Best striper rod & reel combo??

[makoman23]

I am looking for opinions to settle a debate....

What is the best boat rod & reel combo for live bait (porgie, eels, bunker) and bucktail striped bass fishing?

Thanks

[5/0]

...

[GunnySniper]

My pick is a Calstar 6'6" medium action live bait blank built semi-stand up.
I am partial to the Penn GTI series reels, but have taken a liking to the Okuma Silvers as well.
If you want to burn a wad of cash, well, Penn golds are the way to go.

[Sudsy]

I've still yet to find a better setup then my old Harnell (upgraded with modern guides) and Abu 8600, spooled with 65# Stealth
I could snag an engine block in 50' of water and winch the damned thing up

[Wickford Rodworks]

On a live bait rod, it's better to see the strike coming rather than feeling the strike. Rainshadow makes a line of blanks just for live bait. They have a fast but soft tip that shows your shad or pogie getting nervous. You know the hit is coming. A graphite Newell would keep this setup light to hold all day.

[BACKBAYJ]

Thats easy. My custom cms wire rod with the shimano tld 25 listed under buy/sel/trade. LOL

[ckphelps]

Whatever is in your pricerange that'll stand up to the abuse.

[makoman23]

Thanks for the info.

I can't wait for opening day!!

[yakfisherman5]

i use a shimano tyrnos 8, 2 speed reel with a shimano trevala s ml 40 - 50. i have the reel spooled up with 300 yds of 40 suffex 832. its a great striper rod for bunker eels clamming. also i use it for deepwater fluke and it works great with lots of sensitivity. also its fun to fish striper with lighter gear.