Versatile, all around surf fishing rods

[surfstix1963]

I'm not a fan of spaghetti rods I saw a video of the mojo and the caster said it was great up to 2 oz. he wouldn't want to use anything heavier.

[seamonkey]

I'm not a fan of spaghetti rods I saw a video of the mojo and the caster said it was great up to 2 oz. he wouldn't want to use anything heavier.

I tried the mojo and didn't really like it felt it was too whippy. I did cast a lot further and when the fish are far I would have no problem using it. My bud uses his to cast over the bar at island beach and is very happy with it. Maybe the right way to go is to have one lighter whippy rod for casting further and then a shorter stouter one for the heavier stuff like the eels and giant plugs.

[jigfreak]

I think the important thing is what works for you. You really need to try different blanks not just in the store but in the surf. When they have rod demos is a good time to go. They often focus on only one brand. I do agree that you should have heavier rated rods for throwing eels and the bigger wood or heavy metal. Surfstix you talked about health limitations. If thats the case you might want to consider downsizing your rods. An 11' blank will put more stress on you than a 9' one will. That's with all other things being equal.
Just a suggestion. You can get a quality 9' blank that will give you a lot less fatigue. imo some of the newest offerings at 11' weren't designed to take punishment or abuse. modified steelhead rods. Good for spring cow pencil popper fishing or distance casting but not the best for big surf or climbing jetties or the fronts of inlets. It really depends on the kind of fishing you guys want to do. I switch between my 9' lami for all around use and go to an 11' when its big surf or the fish are out far. I do agree the lami triflex wears on you but in my opinion the length of the rod has a lot to do with it. When you make 1000 casts any long rod will eventually wear on you unless you are over 6'2".
Have you guys looked at any 9' blanks?

[storminsteve]

Good discussion. The most important thing I got out of it is that no one rod can do all things. thanks fellas

[Monty]

Good discussion. The most important thing I got out of it is that no one rod can do all things. thanks fellas

That Avid kinda does it all for me, its 13.3 oz vs a Legend that is 11.6 oz, Mojo is 12.8
But like others have stated, each of us looks for different characteristics in rods. I really like that I can cast the wide range of plugs with it. The tip end for loading the lighter plugs and then the rest of the rod handling the heavier plugs. When casting a 14" Hogy the rod has recovers real nice, powers the Hogy out there (lands kinda like where I wanted it to).

[surfwalker]

I, like many of you walk and cast, and cast while walking. I have been using a Lami blank, GSB1081M, for the past 14 years, I like it. Matter of fact, I use a 9 footer 99% of the time. When I like something I stick with it. It?s rated 1-3oz., but I find that 3 is pushing it. I don?t throw really big wood and pencils are a chore to get into rhythm for me with this blank. I throw small plugs, poppers and metal with it and only require one advil pre walk, instead of the 2 or 3 that I used to take with the previously used 9 foot S-glass. I'm walking open sandy beaches.

I find it comfortable, not heavy, loads up nicely and does most of the work for me on the cast. I have caught nice Bass, downtown blues, nice albies and freaking big cow nose rays on it, never let me down, although the operator has on occasion.

I totally agree that there is not a perfect rod or blank for all occasions, and you have to feel comfortable with your casts, to each his own.

[Monty]

I, like many of you walk and cast, and cast while walking. I have been using a Lami blank, GSB1081M, for the past 14 years, I like it. Matter of fact, I use a 9 footer 99% of the time. When I like something I stick with it. It's rated 1-3oz., but I find that 3 is pushing it.

Sounds like a real nice light rod.
I sometimes use a Loomis, 8'10" also rated up to 3 oz, its about a 10 oz rod, throws the plugs you mentioned. Takes very little effort to cast. When I plan on throwing mostly plastic and small stuff I use this or another 9 footer have.

[Monty]

That Avid was and is my favorite so far. Not to heavy and just does a great job with the full range of artificials. I like rods between 10 and 11feet. Will likely be throwing a lighter rod this spring and will be getting my first custom rod in 15 years. Knowing what I like and want built into that rod.

I think the important thing is what works for you. You really need to try different blanks not just in the store but in the surf. When they have rod demos is a good time to go. They often focus on only one brand. I do agree that you should have heavier rated rods for throwing eels and the bigger wood or heavy metal. Surfstix you talked about health limitations. If thats the case you might want to consider downsizing your rods. An 11' blank will put more stress on you than a 9' one will. That's with all other things being equal.
Just a suggestion. You can get a quality 9' blank that will give you a lot less fatigue. imo some of the newest offerings at 11' weren't designed to take punishment or abuse. modified steelhead rods. Good for spring cow pencil popper fishing or distance casting but not the best for big surf or climbing jetties or the fronts of inlets. It really depends on the kind of fishing you guys want to do. I switch between my 9' lami for all around use and go to an 11' when its big surf or the fish are out far. I do agree the lami triflex wears on you but in my opinion the length of the rod has a lot to do with it. When you make 1000 casts any long rod will eventually wear on you unless you are over 6'2".
Have you guys looked at any 9' blanks?