Surf Fishing Rod

You have to be prepared to reel in some big fish when you go surf fishing (fishing from the shore or from wading in the surf). Sharks number among the game that a surfcaster might catch. So are albacore tuna, tarpons, and striped bass; three species that tend to reach bodyweights over 40 pounds. With leviathans like these in the water, a surf fishing rod has to be built to withstand enormous amounts of strain.

A surf fishing rod must also have long reach. Your first goal when surf fishing is to cast your lure or bait as far out into the water as you can go. For that reason, most of the rods will be fairly long. Expect a basic surf fishing rod to measure 7 to 12 feet in length and to have an extra-long butt section. The reel can be a conventional one, though it had best be built to endure the abrasive and corrosive properties of sand and salt.

Much of the action takes place in choppy waters. Strong waves, powerful undertows, and frothy whitewater conditions make this a high-impact type of fishing. So rods should in general be able to withstand a lot of abuse.

Most serious surfcasters have multiple surf rods of differing lengths and actions. This is to cover for the variety of beaches from which they might cast—sand, cliffs, rock jetties, wooden piers, etc.—and for the different kinds of fish that they might find at them.

Cabela’s is one well-known fishing-rods manufacturer that makes a fair number of rods for surf fishing. One of the company’s newest rods is the Mojo Surf Spinning Rod, a premium model that’s equipped with SCII graphite blanks, custom X-wrap handles, and Fuji reel seats. The guides are sloped to minimize tangles and lined with zirconium rings to increase both the casting distance and the casting accuracy. Another plus: The rod’s coating is slow-cured to be saltwater-repellant.

For far casting distance and overall great performance, also consider Cabela’s Bimini Bay Tsunami Surf Spinning Rod. The rod’s ring guides are composed of sturdy titanium carbide and the frame is a dependable frame of stainless steel with an outer layer of ultra high modulus graphite. It, too, effectively resists corrosion, thanks to the protective gel coating on top. And it earns consistently high praise from reviewers of this rod consistently praise its sensitivity and strong cast action.

Posted July 24th, 2010 in Fishing Rods, Shopping.

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Surf Fishing Rod

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