In reguard to your first question. Are we talking Spinning or Conventional?
As for choosing a rod for pier fishing (I'll try not to write a book) think of the rod as a spring.
You overcome a large fish, by making him work against the constant pressure of the spring.
I would use a 7 to 9 foot rod, with as "slow" (flexable) an action as I could find.
I'm not familiar with the reel you mention, but the primary function of ANY reel is to apply SMOOTH, progressive drag.
If this reel has a VERY good drag, you might spool it with10# line in order to get more yardage on the reel.
If the drag isn't EXTRA good, you're probably better off with 15# line.
The line weight you choose, SHOULD affect your choice of rods.
The heavier the line, the more backbone in the rod.
Most new rods have a line range specified on the blank.
We don't have room enough here to go in to matching the rod to your personal characteristics.
If you're short and/or feeble, lighter is better.
If you're taller and/or stronger, a longer, heavier, stiffer rod will be OK.
I'll leave it to others to advocate one brand over another.
SOMETIMES you get what you pay for, but you NEVER get something for nothing.
As for choosing a rod for pier fishing (I'll try not to write a book) think of the rod as a spring.
You overcome a large fish, by making him work against the constant pressure of the spring.
I would use a 7 to 9 foot rod, with as "slow" (flexable) an action as I could find.
I'm not familiar with the reel you mention, but the primary function of ANY reel is to apply SMOOTH, progressive drag.
If this reel has a VERY good drag, you might spool it with10# line in order to get more yardage on the reel.
If the drag isn't EXTRA good, you're probably better off with 15# line.
The line weight you choose, SHOULD affect your choice of rods.
The heavier the line, the more backbone in the rod.
Most new rods have a line range specified on the blank.
We don't have room enough here to go in to matching the rod to your personal characteristics.
If you're short and/or feeble, lighter is better.
If you're taller and/or stronger, a longer, heavier, stiffer rod will be OK.
I'll leave it to others to advocate one brand over another.
SOMETIMES you get what you pay for, but you NEVER get something for nothing.
