Versatile, all around surf fishing rods

[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]

Well a couple years later.
I had shoulder surgery late 2013, ended up getting a CTS Vapor Trail 11 foot rod, it weighs 10.8 oz.
Its rated for 1-3 oz but I have thrown from 1/2 oz to 4.5 oz with it (4.5 oz Beast Darters).
In 2014 my shoulder wasn't 100%, but I used the rod about 90 percent of the time and really liked it.
In 2015 my shoulder was a 100 percent and I used the Vapor trail 98% of the time, awesome rod, amazed at how after 6 or 8 hours casting my shoulder felt great.
Crazy light, easy casting, works pencils easy, sensitive, great in fighting fish.
And it has been durable, I have fished with it on the rocks in Montauk and have not been easy on it, leaned on it at times in the water as a walking stick.

Its a custom rod, I paid a lot for it. One thing I have learned is when buying a custom rod its important to be as open with the guy making it as possible. Rich from CTS made it and it's everything I asked for. Others will use the same blank and the rod will come out very different. I got lucky and its perfect for me. Because I have seen my rod vs others with the same blank its been a great leaning experience. If you get a custom rod, be specific what you are looking for in the rod, discuss components and different guide layouts and the differences in the layouts (very important). What the effect the guide layouts will have on the rods action and feel.

[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?