1st rod and reel, what to get?

[ItsHectic]

I used to fish every now and then awhile ago mostly off wharfs, now my cousin has a small fishing boat so I will be fishing a lot now and want to get some equipment.

His GF went around and asked shops what to get for him as a present and she ended up getting him a Baitrunner 4500b and he got himself a beastmaster rod, 20lb braided line (but 16lb leader line)

I am looking for something in the same price range as his equipment.

I will be fishing off wharfs, and the boat in botany bay and all over sydney harbour, sometimes near the heads if I manage to overcome my seasickness.

Rod:
This is tough for me to figure out how I am gonna find something good, I am also willing to stretch my budget here a bit.
I am thinking a 2 peice rod of decent length, I want something easy to cast and comfortable (I prefere cork over more synthetic handles), if there is one with adjustable length I will jump on it!

Reel:
I am assuming everyone will tell me to go for the Baitrunner but incase any1 thinks different I will reconsider it.
One thing I dont like about the 4500b is the weight so if everyone agrees the 3500b will suffice then I will get that one.

[NAGG]

Its Hectic .... Two words Loomis & Daiwa Sorry private joke ( hey TonyM)

Mate welcome to the site
you've got a big ask ...... because what you want out of a boat is significantly different to what you need off the land ( rod length in particular)....... However just recently I put together an outfit for a collegue that retired but wanted pretty well the same type of thing.
Firstly (since you must be not too far away) go & see Gary at Kyeemah bait & tackle ... & have a look at the Nitros (2 piece , cork grip IM8 graphite & very well designed) I cant remember the model ... but there is one that is around 7'6" plenty of butt strength with a reasonably sensitive tip! .... This would give you that little extra length ... & the power to lift onto a jetty.
Reel .... I like the baitrunner but you dont need such a big one 4500 ( even my 3500 I consider too big)
We matched the Nitro with a TD Advantage (3000 from memory){ sorry TonyM ... couldn't help myself } ...... You get a spare spool so you can load it up with say 8lb ( jetty & typical Botany bay fish ) & 16lb for the deeper stuff around the heads ( Kingies) ..... Go braid on the 16lb to get the line capacity
I hope this helps
Nagg

[NAGG]

Nitros ... The models are ( Distance spin or .... & I think this is the right choice.. The Magnum Butt) ..... Gary should have both !
check them out with the reel that you want ..... to make sure it is balanced
Nagg
PS .... I might see you on the water

[Keechie]

i would be going for a shimano rackraider snapper spin and a daiwa exceller in the 3000(i think thats what it is) loaded up with 1 spool of 20lb and another with 10lb, but seeing you like a rod with the moveable grip have a look at the shimano range of the tiralejo series there smallest rod is 9 foot and 2 piece 6-10 kg's line class and casting weight of 15- 50 gramms this rod is designed for beach fishing, rock fishing and jetty fishing but it comes with an interchangeable beach spike and normal rod butt. have a look at this series and decide for yourself.

regards,
keechie

[ItsHectic]

Thanks for the replies, I went to Kyeemah bait & tackle, thats actually where my mate gets his tackle from, I ended up getting a Baitrunner 4500b and an Uglystick 7' 1 peice with the synthetic grip.

[NAGG]

shouldn't go too wrong with that set up

Hope you catch heaps

Nagg