Hello,

I have recently moved from the Canadian Rockies down to North Central Florida (Gainesville).

Almost all my fishing has been done on small mountain streams/lakes (3/4 wgt). I would like to try my hand at some of the fishing that is available down here, mostly inshore with some freshwater and the odd trip further south to try some fishing flat fishing in the Keys.

I am a little at a loss with the variety of fish down here, is there such a thing as a general set-up that will cover me for most situations?

Would a 9 wgt be enough or should I be looking more at a 10 wgt rod? What sort of length would I be most happy with?

I have only built smallish trout rods where you can get away with more of a bargain blank. I guess with building a bigger rod I will be happier shelling out for something a little faster/lighter?

Are there any reasonably priced gems out there suitable for saltwater fishing? I would like to keep it around the $200 range for the blank.

Any advice on blanks, reelseats, beginner saltwater reels would be very much appreciated.

Mark in Gainesville

Check out MudHole to the left. They are in Fla.

I lived in North Miami Beach for two years, fished the Keys, The Everglades and Cape Canaveral some also and I have to say I used my 8 wt. far more than I used my other rods, as you have the same problem you had in Canada with throwing a line on top of the water in a many times shallow situation.
As for rod blanks, if I was you I'd go to a good flyshops and throw some rods till I found the one that cast well for you than make a rod on that or a similar blank. There are so many good blanks out there and since you didn't mention what you are going to chase I can't be more specific.
This setup should take bones, snook, redfish, sea trout, baby tarpon and largemouth bass effectively.
Tight Lines.
P.S. Don't know of anyone that had a seriosly bad thing to say against the Scientific Angler reels, as a starting point. Again there's so many awesome reels out there, the flyshops will be able to show you a good selection of what they have found hold up well in your price range.