WTB "cheapie" rod/reel for throwing plastic into the kelp - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

sbsyncro · 03-13-2008, 05:22 PM

I'm in Carlsbad on business for the next couple of months and bought a small kayak to keep here in my Carlsbad office and sneak out in the evenings. Since dragging my 6' Avet/Calstar and 7' Torium/Seeker combos on the plane from Santa Barbara isn't really an option, I'm looking for something I can keep in the office down here that I don't need to think about too much....

Anyone have something for sale up in the Carlsbad/Oceanside area? Even a simple spinning combo that will handle 15# line would probably be great.

Thanks,

Brent

Dave I. · 03-18-2008, 05:12 PM

Hey, if no one has anything, i would look at a MedHeavy or heavy Berkley Lightning Rod from walmat, good rods for about $60. An Abu 5500c3 would be a decent reel to match it with , About $130 total. Spool with 50lb braid.

Maybe not that cheap but it will work for less than half the price of the combo's you listed.

Dave

Rusty · 03-18-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave I.

Hey, if no one has anything, i would look at a MedHeavy or heavy Berkley Lightning Rod from walmat, good rods for about $60. An Abu 5500c3 would be a decent reel to match it with , About $130 total. Spool with 50lb braid.

Maybe not that cheap but it will work for less than half the price of the combo's you listed.

Dave

I picked up that exact combo at the Walmart in Vista for $65 last summer. It's not bad and really cheap.

sbsyncro · 03-18-2008, 09:29 PM

sounds like a perfect setup. I'll have to find the nearest Wally World. Now the only remaining challenge is finding a place to fish! Launching into 6' waves is not really an option in this little plastic tub with no rod holders and no leashes, etc.

Found a nice lagoon today (Hediondas) but apparently the city wants $50 to give me the privilege of floating a kayak on their sacred water. sheesh.

Adam · 03-19-2008, 06:54 AM

Just north of the power plant in carlsbad (at the mouth of the lagoon) there are some breakwalls that can make for an easier launch. There is some structure right out front and usually kelp, but I haven't seen the conditions for a while. It can be good for halibut there. Also, there have been halibut biting in oceanside harbor recently.

sbsyncro · 03-19-2008, 10:19 PM

well, dropped by the Wallymart today after work up in Oceanside and picked up a Abu 6600 and 7' MH (10-25#) Abu "Ambassadeur" rod combo for $65. Seems like a pretty nice deal, and fits a nice niche where I didn't already have a combo (medium-light baitcaster). They had the reel for sale by itself for $60, so I figure I got the rod for $5.

I have to say I'm suspicious of a baitcaster with a level wind for $60, but I'm assuming Abu wouldn't put their name on it if it was total junk...

Thanks for the suggestions, again - we'll see tomorrow night if the spotties in Hediondas like root beer colored twin-tailed scampi or blue/silver fishtrap swimbaits, since that's all they had at Wally's...

Brent

03-13-2008, 05:22 PM	#1
sbsyncro Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 80	WTB "cheapie" rod/reel for throwing plastic into the kelp I'm in Carlsbad on business for the next couple of months and bought a small kayak to keep here in my Carlsbad office and sneak out in the evenings. Since dragging my 6' Avet/Calstar and 7' Torium/Seeker combos on the plane from Santa Barbara isn't really an option, I'm looking for something I can keep in the office down here that I don't need to think about too much.... Anyone have something for sale up in the Carlsbad/Oceanside area? Even a simple spinning combo that will handle 15# line would probably be great. Thanks, Brent

03-18-2008, 05:12 PM	#2
Dave I. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 51	Hey, if no one has anything, i would look at a MedHeavy or heavy Berkley Lightning Rod from walmat, good rods for about $60. An Abu 5500c3 would be a decent reel to match it with , About $130 total. Spool with 50lb braid. Maybe not that cheap but it will work for less than half the price of the combo's you listed. Dave

03-18-2008, 09:29 PM	#4
sbsyncro Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 80	sounds like a perfect setup. I'll have to find the nearest Wally World. Now the only remaining challenge is finding a place to fish! Launching into 6' waves is not really an option in this little plastic tub with no rod holders and no leashes, etc. Found a nice lagoon today (Hediondas) but apparently the city wants $50 to give me the privilege of floating a kayak on their sacred water. sheesh.

03-19-2008, 06:54 AM	#5
Adam Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 27	Just north of the power plant in carlsbad (at the mouth of the lagoon) there are some breakwalls that can make for an easier launch. There is some structure right out front and usually kelp, but I haven't seen the conditions for a while. It can be good for halibut there. Also, there have been halibut biting in oceanside harbor recently.

03-19-2008, 10:19 PM	#6
sbsyncro Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 80	well, dropped by the Wallymart today after work up in Oceanside and picked up a Abu 6600 and 7' MH (10-25#) Abu "Ambassadeur" rod combo for $65. Seems like a pretty nice deal, and fits a nice niche where I didn't already have a combo (medium-light baitcaster). They had the reel for sale by itself for $60, so I figure I got the rod for $5. I have to say I'm suspicious of a baitcaster with a level wind for $60, but I'm assuming Abu wouldn't put their name on it if it was total junk... Thanks for the suggestions, again - we'll see tomorrow night if the spotties in Hediondas like root beer colored twin-tailed scampi or blue/silver fishtrap swimbaits, since that's all they had at Wally's... Brent