I'm looking to buy a new surfcasting rod and reel and would appreciate some sugestions on the name of a good long casting rod and reel.Thanks for any help you can give me.

You'll find plenty of Surfmen here who will be sure to put thier valued two cents in.

For Plugging I recomned the Ron Arra 1321
For Jigging the Patriot 1209

Thier are many others like the St.Croix Ben Doer
or the Allstar beak away I can tell you more if you tell me where your fishing and what you'll be using

Thanks for the reply. I do most of my fishing on Martha's Vineyard with plugs.

I dont have this handle for nothing

11' one piece
For spin a Stradic
For conventional an Abu

anything else?:happy:

what is the Patriot 1209 rated for....isn't it basicly an all Star

The allstar dosen't bend till you use about five onces
the Patriot bends easier and is a little lighter but is very rugged

The heavier XRA 1322 might be a better weapon for places like Squibnocket. Also for tossing those 4 oz Roberts from the beach. The 1321 is rated 7/8 oz to 3 oz, the 1322 is rated 1 to 5 oz. Little firmer butt section if you have to muscle fish away from the rocks, too.

Most guys have their 1322's done conventional, but it makes a great spinning rod, too.

The Stradic is a great reel for places like the Gut, but in heavy surf, you may have problems with sand jamming under the rotor. Better choice for an 11' rod is the Mitchell Nautil 7500 in the same price range as the Stradic.

LT - welcome to Striped-Bass.com

You say you are going to be plugging on the Vineyard? I think the Arra and Patriot, while great rods (I have not used a Patriot before - it's pretty new) you have a ton more options. What size plugs would you be using and spinning or conventional?

Probably the best all around New England surf rod in my opinion is the Batson 1088 Rainshadow. Its a good 9' rod that handles 1 - 3.5 ounces with 2-3 being the sweet spot. It's light, you can cast it effortlessly all day and it won't dent the kid's college fund. configured conventional or spinning they typical run custom from $165-$200 depending on config.

Then the choices start, and the money starts to leave the wallet. Do you want a max caster, do you want a meat stick, do you need an 11 foot rod. Everything moves from there..

Hey John R...

I ordered the Basic Patriot from Mike CC today...me and juls went out for a ride and you know....CACHING$$$$$

Patrick, I think you'll be hapy with the Patriot.. I picked up the 1209 from Mike last week. It's sweet!!!!!!

My dad might have Mike make him 1


how's that article coming?