BigBendFishing.Net

Can anybody advise on a favorite rod/reel/line/pound test for catching good-sized redfish with topwater lures?

I lost some lures Friday in St. Andrews Pass when big fish broke my 8- to 12-pound test line, even with heavier leader. I also snapped a 6-foot Penn Spinfisher rod in two when one took off for the rocks under the boat and I yanked him back. I guess I should have played him more and worn him out -- luckily, I managed to reel him in with the nub I had left.

I've caught big redfish before, bottom fishing with stouter rods and heavier line. But they don't seem to cast lures well. Any recommendations on a good rod, line and lure for swift current and big fish? Other friendly advice?

I would say a spinning reel that will hold 200-250 yds of 15-20 pound line. What kind will depend on how much you want to pay. On the low end of the price scale, somthing along the lines of a Penn 6500 with the 7' Ugly Stik rated for 12-30 lb line should do the job.

I think there is about 10 times more rock around that pass, under the water, than what you can see. You have to have something you can put the muscle to, to turn a big Redfish or Jack before you get cut off.

Thanks, Ken. I may use the broken rod as an excuse to buy an Ugly Stik, ot maybe splurge (for me at least) and get a Penn. I'll also experiment with the bigger rods I already have, to try get a little more casting distance and lure action.

Thanks for the advice on the rocks, too. My fishing partner was getting a little antsy about them as his boat drifted closer to the jetties and it began to get dark.

How big a reds are we talking here? For reds in the slot, and sometimes even a little bigger, I like an Ambassadeur 5500C3 on a suitable Berkley Lightning rod. For line I used to like Ande Premium 12 lb. test, but now that's a close second to Yo-Zuri Hybrid 12 lb. test.

In the pass, they start at the top end of the slot and get bigger. The one that broke my rod was exactly 27 inches. Some of the ones we lost looked well over the limit.

I think I actually did have 12-pound Yo-Zuri on that one, with 17-pound fluorocarbon as leader. The reel was an Okuma Acuador FS40 -- a little light for fish that size. It was basically a trout rig.