Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to upgrade your Surf Fishing gear or a novice eager to explore the world of beach fishing rods and poles, this comprehensive guide is your playbook to selecting the best Surf Fishing Rods.
From powerful poles designed for battling monstrous stripers or sharks, to delicate models suited for those elusive bonefish, surf perch, corbina, redfish and pompano, we've got you covered with the ideal rod and combo for each species and technique.
Surf Fishing Rod Guide Index
How to choose the best surf fishing rods or poles:
Introduction to Surf Fishing Rods
In this article we're taking a deep dive into the world of surf fishing rods and poles, exploring the critical factors to consider in the decision making process when buying or choosing the best rod for the job; technical aspects, common types and variations, ideal uses, the best brands, and the top models for each species listed in an easy-to-use reference guide.
If you're casting for striped bass, surf perch, snook, croaker, drum, sharks, rays, halibut or any other coastal species from a beach or pier, this detailed guide will ensure you're well-prepared for your next adventure with that perfect pole.
Conventional vs Spinning Rods for Surf Fishing
The first thing to consider in the decision making process is that there are two main types of rod used for surf fishing: conventional and spinning.
The names refer to the type of reel the rod is designed for use with, which is something that’s fundamental to the choice of the rod, so it’s worth considering this before other factors.
Let's work through both types and you'll have an idea of which one suits you first.
A conventional reel basically consists of a drum that winds in line as you turn a handle. The photo below is of a Penn model conventional reel ideally suited for medium to heavy surf fishing.
A spinning reel design describes the style where turning the handle spins the rotor that lays the line onto the spool, with the reel sitting underneath the rod. The photo below is of a spinning reel.
Both spinning and conventional rod and reel combinations have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to surf fishing and shore-based angling, which we'll explore in detail next.
By the way, a conventional or spinning rod is specifically designed for use with this style of reel - the two types aren't really interchangeable because of differences in the reel seat, handle, rings and action.
Advantages of Conventional Rods and Reels for Surf Fishing
To work out which style - conventional vs spinning - is best for you, let's go through the pros and cons of each type.
It's also useful to know that a baitcaster reel (the flatter design of the two below)) is a just a slimline version of a conventional reel (the rounder of the two reels below) designed for use with lighter tackle, usually, than a standard conventional reel. They're a common choice for light lure fishing.
A conventional style of rod and reel combo has the following advantages for surf fishing:
Casting Power: Conventional rods, particularly specialist brands like Zziplex and Century, are renowned for their casting power and are considered a good choice for true long-distance casting techniques. These rods can handle heavy weights and are ideal for casting large baits for species like sharks and heavy lures and plugs for striped bass over long distances, too, which is often necessary when surf fishing
Precision and Control: Small conventional and baitcaster reels paired with this style of rod provide excellent precision and control over your casts. They are favored by anglers who need to accurately place bait or lures in specific spots on light tackle - when saltwater bass, fluke, trout (weakfish) or halibut fishing, for example .
Line Capacity: Larger conventional reels generally offer higher line capacity than a spinning reel, making them suitable for tackling larger and stronger fish species commonly found in surf fishing, such as sharks and redfish The extra line capacity is often useful when deploying a shark bait by kayak or drone. The two-speed Okuma Makaira size-80 (80w) reel below is a reel we use in our guiding service and can recommend for land-based shark fishing anywhere - it's a beast. A size 50 (50w) is also a useful size for when less line is needed.
Best For Big Fish: Heavy and Extra Heavy-rated conventional rods and matching reels like this are also a good choice for targeting larger sharks and rays from the beach when land-based shark fishing because they’ll handle the high drag pressures and bigger fish you're certain to encounter, whereas a spinning reel would struggle
Learning Curve: One drawback of conventional rods and setups is that they can have a steeper learning curve. Casting with a baitcasting or conventional reel requires practice to avoid backlash and achieve accurate casts. Reels with tuned, magnet-braked spools are available and these are easier to use for a beginner who wants to use a conventional reel and rod combo.
Conventional reels and rods are best for the following surf fishing scenarios:
Ultralight and Light lure fishing with small baits for surf perch, flounder, fluke halibut, bass, trout, bonefish, small rockfish (LRF)
Experienced anglers distance casting from the shore or pier
Pier or land-based shark fishing with heavy-duty combos
Advantages of Spinning Rods for Surf Fishing
A rod that’s fished with the reel positioned under the rod is called a spinning rod.
These are probably the most common and easiest combos to use reel for surf fishing, and come in a massive range of configurations and prices, from ultralight to big game-level models.
The spinning reel below is a 4500-size Penn Slammer IV DX model spooled with 30lb braid for bass and halibut fishing with lures - it's a pretty useful size for lots of applications in the surf. We'll delve into more details on setups species-by-species later.
Spinning reels and rods are often the best choice for most surf fishing applications because:
Ease of Use: Spinning rods are known for their user-friendly design, making them an excellent choice for beginners. The open-faced spinning reel is simple to use, reducing the chances of line tangles and backlashes, which are easy to fix if it does happen. Parents and newbies take note!
Versatility: Spinning rods are versatile and adaptable. They can handle various line types and weights, allowing anglers to target a wide range of fish species from the beach, from small croaker to medium-size sharks
Casting Distance: Although usually not as powerful as conventional rods, spinning rods can still cast a respectable distance and are easier to handle in general. They are a solid choice for surf anglers who don't need to reach extreme distances but still want to cover a lot of water with a versatile pole for lots of lure and bait fishing applications. We regularly cast 8oz sinkers and a large bait with Heavy-rated spinning tackle with no issues.
Light Tackle: Spinning setups are well-suited for lighter tackle, making them excellent for finesse techniques like bonefish, corbina, halibut, bass and surf perch fishing with shrimp, sand crabs or grubs, jigging or drop-shotting, which can be effective in many surf fishing scenarios
Spinning reels and rods are best for the following surf fishing scenarios:
Ultra Light to Medium-Heavy lure fishing for any species from the shore (striped bass, flatfish etc)