Rod and reel question

Hey guys. I asked a few questions last year before coming down to the gulf and have been lurking since then, wishing I was down there fishing and lounging on the beach! This year, we are going to vacation at Navarre the last of July/first of August. Can any of you guys tell me anything about fishing over there this time of year? I also have a question about a new (cheap) rod and rell. Last year, I was fishing with my little bass rod and had a great time, but I am thinking I want to go bigger and maybe try and catch a king (if they are around Navarre?). I only get to come down once a year, so a pier rod for me has to be pretty cheap. I saw a Berkley big game rod that was 7' MH 1-4 oz that I could pair with a Quantum reel that would hold enough line. Is this rod going to do what I would need it to? Not really sure how to tell since I stayed closer to the T last year and didn't go to the octi to see what others were using. Thanks for any help you can give me and for a great site that makes me jealous.

Fishing is very similar in Navarre. No specks though and don't know about flounder yet. Kings are about like Gulf Shores, few and far between. Little tunny(bonito) are running through pretty good right now as well as tarpon. That set up may work, but don't think it will survive very long. You would be better getting a Penn Fierce combo like a 6000-7000 series that only probably costs a little more than what you are looking at and will be able to easily handle a king. I think they are under $100 at Walmart but can't remember.

If you have a Bass Pro close they have a Penn fierce combo that will work great gore 99.99 or you could stop by J and M on the way down and get it there then you can get you hooks,swivel,leader wire, and anything else you will need for the trip

The Berkley rod you described might be a little too stiff for fishing on the pier for kings, but I suppose it would be minimally adequate. Incidentally, I saw a guy break a new Berkley rod while fishing on the GSPP last year, so I have questions about their durability. My wife and I have fished on the piers at GSP, Navarre and Pensacola with Shakespeare Ugly Stik Big Water BWS1101 (medium power) rods for several years. During that time, we’ve caught kings, jacks, bull reds, sharks, big rays, one cobia and a variety of other fish of various sizes with these rods. We’ve never had a problem with these rods and they are still in very good condition after several years of use. (I rinse them with fresh water after each use.) I bought a couple of more expensive pier rods this year (primarily for increased casting distance), but I have not found a better $50 general purpose pier rod than the 7’ Big Water Ugly Stik. That is the rod I would choose if I had to pick just one economical, all purpose rod to use on the pier because it can be used for both the larger species on the end and the smaller fish in the shallow water.

I do not know what type of Quantum reel you have in mind, but if it holds at least 250 yds of 15# mono, it should work for your once per year pier fishing trip.


If you want to check out the Navarre Pier reports, you can try this forum:

http://www.panhandlepierfishing.com/mybb/index.php

Biggest issues Most have when starting to fish for kings is the drag on the less expensive (ie Shakespeare, lower end quantum" being about as smooth 36 grit sand paper and over heating on big runs.

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. I don't have a BPS here in central Arkansas (or anywhere that carries stuff for big fish that isn't super cheapo catfish gear), but we do have a Gander Mountain. I stopped in there today to see what they have and found this on sale GSX Titanium 2 7 Med-Heavy Spinning Combo - Gander Mountain Would this work for my once a year pier trip? I know I could use it here too, so that would be a win win. I am now thinking that I would be better off trying for something other than kings just so I can maybe catch more fish. What other fish would be possible to catch at Navarre in two weeks? Also, we won't be going through GS on our way down, so where should I go at Navarre for tackle? We are staying about 5 condo's west of the pier there if that helps. Thanks again guys. I really do appreciate it.

That sounds like a nice combo (especially at that price) but IMHO 260yds of 12# is a little light for king fishing. It would be an ideal bonita/ spanish combo though and it could serve double duty as a jigging/ bait rod and you could use it on the beach for pompano & whiting.

if you get down there and decide you want a Penn Fierce combo (for $90) the Bass Pro in Destin is only a 20 minute drive, and you pass one on I-10 @ Spanish Fort on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay ;-)

When I go to Navarre, I usually get my bait and tackle here: Navarre - Half Hitch Tackle

whatever you do. don't use a float. florida piers frown on float fishing. either freeline live bait or throw dead cigar minnows

Hey Bobby. Won't it be great when Bass Pro Little Rock opens? I live in Benton, and make several road trips a year to fish the piers. It's great fun.

You've got some good info already, but from a fellow central arkansan -- the best rig I've seen locally that would work for kings is the 8 foot ugly stick white catfish model they sell at Wally world and other places. I have a quantum 60 reel they sell, too, that has landed several kings and is still kicking. Not the best reel, but works great for once or twice a year trips. It gets you to the 300 yard/15 pound test mono that king fishing needs. Pick up a spool of the trilene big game 15 pound test while you are there, and for $75 or so you'll be set for a long time of fishing. I looked at that same rig you spoke of at Gander Mountain the other day. The reel is solid, I have one, and it works great for spanish/bobos/???? Landing a king on it with the 8# test I have it spooled with would be a glorious challenge.

There's a broxon outdoors store on the right about a mile or so from Navarre pier. They sell frozen cigar minnows, but there have been LY's and herring at the Navarre pier lately according to Ms. Pat's reports, which are reliable. She's a great lady. Eat the biscuits and gravy.

Kings are spotty this year, but according to her they are catching a few at daylight most days. Don't give up if the wind starts howling later in the day. The wind is your friend....keep fishing. I had good luck catching bobo's last year with extra small ly's and floro leaders. Water is usually really clear there.

Good luck and post pictures!