happy holidays, all. what size rod would you guys recommend for this reel? i just picked it up for short money. i normally fish a vs200 and no nothing about conventional reels. i'm looking forward to learning, though. i also read alot about you guys switching the breaks, or adding magnets. is this reel even decent enough for fishing in the surf? i mainly throw anything from 5" storms to big swimmers, medium to big pencils, eels, sluggos, and pretty much anything in between. i fish from open beaches, to real tight, real rocky areas. any help would be greatly appreciated.

the reel is good for schoolies
tossin 1/2 to 1oz jigs and small pencils is about all i use it for.

i would get somethin around 8ft and within 1/2-1oz weight range.

I agree, good for scoolies on a rod like the Tidemasters St Croix makes. Sometimes #^&#^&#^&#^&s has them on sale.

Set your drag right and that reel will be good for more than schoolies. We use them in freshwater striper fishing. Jigs and plugs upto 2 oz or so. Main drawback is the lower line capacity, as compared to the 6500 series abu. Mid teen to low 20's stripers mostly, though a friend has got stripers to 35# on that reel.

Jigman

thanks for the responses guys...i'm gonna give it a shot.

happy holidays