks.also good from the surf. but if i were gonna use it on a surf rod i would either a 10'-12' rod.u can get much better casting distance with a longer rod. hope this helps