Sea Fishing Combos

How to choose a rod and reel combo for sea fishing

Saltwater asks more of your tackle than fresh water does. Salt, wind and bigger fish all put strain on the rod and reel, so a combo should be built specifically for sea use. In a ready-made combo the casting weight of the rod and the size of the reel are matched to each other, so there is no need to put the pairing together yourself.

Inshore and spinning combos suit fishing from rocks, piers and rocky shorelines. They are used to cast metal jigs, pilks, hardbaits and soft lures for species such as mackerel, pollock and sea trout. A fairly light, long rod keeps casting comfortable through a full day on the coast.

Fishing from a boat calls for different qualities. Boat, pilk and jigging combos are shorter and stiffer, so that a heavy pilk or jig works under control in deep water and a cod or pollock hooked near the bottom can be brought to the surface. The reel needs to hold enough braid, and the drag has to stay smooth through a long fight.

Surfcasting combos are made for sandy beaches where the bait has to be cast beyond the breaking waves. A long rod and a large reel help you launch a heavy lead a long way and keep the line above the surf while the rod waits in its rest.

When choosing a combo, start with where you will fish and how much your lures or sinkers weigh. Rinse the combo in fresh water after every trip to the sea, and the reel, rod guides and handle will stay in good condition season after season.