eXtreme Surf, Tackle Box, General Tips

Choosing fishing gear for inshore fishing on the Texas Gulf Coast This section addresses fishing gear and tackle for Texas inshore saltwater species such as Speckled Trout, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Black Drum, Croaker, Sheepshead and Whiting. For gear info for larger inshore/near shore species check out our Surf Fishing Gear Section Rods/Reels Line types and Weights Terminal Tackle Bait Artificial Stringers and Nets Aerators for live bait Coolers and tips for keeping your fish fresh

The first choice you need to make in choosing your rod and reel is to decide between a Spinning Reel, Spincasting Reel, and a Baitcasting Reel. We will outline the differences, pros/cons here. In order of ease of use:

Spincasting	Pros: least expensive, easy to use, enclosed spool stays relatively clean, throws light lures well, VERY hard to backlash, easy to disassemble for cleaning Cons: limited line capacity, drag doesn't hold up well under big fish, most models not suitable for larger weight/tackle, difficult to tell how much line you have left Notes: I have seen very large fish caught with big spincasters, and have known respected "old Salts" who swear by these and have used them for years. The main problem with these reels is that they suffer from an "image problem" with most anglers. They may not be considered "cool" (but they darn sure catch fish...) At the very least they make excellent beginner outfits for youngsters, with a minimal investment.
Spinning Reels	Pros: relatively easy to cast, often less expensive than baitcasters, easy to tell amount of line left on spool, hold a decent amount of line, can be had with very good drag systems, moderately easy to disassemble for cleaning, can be had in large sizes that handle large tackle and weights, can be found in virtually every size and configuration, most can be switched to left hand configuration easily Cons: more expensive than spincasters, drag is hard to work while fighting a fish Notes: More popular in saltwater fishing than in freshwater, some models are designed specifically for saltwater applications. These are also good for beginners, they are easy enough to use and will hold up well even after fighting big fish - if you buy a quality reel. And providing you keep it cleaned and greased/oiled.
Baitcasting	Pros: Can be had in more configurations and line weights and capacities than spincasters or spinning reels, drag is easy to adjust while fighting a fish, can usually cast farther than other types, holds up well under hard use, is pretty well protected form the elements, small and compact size compared to spinning outfits Cons: most expensive type, mostly very difficult to disassemble for cleaning, harder to learn to cast than other types Notes: This along with the spinning reel is pretty much the basis for  the standard outfit you'll see on the Gulf Coast. Probably more popular with pros/guides and hardcore fishermen than with the average Joe, these reels are awesome when they are adjusted right and used by an expert.

 

Now that you have decided on a type, we will show you some specific fishing reels of each type that are proven in saltwater fishing (specifically on the Gulf Coast).