Recommendations for a surf rod and reel...

[rugman]

scrubby you said you are going to fish the hook alot this year """""" BUT YOU LIVE THERE AT THE N-B

[Sam3]

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.

[NJetty]

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!

[Luna Sea 5]

I would use a 14' or 16' Ugly Stick with a Penn 8500 or 9500ss, lined with power pro.  You can cast a mile.

[ped579]

Good advice NJetty ...I fish IBSP a lot and I will have a report here soon on the conditions out there.

[Sam3]

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.

[rugman]

sea 3 , is right i like a 14 just to get over the big waves

[ped579]

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.

[Luna Sea 5]

Casting a mile is a misnomer.  I have caught more fish up close then out far. 

It was a figure of speach....

[ped579]

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. 

[Flukedood]

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

[catfish hunter]

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

[Flukedood]

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..