Has anyone tried this rod?

[ped579]

OK you surf jockies, has anyone tried the Diawa TD Surf Classic Rod?  I am either looking at the 9' or 12' I haven't decided as of yet.

I am thinking is going with the 12' 2 piece graphite that will handle line wt in the 15 - 30# catagory and lure wt from 3 - 6 oz. not sure though.

It is in the $180 bracket.

The 9' rod looks good as well, line wt. 12 - 30 and will handle lures from1 - 5 oz.

It runs about $150.00.

I might also put a new reel on it as well and move my daughter to one of my go to rods now.

I know we have a lot of guests out there and I do need your help as well in deciding.  Please sign up it is free and give an old guy some help will ya.

Thanks

Paul

[Fishin Dude]

Paul, 9ft is the longest rod I'll surf fish with. I find that anything longer starts to get to big,bulky,and heavy. Wears me out casting. I havn't tried this rod, maybe it's ultra light in weight, I don't know, will have to check one out next time I'm at Harrys. Just my .02. Good luck with your decision. <'((((><

[IrishAyes]

Same here Paul.  When I used to surf fish, many,many years ago, the longest rod I would use for plugging was 9 foot.  As Fishin Dude said, could use it all day without tiring out.

[Bucktail]

Haven't tried one of those models, but Daiwa makes some decent lightweight sticks.  I have had a few over the years.

Since you are approaching the $200 range, I would definitely suggest you check out some of the St. Croix Avid or Premier rods.  Some of the lightest and strongest rods out there.

As you know there is a huge difference between a 9' and a 12' rod, so it would be hard for me to tell you which to get other than what Joe and Fishin Dude have said.  I mostly plug with my 8' St. Croix Avid or my 9' (homemade) J. Kennedy Fisher.  Anything longer for plugging wears me out.  Contrary to that, my wife got me a book for my birthday called "Fishing With Bucktails" by Wm. Muller.  In it he recommends an 11' rod for all open beach fishing with the leadheads.  So take that for what it's worth.  Obviously if you're looking for more distance go with the longer rod.

Another rod you may want to look into is the Tsunami Air Wave.  It's a step up from their Trophy series.  It's very light and seems like a winner.   The manufacturer gave me one of the 11' models last Spring to test out.  But, unfortunately I haven't had a chance to throw it as I really didn't fish the surf too much last year.  It retails for around $130.  If you want to try it out from the beach let me know.  I can loan it to you.  Give it a good workout, and see what you think.

In any case, let us know what you finally settle on.

-Bob

[ped579]

Thanks all for your feed back.

I am looking for a rod that will allow me to fish all day and fall into line with the other rods I have.

I have a 2 - 7'6", 8', 10', but they are all glass.  I would like to go full graphite and fill in an area I don't have covered.  That would be the long caster that could handle larger plugs and metals plus getting the fishfinders out to the outer bar.

I keep preaching that I have caught most of my fish in close which is true but this year I have noticed that the fish were further out and unreachable with the rigs I now have.

So I am breaking down and buying one.  I don't know which one yet, I will let you know and the reasons why.

Bob, maybe I will take you up on that offer.  I have been looking at Tsunami but for some reason the person that recommended the Diawa was not to fond of them...

All I know it has to be very light and the Diawa fits that bill as I know others do as well.  Hard decision.

Paul

[Bucktail]

No problem.  I'm off tomorrow and I need to head over to Point Pleasant to return a rod I borrowed from a friend for the tog trip.  If you want I could meet you somewhere in Toms River or even on the beach.  I should have an hour or two to throw a bit!

Let me know.

-Bob

[ped579]

I had to drop off the Expedition today to be worked on tomorrow.  The dumb check engine light went on ands it is running rough.  Just had the oxygen sensor replaced so it can't be that.  They might think it could be the ignition wires or finally the plugs.  It has about 88,000 miles on it and no tune up yet.  So who knows.

I will have to rely on my daughter to get me there in the afternoon after school so I am house bound till I hear from Downs Ford.

Paul

[Bucktail]

OK.  Like I said I'll be going up your way, so if you want me to drop it by give me a shout.  If you don't still have my phone # PM me and I'll give it to you again.

[basslover]

Paul, here's my 2 cents.  As for the length, the old saying of "the longer the rod, the farther the cast" is becoming more of a myth.  Anything over 9' will wear you out very quickly if your throwing plugs.  I guess it's 2 fold.  It takes more energy to cast a 12' rod but your lure is further out.  But after a couple of hours swinging that 12 footer, you will be casting shorter distances cause of fatigue.  The 9' rod can get you out there, but you can maintain the same cast for a longer period of time.  I think I just confused myself. 

Anyway, my opinion is this...9' is the perfect surf rod.  Also, you want to keep the weight of  your rod/reel combo less than 2 1/2 pounds.  Anthing greater will burn you out quicker. 

If you are looking for something lightweight and not made of fiberglass, look into the Tica Dolphin series.  I got one for myself this fall and it is hands down the best rod I've ever used.  It's a carbon rod, very light, and decent priced.  I have the 9' 2 piece, MH action, good for 2-6 ounces.  I let me girlfriend try it (she's been surf fishing much longer than I have), and she fell in love with it, so I got her one too!

www.digitaldagger.com lists my rod for $88.00 right now. 

Remember, this is only my opinion. Tight lines!!!

Ryan

[ped579]

Hi Ryan,

i know what you mean and I have been preaching that same message for years. 

BTW, Welcome Aboard I hope you enjoy the insights that pop up a few times a week.  My arsenal of equipment ranges from a 7'6" to 10'6" including a 8' and 9' rods.  The reason I was looking at that particular rod was because someone recommend I get this particular rod.

I do not care for long rods and have never fished with anything over what I now have.  I did get a new rod and reel yesterday and it was the Tica Dolphin Series 10'6" M/H action that will handle 2-8oz lures with the Fuji guides a little more money but I think worth it.  Coupled with a Penn 560 Slammer with 30# Power Pro.  This was bought at Betty & Nicks BTW during their winter sale going on now check them out.

I have to tell you the combo is fantastic.  I went out today to try different wt. lures and plugs well it handled everything I have in the bag and then some.  Once the reel settled in by this I mean the loops did come but that was because it was over filled I took about 30 yards off and never had the problem pop up again.

The castability of this comb is such that I could probably cast all day and not get tired.  I did not don the waders today and was casting above the water line and was able to make the outer bar with no problem.  I did this just to see if I could.  I fish normally in close and my go to rod is the 7'6" rig but have noticed that this year there were times I would of liked to get out a little further.  Now I can and not sacrifice going over board in length or weight.

The Penn reel was very smooth and did everything I put it through I did not cast to heavy of weight only because the heaviest metal I had in the bag was the 5oz Crippled Minnow and the AVA47, which it handled perfectly.

I am hoping to get out tomorrow and try it on IBSP with a neighbor if the weather holds.  I am keeping my fingers crossed, I am hooked on this outfit and will probably be talking about it for a long time. 

Now if we can only catch something it would be perfect.

Again Welcome Aboard and thanks for the input.

Where do you do most of your surf fishing?  I can be found from Lavellette down to IBSP.

Happy Catching

Paul

[IrishAyes]

Hi Basslover, welcome to the site.  Nice post.  Looking forward to more your posts and reports.   
Any questions you have, ask away.  Anything you can offer to help, please continue to do so.  We are all about sharing here. 

[basslover]

Hey guys, thanks for the warm welcome!  Glad to be of service!  I love these boards!  There is a lot of information here!

Well you can call me a hypocrite.  I won a bid on e-bay about 3 days ago.  It was for a 10' MH Lamiglas Surf King, a rod that sell for around $135.00.  My winning bid was $79.00.  It came in today.  Really nice, and light!  I have yet to fish with a 10' rod, but for that price, I couldn't pass it up.  It will not be my primary rod.  More like my hip-pocket spare, or a rod to let friends borrow. 

I also hit up betty and nicks yesterday.  I took advantage of the 7' ugly stick with the conventional Okuma reel on it for 35.00.  I actually bought 2...one for me, and one for my lady.  I also bought up half the stores tackle...well it feels like I did.  I've never used conventional equipment before and want to, so what better way than to start cheap right??

I mostly fish Island Beach State Park. I didn't have a beach buggy pass last year, but have one now.  I usually hit it anywhere from A10-A22, and on occasion, two bit road. 

Ok enough babbling.  Thanks again guys.  I will post any info and reports that I can! 

[ped579]

Hi Ryan,

I know what you mean about Betty & Nicks lately they love it when I walk in.  I think it was Ron that helped me out the other night.  Did they try and talk you out of Okuma?  They are not to keen on them but I have had no problen I own 4 of them.

My first thought was going back to conventional but I will have to forgo that till another time.  I have to keep things simple so the females of the house will not get to discouraged about casting and winding up with a birds nest all the time.

I was looking at the new Penn Mag seems very interesting.

I drive a maroon 2000 Ford Expedition and roam the area of A7 down to the Pocket and also Gillikens south to the bathing beaches.  If you see us out there stop by and say hello.  I am the chubby guy with white hair and usually wearing the NJSWF hat.

Happy Catching

Paul

[basslover]

Hi Paul!  The folks at Betty & Nicks usually don't seem to talkative when I go there by myself, so they didn't try to sway me away from the Okuma.  I love Okuma reels.  I have 6 of them.  3 freshwater, and now, 3 saltwater.  I have an Avenger 80 Baitrunner on a 9 foot spinning rod.  I love the reel, but it's too big.  It seems to be holding up to the salt pretty good.  But I do rinse them off after every use.  I haven't tried the 2 new conventional ones yet.

I'm gonna check out the Penn Mag.  Seems like a good reel. But I need another spinning reel for the Lamiglas I just bought.  Any suggestions?

I won't be on the beach for a couple weeks.  My girlfriend and I are going up to Northern Maine on Monday to visit my parents and to do some ice fishing.  I'll keep an eye out for you next time I'm out.

Ryan

[ped579]

Hi Ryan,

I tell you what I bought the Penn 560 Slammer and filled it with 30# braid and I was pleasantly surprised.  It was not to much over $100 bucks (sale price) so I took a chance and I tried it out for a couple of days now and I have to say it is one smooth reel and the comfort zone fell in in very short period of time.

All my other reels are Okuma's and if cared for properly have been my go reels for a couple of years.

Happy Catching

Paul