San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Pretty new to fishing, and was wondering how heavy of line do I actually need for general inshore fishing? I usually fish in the bays, on jetties, the surf, and sometimes on <1 day charters targeting saltwater bass, halibut, bonito, croaker, maybe small yellows, etc.

Was looking to get a Phenix M1 Inshore casting, and was curious about their power vs. lure weight ratings. I was thinking between a ML and a MH. Their ML has a lure weight rating of 1-3oz while a MH is rated 2-6oz, but a heavy power rod I have now is rated 1/2-1 1/2oz. For the most part I doubt i’ll be throwing anything over 2.5/3oz, but confused whether an ML is enough for what I want to do or if I could still get a MH and cast a minimum of 1oz.

I think the rod ratings vary across the board. In other words, a ML in one brand, may not be a ML on another's brand.

Generally speaking, the ratings are are what you should be looking at and for the most part, most brands do a good job of rating each rod.

Although you say you'd be throwing a minimum of 1 oz, what is the maximum weight you would be throwing? That's the real indicator.

I currently purchased a spinning Phenix M1 that I'm actually using off jetties out here, but it's really a "BFS" rod as I run 20# Braid with a 8# leader, and while there's no way it can throw anything over 1/2 an ounce, it's an extremely good rod for the price. I'm sure the Inshore models are the same.

As far as line, someone can chime in, because when I used to fish on 1/2 and 3/4 days, I was the kid using 12# test. Everyone else would be using 20, 25.

I see. I’d say the maximum weight I’d be throwing is 2.5oz. Can I ask which model M1 you have? Thanks!