Surf fishing- rod length vs sensitivity: Went surf fishing in OBX this past week for the second time. Finally caught a few, but I wanted some input on gear. I had a 10' rod and a 7'...

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Surf fishing- rod length vs sensitivity

Jul 13, 2019 09:40:43 #

FS Digest

Went surf fishing in OBX this past week for the second time. Finally caught a few, but I wanted some input on gear.

I had a 10' rod and a 7' rod. The ten foot could cast further, but the seven felt like it had better sensitivity. I also noticed that most of the other guys out there were using 7' rods, however no one really seemed to be catching much, so is there really any benefit to the longer rod?

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by ET2-SW

Jul 13, 2019 09:40:49 #

FS Digest

Longer rods are going to let you cast farther and ideally Into a better spot where fish are. Typically in the surf you are going to use live/frozen bait with circle hooks. The fish will either hook themselves with the circle hook or not. You don’t need to “set” the hook so I dont really think sensitive quite matters in the same way as other styles. However I don’t call myself an expert. You can also gain distance by wading out to the first sandbar and cast from there. Picking a good spot and reading the surf is also important. Plus tides moon phases and random chance.

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by Seremban2

Jul 13, 2019 09:40:54 #

FS Digest

Good points, I did see a lot of wave interference on the shorter rod.

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by ET2-SW

Jul 13, 2019 09:41:00 #

FS Digest

Longer poles = more distance, more distance = better ability to get where fish might be, Sensitivity is only useful at that point to “load” the rod, but, a heavy or a medium heavy is almost always the best, you would tend to use circle hooks, so you don’t need sensitivity to set a rod, and I would always use low drag to see if a fish picked it up(best with a bait feeder reel) And the added height keeps the line off rocks/jagged edges, so, YES USE LONGER RODS, now, if your shark fishing you would have another task on hand, which would be kayaking out 200ft to drop a 5lb bait

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by FANTOMphoenix

Jul 13, 2019 09:41:05 #

FS Digest

I have to learn to use drag more effectively. My 10' rod has a live liner which was handy, but as usual my gear was unorganized and led into other issues.

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by ET2-SW

Jul 13, 2019 09:41:10 #

FS Digest

I am not sure where u r but.....we have switched up to using what I would call Steelhead Rods.....8-14lb rated 8 1/2 to 9' As for bait? Try Berkley Gulp Sandworms 2" camo are the most popular. They work better than anything I have ever used or seen. Central Coast California.

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by ourtime93710

Jul 13, 2019 09:41:15 #

FS Digest

I had Gulps and i was also using fishbites. Didn't catch a lot, but it wasn't a total wipeout like last year.

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by ET2-SW

Jul 13, 2019 09:41:19 #

FS Digest

I've always heard using a longer rod when the surf is bigger helps to keep your line up and out of the breaking waves along with getting further distances when casting

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by OriginalG33Z3R

Jul 13, 2019 09:41:24 #

FS Digest

The shorter rods definitely took more wave action. Made it harder to "feel" anything anyway.

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by ET2-SW

Jul 13, 2019 13:41:38 #

WhiskerKnight

I personally use a 14’ (3 Piece) Akios Hellrazor, That rod loads and launches well passed the breakers, my reel is a Conventional non level wind, which also gives great distance.

When not on the coast, I actually use this rod for Catfishing when I need to reach out to Deep water.

Lure weight is in the 6oz sweet spot..... 14 pound copolymer main line with 50-100 pound braid shock leader. It works well for my needs

Jul 14, 2019 10:24:23 #

hhager23 Loc: Hatteras NC

Longer rods give you the capability to cast further.

I am assuming most the replies above that discount the value of sensitivity are bait fishermen. If you were lure fishermen you would be far more interested in rod sensitivity since that determines how connected you are with the lure you are fishing.

Lots of different factors go into rod sensitivity from the rod blank itself (action & length), to the type and weight of line you are using, to wave action, current, and what you are casting. There can be a world of difference between two rods of the same length in terms of sensitivity.

I have no idea what sensitivity has to do with "loading" the rod as I have only heard that term referencing casting.

Jul 14, 2019 11:38:30 #

HawkOBX Loc: eastern Pennsylvania

I have been fishing the Outer Banks for 35 + years from Corolla to Frisco. 90% of the time I am fishing with 7 foot medium light rods. Most of the fish you will catch there are less than 20 yards from the beach. The key is to find the deeper holes (sloughs) along the beach front. Best time to do this is at low tide where you can see the deeper water. This is the best place to set your bait if bait fishing using smaller hooks with shrimp or fish bites. All of my fishing is done with artificals primarily gulp mullet 3 -4 inch white color. Best times to fish from the beach are two hours before and 2 hours after high tide when the sloughs are filled in. Large surf rods have their place when the water is moving due to high winds and heavier weight is needed to hold bottom. Don't neglect the piers as some of the best fishing can be had when the surf roughs up. Some of the best fisherman on the OBX fish the piers on a regular basis.

Jul 14, 2019 13:24:40 #

oldsalt Loc: Holland Pa

I find using braid on my 10 foot rod gives me all the sensitivity i need

Jul 14, 2019 21:09:40 #

CaptBuddy

HawkOBX is making a lot of good points. I never use a long rod on the Gulf Coast of Fl. You can take a DOA glow shrimp walk out about knee deep and fish parallel to the shore and catch all the snook, reds and flounder you want

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