Best Surf Rods – Your Guide to the Best Rods Built for Distance and Power
Surf fishing is a unique experience as you battle the surf to land the ideal catch. This means you will need the angling gears designed for this particular purpose to battle in the environment incomparable to other forms of angling.
The best surf rods will allow you to cast as far out to sea as possible, and will make retrieval against the breaking waves so much easier. Here are things you need to know about surf rods as well as the best products in the market to consider.
Product | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
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REVIEWS OF BEST SURF RODS
Via Amazon.com
I included this product because not only does it have a good value for its price. I especially like how this rod is versatile enough to be used in different techniques. In fact, it can handle both lure and bait fishing.
It is great for long-distance casting and has awesome power in handling fish out in the surf. Both 10’ and 12’ rod models can be divided into two pieces for easy packing and carrying. It can deliver powerful action even with big waves.
What We Like:
- Cost-effective
- Versatile
- Good fighting power
What We Didn’t Like:
- Construction may not be as durable as advertised
Via Amazon.com
With blanks made of graphite composite, double-foot guides made of stainless steel, and inserts made of aluminum oxide, this rod definitely delivers a lot for such a modest cost. It comes in 9-12 feet long, which gives easy-handling for new anglers and hobbyists.
The handles are made of the traditional cork tape, but with EVA cushions on the reel seat. This makes gripping the rod so much easier and more comfortable especially after a long day out in the beach.
What We Like:
- Good balance
- Excellent rod sensitivity
- Cork wrapping handle for comfortable grip
What We Didn’t Like:
- May not work very well for fighting heavy and aggressive fish species
Via Amazon.com
One of the things I really appreciate with this product is its comfortable grips. I have experienced long days out casting and retrieving. The last thing you want is a rod that is difficult to grip especially when you get close to whitewash and your hands get wet.
Aside from this, it also has a very good glass fiber blank construction. This product is corrosion-resistant, which is very handy for saltwater fishing. For its price, it is a very good deal with promising rewards. I also like how it is so easy to carry around.
The 15-feet rod has a 3-piece construction, which makes it relatively easy to pack up and down the beach.
What We Like:
- 3-Piece construction
- Inexpensive
- Fiberglass allows sensitivity and strength
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fiberglass construction on a 15-feet rod makes it quite heavy
Via Amazon.com
Made of super strong tubular fiberglass, this rod is heavy-framed with EVA rubber grip. I like how it is black and quite attractive to look at. At 10 feet, this two-piece rod can be relatively easy to pack and carry around.
For its price, this rod has a lot of promise and potential. The construction is pretty durable and lightweight considering its material and its price. Generally, it is easy for casting, but may prove to be challenging when it comes to fighting heavy or aggressive fish species.
What We Like:
- Quite durable and lightweight for its price
- Good craftsmanship for a cheap rod
- Two-piece set assembles easy
What We Didn’t Like:
- May prove challenging when it comes to battling heavy and aggressive fish species
Via Amazon.com
As one of the high-end surf rods in the market today, you sure won’t pay much to get it. I personally like that it has blank made of two-piece graphite composite and that the guide is made of stainless steel frame and inserts made of aluminum oxide.
This makes a really durable and lightweight rod that is easy to hold. The handle is made of rubber shrink tube, which is very good for gripping even when your hands are wet.
I also like how the outer shield has woven carbon fiber, which is great for keeping the blanks and guide wraps well protected.
What We Like:
- Blanks made 2-piece graphite composite
- Handles made of rubber shrink tube
- Woven carbon fiber outer shield
What We Didn’t Like:
- A bit more expensive than other models
Surf Rods – Function and Design
As the name suggests, surf rods are designed for fishing along rocky shorelines or beaches.
As they are essentially supposed to battle the waves, these rods are designed for distance in casting and power for retrieving.
Thus, using regular rods won’t cut it especially along shorelines and beaches where the waves are big.
One of the main features of a surf rod that is unique to other rods is its length.
The idea is for the rod to generate more power when casting and to hold the line once it is out battling the rough waves together with the fish’s weight.
In other words, you want a rod that is designed to cast far and to combat the elements it will be exposed to.
Remember your high school physics and maths classes? Think of yourself as the fulcrum where the casting action originates.
The farther the rod tip is from the centre of the action or the fulcrum, the more distance it will cover and the faster it will move.
This is why longer rods, with longer casts and faster tip speeds, are ideal for surf fishing.
Another reason why you want a long rod is because, as much as possible, you want your line to be out of the surf.
When fishing with baits, the best way to hook a fish is to leave it sitting in a single place for a considerable amount of time. The ideal casting range is far off the breaker.
You want your line to extend as far back as possible where the water is calmer.
Since the wash or the white water will knock your bait around, casting as far back the breaker as possible will help you keep the bait in place for a longer period of time.
This becomes all the more possible with a long rod together with your awesome casting skills.
A long rod tip also means you can raise it high enough to keep the fishing line away from the waves.
Most anglers use a rod holder or a pod to help keep the line higher and for a longer time without hurting your arms.
Although the bait will eventually dragged, having a longer rod tip and line will help you keep your bait in place longer.
How to Choose Your Surf Rods
We are living in an age where fishing has become so sophisticated that you get to choose different tackle supplies with specialized function.
The sport fishing industry is absolutely making life easier for anglers. However, there are still outstanding products that are more worthy of your consideration than others.
To help you choose, here are some helpful tips to consider.
Budget
In choosing surf rods, the first thing you want to think about is the amount of money you are happy to spend.
Don’t commit the mistake of going to a tackle shop or online store without a budget in mind.
Trust me; you will overspend if you don’t have a fixed amount planned ahead.
The price range varies depending on the model and the brand. Tica, Okuma, and Penn are among the top brands for surf rods.
For these brands, you can fix your mind in a price range of about $40-$150. Read the top products below to get an idea of the type of surf rod that is worth your money.
Bait and Target Species
Most people don’t consider the type of bait they are going to use when choosing surf rods. However, the size and weight of your bait greatly affects a rod’s performance. Consider if you are going with lures or dead and live baits.
To decide the type of bait to use, think about your target species. With live bait, for example, the beach is home to all kinds that you can use to catch the type of fish you are after.
Some of the most successful live baits you can find near the beach or buy from your local tackle shop include shrimps, sandworms, mole crabs, hard or soft shell crabs, ragworms, mullets, and bloodworms.
Another consideration when it comes to target species is the strength of the fish. Salmon, for example, are known for being very aggressive. Usually caught with pilchards, this fish species fight hard and thus require a surf rod that can withstand the battle.
Other fish species to look into include mulloway and tailor. Both these species, especially the big ones, fight really hard.
Tips to Improve Your Surf Fishing Skills
After considering which surf rods to buy, there are a couple of tips I want to share with you when it comes to beach fishing. Here are three pointers to think about.
1. Salt Your Bait
This is not for the flavour, but for hardening your bait. Larger fish like gummy sharks, mulloway, and salmon take a while to get into a feeding frenzy. This is when smaller fish like herring or whiting come to pick on the bait.
You want it to stay intact as long as possible and one way of doing that is salting your bait or using ghost cotton to keep it intact. You can get ghost cotton from your local tackle shop.
2. Take Time for Beach Reconnaissance
Using Polaroid glasses will help you identify holes or gutters during your reconnaissance mission off the beach.
There are beaches that change shape regularly so knowing the beach you are going to fish in will help you find the best spots. Rip action, tide, and wave create sandbars and gutters where fish usually hang out.
3. Shape Up Your Casting
Some anglers choose to cast as far as possible thinking this will help them catch fish. Depending on your luck and the fish species you’re after, this strategy can be effective. However, a more accurate way of doing it is to aim for drop-offs and structures.
First, check your line and consider whether using braided or mono will suit your purpose more.
Second, check your spool and make sure you have enough line.
Third, consider the best rods designed for this purpose.
Conclusion
I personally like all the rods reviewed above. Surely, they are some of the best surf rods in the market today. It also boils down on your budget, preference, and purpose.
As mentioned earlier, you have to decide on the amount of money you’re willing to shell out for this fishing gear. At the same time, you also have to consider the fish species you enjoy catching most.
However, from based on the pointers to consider in buying surf rods, the product that stood out most is the Okuma Tundra Surf Glass Spinning Rods.
I think so because of its high-quality construction materials. It is corrosion resistant, which is pretty handy for saltwater fishing. It also has a three-piece construction, which makes it pretty handy to pack and bring with you especially out in the beach. Most importantly, it is inexpensive for such good value.
Of course, the downside is it can get quite heavy given that it is made of fiberglass. Its 15-feet construction makes it good for casting and keeping your bait away from the waves, but also makes it heavy and hard to move around if you’re not used to it.
In the end, it all depends on your level of comfort, style, and technique. One of the fun things about fishing is learning how to properly get your hook in the right spot to catch the fish.
The right rod can help you with that, but it is also a process of knowing your own strengths and weaknesses. That is what makes fishing so awesome!
