General saltwater rod.

[Bushleague]

With trips to both Mexico and the Florida keys in the works I've decided to get a rod for saltwater fishing. I've spent too much time over the years in exotic locations wishing I had a fishing rod.

The rod will mostly be used for shore/pier fishing, as well as the odd trip on a party boat, for whatever species happen to exist wherever I may travel to. I have an old Mitchell 306 that needs a home so I'll probably go with a spinning rod and since the rod will be getting relatively sporadic and limited use I don't want to spend a fortune on it. And of course I need to get it on an airplane which limits the length it can be. I've seen plenty of people putting fishing rods in the carry on but I'm not sure that the maximum length would be for that.

[Okotokian]

I've just used my travel rod which breaks down into 4 pieces and has about 17 lbs capacity. I was more concerned with using a good sealed bearing reel that was rated for salt. Make sure you soak and clean it every night. Mind you, I have just shore and dock fished with it, not looking for marlin. :)

[RavYak]

We have rapala magnum baja saltwater travel rods that are decent and 4 pieces which is nice.

If that reel isnt saltwater rated you will wreck it. The new Nasci from shimano is nice and saltwater rated at a reasonable price.

[Bushleague]

We have rapala magnum baja saltwater travel rods that are decent and 4 pieces which is nice.

If that reel isnt saltwater rated you will wreck it. The new Nasci from shimano is nice and saltwater rated at a reasonable price.

The 306 was a saltwater reel in its day, similar to the old Pen Z's. Simple to maintain and tough as nails, if it gets damaged finding another one for $40 or less is pretty easy.

I'll definatly have a look at those Rapala rods though, thanks.

[Pikebreath]

I would give the old 306 a good servicing before leaving. Saltwater is extremely hard on reels and saltwater fish just pull a lot harder than their freshwater counterparts. Hook a 20 lb jack crevalle and you will feel like you are hooked to a passing freight train.

If you do decide to buy a new reel, the cabella salt striker is a very good saltwater reel for about 70 - 80 bucks.

[Sundancefisher]

Quite like my Okuma Nomad travel rod.

[mbogo]

X2 on the Okuma Nomad travel rod !

[Bushleague]

I would give the old 306 a good servicing before leaving. Saltwater is extremely hard on reels and saltwater fish just pull a lot harder than their freshwater counterparts. Hook a 20 lb jack crevalle and you will feel like you are hooked to a passing freight train.

If you do decide to buy a new reel, the cabella salt striker is a very good saltwater reel for about 70 - 80 bucks.

Yeah, I'll give the ol' Mitchell a good going over, and do a bit of fishing with it before it goes anywhere. I happen to like vintage reels and am looking forward to seeing if this one's still got it... they always seem to.