Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Fishing Rods => Fishing Rods => Topic started by: MolBasser on March 01, 2026, 01:00:29 AM

Title: Choosing my first "serious" inshore/nearshore 20# rod
Post by: MolBasser on March 01, 2026, 01:00:29 AM
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.
Title: Re: Choosing my first "serious" inshore/nearshore 20# rod
Post by: MarkT on 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.
Title: Re: Choosing my first "serious" inshore/nearshore 20# rod
Post by: MolBasser on 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......
Title: Re: Choosing my first "serious" inshore/nearshore 20# rod
Post by: MolBasser on March 01, 2026, 04:01:46 AM
Maybe a Seeker pin head PH-36-8' CT
Title: Re: Choosing my first "serious" inshore/nearshore 20# rod
Post by: MarkT on March 01, 2026, 05:43:19 AM
I haven't tried a ph-36 but it's probably a good option.
Title: Re: Choosing my first "serious" inshore/nearshore 20# rod
Post by: Swami805 on 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