Hi guys, I know this has been discussed before, but since I'm new to saltwater fishing, I'd like to get some suggestions what rods and reels to get. Now I finally got a new job and it allows me to go on a half day or 3/4 day fishing every weekend. I'll be targeting mostly whatever is available throughout the season and people say I need to get at least 3 combos or more the better. I currently use freshwater stuff and one of them is Rainshadow 967 custom wrapped. It is good for leadhead and squid but for plastics such as 1/2oz or 3/4oz, it seems to be too stiff. If the water becomes warmer, sand bass will bite on plastics and what would be a good length, power, action, and specs? I have Calcutta 400 that I use for my LMB swimbaits. Also, if I have to spend money on getting non-levelwind reels, I would, please suggest me some good rods and reels. I have gone through many gears before, so price won't matter much to me. I'm tired of getting this and that stuff and throw them away after I see the better gears. I would like to invest some money to get some perfect gears. Thank you in advance and good fishing.

Hi. sorry, I am not familiar with Rainshadow rods so I can't help you there. Here's some ideas: If you can have only one outfit, make it a 15# one. I find that is a good all-around pound test to have for both plastics and bait. If you can afford additonal outfits, I would get a 12# one for flylining smaller bait or tougher, clear water conditions and then a 20# for bigger baits or for structure or kelp. I personally like graphite, not fiberglass for my lighter tackle gear. Especially fishing bass which is what 1/2 and 3/4 day trips mostly do. I use levelwinds for lure fishing (easier to concentrate on the lure and not have to worry about laying line on the spool correctly) and non-level winds for bait (better access to spool for thumbing the bait as it swims--I like to flick the spool backwards to take up slack instead of putting it into gear). If you can only get one reel type but are doing both bait and lure fishing, get levelwinds. They are what I use for all my inshore fishing. I do have a non-levelwind 15# and 20# but they are more for longer offshore outings. Rod length should be 7-8 foot. I use Shimano's Calcutta XFA 8 footers: 812, 815, 820. Their new Terramar series is really nice too--less $ than the XFAs. For reels, I use Calcuttas: a CT250 for 12#, a CTE300 for 15# and a CT400 for 20#. I also have a Trinidad 14 for 15# bait and a Penn Jigmaster 506 for 20# bait. It is no longer available so for 20# I would recommend a Shimano TLD Star 15/30 for $99 or Trinidad 16 if you've got the bucks ($375?). Sorry for long reply, hope it helps.

Big Hammer Swimbaits-Hammerhead Jigheads
www.swimbait.com
Pro-Cure Scents
www.pro-cure.com

Thank you so much Fongster. Your help is appreciated. I guess I would need totally different tackles then. Thank you again for your suggestions.