Bought my first saltwater boat

[valleydawg]

Well after looking for a year I bought my first saltwater boat yesterday. It is a 2005 23 ft. Sea Fox center console with a 225 Yamaha 4 stroke. Boat, motor and trailer are in great shape. Mech checked the motor and compression checks etc were good. Everything works on the boat and it has all the electronics. Also has a nice set of outriggers. Plan to use it to run around Hilton Head and do a little fishing.

Now I need to buy some rods and other gear. I will probably be asking a lot of questions now like... which rods should I start with? Thanks Randy

 

[capt sam]

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

what kind of fishing? With that boat you can do a little of everything.

 

[tnduc]

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

Lowcountry of SC, my old stomping grounds. I miss those waters... Anyway, you'll want a couple of lt-med action spinning rods with 4000 series reels which are great for reds, flounder, speckled trout. Add a couple of med-heavy rods with 6500-8500 series reels for cobia, shark and other larger gamefish. This will cover anything you will catch in the bays and rivers on the coast. Offshore is a different story if you plan to spend most of your time there.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

Get yourself a couple of 6' - medium heavy, 8-17 lb or 12-20 lb. spinning rods with good quality 3000 series spinning reels. They will cover 90% of your bottom fishing.

I also keep several 6' - medium heavy, 20-25 lb boat rods on board rigged up Penn 320 GTi reels and 50# braid. Whip just about anything you will find inshore.

 

[JB]

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

This forum is about fishing tackle and techniques, not fishing boats.

I will move it to boats

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

nice rig; have fun!

Check out the forums at tidalfish.com

 

[dingbat]

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=397820

See Rule #10.

 

[valleydawg]

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

Man...must have done something wrong. Dont really know what but anyway...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

you're OK, Dawg. Go catch some fish!

Spend some time at a private tackle shop near where you will fish, at a time when they are not real busy, and you will learn lots. But you must buy from them even if the Big Stores have it cheaper.

 

[valleydawg]

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

Good tip. Thanks

 

[gus13letter]

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

Sounds like a nice boat! I am looking at the Sea Fox 216 DC. Enjoy. Waiting a year must have been killer. I cannot wait that long. I said I would wait till fall or winter to find one at a lower price but I have a feeling I will have one sooner.

 

[JB]

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

Sorry about that, Dawg. I read your title and your first paragraph and thought your post was about the title and the first paragraph. With several hundred posts to read I don't always read every word.

I will move this back to SWF, but please, in the future use a title that tells what you want.

 

[valleydawg]

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

Thanks JB and will do.

 

[adam7]

Re: Bought my first saltwater boat

I live in the same area (Port Royal / Beaufort). I just got my 19ft Key West last month, went out fishing once, but mostly shakedown cruises after having some problems to fix. If you know of some good spots for fishing let me know, I'm new to the area.

Also, thoughts on this rod? Just something I ended up grabbing at walmart one night when there with the wife:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shakespeare-Big-Water-Combo/10298902

Would that be ok for some near shore stuff? Like no more than 5-8 miles I would guess.