Help me choose My first surf set up !

[KingCrab004]

First of all this is my first post so let me start by saying HELLO to all of you.

I'm new to surf casting but I use to own a boat so I have plenty  boat fishing experience . But no Surf. I plan to purchase one of the following set ups and would like your opinions. I plan to use this rod and reel for 1 oz buck tails to 3 0z poppers . Later I will invest into bait set up. I will be mainly fishing the Jersey shore. Thanks

Reels: Penn Slammer 560
                  Shimano Saragosa 8000

Rods: St.Croix Mojo 10Ft /Mod-Fast/1-4 lure wt
         St.Croix Mojo  10.6Ft/Mod/ lure wt 3/4-4
         St.Croix Legend 10Ft/Mod-Fast/1-4 lure wt
         St.Croix Legend 10Ft/Mod/ Lure wt 3/4-4

All spooled with Braid.Is it worth it to pay the extra for the Legend I have heard that the Mojo is to soft for lures over 2 1/2 oz .Thanks for your suggestions.   

[KingCrab004]

Also any set ups you other than the ones I chose that you like better would be great.

[IrishAyes]

KingCrab, welcome to the site. There will be some ace surf fishermen here who can and will give great advise on setups for the surf. I am not one of them, I fish exclusively from my boat. But your answers will be coming in soon.

Again, welcome to the site. 

[SurfJockey]

I have a 9' mojo 3/4-4.  It did work for me this Fall.  Only place I have found it not to exceed is when throwing light bombers and such as it might be a little stiff to feel them working.  ChrisL on this site has the 10'6" and can give you his feedback.  As for the Legend, if you're just starting out, the last thing I'd do is shell out 400 beans on a rod.  Unless your very wealthy I'd say go with a VS200 and a custom CTS or Century.  Welcome to the site.  Look forward to seeing your reports.  Where are you planning on fishing?

[KingCrab004]

The legend is a bit steep in price but I want to make sure I get a rod that will not have to be upgraded. I was thinking of trying Sandy Hook, and IBSP. $600 to $650 is probably the most I can spend right now. I agree that the VS200 are nice but way out of my budget.

[SurfJockey]

I was kidding about the VS.   To me the mojo is a good choice to cover most of the things I need it to do.  Don't take anyone's word on a rod, best thing to do is go check them out and put one in your hands.

[Reel McCoy]

 

[Hotrod]

Welcome Aboard. I look forward to your input here.

Just one question  I see you registered almost 3 years ago..   and your just posting now

[ChrisL]

Welcome 

I like the Mojo rods, but most of what you listed are too big/stiff for throwing 1-2oz bucktails.  It's tough to pick one rod/reel to handle everything. 
You would be best served by starting with 2 rods for lures and 1 for bait.  There are plenty of quality rods in the $100-$150 range.  Which would allow you to get 2 combos set up.
I have the 10'6 3/4-4 Mojo.  It's sweet spot is 2-3oz lures.  It can throw a 1oz bucktail or bomber, but not well. 
For 1-1.5oz, I would look for something in the 9ft 1/2-3oz range.  Weather it be a Mojo, Tica TC2, Airwave, etc. 
The Slammer is a good solid reel (just dont dunk it).  The 560 is a good size match for a 10 or 10'6 rod.  If you pick up a 9ft, look for a reel in the 400 size.
Take a look at the Penn Battle and some of the Shimanos as well.

My personal arsenal is:
10'6 3/4-4oz Mojo with a VS 200 (or Penn 704z)  - my goto rod.  Larger swimmers, poppers, AVA27, AVA37, 2-3oz bucktails.
11' 2-8oz Tica TC2 with Penn 704z (or VS 200)  - Second choice in the surf.  Does very will with 2-3oz pencils and swimmers.
9' 1/2-3oz Tica TC2 with a Shimano Stradic 4000.  -  Goto rod in the bays and rivers.  Also great for the surf on calmer days.  Handles any lure from 1/2-2oz and has plenty of backbone for good fish.
7ft Airwave w/ a 4000 Penn -  Lighter stuff in the rivers and bays and fluking. 

Good luck.  As Jason said, visit your local shop and feel the rods/reels your looking at and talk to the shop owners. 

Feel free to ask away.  And let us know what you end up with. 

[KingCrab004]

Hey ChrisL Nice info bud as well as everyone else. So I leaning toward the MoJo 10'6 Ft 3/4-4 rod. But what do you mean don't dunk the Slammer . Since I'm looking at a less expensive rod I can splurge some on the reel what reel would be better than the slammer that be dunked.

[FishOn]

Hey ChrisL Nice info bud as well as everyone else. So I leaning toward the MoJo 10'6 Ft 3/4-4 rod. But what do you mean don't dunk the Slammer . Since I'm looking at a less expensive rod I can splurge some on the reel what reel would be better than the slammer that be dunked.

VS, ZeaBaas, or old Penn. The only reason I say Penn is cause the older models are so easy to self service.  If you happen to dunk it, take a half hour when you get home and open it up, clean it and grease it and your good to go again.  I own several slammers which are decent but better suited for boat fishing (same with shimano). Look into the VS vm reel or find a used VS or Z. My next upgrade will be a Z with a legend, century, or custom lamiglas

[ChrisL]

If you're only going to stay on dry sand, the Slammer is a great reel.  If you start wading out and taking waves to the chest, the reel will get splashed and dunked.  It's not a sealed reel and the water, salt and sand will destroy the reel's internal parts.  It's a great reel for bait fishing where you typically stay on the beach. 

The old Penn Spinfisher series (704Z, 706Z, 710Z, etc) aren't sealed either, but can take it better....with proper maint as FishOn said. 

The only reels that are fully sealed and intended to be dunked are the Van Stall and Zeebass.  But they are very expensive and probably not the wisest purchase for someone just starting out. 

[BigAl13]

All good info guys. My personal arsenal consists of

9' tc2/ penn battle no need for backing braid on this reeel

10' tc3 dolphin/Penn 650ss  the rods a bit stiffer really like it for bait

9 & 10' tsunami trophy series/tica stripper special bait runners. use these mostly for bait.

the tc2 setup is my most used as it easily casts light lures and has enough bone to easily cast 2-3oz metals. another reason i use this the most is that it is very light and makes arm fatigue a easier to beat

[KingCrab004]

What about the Penn Torque reels compared to the vs200?

[ChrisL]

I've heard the Torque is a very solid reel.  They claim it to be sealed, but some people are skeptical.  I've never personally used one.
The VS and ZB reels have stood the test of time.
You can find Penn 704Z reels (good match for 10'6) on Ebay from less then $100.  And 706Z (good for a 9') for about $200.

[FishOn]

I've heard the Torque is a very solid reel.  They claim it to be sealed, but some people are skeptical.  I've never personally used one.
The VS and ZB reels have stood the test of time.
You can find Penn 704Z reels (good match for 10'6) on Ebay from less then $100.  And 706Z (good for a 9') for about $200.

I'm a big fan of Penn reels. On paper the torque looks great. My only problem with it is it is so damn ugly!

[blynch]

Welcome aboard.

I havent had any experience with either of the rods, but I can tell yoyu the Slammers are absolute tanks for the money.  I have a 560 spooled with 30lb braid that I have used for bucktailing, jigging, and livelining bunker. I've had bass up to 30 lbs on it and it has worked like a champ every time.  I also had a great experience with a 460 that I retired afew years ago when I thought it was broken, but later discovered that a screw on the inside had popped loose, and when I put it back in place I was back in business. For the price, I have writter many times that they are hard reels to beat.   

[KingCrab004]

I played with the Van Staal today at Ramsey Outdoors Me Likey! If I don't get to pick one up this year Ill look for a used Penn 704z. So let me get this straight the Penn 704z will work with Fireline just not Power Pro? If so can you explain why?

[FishOn]

To me it's the way the line wraps on the spool. Braid needs a nice even tight wrap or else you run into problems with wind knots (though it has little to do with the wind). I haven't found a Penn reel new or old that works great with braid though they all work great with fireline. I use 10lb on my really light setups, 14lb on most of my setups, and 20 on the heavy stuff. They all have breaking strengths higher than what they are rated for. Others will disagree but the VS are better off with fireline as well. I stick to braid for my baitcasters and conventionals or on my slammers that are used on the boat but as they been needing replacing I have just been going back to fireline

[BigAl13]

King keep an eye out as i will be posting some reels i have for sale later. Maybe i have something you can use till u get your mind made up.