NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums

The Surf Fisherman Forum => From The Surf => Topic started by: Sam3 on February 20, 2007, 07:19:29 AM

Title: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Sam3 on February 20, 2007, 07:19:29 AM
I'm going to give surf fishing a try this year and wanted to know what would be the best set up for a beginner.
What type of gear (basics) would I need also??

Thanks!
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Flukedood on February 20, 2007, 11:09:13 AM
Sam, what do you want to set up for?? For fluke which is what I usually fish for off the beach, You can use a 61/2, 7'medium/heavy rod, The reel is kid of up to you. I have a couple of diffrent ones..I use 20# braid and 10 or 12 pound flourocarbon for leaders..

Striper and blues from the surf I have a 9 ft penn med heavy with a Penn spinnig reel and for the life of me I can not remember the modle # I belive its a 710.. I dont fish much fro stripers from the surf so I am sure someone else will be more helpful than me...
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Sam3 on February 20, 2007, 11:15:52 AM
Thanks Flukedood. I'm trying to gather as much info from guys that fish the surf and what works best for them.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Flukedood on February 20, 2007, 11:21:55 AM
I plan on fishing the hook alot this year. Ill let you know when I am going hopefully you can join me on a few occasions..
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Sam3 on February 20, 2007, 11:23:10 AM
For sure...thanks!
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: woodrufflou on February 20, 2007, 12:54:00 PM
Try going to a local bait shop and asking them to help you. They are usually good with those kind of things. They should help you out.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: robsrodnreel on February 20, 2007, 04:56:37 PM
not so much money= tica rods.  i have a plugging pole that i like alot and my buddy has a surf rod that hes very happy with.  if you want to spend the money you cant go wrong with a st. croix. 

for a surf reel i like penns(black and gold) not the cheap ones. they are easy to clean easy to work on and being in the surf they can get real beat up. 

i fish a ten footer usually, but on the point of the hook you can easily get away with using a shorter lighter rod. nice and calm out there, which is why i like to fish there,=)
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Sam3 on February 20, 2007, 05:42:36 PM
Thanks Lou and thanks Rob. I will look into the Penn reels. I agree going with something dependable and easy to work on.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: technologist on February 20, 2007, 08:20:29 PM
sam'

   What are you going to fish for and how are you going to fish? Stripers, blues,fluke, etc and bait or lures it all makes a difference!
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Sam3 on February 21, 2007, 08:24:14 AM
sam'

   What are you going to fish for and how are you going to fish? Stripers, blues,fluke, etc and bait or lures it all makes a difference!

I'm thinking fluke for right now.





Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Sam3 on February 21, 2007, 08:42:58 AM
Hey guys....should I be looking into spinning or casting??
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: catfish hunter on February 21, 2007, 10:09:28 AM
spinning
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Flukedood on February 21, 2007, 10:40:27 AM
definatly spinning
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Sam3 on February 21, 2007, 10:42:27 AM
Good...looks like I'm making a trip to Ramsey's soon.  ;D
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Flukedood on February 21, 2007, 10:44:01 AM
Sam before you buy anything let me know I may be able to get a decent deal for you through work..
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Sam3 on February 21, 2007, 10:46:14 AM
Sound good..I'll go and browze and see what they have. I'm going for the Penn black and gold like mentioned and a decent pole.

BTW..i sent you a pm yesterday..did you get it?
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: catfish hunter on February 21, 2007, 10:52:14 AM
Sam before you buy anything let me know I may be able to get a decent deal for you through work..
where do you work that you get deals
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Flukedood on February 21, 2007, 11:02:52 AM
Catfish PM sent..
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: woodrufflou on February 21, 2007, 12:51:59 PM
hey scrub a dub dub...if you don't mind, id like to know too  ;D
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: wingshooter on February 21, 2007, 09:18:52 PM
scrub share the connection


Sam if youre planning on fluke the a 7 footer medium action is what youre looking for, I use an ugly stick,,,,just remember even thou youre going for fluke theres nothing stopping  blues and stripers from hiting your bait,,,,I have caught stripers on snapper poppers, so dont go with a cheapo low end rod
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: rugman on February 22, 2007, 07:58:52 AM
scrubby you said you are going to fish the hook alot this year """""" ??? ??? BUT YOU LIVE THERE AT THE N-B :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Sam3 on February 22, 2007, 08:08:58 AM
scrub share the connection


Sam if youre planning on fluke the a 7 footer medium action is what youre looking for, I use an ugly stick,,,,just remember even thou youre going for fluke theres nothing stopping  blues and stripers from hiting your bait,,,,I have caught stripers on snapper poppers, so dont go with a cheapo low end rod

Thanks Wing.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: NJetty on April 17, 2007, 11:19:40 AM
I'm going to give surf fishing a try this year and wanted to know what would be the best set up for a beginner.
What type of gear (basics) would I need also??

Thanks!
Sam3 get yourself a set up that will work for anything on the beach. 

All you really need is an 8' mod/fast - med/hvy rod and a Penn 710z or Mitchell 306 reel to get you started.  You can find decent deals on reels on Ebay.  For the rod, again you have numerous places to shop, hell even the local Wal-Mart has them.  This set up will work well from the beach or Jetty whether fishing bait, medals, or plugs.

As for line; go with a 20# braided line. Many maufactuers out there, the choices are limitless.  Fish a mono leader off the braid and you should be set for whatever comes down the beach.

Happy fishing!
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on April 17, 2007, 12:29:56 PM
I would use a 14' or 16' Ugly Stick with a Penn 8500 or 9500ss, lined with power pro.  You can cast a mile.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: ped579 on April 17, 2007, 12:48:22 PM
Good advice NJetty ...I fish IBSP a lot and I will have a report here soon on the conditions out there.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Sam3 on April 18, 2007, 06:59:01 AM
Great tips and thanks guys.
I picked up a Penn combo at the Salt Water fishing Expo in March. 7ft Med/heavy rod with a 9500ss reel.
Going to try that out when I get some time.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: rugman on April 18, 2007, 07:38:00 AM
sea 3 , is right i like a 14 just to get over the big waves 8)
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: ped579 on April 18, 2007, 09:30:33 AM
Casting a mile is a misnomer.  I have caught more fish up close then out far.  It is all about learning how to read the breaks in the bars and being able to cast to them.  I fly fish the surf and caught my share of fish almost right at my feet.

So the big sticks are mot bad in certain cases my arsenal consists of four poles all with spinning reels, a 6', 7'-6", 9' and a 10'.  My fly rod is a homebrew 9' Fenwick blank designed for a 9wt line I use a wtf line with plenty of backing to shoot out a little.

Thats it, nothing extravagant it is simple and it works for me.
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Luna Sea 5 on April 18, 2007, 10:12:34 AM
Casting a mile is a misnomer.  I have caught more fish up close then out far. 

It was a figure of speach....
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: ped579 on April 18, 2007, 12:57:36 PM
I understand the figure of speech.  I know the big sticks do have their place I understand that but bigger is not necessarily the best.  Like I said before I have caught more fish up close than out past the breakers.

If one learns to read the beach you will out fish most who just cast and plunk.

If I am with family I usually look for a good cut in the bar and see if the water is running or not.  If it is, that is where I will plant them. 

If I am alone I look for the same things but I will travel if a spot is not productive within a period of time.

The KEY to productive surf fishing is learning to read the beach. 
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Flukedood on April 18, 2007, 01:04:01 PM
I guess its more important to be able to read the beach for stripers that it is for fluke no? Becasue when I go flukin from the beach 90% of the time I catch them right in the wash all along the beach
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: catfish hunter on April 18, 2007, 01:06:16 PM
bass and fluke are in the wash looking for bait fish they took a pounding from a wave and are disorientated,easy meal.If there is no structure the fish are in the wash most of the time
Title: Re: Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...
Post by: Flukedood on April 18, 2007, 01:12:03 PM
bass and fluke are in the wash looking for bait fish they took a pounding from a wave and are disorientated,easy meal.If there is no structure the fish are in the wash most of the time

 I have had bass and blues swimming at my feet standing in the wash, before I learned that the wash was one of the most productive places to fish.. ;D