Choosing my first "serious" inshore/nearshore 20# rod

Started by MolBasser, March 01, 2026, 01:00:29 AM

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MolBasser

March 01, 2026, 01:00:29 AM Last Edit: March 01, 2026, 05:32:33 AM by MolBasser
Hi,

I'm in the process of hotrodding a squidder jr. And I'm thinking about rod to pair it with. The purpose would be tossing live bait and swim baits inshore, drifting for halibut, and maybe paddy hopping. I've decided for whatever reason I will be using 20# mono as the mainline on this set up. I have limited experience in this area, but have fished bays and point Loma kelp a fair amount. My current inshore rod is a 7'6" 10-25# IM8 and it is paired with a Abu 6500C3 and I want to bump the rod length and strength just a bit. Currently my research has me looking at the Calstar Grafighter GFDH 800L, or GFDH850L and the west coast WCDH 270 -C.   Is this the right track?  Other suggestions and comments welcomed.
MolBasser

MarkT

#1
March 01, 2026, 02:26:03 AM
A 800L is stiffer than I want for a 20# bait rod. A Phenix Abyss 807/808 or psw808mh would work. My 20# reels are a Penn Fathom 12, GS 525 MAG and Avet SXJ.
When I was your age Pluto was a planet!

MolBasser

#2
March 01, 2026, 03:01:52 AM
The west coast is a bit softer, i think, than the grafighter (cheaper too)obviously I'll have to fondle them first. I don't want a complete noodle as I'm going to ask the rod to do several fairly related things....I am a phenix fan Boi for bass and crappie rods......
MolBasser

MolBasser

#3
March 01, 2026, 04:01:46 AM
Maybe a Seeker pin head PH-36-8' CT
MolBasser

MarkT

#4
March 01, 2026, 05:43:19 AM
I haven't tried a ph-36 but it's probably a good option.
When I was your age Pluto was a planet!

Swami805

#5
March 01, 2026, 03:57:20 PM
I'm a seeker fan, ph36, ph-lm9, ss806, or SS804.   Calstar makes some good ones too, all glass 220 would be a good one or 270-8,  united composite also is worth a look, I have a 900xf that I like for 20. Lots of shops in SoCal that should have plenty to pull on
Do what you can with that you have where you are

MolBasser

#6
March 01, 2026, 06:33:06 PM
Quote from: Swami805 on March 01, 2026, 03:57:20 PMI'm a seeker fan, ph36, ph-lm9, ss806, or SS804.   Calstar makes some good ones too, all glass 220 would be a good one or 270-8,  united composite also is worth a look, I have a 900xf that I like for 20. Lots of shops in SoCal that should have plenty to pull on
thanks for those suggestions. I live in NorCal, but there is a shop in south San Francisco i am going to check out Wednesday. It's gonna be a bit till I have the disposable income....
MolBasser

MolBasser

#7
March 13, 2026, 05:35:16 PM
Quote from: MarkT on March 01, 2026, 02:26:03 AMA 800L is stiffer than I want for a 20# bait rod. A Phenix Abyss 807/808 or psw808mh would work. My 20# reels are a Penn Fathom 12, GS 525 MAG and Avet SXJ.

Yeah, I ended up with the Black Diamond PSW807ML
MolBasser

MarkT

#8
March 13, 2026, 06:33:51 PM
My son caught a 37# YT on the psw807ml/Curado 300ej combo while fishing for Calico Bass! He caught a 25#er on it too.
When I was your age Pluto was a planet!

MolBasser

#9
March 13, 2026, 07:30:46 PM Last Edit: March 13, 2026, 07:35:08 PM by MolBasser
Quote from: MarkT on March 13, 2026, 06:33:51 PMMy son caught a 37# YT on the psw807ml/Curado 300ej combo while fishing for Calico Bass! He caught a 25#er on it too.

That is great news!  After much anxiety I have really settled down to be happy with the rod I bought.

Yeah light tackle yellowtail is a gas.  The yellowtail that I'm holding in my avatar here I caught on a quantum 7'6" 10-25# rod with an Abu 6500C3.

(the abu had carbontex drag washers that I added)
MolBasser
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