Versatile, all around surf fishing rods

[fishinmission78]

What I like to throw range from Red Fins to 4 1/2 oz Rip-Plugger plugs to 14" Hogys.
Also work spooks, poppers and pencils.
The rod I used most this past year was an Avid 11' rod rated 3-8 oz (weighed 13.3 oz).
I was able to throw loaded red fins fine, SP Minnows I could drill a good distance, big plugs loaded real nice, could work a pencil and the 14" Hogys were a pleasure to cast with this rod.
The surprising part was the ability to cast 1 - 1 1/4 oz plugs.
I know almost nothing about rod action, just my opinions and thoughts from my fishing.
Seems the Avid has a section near the tip that loads with the small plugs and then the rest of the rod loads with the heavier plugs.
My other experiences with rods have not handled the range of the Avid, of the ones that could handle the plug size range, they struggled with the 14" Hogy.

That rod is rated 3-8oz. def on the heavier side when it comes to throwing things. If you are used to that the other rods will feel whippy. I would think working it for 8 hours at a time would cause some fatigue. Even though 13 oz it has to be stiffer and less giving. Never used that blank so don't really know only thinking out loud.

Remember reading you recently had some surgery so maybe a lighter rated blank would cause less fatigue and be better for you long term. like has been said, every person is different only you know what works best for you. It just seems to me that a rod rated for 3-8 oz would naturally be stiffer than others.

[Monty]

I am getting a lighter rated blank than the Avid just as you mentioned, with a similar action to the Avid. Shoulder was wrecked using the legend last year, just an unavoidable I injury. This 3-8 rating is misleading, 1-5 would be more accurate, and its a very nice strong rod that loads nice with a wide range.

That rod is rated 3-8oz. def on the heavier side when it comes to throwing things. If you are used to that the other rods will feel whippy. I would think working it for 8 hours at a time would cause some fatigue. Even though 13 oz it has to be stiffer and less giving. Never used that blank so don't really know only thinking out loud.

Remember reading you recently had some surgery so maybe a lighter rated blank would cause less fatigue and be better for you long term. like has been said, every person is different only you know what works best for you. It just seems to me that a rod rated for 3-8 oz would naturally be stiffer than others.

[surfstix1963]

My injuries have put quite a bit of limitation on me as far as doing hours on end of anything, I will now be fishing very specific tidal stages at different locations so tops 2 hrs. at a clip.I cannot injure my back or neck again or I may not be so lucky the next time, so I guess fishing is now a hobby rather then a sport for me. It might be time to go back to my roots and do some boat fishing, I just had to prove to myself and Dr. I wasn't going to lay down and die just yet.I can probably get by with just about any rod and just limit my time in the surf.