Folks - Just got a great deal on a Penn SSV6500 and I'll be using it half on the beach and half from a boat. So, any recommendations for a Surf Rod?
I am NOT one of the full timers that needs a Lamiglass/Zee Bass combo...I'm just a weekend warrior with surf fishing. I was looking at the Penn Prevail 10' as well as the Ande ATS-1000A 10'. Both of these are under $75 and where I'd like to be....any other options out there?
I mostly throw bait, so top and bottom rigs as well as whole mullet rigs. No hardcore sharking.....might try some plug/metal throwing here and there.
I used to have a beautiful Pinnacle 10'-6" paired with a Penn Power Graph and it was great for what I needed...but that was 10 years ago.
So...whatcha think/got for me?
My ends use the Prevail in Hawaii and they said that the rod is pretty stiff. If it fits your needs, then I'd choose the Prevail.
If your casting any distance (100yd +) then I'd go for a 13 or 14ft rod 6-8oz casting weight (dependant upon bait and weight). Shorter rods will struggle with distance. In the UK 'serious' surf fishos are using 14-16ft rods and achieving over 200yds :o A bit beyond my range ;)
Yeah, don't need anything THAT long.
When I worked at a tackle shop we had a guy that kept coming in and buying this one type of 15' fiberglass rod...probably bought 3 or 4 of them. When I asked him about it, he said it wasn't so much that he was able to cast farther but that the rod tip (and line) was above the breaking point of the waves so that his bait was less disturbed....thought that was interesting...not sure if there is any validity to it though.
The 10' - 0" to 10'-6" range is also easy to get in my small sedan, much longer than that and it'll take up valuable seat belt space.
Thanks for the suggestions...keep them coming if you have input :)
Quote from: coastal_dan on May 26, 2015, 08:01:47 PM
Thanks for the suggestions...keep them coming if you have input :)
I picked up a Daiwa "eliminator" 10'er in graphite off CL for about $40 or so last year and like it a lot for surf casting. Fairly light, good action for flinging about 3-6oz over the waves. The 5' breakdown is nice for travel.
Here is a rod that I like very much made by St. Croix Its 10'-6" Premier Surf PSR 106H2 Heavy Power Mod Fast Action 15-30 Lb line 4-8oz SC" & SC"w Graphite I use it for Stripe Bass and have thrown fairly light plugs with it very well. I like like this stick because it has backbone. Its two piece but that doesn't seam to make a difference in the action of the rod. If you can find one I would try it and see if it fits you needs.
Quote from: Reel 224 on May 26, 2015, 09:07:02 PM
Here is a rod that I like very much made by St. Croix Its 10'-6" Premier Surf PSR 106H2 Heavy Power Mod Fast Action 15-30 Lb line 4-8oz SC" & SC"w Graphite I use it for Stripe Bass and have thrown fairly light plugs with it very well. I like like this stick because it has backbone. Its two piece but that doesn't seam to make a difference in the action of the rod. If you can find one I would try it and see if it fits you needs.
Not a bad choice at all - and this rod can plug and bait so you got both going on.
For your budget go used - you should be able to pick up a Tica or Tsunami in the 11 foot size
To get above the waves use a longer sandspike - mine are anywhere from 5 to 8 feet
Im more surf rat than boat guy and I like budget rods
Look for okuma solaris rod, tsunami airwave, penn torque rods, plenty of mild price on almost every brand this days.
9ft and 10ft rods are plenty for average use
I'm an Ugly Stick man myself for the spinners.
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag93/darondyer/IMG_2908_zpsjoqtqxxe.jpg)
Have to agree on the Ugly Stik.
The surf is tough on gear -- no matter how careful one is.
Salt, wind, sand, dunking, heavy weights, waves and rip tides -- nothing easy going on there.
I am too cheap to use a $200-$300 rod in the surf.
The Ugly Stiks have proven themselves to be capable at a decent price point that won't make you cry when (not if) it gets damaged.
They are like the Jigmasters or Mitchell 300s for rods.
There are better rods out there -- and I use them also...but hard to go wrong with a properly selected and well matched Ugly Stik -- bought on sale.
Fresh water rinse, wipe down, and a little WD wiped on with a soft cloth will go a long way. Same for the reel -- but do not spray the fresh water too hard into the reel -- just let the water flow over the reel. Otherwise one could force sand and salt inside some reel areas, that would do more harm than good.
Just my opinions --
Best,
Fred
What type of surf fishing will you be doing? Casting plugs and lures. Casting weight and bait?
How much weight will you be throwing?
I have been using Daiwas and Tica. The one I like the most is my 10' 3-6 oz Daiwa Emcast, nice rod and light. I also use the Beef Stik, strong but heavy, Sealine is good also
Marc..
Thanks all for the replys! Notes are being taken :)
Marcq - My Dad always used Daiwa surf fishing, said it was some of the best. He was a big Emcast fan as well
Bryan - mostly throwing bait (top and bottom rigs and whole mullet rigs) attached to 3-5 oz sinkers...much more than 5 oz and its too rough/windy for the family to be on the beach anyway.
My friends in Hawaii are using the Prevail for the same type of fishing style as you, and they have only good things to say about that rod.
The more and more I look into I think I'm leaning towards the Prevail @ 74.99 shipped, its hard to go wrong...
I have appreciated everyone's input! I'll post pics of them together once it happens.
Quote from: coastal_dan on May 28, 2015, 07:25:19 PM
The more and more I look into I think I'm leaning towards the Prevail @ 74.99 shipped, its hard to go wrong...
I have appreciated everyone's input! I'll post pics of them together once it happens.
That certainly is a lot less expensive then the St. Croix that I mentioned, and if it works for you that is all that matters.
Rod seems quite nice for the price! I would say that the 5500 would be best suited for this 10'-0" but the 6500 still balances out quite nice. I'm thinking of going with 20lb mono so I can use it boat and surf fishing, plus it'll only be about $8 to fill rather than $45 worth of braid, ha. After the hurting I put on 10-15 lb bluefish a couple weeks ago on 15 lb mono I'm thinking it can take as much as I can dish out.
Thanks for all the recommendations and input guys! I'll try to snap a picture tonight, hoping to put it into action in Lewes this weekend, supposed to be around 80° Sat and Sun :)
ive muscled in a ray (not easy to move in any case), well over 100 lbs in the surf on 20 lb big game. that'll be plenty. let us know how the rod does; i looked at one the other day after your question and i agree it has good features for the price.
Quote from: Tiddlerbasher on May 26, 2015, 04:06:55 PM
If your casting any distance (100yd +) then I'd go for a 13 or 14ft rod 6-8oz casting weight (dependant upon bait and weight). Shorter rods will struggle with distance. In the UK 'serious' surf fishos are using 14-16ft rods and achieving over 200yds :o A bit beyond my range ;)
My pb is 207 yards (measured).
That was on a 4-6oz rod with a 5oz lead.
Fishing distance with baited traces and wet hands is a totally different
ball game to on the field, distance does not come from the latest rod
but slow in fast out, its all about that final punch and pull.
I can cast 100 yards plus with a 3oz lead and an 11' spinning rod,
remember slow in fast out, ie let the rod do the work not you,
you will go a lot further with this in mind.
I am thinking about building a 13-6 one piece Lamiglas in a couple months. That one should really sling a weight and bait.
Quote from: coastal_dan on May 26, 2015, 08:01:47 PM
Yeah, don't need anything THAT long.
When I worked at a tackle shop we had a guy that kept coming in and buying this one type of 15' fiberglass rod...probably bought 3 or 4 of them. When I asked him about it, he said it wasn't so much that he was able to cast farther but that the rod tip (and line) was above the breaking point of the waves so that his bait was less disturbed....thought that was interesting...not sure if there is any validity to it though.
The 10' - 0" to 10'-6" range is also easy to get in my small sedan, much longer than that and it'll take up valuable seat belt space.
Thanks for the suggestions...keep them coming if you have input :)
That is a good point but, you can have a 10' rod and put it on a 6' sand spike and achieve the same height above the wave action.
Quote from: Shark Hunter on May 27, 2015, 02:17:59 PM
I'm an Ugly Stick man myself for the spinners.
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag93/darondyer/IMG_2908_zpsjoqtqxxe.jpg)
WHO, Where'd you get that jazzed-up crank for that Penn reel?
Wright & McGill has some nice surf rods. I use a couple of their in-shore rods and for the price they are great. Check them out on the W&M website. They should be available most anywhere.
Quote from: retrofit on June 05, 2015, 02:58:07 AM
Quote from: Shark Hunter on May 27, 2015, 02:17:59 PM
I'm an Ugly Stick man myself for the spinners.
(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag93/darondyer/IMG_2908_zpsjoqtqxxe.jpg)
WHO, Where'd you get that jazzed-up crank for that Penn reel?
Across the pond. Cornwall to be Exact. They are hard to find. I saw one on ebay in England. I have a good friend on here that just happens to live there. ;)
I haven't checked out any of the new Penn surf rods yet, they may be good bang for the buck, but if you bump the budget up to about 125 you will have a lot more quality options. Tica, Tsunami, and the intro lines from Lami and St Croix.
The listed rod ratings on surf rods are often completely wrong so I'd be wary of ordering anything that I had not personally handled/fished. I have a rod rated 3-8oz that would shatter if I tried to throw 5oz with it. :(
The best thing to do is to go to a well stocked B&T and tell them what you want to do with it. Bait fishing can mean clam on a hi-lo and 3oz, or it can be 8oz + a bunker head. For the former a beefy plugging rod will get the job done, for the latter you need something completely different.
For getting started I'd be looking at 10' rods. In most cases there will be a lighter version and a heavier version at any given length. For double duty plugging/light bait you want the heavier version. This should get you something that will throw a 2.5oz popper or tin well enough and let you throw your hi-lo rig with 4oz as long as you take it easy.
Couple pictures...I may pick up the 8'-0" to pair with my 710z. Don't mind the mess...you know how it is. ::)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/funferdriver/_5_zpshgw6genu.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/funferdriver/media/_5_zpshgw6genu.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/funferdriver/_1_zpsv2g6fhff.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/funferdriver/media/_1_zpsv2g6fhff.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/funferdriver/_4_zpsxvciyefp.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/funferdriver/media/_4_zpsxvciyefp.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/funferdriver/_2_zpsapokjrqn.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/funferdriver/media/_2_zpsapokjrqn.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/funferdriver/_3_zpsxmcgipfa.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/funferdriver/media/_3_zpsxmcgipfa.jpg.html)
(http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg170/funferdriver/_6_zps1tqhxfvz.jpg) (http://s248.photobucket.com/user/funferdriver/media/_6_zps1tqhxfvz.jpg.html)
Filled it w/ 20lb mono and did some bait soaking on Sunday AM. No fish, but I got the feel for it and it casts like a dream! Extremely happy with this set up. Breakdown on price (for those budget minded individuals like me ;D) Reel - $116 shipped, Rod - $75 shipped, Line - $7. I'll honestly own this for decades so cheers to Penn once again.
thats a nice rig
Quote from: coastal_dan on June 10, 2015, 01:00:53 PM
Filled it w/ 20lb mono and did some bait soaking on Sunday AM. No fish, but I got the feel for it and it casts like a dream! Extremely happy with this set up. Breakdown on price (for those budget minded individuals like me ;D) Reel - $116 shipped, Rod - $75 shipped, Line - $7. I'll honestly own this for decades so cheers to Penn once again.
$198.00 That was less then my rod alone. Great purchase. ;D