These are my rods and reels that I use when I inshore and offshore fish. I have pushed all of my fishing equipment past their breaking point, and they all held up. When choosing these setups. You should do your research on the location and species you plan on targeting. With the rise of shark populations, I chose these set-ups to overpower most fish I hook. I want to get fish to the boat as fast as possible. Using these setups has made my fishing trips a success.
Inshore Fishing:
This Toadfish Medium Light 7’4 is my go-to rod. The rod casts a long way, has a fast tip, but strong enough to pull those bigger fish out of heavy structure. I have had this rod for a long time, and it will be the only rod company I will buy from. They have a variety of rods, and Toadfish has the best customer service.
The Shimano Stradic is the best reel I have ever used. This 2500 is a fantastic reel and definitely worth the money. With 20 pounds of drag, this is definitely a workhorse. When I am inshore fishing, I will be using a Shimano Stradic. See “How to Catch Sheepshead Fish- A Complete Guide”
Toadfish 7’2 Medium Heavy is my heavy inshore rod. I mostly use this for throwing large live baits, popping corks, and cut bait. This rod is heavier and great for your larger inshore fish. I have caught grouper and snapper on this rod. This rod has been pushed to its limits and has always held up.
This is the best net I have found. I used this guiding in Alaska when landing big rainbows. I recommend this net because of the long handle; this net helps land big fish in heavy current. See, “A Beginner’s Guide to Fly Fishing in Alaska”
Offshore Set-Up:
This Shimano Tallus Blue Water Series 8’0 Medium Fast(TLC-80MBBL) is the best beeliner, triggerfish rod I have used. The tip is very light, making it possible to feel the lightest bites in offshore conditions.
I will pair this rod with the Diawa Saltist 20BG Star Drag. This reel is great for your smaller offshore fish but can also handle to occasional snapper or grouper with might hook with a double rig.
This Starrod Aerial (EX-530H) 30-50LB Line 1-4oz Lure HJ20 is the best bottom rod money can buy. It is cheap and the heaviest rod I have ever owned. Great for catching Mutton and Mangrove Snapper. I have landed huge sharks with this rod, and it handles them with ease.
The Shimano Speedmaster 16II is my bottom reel. I use this paired with the Aerial. I have caught all my big snapper and grouper. With 40lbs of max drag, it will pull those big fish off the bottom. The Speedmaster is a 2-speed reel. When struggling to fight fish, being able to put the reel into a lower gear makes it easier to fight stronger fish. See “Best Baits for Deep Sea Fishing“
My last rod is a Starrod Sequence 30-50lb Line Heavy Fast HD20(SKT3050S70), and I use this for jigging for Cobia, Tuna, and Amberjack. This rod has a ton of backbone and will put a ton of pressure on larger fish.
My Shimano Saragossa 8000HG is the best offshore spinning reel on the market. With a max drag of 35lbs, it can put a great amount of heat on large fish.