Entry Level Surf Rod Recommendations

Squaregrouper · Jul 23, 2016

I'm looking to start surf fishing in Ocracoke NC next month.
What would be a good "test the water" setup for someone looking to get in to the sport?

dlmarion · Jul 23, 2016

10 foot rods are good for adults. Longer lengths are more difficult. My kids have 7 foot rods. Just starting out, hit up a local shop and buy a rod and reel combo at the low end of the price spectrum.

j_h_smith · Jul 23, 2016

If you do buy a combo, remove the line on the reel and buy a quality line. Go into the local bait shop down there and they can probably set you up with everything you need.

Good luck and have fun!

Squaregrouper · Jul 23, 2016

No "best value" brands or models?
I'm not looking for the cheapest, rather the best bang for the buck.
Outside surf rods, I have found Ugly Stiks and Okuma reels to be good quality for decent prices. Thoughts???

j_h_smith · Jul 23, 2016

Surf fishing is kinda a specialize fishing sport. Not many people do it, much less talk about it. I'd say find a bait shop where you are traveling to and buy from them. I think you'll get good information and probably a better product for the money.

tosainu1 · Jul 23, 2016

Entry level surf rod

I would consider buying a USA made Penn 8500ss or 9500ss and a 10ft ugly stick, pretty bullet proof combo and then upgrade the rod to a St. Croix down the road.

Squaregrouper · Jul 23, 2016

tosainu1 said:
I would consider buying a USA made Penn 8500ss or 9500ss and a 10ft ugly stick, pretty bullet proof combo and then upgrade the rod to a St. Croix down the road.

Thanks. This is the type info I was looking for. I'm not looking to dump a bunch of money for something I will use 5-6 days a year at best- especially as a newbie.
My FW fly rod is a 6 weight St. Croix Avid, and although a little pricey, it feels incredible. I can do FW fly fishing anytime I have the urge.

rico903 · Jul 23, 2016

I have asked a few people the same question. Some of them have suggested the Penn Fierce II rod and reel combo at Dicks for $99 or $109. It's a 10' rod. They have cheaper combos also but I'd be skeptical of the reels lasting very long.

pbharvey · Jul 23, 2016

I surf fish once or twice a year when we go to the beach. I can't stand the idea of buying anything decent that's going to get dunked in sandy saltwater. I have some decent fishing gear but my surf stuff is cheap combos that get replaced after a few years.

41maghunter · Jul 23, 2016

Just did the same thing 3 weeks ago. Bought two Offshore Angler 9ft rod and reel combos at Bass Pro Shops for $90 a piece. My wife and I used them every day in the surf at Carova Beach, NC. Caught snapper blues, flounder, spot and kingfish. The combos worked great even after getting dunked in the sand and salt water.

Bob

6Den · Jul 23, 2016

I have an unused rod I bought when I moved here and never got around to buying a reel for it. If you are interested, I can get you more details and you can make me offer.

ETA: it's an Abu Garcia Conolon 200 11'

John from MD · Jul 23, 2016

I surf fished for 50 years before arthritis made me quit. I fished from New York to Fl and loved every minute of it. In my early days, I used a Penn Surfcaster which was a standard reel that you had to feather the line with your thumb to avoid tangles. The rod was a 10 foot fiberglass and bamboo handmade set up. Later I moved to a Penn 701 and a Penn 11 foot hollow fiberglass rod. My last rod was a Penn Surfcaster 12 foot carbon fiber and my last reel was a Penn 750SS that I had from 1978. If you rinse your tackle off after using it, lubricate it periodically and store it in the house in the off season, good equipment will last almost indefinitely.

That said, none of my reels had plastic and they all had bronze bearings. Many made today, even with brand names, won't last more than 3 or 4 years of good fishing.

I fished many a year off the Outer Banks, usually starting in October. I can remember the great blue fish runs where you pulled in fish almost as big as a rock fish. Ahhh, those were the days.

Today I fish out of a kayak in the CB and Severn river with a seven foot ultralite outfit. I still miss the surf though.

John

Jollyllama · Jul 23, 2016

I've reeled in plenty with a 10' ugly stick off Assateague beach. I suggest getting braided line, and asking the local bait shop what to use. Everything gets all sandy and salty. Never found it necessary to buy a higher end rod for surf fishing.

lx1x · Jul 23, 2016

Jollyllama said:
I've reeled in plenty with a 10' ugly stick off Assateague beach. I suggest getting braided line, and asking the local bait shop what to use. Everything gets all sandy and salty. Never found it necessary to buy a higher end rod for surf fishing.

Most rods I've used are Uglies..

Once done fishing.. quick water rinse and ready for next time.

Leper Messiah · Jul 23, 2016

10 ft rod is not needed in the summertime down there, something like this is what your looking for.

http://t.dickssportinggoods.com/pro...BzxUlqDwuwJIgxWZF0ZAVK4LlkEEpSnskQxoCHZfw_wcB

davsco · Jul 23, 2016

ugly stik gets the job done. what you want to look for is a relatively stiff "heaver" that gets heavy weights way out there. the long thin ones (especially thin tips) don't do that.

stop at TW's bait and tackle on the way down, haven't been down there for years but that was a pretty good shop at the time. ditto for frisco rod & gun.

they or other shops might even rent surf rigs, that way you could try a couple out.

myself i was groomed on conventional rods and reels, better distance control but they are prone to birdsnesting if you aren't smooth in your casting.

good luck and please report back on the fishing!!!!!

John from MD · Jul 23, 2016

Don't forget to buy a "sputnik" sinker to keep a tight line in the surf.

John

rgramjet · Jul 27, 2016

Over 10 years ago, I was in the outer banks looking for a charter boat to go out on..... $500 for 1/2 day plus tip. I decided to take the $500 and invest it in a couple nice surf rods. 10' baitcasters.

They have served me well over the years and Ive never regretted the investment on good quality kit.

For trips where I have to pack lighter, i bought a couple 3 piece, 7' travel rods. A used G. Loomis MH baitcaster off Craigslist and a St Croix M spinning rod. I happily broke-in the baitcaster on a 60lb tarpon after fishing over 50 hours one week.

Check craigslist first. You might be able to get a lightly used Penn spinning reel and a good rod for a good deal.

Good luck and tight lines!

Overboost44 · Jul 27, 2016

I have surf fished for many years and while it is nice to have good equipment, you don't need to spend a lot. Just 3 weeks ago, I was in OBX surf fishing in the dark and the line must have gotten tangled around the tip before I cast. Long story short, I lost the top half of my treasured St. Croix. If anyone has the top half of a St. Croix sitting around, let me know.

IMO, I would suggest a 9' or 10' Ugly Stick as many others have mentioned. You will come to appreciate a good reel like a Shimano Baitrunner or Penn 8500/9500, but in the meantime, if you don't want to spend a lot, I would try the Okuma. I don't know anything about them, but surf fishing isn't for everyone. If you decide you like sitting out there all night long you can alway upgrade later. Don't think you will go wrong with an Ugly Stick for any kind of fishing. Altogether you could end up with just around $200 in rod and reel. Add good line, sinkers, steel leaders if there are blues around, etc and you can be ready for anything in the surf for maybe $300 or less.

I checked the Okuma Trio 65A on their website and MSRP is $109. It holds 250yds of 20lb test.

John from MD · Jul 28, 2016

I hope you don't have any back problems. Throwing "eight and bait" is one way to definitely wind up in bed for a couple of weeks if you do.

Two things I really miss in life are Surf Fishing and swinging a bat. Due to my disk problems, I had to give them both up. :sad20:

John

Entry Level Surf Rod Recommendations

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