FS Digest

For starters I have no knowledge about fishing rods. He knows a bit, but not the most and I'm hoping to help him out. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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by Insaiyan117

FS Digest

I am guessing he is using a spinning reel. Look for a 9-10ft rod for lures and a 10-12ft for bait. Choose a lure rating based on what you want to throw. something around 1-4oz for lures and 3-8oz for bait. A 10ft 1-5oz would be a good all around rod. The offshore angler power stick surf spin and the Star paraflex surf spin are great options.

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by a6

FS Digest

Thank you! I will be sure to let him know about those options!

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by Insaiyan117

FS Digest

I use a 12’ ugly stick with a penn pursuit III on Washington’s coast. There are days when I wish I had a 15’ but also doubt cast-ability

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by unknown1620x

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

OK I would go to Walmart first and look at 10 foot rods. The lighter the better for casting. Ugly Sticks are OK but heavier. You don't need to spend more than $100 Max for the rod. I know that others would say this one or that one, but "How does it feel in your/his hands?". He can buy a better one if he wants to, but he will love the thought that you wanted it for him. The first Eyelet from the reel seat should be 1 & 1/2 inch or bigger if he is using a Spinning reel and not a bait caster. 2 piece rod will work OK. A little long in the back of the car, but that's OK.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

If I knew where you are at I might could help you out. I've got a 12 foot Daiwa Sealine light surf rod - very nice only been used a couple of times. If you can find one, I highly recommend it. They go for about 80 bucks. Was thinking of sending it to audigger, but they want more than the cost of a new one to ship it from California to Maryland. Crazy.

wainemaine Loc: western mountains, Maine

A longer rod is better for everything, he prolly won't be twitching lures and all that stuff, cast out and wait. A 2 piece ugly(10 feet minimum) 12 feet long will fit in most cars easily, get 1 that will cast 8 onces minimum chunk bait and sinker combined, don't worry too much what it weighs cause it wil l spend most of the time in a pound in the ground rod holder. I easily cast 100- 150 yards with a 12 foot ugly and a Fin-Nor reel

Dennis1956

What type of fish will he be going after? Makes a world of difference.

Jackruff Loc: South Mississippi

https://youtu.be/5iR9xTP7dqg
This guy’s recommendations may help.

SCLI Loc: South Carolina

I agree with Dennis1956. Where will he be fishing and for what? IMO a newbie will have trouble with a 12' surf rod,matched with a 25 oz reel, lobbing 3/4 lbs+ bait & sinkers into the surf. Also, Surf fishing from the beach is different then surf fishing inside an Inlet. Tackle used in New England may not be suitable when fishing the Gulf. Targeting Stripers and Blues is much different then Whiting and Pompano. Either way I wouldnt be looking to spend a lot on his 1st Surf outfit. A Penn Pursuit III reel & an Ugly stik wont set you back much. Length, Power, Action/Taper, of rod depends on where and what your fishing for. Reel size to match the Rod. If you purchase a rod that calls for 15-25 lb line & Weights up to 3 oz.. Dont pair it with a reel that only has 10lbs of drag and is made for 8-12lb line. All Fishermen start off with One Rod and One Reel. But very few fishermen only have One Rod and One Reel. You have to start somewhere.

Colorado Catfish Loc: Northern Colorado

Okuma Longitude, 10 or 12 foot, It’s a heavy action surf rod that’s under $80. The 10 will cast up to 6 ounces of weight and I believe the 12 will throw 8 ounces, but it’ll throw them a hundred yards or more easily. Very good rod for the cost.

saguarobear

Get him a three piece 15’ rod, and an open face reel big enough to cast 25 lb. line at least 150 feet.

CRKfish Loc: Southern New Jersey

I surf fish quite a bit here in New Jersey. In the fall and spring it’s the striper migration. Also in the spring and summer it’s bluefish and flounder. Mostly I throw lures for all of that. Some guys only bait fish. Put a chunk of bunker on a hook with a 6oz. Lead weight and Sit in a chair and watch their rod. And that’s fine. They can be very successful. So the rod depends on what you want to do with it . You can do much more, fish jetties move around throw bucktails , plugs poppers and do some bait fishing as well with a 9 or 10 ft. Rod rated 1-4 oz lure. I highly recommend tsunami trophy surf spinning rods. Available in different lengths and power. They are equal to or better than rods 2 or 3 times their cost. They are less expensive but absolutely NOT lesser in performance or quality. I prefer Penn spin fisher reels in the 6500 size for surf pole. I don’t have endorsements I have to buy all my stuff which is why I need more bang for my buck. And buying cheaper stuff costs more in the long run and is frustrating to use. We are in this for fun .

JOHNNY LEW

I agree if your going to use a heaver longer surf rod use it for bait fishing use a conventional reel with 15 to 20lb made line with 5 to6oz of lead takes some practice to get the "educated thumb".med action 9 to 12 footers should be good for plugs and metal. This should get you started