Beginner Bonefish/Small Tarpon COMBO

[travisc]

I spend several long weekends every summer down in Long Key, FL. I have searched this forum to see what would be a good setup in the $200-300 range that would be good for wading the flats (around the state park) for bonefish. I know I should go with an 8/9 wt rod. But I am looking for brands & models of rod & reel.

[Guy]

For closer to $200? How about a TFO Pro series rod with an Okuma Integrity reel? The Integrity doesn't have the world's best finish, the reel will scuff, but it does have a very sweet smooth drag comparable to some very expensive reels.

For $300 and change, my choice would be the TFO TiCr and a Lamson Velocity reel (look on Ebay for the Velocity).

Another combo that would fit in your price range that I wouldn't hesitate to fish with would be an Echo rod with a Reddington CD or Pfluger Trion reel.

There are lots of choices out there in that price range that 5- 10 years ago would have been cutting edge stuff at 3 times the price. Anglers have been catching bones with lesser rods for years before that!

Guy

[Avidflyfish]

The best option is a TFO Ticr or Ticr X 9' 9 wt. It is a bit to much for bones but you will need it in windy days and for permit, cudas o small to middle size tarpons.
The best reel for the money HANDS DOWN :brow is a Redington brakewater 7/8 or 9/10. You can land almost anything with that reel and they have cork disk drag, plus the guarantee of Redington/Sage.
The 7/8 hold 180 mts of 30 lbs backing or a tan of spectra :eek:
the 9/10 hold 250 mts of 30 lbs and 350 of spectra. :eek:
What else can you expect from a reel that cost half of its real value --127-3- .
Good luck and remember you can go wrong with this ''Combo''.

[Avidflyfish]

Sorry: if you don't want to spend more than 300 US. Go for a ECHO od maybe better due to the garantee a TFO pro serie. 9 Wt with a redington CD 9/10. (cork disk drag plus 200 yds of 30 lbs).
Top quality tackle
;)

[MatMet]

There are a few ideas for rod and reel, but as a newbie myself I was blown away by the cost of everything else. Tropical floating line,backing ,leaders, tippet, sight glasses. It all seemed to add up quickly. :eek: Maybe the guys could give a few inexpensive ideas on this aswell? Good luck on your trip
Thanx

[Loopy]

Unfortunately you pretty much get what you pay for.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jhtml?id=cat600231&navAction=jump&navCount=1&parentId=cat20431&parentType=category&cmCat=MainCatcat20431
http://www.redington.com/rods/redfly.html
Of these I have fished with the Three forks in a 3 wt, and the Redfly in a 4 wt, both enoyable for panfish. I have also cast the Three forks 6 wt and it was adequate as moderate action rod. I would expect that either of these combos would serve as a starter (lots of others on the Cabelas web site) and perhaps a backup after the addiction really takes hold of ya.

[travisc]

Guys:

Thank you all for help you gave. Your input really saves me alot of time and frustration.

Travis