All around surf fishing rod!?

[Tuffecs]

Riy,

I'm still eyeing the Fiblink for my next spinner rod, 11 ft.

Like Fiblink, the rod's good price had me buy a Berrypro conventional rod, 11 ft, several weeks ago.  I too don't trust the Amazon reviews, but I took a risk on the Berrypro anyway.  It arrived in good shape, and stored in a black cloth rod bag.  I must say, I'm a bit impressed with the quality.  The only minor issue is that the butt end cap is made of a hard plastic of sorts.  When resting on my thigh/pelvic area, it slips off when I'm reeling in.  Easy fix, just ordered a $3 rubber cap from Mudhole.

Casting?  It did very well, although I used it on only one surf casting fishing trip.  May buy another one, but I may go for a new spinner rod first.

With regard to best all around surf rod.  I like my 9-10 ft Tsunami rods.

[Riy2018]

Riy,

I'm still eyeing the Fiblink for my next spinner rod, 11 ft.

Like Fiblink, the rod's good price had me buy a Berrypro conventional rod, 11 ft, several weeks ago.  I too don't trust the Amazon reviews, but I took a risk on the Berrypro anyway.  It arrived in good shape, and stored in a black cloth rod bag.  I must say, I'm a bit impressed with the quality.  The only minor issue is that the butt end cap is made of a hard plastic of sorts.  When resting on my thigh/pelvic area, it slips off when I'm reeling in.  Easy fix, just ordered a $3 rubber cap from Mudhole.

Casting?  It did very well, although I used it on only one surf casting fishing trip.  May buy another one, but I may go for a new spinner rod first.

With regard to best all around surf rod.  I like my 9-10 ft Tsunami rods.

Ordered 3 piece Fiblink Surf Rod. I will post images.
also I found many interesting long surf rods from England and Australia. European Penn rods completely different than US models.
however shipping to US is $50-60.

[Squidh90]

please let me know if you have any experience with https://www.fiblink.com/products/fiblink-surf-spinning-fishing-rod-2-piece-graphite-travel-fishing-rod

Amazon has many good and very bad reviews.  cant trust Amazon anymore.

I owned a surf rod made by that same company. Not the exact same model but similar price point. The guide inserts fell out within two trips and the handle started to fall apart not long after. The rod was fished maybe 6 hours before things went south. On the other hand I had a fiblink travel spinning rod that's held up fine. Personally I'd stay away.

[Tuffecs]

Hope my Berrypro conv surf rod lasts a while.

Am looking for an 11' surf spinner rod for throwing 2-6 oz. Rod must weigh less than a pound.  Willing to spend up to $150.   Any rod recos on Penn Battalion?  Prevail?  Offshore Angler?  Okuma?  etc.

(Side note: Don't remember how I bought my 12' Ugly Stick spinner rod several years ago.  Whatever, don't like it; too heavy at 25 oz.)

Hmmm....wonder if I should go over $150?  Are higher end surf rods really worth it?  Especially the ones that cost several hundred dollars.

[Squidh90]

While I have never owned a penn battalion I have met plenty of people with them and all seem to like them, or at least the conventional version. I can't speak for any other brands/models you asked about. As for whether you should go over $150, that I believe depends on how often you plan on using the rod, and how hard you plan on fishing it. I haven't handled too many surf spinning rods but I know as far as conventional surf rods go the rods over 100-150 are usually an improvement. However, if you only fish the surf a week out of the year that extra performance and durability may not be worth the $$. That's not to say that there aren't good or even great sub 150 surf rods out there, you just have to search around. You may want to look into the tsunami trophy and airwaves, as I've had good luck with tsunami.

[Jeri]

Hmmm....wonder if I should go over $150?  Are higher end surf rods really worth it?  Especially the ones that cost several hundred dollars.

A lot depends on your priorities of the qualities you desire from a surf rod. The run of the mill factory produced items are mostly built down to a price, so potentially cheaper components that do not last as long as higher spec items. Then there is the quality of the actual blank, obviously higher spec carbons cost more than lower spec, and this also can have a seriously effect on the longevity of the whole rod, and the ultimate performance.

I have some seriously high performing surf rods that I use with high frequency, and most are at least 10-15 years old, and still very functional, and producing the same kind of performance as they did when new, however they were not cheap in the first place, so over a value per year basis, they have been a sound investment.

This question is not unique to the US, it rages everywhere around the surf fishing world, especially when comparing some of the very high quality products against the cheaper mass produced items from the Far East. Associates in the UK, have some of the early carbon surf rods, still performing very well after 20 years, but they were built on blanks manufactured by the likes of Conoflex, Zziplex, Harrison and Century.

Ultimately, you pays your money and takes your choice.

[Riy2018]

Riy,

I'm still eyeing the Fiblink for my next spinner rod, 11 ft.

Like Fiblink, the rod's good price had me buy a Berrypro conventional rod, 11 ft, several weeks ago.  I too don't trust the Amazon reviews, but I took a risk on the Berrypro anyway.  It arrived in good shape, and stored in a black cloth rod bag.  I must say, I'm a bit impressed with the quality.  The only minor issue is that the butt end cap is made of a hard plastic of sorts.  When resting on my thigh/pelvic area, it slips off when I'm reeling in.  Easy fix, just ordered a $3 rubber cap from Mudhole.

Casting?  It did very well, although I used it on only one surf casting fishing trip.  May buy another one, but I may go for a new spinner rod first.

With regard to best all around surf rod.  I like my 9-10 ft Tsunami rods.

Ordered 3 piece Fiblink Surf Rod.
by mistake ordered Casting 11 instead of spinning. However label says Spinning Casting. I didnot feel any difference using both reels. Just first eye is smaller. Rod is good for keep in trunk, not too expensive. casting distance is ok. feels very light. paint job, handle and wraping well done. feels good on hands. see picture.

[Tuffecs]

So you're using a spinner on a casting rod?  Hmmm...I'm thinking you may not get max casting distance.  Someone else can comment on that.

[oc1]

The spinner trend seems to toward smaller striper guides.  The justification is a whole other discussion.

[Riy2018]

After comparing between Shimano Tiralejo Casting and Fiblink rod.
Fiblink has beautiful finish and excellent design idea but lack of reel seat, and black quality.
I decided to sent it back to Amazon.
I will wait until I can get to UK or German and get rod from there.

[JasonGotaProblem]

Wait what? No reel seat? If the tiralego is an option go with that! I mean you're comparing a $300 rod to a...

[Shark Hunter]

i am a Big Fan of Bass Pro's new Ocean Master Rods.
I have them in 10' 11' and 12'.
They will throw a 6 oz spider weight with bait as hard as you can throw it.
They won't fit in a trunk, but in a hatch back.

[ReelFishingProblems]

My surf rod setups are:

Ocean Master 12' with a Mag Power 990 (awesome combo)
Penn Battalion II 11' with a Ambassadeur 6500 C3CT
Penn Prevail 10' with a Penn Squall 12

I like all these combos, but like Daron said, they don't fit in a trunk.
Here in Israel most people have telescoping rods. I will buy one to try out eventually

[Jeri]

After comparing between Shimano Tiralejo Casting and Fiblink rod.
Fiblink has beautiful finish and excellent design idea but lack of reel seat, and black quality.
I decided to sent it back to Amazon.
I will wait until I can get to UK or German and get rod from there.

You might consider Century rods, they make some of the finest surf casting blanks/rods around, though you do need to be aware that they make different rods for the US market, to what they make for the UK and Europe. The main difference is the US models are more 'C' curve, than 'J' curve, so a lot depends on your casting style and abilities as to which might be ideal for you. The new Fireblade is getting good reviews for the price, 13' long 4-6oz and not too heavy; been commended because it is not one of the super power rods that they built their reputation on, so much easier to get good distances and performance.

Another avenue might be Harrison Rods, they are a smaller specialist blank builder and we have used some of their blanks down here, and the 'P2' is an awesome all rounder, but the 'P3' needs some real muscle and technique. I personally fish with a 'P2', and find it exceptionally easy to get great distances from the 14'rods. There is the 'P1'as an option for a lighter sinker/lure regime, but I haven't tried it yet.

Just some thoughts if you are looking to shop beyond the borders of the US.

[Tuffecs]

How much does an ocean master 12' spinning surf rod weigh?

What is considered "light" for a 12' surf rod?  One pound?