New here, not to fishing

As the title says, i am new to the site and somewhat new to panhandle fishing. Buy in general I have been fishing my entire life across Canada and the great lakes. I have to say nothing beats fishing the salt. Knowing that you can use one bait and have a possibility of catching 8 different things, than throwing a jig and gulp. Knowing your either going to get a walleye or maybe the lone dumb pike.

With this being said I need to add at least 3 new weapons to my arsenal because I have noticed my fresh gear cannot stand up to the salt water. I am still young and have learned that spend the money now and if taken care of you only need to buy them once. From searching here and other forums I was wondering if you guys could give me some help, and if anyone of you guys need info on fresh. Im you guy.

Question:

I am looking like I said for 3 new setups, and mainly just looking for rod advice, but if you gut some reels that know work well let me know. What i am looking for is to purchase 3 custom rods. Them being one lighter for pomps, spanish, ect. Another one for reds and kings. Then lastly a cobia and tarpon. These are my groups of which I figure each rod could fall into but I know for sure you guys would know. So can you guys suggest to me the line class rods, heights, and actions for these three groups? and if these fish could all be caught within these three rods.

I am sorry for the lengthy post, but I want to start off with the right stuff. Thanks in advance if anyone needs help with the salmon, wallleye, perch, musky, and nothern pike fishing let me know!

Hi bubbaluch, welcome to the Forum. I'm also a Yankee and a newbie, these guys are very, very helpful, listen to them and you will save yourself a lot of money and time. I think you are pretty well set, your salmon and muskie rod will do the job in many cases, your walleye rod will do the job on the sheepies, and your perch rod will catch bait for you. If you need more muscle, stop into Bass Pro or J & M sport shop and they will set you up at a reasonable price and they know what they are talking about and what you will need. Usually cheaper than Walmart. If you happen to get next to Haywire, he loves a good muskie or walleye story. Most of the fish down there are much better tasting than the fish up here Tight Lines!!!!

Haha i got plenty of those muskie and walleye stories. A quick one, was fishing deadbait a piece of alewife cut in half off a point in Canada. I had it under the seat so when the pikes come and smack them, i still got my rod. Well like always at least one time every trip, they come from under the boat and pull the rod out under me. Their goes a nice combo, but wait! An hour later while jigging for walleye, my son felt a deadweight and he ended up snagging the bottom eye of the rod! It gets better, the 35 inch pike was still on the rod. So i got my combo and a nice picture. I could go on and on about dumb things that have happened. 4 more sleep and ill be out their!

I love to hear those walleye and muskie stories, but only while you are treading water.

I fully agree with making your first stop J&M Tackle in Orange Beach. They turn out some darned good custom rods there---I have four of theirs plus some fine off the rack rods---without paying platinum plated prices. They ain't cheap, but are a heck of a fine value, unless you need an exotic name on the rod---I just had them put my name on them for ID purposes. They will fix you up with the reel you need to go with them AND THEY SERVICE WHAT THEY SELL, and quickly. ---And just for the record, I don't own any stock in the store, they are just fine folks to do business with. Welcome to the forum.

I will definitely check them out and anytime haywire. I got one or two you may like.

How long can you tread water?

Like Haywire, I don't own stock in J & M but I like they way they do business. I'd definitely rely on their expertise.

long enough to untangle a line from a branch (:

Welcome to the Gulf, if you need any help with custom rods, you could do what Mr. Haywire said and go to J&M, or you could talk to Monk on the forum. He makes custom rods.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bubbaluch

Question:

I am looking like I said for 3 new setups, and mainly just looking for rod advice, but if you gut some reels that know work well let me know. What i am looking for is to purchase 3 custom rods. Them being one lighter for pomps, spanish, ect. Another one for reds and kings. Then lastly a cobia and tarpon. These are my groups of which I figure each rod could fall into but I know for sure you guys would know. So can you guys suggest to me the line class rods, heights, and actions for these three groups? and if these fish could all be caught within these three rods.

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Quite 'doable' IMHO
You would likely enjoy something along the lines of the following descriptions...

Rods:
Spanish: 7 feet medium power, fast action, 8#-17# class, 3/8oz-1 oz lures
King: 8 feet medium power, fast action, 12#-20# class, 3/4oz- 1 1/2oz lures
Tarpon: 9 foot, medium heavy power, fast action, 17#-30# class, 1-4 oz lures

Reels:
Spanish: Shimano 3000 size (in whatever series fits your budget) w/170 yds 8# mono
King: Penn Battle II 5000 (with 300yds 30# braid) 6000 with 270 yds 17# mono)
Tarpon: Penn Battle II 8000 (with 300 yds 80# braid or 310 yds 25# mono)

Hope this helps & Welcome to you!