Surf Rods - Pros and Conns

[Liv2Fish]

Most of my rigs are for the boat or the canal but I plan to spend a lot more time in the surf next year and need an appropriate rod. I've looked at the St.Croix Mojo series and some others - What's the deal?

Glass? Graphite? 10'? 12'?

The areas that I plan to fish are rocky coasts.

[Rob Rockcrawler]

I only have one rod that i dedicate to the canal, the rest are multipurpose. I use a 9'8" or an 11' for the surf. 10' really is a good sized rod, 11 is nice in certain places/times. I have no desire to throw a 12' rod. It would be over kill, and unless you have a good casting technique you would probably get better distance out of a 10'.I have no experience with glass rods. From what i have heard they are a bit heave. There are tons of graphite rods on the market that will do what you need them to do.

Are you planning on throwing bait or mostly plugging? If chunking is your thing a glass rod might be good for you.

[BobT]

Mo Jo's..............great rods for the money. I have the 10'6" - 2-6 and love it. Use it in the canal and it will throw 1 1/2oz just fine. Not real far but fine. 2-3oz a mile with my Emblem Pro.

[Dick Durand]

If you plan to fish rocky areas or boulder fields, a 10' rod should be very adequate. Even a 9 footer is desireable at times, but a 10 footer gives you more control, particularly if you hook a big fish. Plenty of options . . . you don't necessarily have to go to the bank. Tsunami Air Wave is popular and reasonably priced as is the Tica rod. St. Croiz and Lami are certainly nice .

[DZ]

My advice is to shop around and bring the reel you intend to pair it with with you! I work part time at the SWE and am amazed at how many casters shop for a rod without bringing their reel with them. Make sure to attach the reel to various rods and see how they balance out. String it and attach the plug/lure type you plan on using to see how it flexes. You can learn alot this way. Better than making a $300 mistake.

Good luck.

DZ

[Liv2Fish]

Good Stuff Guys - Thanks.