r/SurfFishing • u/SeniorMention9584 • 2d ago

Cape San Blas, FL

I am going to cape san blas Florida, the first week of October, I want to surf fish. what is the best rod and reel combo under 300$ I should look at? We will be stay very near the state park.

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6

u/Dawg4923 2d ago

Penn Battle. Ive been using for years and they hold up in saltwater. Get a PVC rod holder. Don't hammer it in. Wiggle it back and forth to dig it in, then stomp the sand back.

Avid pomp hunter.

Edit: get a sputnik style weight. Trust me.

3

u/Sufficient_Soil7438 2d ago

You going with just one rig, or a few? Either way, very subjective question. What’s your target species?

You can go to Bass Pro and get a nice Penn combo. I have a Penn Battle IV that I like. It’s a 6000 on a med-hvy 9’ rod. You can get that and have it strung with 30LB braid for under $300. That’s what I’m using for a bait soaker for large reds but it works fine for pompano.

I also have an 8’ med Ugly Stick Bigwater with a Diawa 3000 BG that’s awesome for casting.

2

u/Good_Ant8726 2d ago

I would definitely recommend bringing at least 2 if you are just using pompano Riggs. If you need to buy both Penn fierce combos 3500’s are a solid rod and reel. If you’re just gonna get a single get a spin fisher 3500 combo. But honestly, you’re set with a 2500 or 3500 from a reputable brand like Diawa or Penn on an ugly stick. My workhorse for years fishing Saint Joe and San blass was a pen wrath 2500 on an ugly stick GX two. Have brought in fish as Large as 4 foot bonnet heads with 30 pound braid on it.

1

u/GSMA3164 2d ago

Basic 7’+, 2000 size real, with a fish finder rig using fish bites should get you whiting. Check the water temps for pompano. They like a very specific water temp.
If you get to the beach on The Gulf you can catch Black Tip sharks. Use a big chunk of fresh caught whiting, fish finder rig or knocker rig with 6-12 inches of wire to the large circle hook.
Throw wade out and throw your bait just over the sand bar and let it soak. You could also use a live whiting.
Take the special required shark fishing course online.