Where I buy my gear...

[Pinoyfisher]

Lots of posts on rigs used, knot, rod, and reel suggestions, but no one is really saying where they get their gear from. I'll post up links of the actual gear I've purchased and hope the links haven't changed since my last purchases. I'll also name tackle shops where I've made purchases as well if it applies. I won't talk about rods and reels as most have theirs or have a fairly good idea on where to get them. Rigging is a different story. Early in my "big game" rigging days, finding good and reasonably priced gear wasn't the easiest thing for me. Lots of swivels purchased with no # test rating on them from Big 5 for example. Most of the items are overseas in origin, but I do find them to be nearly equal of the American stuff I've bought in the past, just cheaper and in larger quantities.

Hooks:
11/0 hooks
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151045949939?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D151045949939%26_rdc%3D1

Heat Shrink Tubing
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170900471355?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D170900471355%26_rdc%3D1

3-Way Swivels
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281657867896?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D281657867896%26_rdc%3D1

Colored Beads
http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=6mm+100+Count+Pkgs+Faceted+Opaque+ROYAL+BLUE+USA+Made+Acrylic+Plastic+Beads&_itemId=331598176424&_trksid=p2047675.m4096

175lb Multi-Strand Wire Leader
http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=STAINLESS+STEEL+WIRE+LEADER+34+FEET+10m+170+lbs+TEST+1X7+STRAND+NYLON+COATED&_itemId=151735772962&_trksid=p2047675.m4096

7-Strand wire leader can also be purchased at Squidco for a pretty good price and is my go to when I can't wait for my next online purchase to arrive.

Mini Glow Sticks for rod tips
http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=50+1+5+Small+Assorted+Mini+Glow+Sticks+B00530KAY8&_itemId=261964650666&_trksid=p2047675.m4096

Sputnik Sinkers
http://www.ebay.com/itm/190556416720?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D190556416720%26_rdc%3D1

[Eric H]

@ Pinoy

That's a damn good price on circles. Are they sharp or do they need to be touched up?

I just ordered sputniks from Klammer yesterday.

[sasquatch]

Pretty much the same here. Got beads at wal mart and different hooks.

[Pinoyfisher]

@ Pinoy

That's a damn good price on circles. Are they sharp or do they need to be touched up?

I just ordered sputniks from Klammer yesterday.

Very sharp hooks! I've only had them bend on me once, but to be fair, I did use the same exact rig 4x prior to it bending and I caught 2 surf bats over 50" and my lone soupfin on the rig. It was pretty bent out of shape on the soupfin. Pretty strong to me!

[Fish Jerk]

HOOKS
I just picked found these hooks and bought a pack of the 13/0 to check them out. Hell of a steal at $5.99 per 25, even if you factor in the shipping.
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/eagle-claw-lazar-sharp-circle-sea-single-hooks-25-pack?repChildCatid=1004592
Here is a picture for size ref on the 13/0, wire gauge appears to be 3x-4x strong.


I also like these hooks in 10/0 size.
http://catalog.catfishconnection.com/itemdetail.php?itemnumber=L2022G-10%2F0
Here is a size ref pic.


SINKERS
I usually get my Sputniks from Klammer42 on ebay as well
http://www.ebay.com/sch/klammer42/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

I recently ordered some sinkers from Seabrookfishingsinkers on ebay, he makes the Gemini style Breakout and splashdown style sinkers.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/seabrookfishingsinkers/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

ROD-TIP GLOW
I bought a box of these a year ago and still have plenty. Best size for the heavier rods most of us use is the XXL size.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-x-Chemical-Light-Fishing-Fluorescent-Glow-Stick-Clip-On-Tip-Free-Shipping-/370711736603?var=&hash=item565024311b:m:mOds_FlWBIVdtPQj7GFlubQ

[LONGCAST JOE]

Ordered $100 worth of Sputs from Wilbur last week plus some of those new 6oz "frog lips" he sells. They seem to work better then 6oz pyramids and flats  whenever your fishing in a non-sputnik situation. At a GOOD price, 12 for $20.00, no shipping.
For glowsticks try 99 cent type stores, I hit the jackpot at a local 99 one , 6 pack of 5" @.99 with a clip that hangs and releases perfect on rod tip.
(tip:keep them in the freezer to extend their shelf life, before and even after cracked open and used. If you freeze one while its still glowing,once defrosted it will start to glow again.)

[Pinoyfisher]

Ordered $100 worth of Sputs from Wilbur last week plus some of those new 6oz "frog lips" he sells. They seem to work better then 6oz pyramids and flats  whenever your fishing in a non-sputnik situation. At a GOOD price, 12 for $20.00, no shipping.
For glowsticks try 99 cent type stores, I hit the jackpot at a local 99 one , 6 pack of 5" @.99 with a clip that hangs and releases perfect on rod tip.
(tip:keep them in the freezer to extend their shelf life, before and even after cracked open and used. If you freeze one while its still glowing,once defrosted it will start to glow again.)

Great tips for the glow sticks! I buy the mini ones because I tie wrap them to my rod with mini tie wraps. No fears for flying off during the cast.

[Pinoyfisher]

Purchased some new to me Sputnik style sinkers that FishJerk posted about. They look pretty nice!

[LONGCAST JOE]

Purchased some new to me Sputnik style sinkers that FishJerk posted about. They look pretty nice!

Oh, those look like the type that have a bait clip down & impact release shield built into them. I've been curious how well those will work using a large circle hook and large bait. I've found a bit of modification is needed to the USA Breakaway clips and Imp sheilds for a heavy duty circle to hold in them well. Let us know what you think of them compare to the USA Breakaways if you've used them before as well.   
JOE

[Fish Jerk]

I use the Gemini style released such as are built into these sinkers. They work really well but you need to modify your rig to use them. They are designed for light wire hooks. There are 2 ways to modify your rig. First is to use a large loop to attach your hook, assuming your leader material fits in the release. You then just clip the loop into the release with baited hook hanging down. The second method is to tie a short piece of mono to the hook eye in addition to your leader connection. This short mono has a loop at the opposite end to clip into the release.

The best thing I like about Gemini style releases are that they positively lock the hook/loop into it, thus enabling off the ground casting without worrying about the hook getting disconnected due to a little slack in the line. They also have an excellent release record.

One tip, after dragging it across the sand, make sure to rinse in the surf to dislodge sand before rerigging. If you don't, you will experience trouble with releases due sand gumming up the slide mechanism.

[Pinoyfisher]

I only bought them because of price per sinker. Will report back on how well they serve me once I get out and fish.

[Fish Jerk]

I only bought them because of price per sinker. Will report back on how well they serve me once I get out and fish.

He also makes them without the release clip if you want to save some additional $. If their not listed just msg him.

[Pinoyfisher]

I only bought them because of price per sinker. Will report back on how well they serve me once I get out and fish.

He also makes them without the release clip if you want to save some additional $. If their not listed just msg him.

I'll look into that, thanks!

[xjchad]

PLIERS?
I'm going to use all this great info to start building my own rigs.
Any advice or recommendations for crimping pliers (other than cup to cup)?

[Pinoyfisher]

PLIERS?
I'm going to use all this great info to start building my own rigs.
Any advice or recommendations for crimping pliers (other than cup to cup)?

I bought a crimper from Squidco. Not sure how much I paid, but it wasn't expensive. It wasn't an expensive name brand. It gets the job done.