Thread: Dual purpose rod help please?

Hey guys, I have searched but couldn't find any threads about a dual purpose rod for kings and also other fish such as stripers. I do a lot of freshwater striper fishing with a bomber long a casting the banks with a very slow retrieve for stripers and hybrids here in East TN. I need at least a 7.5' rod, Med Heavy, 1 piece with a fast tip, but I don't want it to be real heavy. 8' rod would be even better. I am willing to spend about $200 for the right rod. Thanks in advance for the help!

Don't know how often you make it down to Orange Beach, but if you have the chance got I J&M and get yourself an 8ft Profile rod. John suggested one of these to me a while back. Up until a couple of months ago when John finished up a custom king rod for me, that was my go to king rod. Great casting action with plenty of backbone. Best part it will only set you back about $60 or less. Haven't tried searching online but would be worth a try. Other than that maybe an ugly stick for a lower priced rod. On the mid ranged end I would say a Wright McGill blue flats rod. They run about $100 at Dicks. On the higher. Not too familiar with most of the higher end rods and what's out there because most of them are out of my price range and I have sticker shock when I look at them.

Thanks chef! That's just the info I was looking for. I was planning on a trip to J&M first thing upon arrival to the beach June 21st, so I'll know exactly what to get. That's good too cause last year was my first year to the pier and the first half of the week was kind of a learning curve. This year I've already got 25 leaders tied and ready with a pier cart too.

Since you will be going to J&M check out their custom rack rods as well. I think they have Gulfstream rods that are under $200 as well as the ones they make in house that I believe are under $200 as well. I just like saving money where I can but want a quality product as well. Lethal is why I love the Profile rod. It is light weight but has plenty of power to handle(and whoop a$$) some very large sharks. I can also cast 2 oz lures/weights with it. That is the max I would use on it though. It handles them no problem but anymore would be pushing it. That why it makes a good smaller rod for surf fishing.

The profile sounds exactly what i'm looking for because I won't use the same reel for stripers that I will use on the pier. I don't need near as much line fishing in fresh water, so the lighter weight is the appealing feature. I have picked up every rod at bass pro shops locally and everything 8' feels like a pig that's too stiff and too heavy to cast frequently.

Well, i just got through talking to my dad and he says i'm crazy for using my mitchell 302 for fishing on the pier. Not because it won't handle it, but because it is in such good shape and it has some sentimental value also. If you were gonna suggest a decent pier reel what would it be to go along with the profile rod? I am not for sure that I am not gonna use my Mitchell 302, but it never hurts to ask for opinions.

Those Blair wiggins rods/Wright & McGill blue flats are notorious for snapping. They are sweet to look at but there are much better options for over $100.

If you were gonna suggest a decent pier reel what would it be to go along with the profile rod?

Penn Battle 6000!

Originally Posted by cowroy

If you were gonna suggest a decent pier reel what would it be to go along with the profile rod?

I would go with whatever the good folks ay J&M recommend, which will most likely be the same as #r's recommendation; Penn Battle 6000.
J&M has some great combos too!

Just another opinion on the Blair Wiggins rods...I have one that's in its third year now. I've caught several kings and Jacks and lots of spanish. It would do well in fresh water too but I have others for that. There were problems with the early models, but they have revamped their design since then. But, the temple fork outfitter rods are better for the same money. Most sensitive rod I have ever had in my hands and showed plenty of backbone on the pier. I paired it with one of the cabela's reels, 55 size. Saltwater model that holdo 400 yards of 12# test. You can get loads of other responses, but that's my thoughts.