A surf fishing rod is a great tool for catching all your favorite fish while standing on the shoreline or wading in the surf. But surf fishing is very demanding, on both the angler and the tackle.
When it comes to surf fishing, you need certain types of equipment to get the job done. You can’t just settle for the rod and reel that you use when fishing from a pier or bridge. You need stronger, more specialized gear like surf fishing rods (Source).
A good surf fishing rod should have decent strength and power since it deals with heavyweights, bait, and the constant onslaught of sand and water. Durability is very important but it shouldn’t come at the cost of lightness and responsiveness.
Since finding the right rod can be difficult, here’s a list of the top 5 rods on the market and how to choose the right one for you.
Best Surf Fishing Rods 2019
Table of Contents
- 1 Best Surf Fishing Rods 2019
- 2 1. Lamiglas Super Surf 2G Series Rod SSS11MHS – The Best Overall
- 3 2. St. Croix Mojo Surf Casting Rod – The Technological Rod
- 4 3. St. Croix Triumph Surf Travel Spinning Rod, TSRS90M4 – The Surf Spinning Rod
- 5 4. Penn Spinfisher V 6500 Surf Rod and Reel Combo – The Simple Rod
- 6 5. Okuma Solaris SS-C-1102H-2 – The Best Value For Money
- 7 Things You Must Know Before Buying A Surf Fishing Rod
- 8 Our Final Verdict
Product Name | |||
---|---|---|---|
Lamiglas Super Surf 2G Series Rod SSS11MHS | |||
St. Croix Mojo Surf Casting Rod | |||
St. Croix Triumph Surf Travel Spinning Rod, TSRS90M4 | |||
Penn Spinfisher V 6500 Surf Rod and Reel Combo | |||
Okuma Solaris SS-C-1102H-2 |
1. Lamiglas Super Surf 2G Series Rod SSS11MHS – The Best Overall
Features
- Two-piece, 11 foot, lightweight rod
- Graphite composite blank
- Fast action
- Stainless steel Fuji reel seats
- Lightweight K-frame guides
- Aqua blue finish
- Black shrink tape grips
This impressive rod, in particular, is one of the finest models by Lamiglas. It feels so light in your hands, yet it can easily fling weights up to 6 ounces across 100 yards. A 50-pound fish doesn’t stand a chance against this rod.
The Lamiglas might be a bit expensive, but its versatility definitely justifies the price. You won’t have to buy several rods because its graphite build gives you enough stiffness and responsive action for all kinds of situations.
If you’re looking for great looks, excellent quality, and impressive distance casting power, then look no further. The Lamiglas has everything you’ll ever need.
- Great strength and sensitivity
- One-hundred yard plus casts
- Beautiful finish
- American made with old-school pride and quality
- Can often be hard to find in stock
- A bit expensive
2. St. Croix Mojo Surf Casting Rod – The Technological Rod
Features
- Croix’s exclusive Integrated Poly Curve and Advanced Reinforcing Technology
- Two pieces but its offset ferrule design makes it work like a one-piece rod
- Weight-saving surf guides sit in sloped frames
- Inset zirconium rings
- Fuji DPS reel seat with black hoods
- Deeply knurled screw clamps
- Two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish
The St. Croix is one of the most technologically advanced fishing rods in the world. It comes with Poly Curve technology which eliminates transitional points and dead spots in the rod blank. This means you’ll get better action, strength and sensitivity.
As for the Advanced Reinforcing Technology, it incorporates exotic carbon fibers in order to increase strength by up to 10 times! But get this: this boost in strength doesn’t come with an increase in diameter or weight. Pretty unique!
The zirconium rings are a great addition that allows for more distance and accuracy. As for the reel seat and screw clamps, they offer tight reel placement and a solid base for when you go up against big fish.
- Specifically engineered for optimal strength and performance
- Lightweight but extremely powerful
- Great warranty
- Croix’s exclusive Integrated Poly Curve and Advanced Reinforcing Technology
- You might not be able to find the length and model you’re looking for in stock
- A bit expensive
3. St. Croix Triumph Surf Travel Spinning Rod, TSRS90M4 – The Surf Spinning Rod
Features
- Advanced Reinforcing Technology
- Premium-quality SCII graphite blank
- Breaks down into 4 pieces
- Nylon covered rod case
- Two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish
- Lightweight hard aluminum-oxide surf guides
- Fuji DPS reel seat with frosted silver hoods
- Custom cork tape handle.
Just like the other St. Croix fishing rod, this one comes with Advanced Reinforcing Technology. The exotic carbon fibers provide enough strength and durability to make this multi-piece rod one of a kind.
Don’t be worried about the fact that this rod breaks down into 4 pieces. It’s actually what makes it so easy to manage and move. Plus, it comes with a nylon covered rod case to keep your precious fishing rod safe during travels.
To make things even better, this premium-quality surf fishing rod comes with a 5-year warranty. You won’t have to worry about anything happening to this rod because it’ll definitely last for decades.
- Travel rod with high-quality
- Very lightweight for a travel rod
- Lots of power for long casts
- 5-year warranty
- The guide spacing in the first section of the rod is a bit wide
- You’ll need a hard travel case if you’re going to buy something this nice
4. Penn Spinfisher V 6500 Surf Rod and Reel Combo – The Simple Rod
The Penn Spinfisher is a great, simple surf fishing rod that comes at an even better price. It offers decent action and strength along with several handy features.
If you’re fishing with weights that are more than 4-5 ounces, it might not be the best choice for you. It can throw pretty far, but heavier weights tend to put some strain on the drag, although it can often be managed.
Features
- 10-foot heavy surf rod
- 2-piece composite blank
- stainless steel guides
- aluminum oxide inserts
- Penn’s new watertight casing
- 5-bearing crank and instant anti-reverse couples with an HT-100 Slammer drag system
- rubber backing gasket
- Full package and comes at a great price
- Strong composite rod
- Lightweight
- Amazing Penn quality
- Under hard pulls, the drag doesn’t feel very smooth
- Rod action is a bit soft
- The reel’s waterproofing wasn’t really perfect
5. Okuma Solaris SS-C-1102H-2 – The Best Value For Money
Features
- Stainless steel double-footed guides
- Fuji aluminum oxide inserts
- Fuji cushion hood reel seats
- Slim traditional cork grip
- EVA foam padding around the reel seats
The tip of the Okuma Solaris has just enough feel for you sense even the slightest bumps of the bait. At the same time, it maintains decent enough strength to stay put while the rod loads up on the cast.
For extended fights, the EVA foam padding around the reel seats gives you extra protection. As for the reel seats, they provide you with enough strength to hold big saltwater spinning reels in place. They’re as firm as it gets.
This is a great surf fishing rod for the budget-conscious fisherman. It can easily fling a 5-ounce lure across 100 yards. Balance this rod with the right reel and you’ll be fishing with a rod that’s worth a lot more than its price.
- The price is great for an all-graphite rod
- Two-piece portability
- Convenient
- Great stiffness
- Lively feel
- Long casts come easy
- Great for beginners or those on a tight budget
- The rod handle’s cork tends to chip easily
- The guide legs could be a bit stiffer
Things You Must Know Before Buying A Surf Fishing Rod
Let’s face it. You’re not going to buy a surf fishing rod every day. You want one that’ll suit all your needs and will last for years. With that in mind, it can be difficult to find the right rod. Here are a few aspects you should consider:
1. Casting Distance
When surf fishing, you usually want to cast your bait or lure past the breaking waves. That’s where most of the fish are. Not to mention water past this point is calmer and easier to work with.
With that in mind, you’ll need an impressive casting distance, right? You need a fishing rod that can go past these breaking waves and at the same time, maintain your accuracy, to an extent.
When it comes to casting distance, there are two things you should consider: rod length and rod action.
- Rod length
If we were to ignore all other factors and just focus on rod length, you’ll find that longer poles give you better casting distance.
That’s probably the reason you’ll find most surf fishing rods to be around 9 to 14 feet long. The only downside to a long rod is that shorter ones give you more control and accuracy, being easier to use.
- Rod action
When it comes to rod action, rods with slower actions tend to improve your casting range. Why? Simply, because slow action rods bend farther than those with fast actions. Keep in mind that the slower your rod is, the more help it’ll offer you.
However, you’ll find that fishing rods of slower action can reduce your accuracy somewhat. Everything’s a tradeoff. Rod length, rod action, and accuracy, you have to compromise.
2. Target Species and Size
This one’s pretty obvious. You can’t expect a 2-pound jack and a 400-pound blacktip to require the same gear, right? Think about the fish you’re going after, before choosing you surf fishing rod.
If you don’t want to waste your time thinking about it, just get a decent all-around fishing rod. But keep in mind, the more specific you can get with your target, the better the results you’ll be guaranteed.
As a general rule, if you’re going after larger fish, then choose heavier powers and longer lengths. This’ll help you set the hook more quickly and efficiently.
Keep in mind that longer fishing rods are tiring, especially for smaller people. If you’re not specifically going after large fish, then settle for a slightly shorter and lighter rod.
3. Preferred Baits or Lures
The third factor you should consider when buying a surf fishing rod is the bait or lure you’re going to use. More specifically, the weight of your lure or bait is what matters.
If you’re going to use lightweight plugs or small spoons, then you’ll need a lightweight rod with a fast or extra-fast action.
On the other hand, if you’re using a 4-ounce hunk of lead along with 6-inch baitfish, then you’ll need a different kind of rod. It’ll have to offer slower action and much heavier power. Think about your bait and lure before choosing your rod.
Our Final Verdict
Finding the right surf fishing rod for you isn’t easy. It takes a lot of thought and consideration. Think about your circumstances and preferences, they’re ultimately what matters.
If you’re having a hard time choosing, why not go for one of the surf fishing rods on this list? It includes 5 of the best ones you’ll find on the market. Not to mention the list covers all budgets
Try one out today and see for yourself what surf fishing is all about.
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