Fishing Q&A

What is a good saltwater rod for offshore fishing in Dana Point California?

What is a good saltwater rod to setup with a baitcasting reel. I plan on doing some charter boat fishing. I want a rod thats affordable but thick and strong and sturdy. Id like the closest thing to an all purpose saltwater rod that can handle calico bass to yellowfin tuna, live baitin and iron jigging. Able to hold heavy 12 plus oz. lures for deep waters. I think you get the picture by now. Any recommendations will help.

Public Comments

1. My favorite is the Calstar WCDH-270-C (actually, mine is custom wrapped, but it's essentially the same as the Calstar factory rod.) I use it with 20 pound test on a Daiwa SL30SH reel, and have fished with it from Ventura county down to Alijos Rocks, caught everything from bass and halibut to tuna and wahoo to one unfortunate marlin on it. In general, it's best for 5 to 30 pound fish, which is about as close to all-purpose as you can do for So.Cal. fishing. To be realistic, it's a bit light for fish over 30 pounds, and in deep water I don't use more than 8 ounce jigs on it. (4 ounces or so is the maximum casting weight.) For that kind of stuff, I'd recommend a second outfit, like the 870-C or 970-C -- heavier action, and a foot shorter, and 30 pound line. Use that one for yoyo jigging for local yellowtail, and so on. You can get away with one outfit most of the time, but you don't want to be out of luck when something breaks, or undergunned when the offshore trip for 10 pound yellowtail finds a wide open spot of 40 pound bluefin. So start with the 20-pound rig, and as soon as you can afford it, add a 30-pound outfit. Here's the page on Calstar's website listing the West Coast rods: http://www.calstarrods.com/westcoast.htm
2. There are many Rods and Reesl to choose from on bait cating reels for deep water fishing. Shop what your pocket can afford and that still will get you decent pole.
3. Get a Ugly Stick. I own one and although I don't salt water fish the lake fishing that I do requires a Ugly Stick. Either look for a different rod in the saltwater section http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Department_10151_-1_10001_151000000?CMID=MH_OS_SALTWATER Or choose from here! (some might be ultra light poles so be weary!) http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchResults?ts=Thu%20Mar%2015%2014:49:55%20CDT%202007
4. No rod and reel set in the world can meet all of your criteria. You have to compromise. A rod heavy enough to throw 12 oz jigs isn't going to be flexible enough to toss live bait. My guess is that you will mostly be fishing live bait for Calicos. My vote is for a Calstar 870 glass rod. It is the best compromise and you will get the most use out of a rod like that. A glass rod is the most durable and a Calstar will last a lifetime with good care.
5. Modern baitcasting gear has gotten so light, smooth and sophisticated that there is no need to rely on the inherently inferior design of the oscillating spool and bail wire reel. My favorite fineese baitcasting setup pairs a Team Daiwa TD-Z with a GLoomis CR721. This is a 6' casting rod with a light power rating. I spool the reel with 50lb. power pro but tie on a leader of 4 to 8 lb mono depending on the conditions. Read more from my sources. Hope this helps. Cheers, Nick
6. ugly stick, one piece
7. look at ordella rods.com