Need rod/reel advice

SWMBO is bugging me for my list of Christmas gift ideas.  I'm thinking fishing rods/reels.  What I'd like is something that can be kind of a jack of all trades to the extent that such is possible.  Probably would need at least 2 setups to cover what I'd want to do.

The kind of fishing I'd like to do with the setup would include saltwater salmon, lings, halibut, rockfish.  Maybe also freshwater duties like lake trout/kokanee, and maybe walleye.

Please be as detailed and specific as you can.  I know essentially nothing about non-fly-fishing gear.  Budget is probably $200 (haven't nailed it down yet, but that's probably reasonable).

One other thing.  I have a couple rods and reels that date back to when I'd surf fish as a kid on the New Jersey shore for blue fish and stripers.  Will they be at all useful for anything on a kayak?  If so, what would you all use them for?

You can surf fish for surf perch with that gear on our coast.  But for all-round kayak fishing, you need to decide about spinning versus conventional. $200 will get you a decent 8 foot rod and a Shimano Tr200 graphite reel, a good basic setup with ball-bearing drag, salt-water proof..  You'll get a lot of input on this one, everyone has their favorite setup.   Have you done a search? 

   A rod for trout and walleye and bass will not cut it for sturgeon and salmon, and salmon gear will be overkill for trout.   Whatever reel you get, make sure it is salt-water protected----plain aluminum freshwater reels like the Garcia and Daiwa reels in the sub-$100 class get corroded in a flash.  You'll want to get into the habit of rinsing your gear in fresh water after every trip.  I had a nice Garcia 5500 reel and neglected that care, both the bearings and the case corroded.  OK to use WD40 after rinsing and drying it.

I used to surf fish for blues at Rye Beach in NY back in 1971, we cast broomstick poppers  with big trebles from the beach, there'd be about 1/2 an acre of fish busting bait on the surface, gulls screaming, guys yelling and running down the beach to cast out when the schools got close enough----a total orgasmic fishing experience.  They called blues "choppers" because of they way they hit the menhaden schools, and because they had a big mouth full of razor-sharp choppers.  Great memories, thanks for the nudge!!!

From what I've somehow absorbed by osmosis on here it seems like for much bigger quary than surf perch or maybe rockfish, when it comes to salt water at least most folks have gone to conventional over spinning reels.  Is that right?  Educate me on what is desirable for various circumstances.

On my fly gear I've got a 6wt that was purchased specifically for sea run cutts and cohos.  Still haven't properly initiated that setup  .  My other setups include a couple 5wt's that my dad and I got for an intro to fly fishing class we took together my senior year of high school, and an 8wt my wife got me for Christmas a couple years ago for river steelhead and salmon (however since I apparently suck at fishing that one also has not been properly initiated :facepalm: ).  So, for at least some trout/steelhead/kokanee fishing I've got the gear necessary.  But that 8wt reel is not meant for salt water, nor are the 5wt reels.

On my fly gear I've got a 6wt that was purchased specifically for sea run cutts and cohos.  My other setups include a couple 5wt's  and an 8wt my wife got me for Christmas a couple years ago for river steelhead and salmon. But that 8wt reel is not meant for salt water, nor are the 5wt reels.

It sounds as though your equipment selection debate is geared toward Spinning and/or Bait Casting, not fly fishing. As you mentioned, none of the options you have are really heavy enough for open Salt, although the 8 weight would be good in bays and or to chase Steelhead in freshwater. If you're chasing Salmon and/or larger Salt water fish, I wouldn't opt for anything smaller than a 10 weight and probably lean toward a 12. Whatever you go with, make sure you use a good backing and check (and double check) your knots from the arbor, all the way out. The last thing you want to do is have one fail and watch a fish heading away with your $100 line and 150' of backing in tow. Donating another fly will be the least of your concerns.

As for Spinning/Baitcasting, I think others will chime in with opinions and of course, don't hesitate to read through some of the existing threads as there's a wealth of information within the NWKA Forum. Personally, after having asked the same question several times and in many forms, everyone has been really patient and given me some great advice. In the past month, I've ended up with a matched pair of Berkley IM7's for Salmon and have Abu Garcias 6501c3's (level wind bait casting) mounted on those. For Steelhead I went with a Berkley IM8 and a Shimano Sahara in a 2500 (spinning). As of yesterday, I was looking for a Sturgeon Rod/Reel setup and fell in love with a Lamiglass 7' Boat Rod, but it was for spinning and I want the bait casting version.

Good luck in your search.

This is a thread that I found very informative.
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,1866.msg15624.html#msg15624

I use the same rod/reel combo that I troll for salmon with to bounce jigs off the bottom for lings/rock fish.   It is an 8 foot medium heavy Shimano 15-40 lb, 3/8 - 6 oz. It may be a little long for jigging, but that hasn't bothered me.   I have an ABU C3 reel on it.  I have more rods than reels and will use the same reel for multiple applications but on the suitable rod.  It is a way to save a little money in the reel and line department.

What do you guys think of the Abu Garcia 6600 C3 LD reel?  Saw an older add on Craigslist that included that reel.  It may well be sold by now, but if he still has it I was thinking about picking it up if it'll meet what I want to acomplish.

I should clarify that if it was a 6500 I'd just grab it if still available.  But I wanted to make sure the 6600 model was still appropriate for what I want.  Sounds like it's out of production, so I also want to make sure I won't have problems with lack of spare parts to repair it if the drag gets toated or something.  Not knowing the reputation of Abu Garcia it's something worth figuring out before buying.

I've never used a lever drag.  I too have more rods than reels.

There are a lot of parts available for current, recent, and vintage Abu reels.  I fish almost exclusively in salt water (rinse vigorously with fresh water after EVERY use) and I like Abu level wind reels and have 3 of them, and shortly will have 4.  Easy to self-service, parts and schematics readily available.   

http://alantani.com/

http://www.abugarcia.com/sites/default/files/schematics/6600C3LD%200900.PDF

http://www.mikesreelrepair.com/

Well, so it sounds then like it would be a good idea to snag that reel if he still has it.  Haven't heard back yet from the email I sent last night.  He's asking $78 for it.  Claims there's $16 worth of 30# Spectra on it, but I'll probably see if I can get it for $50-60 and tell him to keep that line.  I'd just put new line on it anyway as I wouldn't want to trust his word for the age/condition of the line.

If you are unsure about the quality or condition, for $11 more, and free shipping, there is a brand new shiny Abu C3 6500.
http://www.amazon.com/Abu-Garcia-6500C3-Ambassadeur-Ball-Bearing/dp/B000CSSRPK/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1321731165&sr=1-2

Got a response from the seller today.  He still has the reel.  Here's the description he he gave. 

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6600 C3 LD  (Used Only Once, Lever drag instead of star drag) with 30 lb Spectra braid line.  Right hand. Comes with box and directions, lube, and tool. Cast button is right next to spool to easy cast and thumb to avoid backlash.  Very few of these were made because company felt many people thought they were expensive and didn’t fully understand the lever drag concept.  $78 Firm, Line is worth $16. In 2008,Walmart was selling it for $94 + tx.  = $100 value, Right Hand 3 Stainless Steel Ball Bearings, holds 14 lb/245 yards,  5.3:1 Gear Ratio, Line out alarm, Power Handle, Instance anti-reverse. Made in Sweden.  Comes with box. One of a kind.

Think his price is reasonable? 

Last month I bought a Okuma Celilo Specialty Rod - CE-C-701H for Sturgeon and today I scored a Penn GTI 321LH reel like new on Ebay for $40.  I am going to use this for Sturgeon and bottom fishing on the big pond.

Last month I bought a Okuma Celilo Specialty Rod - CE-C-701H for Sturgeon and today I scored a Penn GTI 321LH reel like new on Ebay for $40.  I am going to use this for Sturgeon and bottom fishing on the big pond.

All righty then.  Now that you got your rod and reel, let me know when you want to get out and test it on the Willy.  Or Columbia if you want to try for a keeper.  I have a lot of time off this week.    I was not able to go last Friday.  I ended up having to work an overnight shift and was not functioning until noon on Friday.

Sounds great Craig. I will let you know when my reel comes in. I have been looking forward to trying out some sturgeon fishing out of my yak for a while now. I know what you mean by function I am just finishing a 48 hr shift and it has been a long 48. I have another 48 on Wed and Thurs.

Last month I bought a Okuma Celilo Specialty Rod - CE-C-701H for Sturgeon and today I scored a Penn GTI 321LH reel like new on Ebay for $40.  I am going to use this for Sturgeon and bottom fishing on the big pond.

All righty then.  Now that you got your rod and reel, let me know when you want to get out and test it on the Willy.  Or Columbia if you want to try for a keeper.  I have a lot of time off this week.    I was not able to go last Friday.  I ended up having to work an overnight shift and was not functioning until noon on Friday.

FB. Have you decided what type and weight you are going to put on the main line for your sturgeon reel.

Hi Delux. Yes I am going with Power Pro yellow braided line in 65# test. I believe that is what was recommended at the fishing clinic that we went to at NA and I believe that's what Jammer runs on his reel.

FB. Have you decided what type and weight you are going to put on the main line for your sturgeon reel.