Surf fishing rod

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  • gwchem

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 18, 2014
    3,434
    SoMD
    Apologies if this has been covered.

    We're heading to OBX this summer and I want to buy my dad a new surf rod and reel. My budget is between $1-200. We're very casual fishermen and usually just use cheap spinning packages. Can anyone recommend a rod and reel? If you're recommending a different type of reel, can you comment on the ease of use?
     

    gtodave

    Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 14, 2007
    14,158
    Mt Airy
    Answer is: it depends. Are you going to cast bait? Lures?

    If bait, you'll need a rod rated for 8 ounces. Most anywhere in OBX will require 4-6oz of weight, plus your bait chunk. Sometimes 8oz doesn't even hold.

    If lures, you'll want a fast-action rod in the 2-6oz zone (there is a specific plugging Tica rod that is 1-3oz).

    I would suggest you go to one of the local tackle shops down there, tell them how you're fishing and what your budget is, and take their recommendation. They aren't much more expensive than "online" ordering, and you get good advice from locals, so it should work better for how you fish.

    There are a plethora of $50 "surf" combos out there, usually in the 1-3oz range. They generally aren't near enough rod for OBX surf, and they will hinder your fishing, big time. Use as a last resort. For $250, you could get a decent combo that will last, and serve your purposes well.
     

    gtodave

    Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 14, 2007
    14,158
    Mt Airy
    I wanted to add:

    You'll want at least a 9' rod, but if you aren't used to big rods, don't go more than 11'. 10'6" is probably the max you'll want.

    I have several Tica rods and use them regularly at OBX. This would be a good one:

    https://www.tackledirect.com/tica-u...- US&msclkid=0ac9c28370591e29b4cf9d7c6ff59589

    Combined with a 4000 or 5000 Battle II, and you've got a solid combo:

    https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/pen...aaf02e8a20bb13540e95717501301ce2&gclsrc=3p.ds

    ...but that's a good bit over your budget.


    Here's a Penn combo near your price range: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/penn-spinfisher-vi-5500-surf-spinning-rod-and-reel-combo?rrec=true

    I've never used that rod, and it's only rated up to 5oz, but you'd be able to fish multiple ways on fair weather days.
     

    gwchem

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 18, 2014
    3,434
    SoMD
    I wanted to add:

    You'll want at least a 9' rod, but if you aren't used to big rods, don't go more than 11'. 10'6" is probably the max you'll want.

    I have several Tica rods and use them regularly at OBX. This would be a good one:

    https://www.tackledirect.com/tica-u...- US&msclkid=0ac9c28370591e29b4cf9d7c6ff59589

    Combined with a 4000 or 5000 Battle II, and you've got a solid combo:

    https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/pen...aaf02e8a20bb13540e95717501301ce2&gclsrc=3p.ds

    ...but that's a good bit over your budget.


    Here's a Penn combo near your price range: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/penn-spinfisher-vi-5500-surf-spinning-rod-and-reel-combo?rrec=true

    I've never used that rod, and it's only rated up to 5oz, but you'd be able to fish multiple ways on fair weather days.

    Thanks! Those are all great leads, I've got some reading to do.

    I should have clarified, my 75 year old dad is unlikely to fish in bad weather, or be able to handle unwieldy rods, if that changes anything.
     

    gwchem

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 18, 2014
    3,434
    SoMD
    Answer is: it depends. Are you going to cast bait? Lures?

    If bait, you'll need a rod rated for 8 ounces. Most anywhere in OBX will require 4-6oz of weight, plus your bait chunk. Sometimes 8oz doesn't even hold.

    If lures, you'll want a fast-action rod in the 2-6oz zone (there is a specific plugging Tica rod that is 1-3oz).

    I would suggest you go to one of the local tackle shops down there, tell them how you're fishing and what your budget is, and take their recommendation. They aren't much more expensive than "online" ordering, and you get good advice from locals, so it should work better for how you fish.

    There are a plethora of $50 "surf" combos out there, usually in the 1-3oz range. They generally aren't near enough rod for OBX surf, and they will hinder your fishing, big time. Use as a last resort. For $250, you could get a decent combo that will last, and serve your purposes well.

    Thanks. I was hoping to get it ahead of the trip, so we can start right away.
     

    BlueFin

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 3, 2007
    1,175
    Montgomery Village
    These are light weight equipment but strong and durable that you can cast all day long(well some people do) if using lures, and way below your budget.

    2 piece 12' Fiblink Surf spinning rod
    #6000 Penn Pursuit III spinning reel
    350 yds 8 strand 40 -50 lbs braid.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,726
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Apologies if this has been covered.

    We're heading to OBX this summer and I want to buy my dad a new surf rod and reel. My budget is between $1-200. We're very casual fishermen and usually just use cheap spinning packages. Can anyone recommend a rod and reel? If you're recommending a different type of reel, can you comment on the ease of use?

    I will give you an 11 foot Penn surf rod if you want it. I surf fished for years until arthritis stopped me. If you are interested, I will look at it and check the details. It is in very good to excellent condition.
     

    gwchem

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 18, 2014
    3,434
    SoMD
    I will give you an 11 foot Penn surf rod if you want it. I surf fished for years until arthritis stopped me. If you are interested, I will look at it and check the details. It is in very good to excellent condition.

    Wow, that is a very nice offer. Where are you located if I can pick it up?
     

    geda

    Active Member
    Dec 24, 2017
    550
    cowcounty
    I did hobby drinking beer and surf fishing every summer in obx for a decade and after upgrading a few times i standardized on Shimano Socorro 10000FB filled with braid paired with 11' ugly sticks bws 1100 rods This was around 150 per rod. Though like other people said buying a cheap combo set for $50 while you are down there is not a bad option either. The big thing to buy before you go down there is weights, you will need a selection depending on the weather that day and they are pricey.

    What I really like about the shimano reels is the price point and the parts availability, especially extra spools. You will get rays biting, they will not let go, so you either land them, your line is going to break or you are going to cut it to save your rod. I like to have a few extra spools setup so i can recover quickly when this happens.


    The past few years we have been going to emerald island instead where the surf is much less rough and you could get away with heavy freshwater tackle.
     

    llkoolkeg

    Hairy Flaccid Member
    I wanted to add:

    Here's a Penn combo near your price range: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/penn-spinfisher-vi-5500-surf-spinning-rod-and-reel-combo?rrec=true

    I've never used that rod, and it's only rated up to 5oz, but you'd be able to fish multiple ways on fair weather days.

    I'd like to 2nd the recommendation for the big Penn Surf Spin combo...the only one I ever used besides the old 12' Great White Salt Surf Spin Combo that Zebco or someone like that used to make(or have someone like Penn make for them under license).
     

    lowoncash

    Baned
    Jan 4, 2010
    3,447
    Calvert county
    fishing rods.jpg

    https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/444441046732580?ref=share_attachment

    "Hundreds of used fishing rods for sale. Every kind of fishing. Fly, trolling, jigging, fresh water, salt water, surf and more. $10 and up. We have tackle, tackle boxes and reels too. We build, repair and restore fishing rods as well."

    Port Republic, MD (SOMD)

    BTW Have never done business with them,
     

    Cochise

    Ultimate Member
    Sep 5, 2008
    1,383
    Rockville
    Catch a lot of sea trout live lining spot on the Bay do ya?
    Surf rods on a boat are good for one thing and it's not fishing.
    different bay but yeah we used to, then the stripers came back and no trout.

    And no, about six feet is all I want to deal with on a boat, surf rod are for beaches and even then not needed unless there is an offshore bar to deal with, plenty of fish just past the breakers and around here we have pretty much of a shore break most of the time.
     

    Trepang

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 10, 2015
    3,310
    Southern Illinois
    :lol::lol2::lol::lol2::lol::lol2::lol::lol2::lol:
    Don’t you love it you see the crew carrying them down the dock?

    LOL .... it tells ya a lot about how the days is gonna be before they ever step onboard. :rolleyes:

    Our spot/perch rods are only 4 foot long that way no one stabs each other including me or the Mate with them when they swing their spotz in the boat :cool:
     

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