hey guys I am in the market for a new surf rod and not sure what to buy. I have always fished from a kayak and the 6 1/2 foot rod does not cut it in the beaches. I have heard from a few people to get a 10 foot rod but not sure what brand or model to get. I have heard St. Croix Mojo and and I have heard a few say Tsunami. I dont mind spending 200.00 on a rod but not sure what I should lean towards. Thanks in advance.

mike

MM - welcome to S-B.

What are you looking to throw with it? Weight? And roughly wear? What reel will you match up to the rod?

from what I'm seeing and hearing be carefull of the St croixs. they sent production of the longer rods over seas. Saw 3 of the newer models and the Mojo's break between the furrell and the ist guide while casting a plug. 2 were using darters,SS an Tatoo the other one of my 3.5 oz needles.Plus the reel seat glue failure problem seems to be back again.

any feed back on tfo's 9 ft rods.looking at 1 now.

Don't know where you live but if your budget can afford it go over to CMS and have Charlie either build you a 10' Rainshadow or the new lami composite and get the exact rod you want for what you will fish with and where you fish. Expect to pay from $265 to $400 or so.

Didfn't a couple guys have them up for sale here. i seem to recal a couple sweet rods with very nice prices on them in the site want adds so to speak.

As far as off-the-shelf surf rods, the Tsunami Air Wave Elite surf rods are a steal at their sub-$200 price point. I have the 11-footer and really like it.

http://www.biminibayoutfitters.com/tsuairwaveelite.htm

Check on a TFO. I've had one for two years and love it. It's the 2-8oz model. $200.00.

from what I'm seeing and hearing be carefull of the St croixs. they sent production of the longer rods over seas. Saw 3 of the newer models and the Mojo's break between the furrell and the ist guide while casting a plug. 2 were using darters,SS an Tatoo the other one of my 3.5 oz needles.Plus the reel seat glue failure problem seems to be back again.

My brother had an issue with his reel seat on his mojo and returned it for a St. Croix Avid. The first night, the upper grip came unraveled and the reel seat came completely unglued.

Have there been any issues with the Legends?

Have there been any issues with the Legends?

Yes - the price - $480!

My brother had an issue with his reel seat on his mojo and returned it for a St. Croix Avid. The first night, the upper grip came unraveled and the reel seat came completely unglued.

I have two of the St Croix avid surf 10' spin and casting not a problem with either one,I bought them both back on 2001.
He might of had one from a bad batch?
G Loomis has a great warranty on there products a little more mony but...
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Have there been any issues with the Legends?

Both of mine broke last year and I know of at least 3 others that broke in the same spot in the blank (just above the fore grip) since then.

Yes - the price - $480!

:rotf2:... Agreed!!

I am going to be putting a battle 6000 on it with power pro. I will be mainly plugging with it. I have seen the tsunami airwave and was wondering if it's more bang for my buck.
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Both of mine broke last year and I know of at least 3 others that broke in the same spot in the blank (just above the fore grip) since then.

Not what I wanted to hear! I bought it last winter before I had surgery on my shoulder. It's never seen water, in fact it still has the price tags on it.

Anyone need a new rod?:smash:

Where are you located. I only have 1 piece customs, but I may be thinning the herd out.

Were you fighting fish Toby, or was it during a cast when the rod was loaded? Just curious.

I am in central mass
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Well, if I figure out what I'm selling it will be in the Classifieds. What would I look for if I was you? If you are throwing lighter plugs... Lami GSB 1201L...
Heavier 1201M are good basic... a bit old school. I also have the 9' versions of these. They tend to sell under $200.

I am in central mass
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Grab the lami 1201m. If not the wait until Christmas or after when guys are short on cash. They almost always pop up here.
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Any input on the tsunami airwaves
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Go see Onedozenraw. He has waaay too much of everything and is a good, honest man. The trip to SoCo will be worth the savings on a good used rod. Bring your other gear with you. You'll be glad you met him.

For the price a used 120M is a great all around rod for almost any condition. Been around for a long time; definitely a reason for its longevity in the surf market.
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Were you fighting fish Toby, or was it during a cast when the rod was loaded? Just curious.

Both on the cast. 9' 3/4 - 4 was on a 2-3/8 SS popper and the 11' (3 - 6 I think) broke on a medium size rigged eel.

Grab the lami 1201m. If not the wait until Christmas or after when guys are short on cash. They almost always pop up here.
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I picked up a 1201M last off season for eels and plugging in the surf, love the rod.

1201m - best all around rod still?

Both on the cast. 9' 3/4 - 4 was on a 2-3/8 SS popper and the 11' (3 - 6 I think) broke on a medium size rigged eel.

That's discouraging, i've always liked and used their products, and hope this is just a bad run of blanks. With the price you pay, you would expect great quality, but I guess more doent mean better these days. Any issues I've ever had have been promptly addressed, hopefully they stood behind your rods. I bought the 10' 6"... only wish I had heard this earlier in the year, probably would have made a different decision.

massbass, i love my 2 legends and have the same 2 as toby. my 3-8 11' is my favorite rod, but i know it could be a ticking time bomb. it's doesn't change how i fish them tho. hearing toby's issues on top of other's issues w/ all of the st croix surf rods and blanks made me no longer build or offer them. ones said to be fixed still had the issue.

anyhow, to answer the question in this thread, yes, a used GSB1201M would be a great deal. a lot depends on what reel you have, where you plan to fish and what you plan to throw. what ever you get, look for a rod with lighter guides, Fuji K-guides, NGC-guide design, or low riders. you want a light rod to make your experience more fun and enjoyable. an older GSB built on cone-of-flight guide design w/ big guides makes a great blank only ok. take a ride to a reputable tackle shop and check out some of the production rods on the wall and see what feels good too and maybe come back and get opinions on 1 or more of those rods too.

1201m - best all around rod still?

XRA1205 IMO

a used GSB1201M would be a great deal. a lot depends on what reel you have, where you plan to fish and what you plan to throw. what ever you get, look for a rod with lighter guides, Fuji K-guides, NGC-guide design, or low riders. you want a light rod to make your experience more fun and enjoyable. an older GSB built on cone-of-flight guide design w/ big guides makes a great blank only ok.
My GSB 1201M has the older guide set up , I was wondering about having it re done with newer guide layout, do you think its worth it? Sorry to derail the thread OP.

My GSB 1201M has the older guide set up , I was wondering about having it re done with newer guide layout, do you think its worth it? Sorry to derail the thread OP.Depends on what reel and line you are using I think.

Zeebaas ZX27, 50# slick 8 PP
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My GSB 1201M has the older guide set up , I was wondering about having it re done with newer guide layout, do you think its worth it? Sorry to derail the thread OP.

it depends on how the rest of the rod is as far as condition. are you just stripping the guides and putting new ones on? are you doing it or having a shop/builder do it? there is always a risk in stripping a rod to not damage the blank. you will have marks on the blank where the epoxy seeped between the thread and left groves. those should be sanded and then recoated. your new guides will most likely not go in the same areas, plus you will have more guides. honestly, if it was me, i would either sell the rod and get a new one or keep the rod as a backup and get a new one. but, i'm not sure how many rods you have already. by all means, your rod can have the guides stripped and replaced with K's, but i'm just presenting what's involved and options. if you don't like the rod w/ COF guides, i'd either sell it and build new, or have it rewrapped. does this help? yes, sorry to derail thread too.