Saltwater fishing advice needed

J

JOhnH

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
May 20, 2009
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Right Seater
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KOMN
I am retiring next week.

I live on a golf course, and I haven't played golf in around 20 years. But that's ok. I still have my old clubs that are in good condition, and I think I can pick that up pretty easily.

But I haven't been fishing in over 35 years, and that was in fresh water lakes in North Georgia. I now live by the ocean in Florida. I'd like to start with some pier fishing, like all the other old people do. I'll probably buy a small boat to cruise the intra-coastal and the brackish bodies of water around here too, but not right away.

But I don't have any gear. I know you can buy cheap gear for around $20 or you can go to a high end store and pay thousands.

What should I look for in a good rod & reel? Should I buy a "combo"? Is it more important to get a good reel than a good rod?

I'm not too worried about the tackle. From what I remember, that is mostly disposable anyway.

I'll probably go out with some local fishing guides, but I have never done that before. Is that advisable?

What other tips and suggestions can you give a relative beginner? I am not into "catch and release", I hope to catch fish we can eat. I now spend a ton of money at the local fish monger buying fish. I'd rather catch it myself. I figure that for a couple of hundred dollars, I can probably catch $20 worth of good eating fish.:D
 
JOhnH said:
I am retiring next week.

I live on a golf course, and I haven't played golf in around 20 years. But that's ok. I still have my old clubs that are in good condition, and I think I can pick that up pretty easily.

But I haven't been fishing in over 35 years, and that was in fresh water lakes in North Georgia. I now live by the ocean in Florida. I'd like to start with some pier fishing, like all the other old people do. I'll probably buy a small boat to cruise the intra-coastal and the brackish bodies of water around here too, but not right away.

But I don't have any gear. I know you can buy cheap gear for around $20 or you can go to a high end store and pay thousands.

What should I look for in a good rod & reel? Should I buy a "combo"? Is it more important to get a good reel than a good rod?

I'm not too worried about the tackle. From what I remember, that is mostly disposable anyway.

I'll probably go out with some local fishing guides, but I have never done that before. Is that advisable?

What other tips and suggestions can you give a relative beginner? I am not into "catch and release", I hope to catch fish we can eat. I now spend a ton of money at the local fish monger buying fish. I'd rather catch it myself. I figure that for a couple of hundred dollars, I can probably catch $20 worth of good eating fish.:D
Click to expand...

Spend a couple of hours walking the pier and look at what people are using for tackle and bait.....

Visit a local second hand store and buy a rod /reel and whatever you think you need...

Buy some bait and let us know how the fresh fish you caught tastes ...
 
Go out to the local piers and talk to the locals,also advisable to go out with a fishing guide. Well worth the time and money to do both.when you go for bait ,go to a bait and tackle shop,plenty of free info. Enjoy your retirement.
 
Ormond Beach is on the atlantic side if I recall, I lived on the gulf for 17 years and did some fishing when I had time so Ill give what advice I can.

For your first rod, start with a simple combo. 100 bucks should be sufficient. That gets you out of walmart territory but still shy of the professional gear. If you're fishing the atlantic get something a little bigger, if you plan to fish the inner waters and bays you'll still need a strong rod and I prefer 20# test for line but you'll need to find what you like. I know a lot of guys using 14#. Get a good set of pliers, learn some knots, decide what kinda bait you want to use (lures or live, I have lots of luck with both).

I think going out with a local guide is a great idea. Where Im from there were a lot of center consoles that did private charters and they could be pricey but you've got a boat to yourself for 6 hours with all the equipment already there. Those guys are full of knowledge and can steer you the right direction for your area.

Another idea is to go out on a party boat every few months. 6 hour trip where Im from was 100 bucks including a tip and you left with 10-15 pounds of filleted fish and ya got to spend the day fishing.
 
JOhnH said:
I am retiring next week.

I live on a golf course, and I haven't played golf in around 20 years. But that's ok. I still have my old clubs that are in good condition, and I think I can pick that up pretty easily.

But I haven't been fishing in over 35 years, and that was in fresh water lakes in North Georgia. I now live by the ocean in Florida. I'd like to start with some pier fishing, like all the other old people do. I'll probably buy a small boat to cruise the intra-coastal and the brackish bodies of water around here too, but not right away.

But I don't have any gear. I know you can buy cheap gear for around $20 or you can go to a high end store and pay thousands.

What should I look for in a good rod & reel? Should I buy a "combo"? Is it more important to get a good reel than a good rod?

I'm not too worried about the tackle. From what I remember, that is mostly disposable anyway.

I'll probably go out with some local fishing guides, but I have never done that before. Is that advisable?

What other tips and suggestions can you give a relative beginner? I am not into "catch and release", I hope to catch fish we can eat. I now spend a ton of money at the local fish monger buying fish. I'd rather catch it myself. I figure that for a couple of hundred dollars, I can probably catch $20 worth of good eating fish.:D
Click to expand...

If you want to buy top end fishing gear cheap, wait until Mid March and come down to the Dania Marine Flea Market. That's where and when all the top end yachts get rid of their "old" (year or two) gear to replace for the new season.

If you really want to fish for good eats though, you need a boat to head out to the weed lines and ridges a few miles off shore. The weed lines is where you get the Dolphin and the ridges, especially where there are formations, are where you get the grouper and snapper.
 
Personally I don't fish with a pole, too damn boring, and too inefficient. I go diving and take a spear gun, that way I can pick the fish I want.
 
Henning said:
If you want to buy top end fishing gear cheap, wait until Mid March and come down to the Dania Marine Flea Market. That's where and when all the top end yachts get rid of their "old" (year or two) gear to replace for the new season.

If you really want to fish for good eats though, you need a boat to head out to the weed lines and ridges a few miles off shore. The weed lines is where you get the Dolphin and the ridges, especially where there are formations, are where you get the grouper and snapper.
Click to expand...
I might look into that Dania flea market. But for offshore stuff, I think I will stick to charters, at least at first. I could buy a few lifetimes worth of grouper for the cost of a boat that could navigate Ponce Inlet on a regular basis.
 
JOhnH said:
I might look into that Dania flea market. But for offshore stuff, I think I will stick to charters, at least at first. I could buy a few lifetimes worth of grouper for the cost of a boat that could navigate Ponce Inlet on a regular basis.
Click to expand...

Yep, no doubt about that, $5k buys a lot of fish.
 
JOhnH said:
I might look into that Dania flea market. But for offshore stuff, I think I will stick to charters, at least at first. I could buy a few lifetimes worth of grouper for the cost of a boat that could navigate Ponce Inlet on a regular basis.
Click to expand...

You are waay to analytical about this.

If I look at what people spend on bass-boats (and the required truck to tow it), the loaded cost for a pound of smallmouth should come in at around $300.
 
Henning said:
Personally I don't fish with a pole, too damn boring, and too inefficient. I go diving and take a spear gun, that way I can pick the fish I want.
Click to expand...

I agree. I used to do the same. But sometimes, like golfing, you need a reason to sit on a boat and drink all day.
 
A local guide will be an invaluable source of knowledge in both equipment and baits. Ormond Beach should have some pretty good redfish and sea trout on the intercostal side and maybe even some snook if you're lucky. Good luck and report back - I'll be moving up to Melbourne Beach soon we might cross paths.
 
JOhnH said:
I might look into that Dania flea market. But for offshore stuff, I think I will stick to charters, at least at first. I could buy a few lifetimes worth of grouper for the cost of a boat that could navigate Ponce Inlet on a regular basis.
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I am not familiar with Ponce, but..... Sebastian gets REAL western on a outgoing tide and a heavy surf day..... It will stand a 20 foot open fisherman boat straight up......:eek::yikes::hairraise:
 
N801BH said:
I am not familiar with Ponce, but..... Sebastian gets REAL western on a outgoing tide and a heavy surf day..... It will stand a 20 foot open fisherman boat straight up......:eek::yikes::hairraise:
Click to expand...

If you've got a decent boat, just pop it some throttle, no worries.:D
 
JOhnH said:
I might look into that Dania flea market. But for offshore stuff, I think I will stick to charters, at least at first. I could buy a few lifetimes worth of grouper for the cost of a boat that could navigate Ponce Inlet on a regular basis.
Click to expand...
Excellent idea.

I live on an island in the Gulf. There are hundreds (thousands?) of guys here who spend $100,000 to buy a boat to get drunk on, and to catch $80 worth of fish.

You can go charter fishing every weekend for the rest of your life and not spend $100K. Better yet, the deck hands will do pretty much everything you need, you have no maintenance worries, and they know the best places to fish.
 
N801BH said:
Yeah...

I have seen you ride a snowmobile....

Wish I had a video cam for that one....;):D
Click to expand...

Heheh, yeah, that would have been good. Very few things throttle doesn't get you through, that's why I start with it wide open.:lol:
 
JOhnH said:
I am retiring next week.

I live on a golf course, and I haven't played golf in around 20 years. But that's ok. I still have my old clubs that are in good condition, and I think I can pick that up pretty easily.

But I haven't been fishing in over 35 years, and that was in fresh water lakes in North Georgia. I now live by the ocean in Florida. I'd like to start with some pier fishing, like all the other old people do. I'll probably buy a small boat to cruise the intra-coastal and the brackish bodies of water around here too, but not right away.

But I don't have any gear. I know you can buy cheap gear for around $20 or you can go to a high end store and pay thousands.

What should I look for in a good rod & reel? Should I buy a "combo"? Is it more important to get a good reel than a good rod?

I'm not too worried about the tackle. From what I remember, that is mostly disposable anyway.

I'll probably go out with some local fishing guides, but I have never done that before. Is that advisable?

What other tips and suggestions can you give a relative beginner? I am not into "catch and release", I hope to catch fish we can eat. I now spend a ton of money at the local fish monger buying fish. I'd rather catch it myself. I figure that for a couple of hundred dollars, I can probably catch $20 worth of good eating fish.:D
Click to expand...

John:

I sent you a PM. I live in Jax area and have a bunch of gear I want to sell.
 
N801BH said:
First post....

Welcome to POA...

:cheers::cheers:
Click to expand...

Thanks. Been a member, lurking, for a while. I returned to flying this year after a 20 year absence. Fly an RV so more active over at VAF. I used to own a boat but I needed a more expensive hobby.
 
mturnerb said:
Thanks. Been a member, lurking, for a while. I returned to flying this year after a 20 year absence. Fly an RV so more active over at VAF. I used to own a boat but I needed a more expensive hobby.
Click to expand...

There's always a bigger boat.:lol: Boats are more expensive than airplanes once you get up in size.;)
 
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