I was in Prasek's yesterday just S of El Campo (great store BTW, you should stop in and check it out) on my way back from a fishing trip to POC. Plan was to grab some fuel and a BBQ sandwich but left with a couple of beautiful ribeyes and a new Salinity spinning rod. They were 10% off with a free hat so I pulled the trigger.

Recommend me a mid or upper level spinning reel to pair with the rod. It's the 7 foot 6 inch model weighted for 1/4 to 1 oz lures. 8-17 lb line.

I've heard good things about Penn reels but never fished one. What specific model/size for this rod? I grew up fishing Shimano so could go that direction too. I've got an older Shimano 4000 but it's heavy and just a little too big.

Plan for this rod is croaker fishing and throwing shrimp under a popping cork. All inshore saltwater, wade and boat fishing. It might get some work with heavier artificials out on the oyster reefs, throwing 3/4 oz jig head artificial. Reel has to be able to take salt water because we wade fish so much. Will look at picking up a lighter weight set up for artificials in the next few months.

Last question - specific recs on line for this set-up? Braid vs. mono? Brand and specific line type? I've fished both over the years and really don't have a preference. I know it's a hot button topic but I keep feet in both camps. Don't mind the braid too much other than the wind knots you can end up with when running a spinning reel.

Thanks fellas!

Edited to add - small red from yesterday but loved the double spot. Threw him back in so one of you guys can catch him when he's bigger.

I have a 2500 shimano Stradic on my 7' salinity. I'd go with that or maybe a 3000.

I like power pro braid.

Penn are durable but in IMHO, heavy. My first choice would be Shimano.

A 4000 is way too big for tradition bay/flats use. As is a 3/4 oz. jig head. Are you hoping to cast and knock them in the head, stun them, then put them on the stringer?

Ditto on Power Pro braid.

ATX_AG_08 said:

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I have a 2500 shimano Stradic on my 7' salinity. I'd go with that or maybe a 3000.

I like power pro braid.

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My humble suggestion as well.

What's your budget?

I fully admit that I am all about Shimano and Daiwa for my inshore reels. I use Penn Battles on my surf rods.

For $100, I think the Daiwa Fuego is the best thing you can buy. On the slightly pricier side, I can't decide if I like my Vanfords or my Ballistic LT more, but those are more in the $250 dollar range and you don't really need a $250 reel to catch fish. They're all light enough to fish all day without wearing out my arm. I've never fished with a reel more expensive than those, so I can't speak to big dollar rigs.

I like 10-15 lb green braid. PowerPro or JBraid for me. I only fish 3000 sized reels inshore.

Should have said "up to 3/4 oz weight". Usually fish 1/4 or 1/2 oz jig heads. Thanks for the input.

I like this Diawa for your purposes with 20 lb PowerPro:

www.tackledirect.com/daiwa-bgmq3000d-xh-bg-mq-spinning-reel.html

Here's some in-depth spinning reel reviews that can take you down a rabbit hole:
www.alanhawk.com/reviews/reviews.html

P.S., 1/16 oz. works great and 1/8 is usually plenty for fishing plastics/Gulps mid and lower coast.

But whatever works best for you.

Penn battle 2500 with 20 lb power pro. Best setup I've ever had.

Penn Battle or Daiwa BG. 2500 size

I bought my Dad a 2500 Shimano Stradic for Christmas.

He paired with a 8' Croaker Soaker rod and he loves the way it casts.

He is old school and hates braid, so he is running 12 pound Stren.

Unfortunately the fishing catching in Port Mansfield has been dramatically affected by The Great Sno-Vid event of 2021.

Shimano Stradic CI4+ in the 3000 model

Stradic 2500-3000 or Penn Conflict. Can't go wrong with either.

I have a 8yo Stradic 2500 on a 7ft Castaway as my go to spinning rig and I put together a Conflict 3000 on the same rod in op for the fiance last summer. Both are solid and the Stradic has been a work horse forever with little maintenance. The Conflict casts a fuggin mile and is lighter in the hand.

STRADIC CI4+ FB

The new stradic Ci4 is called the Vanford.

Highly recommend. Get a Shimano Vanford in 3000 or 4000

So to not start a new thread what about rods? Same needs as OP. Inland fishing mostly and some bay.

Laguna makes some awesome rods..281-665-1300. You can get a custom rod made or you can get one of their production rods. The production line is called the Liquid Series. The custom has the Latis, Solo, Tx Wader, Redfish and on and on... http://www.lagunarods.com/index.php

Thanks for the reply. To add budget is around 75. Again very casual use

ATX_AG_08 said:

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I have a 2500 shimano Stradic on my 7' salinity. I'd go with that or maybe a 3000.

I like power pro braid.

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+1 on the Shimano Stradic 2500. I have the older 2000 series (white, and some with wood grip) and one with the 2500 series. FWIW, the 2000 never let me down, even on oversize reds. These (both) size reels are great as not too heavy and decent line capacity.

I am an old Triline XL 10 lb. mono with 30lb fluorocarbon leader guy myself.

The Stradic is a great reel but you can spend a lot less for a Nasci and have a very good reel. The 3000 is almost identical to the 2500 but gives you a little more line capacity without any more bulk or weight.

Big fan of the Penn Conflict reels.

https://www.purefishing.com/collections/pflueger-spinning-reels

I got one of the new Penn Battle III LE combos and absolutely love it. Have one in the 2500 and 4000 sizes.

https://www.pennfishing.com/products/battle-iii-le-combo-1523127

Value for money the penn fierce is hard to beat. Look at the drag. 17 pounds I think on the 2500 . It's an amazing reel for the money. When it breaks, throw it away, pull the spool and get another one. Guides are getting 200-300 trips out of them. Reels are like $60. That's tough to beat

If you've never tried a diawa saltist you should look at them too. They are amazing. Drag is really good. Like 17-25 pounds on a 2500. Something like that. Big handle and great reel. Hard to get right now though

I've caught several 40" reds on those saltist and the drag is still going. Anyway, I really like them

SteveBott said:

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Thanks for the reply. To add budget is around 75. Again very casual use

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You may be able to catch a Castaway spinning rod on sale for $75 or a Falcon Coastal. Don't quote me though, as I never fish spinning rods. Those used to be decent production rods and I am assuming they still are. You could add another 30 bucks and get into a Waterloo Phantom?