Texas gulf coast surf fishing: Hello My name is Newt, I live in Longview Texas. I have fished for most of my 75 years mostly fresh water. My question for you professionals is what is...

Newt Loc: Longview, Texas

Hello
My name is Newt, I live in Longview Texas. I have fished for most of my 75 years mostly fresh water.
My question for you professionals is what is the best surf rods and reels.
Thanking you in advance for your courtesy and consideration of my request.
God Bless

Weekend Hooker Loc: Clyde, Texas

Newt Benham wrote:

Hello
My name is Newt, I live in Longview Texas. I have fished for most of my 75 years mostly fresh water.
My question for you professionals is what is the best surf rods and reels.
Thanking you in advance for your courtesy and consideration of my request.
God Bless

Welcome Newt. I would like to know also. Waiting with 'baited breath'.

Newt Loc: Longview, Texas

With your “baited breath” I hope you don’t bite your tongue.

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

Haven't fished the surf for years but found something not too heavy around 10ft, medium size spinning reel and whatever line you want to put on, braid around 30lb or mono around 20lb. Too heavy a rod you won't detect bites easily

Newt Loc: Longview, Texas

Thank you sir, I appreciate your comments.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Newt Benham: I don't wish to be contradictory, but unless you are determined and set to catch large sharks, then just go with what you've bass fished with. Most of what you're likely to catch can be handled with an ordinary spinning or bait casting rig. That's what I always use. Since you are not living close, and unless you move to the coast, why spend $100 or more for a rig you won't use that much? Just be sure that your rig has a sufficient amount of line to handle a fish that might run. just Sayin...RJS

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Newt Benham wrote:

Hello
My name is Newt, I live in Longview Texas. I have fished for most of my 75 years mostly fresh water.
My question for you professionals is what is the best surf rods and reels.
Thanking you in advance for your courtesy and consideration of my request.
God Bless

Welcome to the Forum, Newt. Thank you for filling in your location on the profile page. RJS made a good point, your heavy-duty freshwater gear will do just fine. If you get serious about it then you may move up to a 10'er and maybe a 4000 series reel. By that time you will be able to see what the surf fishermen are using. There is a misconception about surf fishing, you really don't have to throw it out that far, just past the first breaker, and you will be in business.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

You have two things to consider that are unique to fishing the surf. One is wave action. You want to be able to keep your line cleat of the waves or they will grab the line and put it up on the beach. For this I use 10 feet as the minimum length for the rod. The other is distance. As RJS stated you don't always have to cast far. A lot of fish are within 50 feet of the beach. However sometimes the structure you want to fish is further out and you want to have the capability. A third consideration is maximum lure weight. Sometimes you will need to hold bottom with heavier current or wave action. You will need to throw weights as much as 8 ounces and the rod has to do the job. The total setup, if you visualize what you would use to fish 10 to 15 pound cats, that will give you an idea of what to use.

Newt Loc: Longview, Texas

Thank you sir, I will certainly take your advice into serious consideration.
Please have a blessed day

Newt Loc: Longview, Texas

Ma’am, I meant you no disrespect. Please accept my apology for my comment.
Please have a blessed and wonderful day

Chuck Strong Loc: Massachusetts

I'm in New England ... My favorite set up is an 11 foot surf rod from offshore anglers(Basspro) .. Shimano Sedona 8000 reel spooled with powerpro 30 lb braid .. 8 to 10 ft 25 lb flourocarbon leader. You can plug or use bait comfortably with this setup.

Good Luck!

Newt Loc: Longview, Texas

Thank you Mr. Strong, I’ll take a look at that setup.
Please take of yourself and your family.
Peace

Chuck Strong Loc: Massachusetts

Right back atcha!

Ibclyde Loc: Cloverleaf Lakes Wisconsin

How far is the first breaker usually?
What kind of rig do you use?
I’m from the North and only fresh water fish
But I’ve seen it done and would like to try sometime

bearsss33 Loc: Bastrop,Texas

Newt
Im in Bastrop tx planning a trip to Lake Murval in May. Have not been their for about 30 years. Wondering
have you fished that lake??? The last i remember the name of the camp was Stovals on lake Murval. Any input would be great. Caught a lot of fish on that lake . Just wondering was everything was the same???
THXS
Steve