[bulletbob]

rs... I seldom get to the NJ shore anymore ,sadly, but was brought up there... For decades we fished with whatever trash hand me down gear we could find, or purchased[if you were lucky to have the money] at 2Guys, or a local sporting good store.. Caught a lot of fish with very crude tackle.. Nowadays , I see guys using ultra sleek, ultra refined, ultra high tech gear to catch fluke, Porgies, Sea Bass, Ling etc... I don't get it.. Go on a party boat, and a mate or cap will grab a rental rod from 1970 thats painted, has all the sleek lines of a pool cue, and 60 pound test on an ancient corroded reel, and outfish all the guys around him using the latest and greatest $1,000 boron and magnesium technology ... Modest gear will catch fish to start.. Go out and ask questions, see whats being caught, and how, and just get in the game..You'll learn fast, and THEN when you are starting to know there whens, whys,and wherefore's, there will be plenty of time and opportunity to purchase better gear.. I have a bunch of dept store gear from the 60's,70's, 80's, thats still in perfect working order, and still catches fish.. Its not the rod and reel that catches fish,, Its the guy/girl holding it...

If you want to keep business local, go into a good bait and tackle shop, close by, tell them what you want to do, that your are JUST STARTING, and would like to keep it simple and affordable... They will understand try to accomodate your wishes/needs, and will provide way better advice than a big box store... Wal Mart might be cheaper, but the few extra bucks spent at a tackle shop close to where you want to fish, will be dollars well spent... bob