New Rod Advice

[ggg]

Hi all,

I have just gotten a Saragosa 8000SW and am after a rod for it. I am leaning at more of a 'jigging rod' style to feel the bites better. The outfit will be used for bottom bashing for Cairns reef species and estuary live baiting. I only have reef fishing experience with rods under 6 feet but want a longer (6 foot 2 or 3) rod to fish the estuaries with. I just would like some advice on what length rod I should go for to use for reef fishing and estuary fishing. I know some people will think I am crazy for fishing a reef combo in the estuary but the jigging rods I am looking at bend really easily yet have a strong butt end and can really pull some serious fish up.

Thanks everyone for your help and tight lines.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hey Jaz44

I'm no expert and I'm sure someone could give more of an experience based reply, but maybe a Tyrnos or a Talica would suit this style?

Cheers Hamish  

[ggg]

Yeah. I use a Penn International with a Wilson Live Fibre at the moment but I got the Saragosa for cheap so will slap a rod on it and give it a whirl.

[ellicat]

My preference for offshore fishing is a 7 foot rod. I would say a vast majority of people I've fished with over the years have the same preference. Maybe it's the versatility of that size and they usually have the benefit of having a longer 'tip' section with a strong bottom end. The shorter you go the harder this is to achieve.

No recommendations on particular spinning rod. Nothing like having a feel of a selection of rods to find the one that suits you and your purpose.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

2 minutes ago, ellicat said:

Nothing like having a feel of a selection of rods to find the one that suits you and your purpose.

Hiya ellicat

Yes, I think that is important. If a rod feels right for you, you should use that rod. If you don't like it, you'll have a better feel with the one you like.  

Cheers Hamish

[ggg]

Thanks. I will just have to go to the tackle store with my reel and try each rod with it.

[Ed.]

BCF is having a bit of a clearance sale at the moment, maybe something like this may interest you:

https://www.bcf.com.au/p/shimano-terez-spinning-rod/M299617.html?cgid=BCF10

https://www.bcf.com.au/p/shimano-terez-spinning-rod/M299617.html
 

or if you are after a more flexible tip then

https://www.bcf.com.au/p/ugly-stik-bluewater-spinning-rod/M567390.html

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hey Jaz44

I also just typed in (into Chrome) 'Rod for Saragosa 8000' and I found a thread on Ausfish with some information on them (if you're interested) - 

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/showthread.php/177269-Rod-for-Saragosa-8000-running-50lb-braid

Cheers Hamish  

[ggg]

Thanks. I have had an Ugly Stik in the past and they are fantastic. The Terez series are top notch but that particular rod is way too long. I have decided only going a few inches above 6 feet if I have too. Thanks for the article as well Hamish. I know that a Daiwa Saltiga is been sold for $120 (its an old model but in great nick) on Facebook so I might have to have a look at that. I don't really know what to get. I'm not in a rush as I have many other rods so will just wait for a good deal.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hey Jaz44

Alright, good luck finding something that goes good with you. I have two Ugly Stiks and they are both great rods. 

Cheers Hamish  

[Tacklejunkie.]

12 hours ago, Jaz44 said:

Thanks. I have had an Ugly Stik in the past and they are fantastic. The Terez series are top notch but that particular rod is way too long. I have decided only going a few inches above 6 feet if I have too. Thanks for the article as well Hamish. I know that a Daiwa Saltiga is been sold for $120 (its an old model but in great nick) on Facebook so I might have to have a look at that. I don't really know what to get. I'm not in a rush as I have many other rods so will just wait for a good deal.

I think this is a good move mate, I find once you get much over 6 feet the extra length causes more problems than advantages out of a boat. My favourite boat rods that  could be termed multi purpose, that is chucking lures, drifting out a live bait or fishing the bottom are all between 6 feet and 6 feet 6 inches. I have specialised boat rods from 4 feet to 7 feet but that is not what you are looking for. I lived at Daintree for 7 years, I really miss fishing the reef.

[ggg]

I feel for you mate. I have never had a bad day reef fishing. It is truly the best.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

11 hours ago, Tacklejunkie. said:

I lived at Daintree for 7 years, I really miss fishing the reef

 

11 hours ago, Jaz44 said:

I feel for you mate. I have never had a bad day reef fishing. It is truly the best.

Hi Guys

That sounds very fun, going out to a reef sounds awesome! Do you often fish inshore or offshore reefs?

Cheers Hamish  

[ggg]

Off Cairns, there are very few 'inshore' reefs. The closest reef that is extremely productive (Arlington Reef), is about 42km out to sea. There are some awesome reefs (Noggin reef and the likes) more than 70km away. Off Port Douglas, there are a few reefs that can be classified as 'inshore'. Frankland Islands are a great place to fish as they are only 11km out to sea. In Cairns, there a some 'closer' reefs called Sudbury and Staggs Patches. These have been fished hard but slowly regaining as people don't class them as productive anymore so they don't get fished as much as they used to. Some good Spanish Mackerel get caught there every year though.

[Tacklejunkie.]

The fishing opportunities on the reef are endless Hamish.

Where we were living at Daintree we had the option of fishing the fresh sections of the river for Barra, Tarpon, Jungle Perch and Jacks or the lower reaches of the  river for Barra, Jacks and a variety of other fish. We could fish the coastal stretches for Barra, Fingermark, Grunter, Trippletail or hundreds of other species. There were wrecks close to the coast that were covered in fish that southerners only dream about. The fishing available on both the inner reefs and the outer reef would blow you mind, Cobia are prolific and considered a pest, Spangled Emperor averaging 4kgs can be caught two at a time when they are thick and are also considered a pest. Trevally are available in all sizes across many species and at times are so thick it is impossible to catch anything else. Coral Trout are a main target species, I would throw back any over about 3kg or under 2kg and still get my bag limit when I wanted to. Red Emperor are also a target species, I caught 7 in two hours all between 8 and 12kg, they were kept for a special function.

The fishing off Cairns has deteriorated in the last 30 years due to fishing pressure, the further north you go the better it gets. From Daintree north it is still amazing if you know what you are doing.

[ggg]

That is a beautiful catch of Nannies. We found that in Arlington, we caught mostly trout (as we fished in only 20- 30m of water). There was one spot that was a Nanny haven. It was non- stop for the whole trip. It was also the one time I wasn't available to fish that day. I was so annoyed when I heard what they caught that day.

[Tacklejunkie.]

31 minutes ago, Jaz44 said:

That is a beautiful catch of Nannies. We found that in Arlington, we caught mostly trout (as we fished in only 20- 30m of water). There was one spot that was a Nanny haven. It was non- stop for the whole trip. It was also the one time I wasn't available to fish that day. I was so annoyed when I heard what they caught that day.

Those are reds mate, we also caught a lot of Large Mouth Nannies as well, I will see if I can dig up some photos.

[ggg]

You are right. How come they don't have the stripes over there flank?

[Tacklejunkie.]

47 minutes ago, Jaz44 said:

You are right. How come they don't have the stripes over there flank?

They lose the stripes once they get to about 5kg, all those fish are well over that.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hey Tacklejunkie.

Those look like some amazing sessions you've had, I can understand why you miss the reefs so much. Not to mention I love some of those fish (I've only tried them from markets/shops so I'm sure if they were fresh they'd be heavenly). I also can't believe Cobia would be a pest . Sounds like spectacular fishing regardless.

Cheers Hamish