Good noob rod?

I need to get a decent rod for ocean fishing and was wondering what you guys recommend.  Big 5 has a Calypso Mako rod and reel combo on sale for 25 bucks (usually 55).  Is anyone familiar with this set up?  I am not expecting it to be great obviously but I want something decently functional.  Thanks.

you talking just rod? I'd be a bit worried about the quality of a combo for $25. Keep in mind yak fishing is really hard on gear (always wet and often sandy). For a well built multi tasker rod its hard to beat an ugly stick. Penn also makes some functional and inexpensive reels. Action and wt. depend on what you wanna target. Try and keep the length 7 - 8 ft.

I'd say just under $100 will get you a nice rod/reel combo. Less if you go used on one or both.

For a well built multi tasker rod its hard to beat an ugly stick. Penn also makes some functional and inexpensive reels. Action and wt. depend on what you wanna target. Try and keep the length 7 - 8 ft.

In agreement      Better spending a little more for better gear = IMO

Ugly Stix are cheap and tough just a little heavy

Nick, you're getting good advice here.

Better to get good stuff (but not necessarily the priciest) right from the beginning.

You can't go wrong with an ugly stick, and if bucks are scarce, I'll give you a decent Penn reel to use until you are flush. I wouldn't expect much from a fifty dollar combo.

best,

Paul

I'm just concerned about rolling the surf like you were talking about and losing/breaking something.  I'll just keep an eye on craigslist and the classifieds here until I can get something decent at a good price.  I got my kayak with a decent paddle for 200 bucks so I have some extra cash for a decent rod, I just don't want to lose it during one of what I expect to be graceless mid ocean dismounts.

What length/weight rating should I be looking for?

I'm just concerned about rolling the surf like you were talking about and losing/breaking something.  I'll just keep an eye on craigslist and the classifieds here until I can get something decent at a good price.  I got my kayak with a decent paddle for 200 bucks so I have some extra cash for a decent rod, I just don't want to lose it during one of what I expect to be graceless mid ocean dismounts.

That's why you stow your gear (Craig/Ravensblack may not be avail for a recovery mission) . And only really, really expensive gear brakes. The cheap crap lives forever even when you try and break it so you can replace it.

Post up in classified what you are looking for and I am sure someone has a set up laying around that they are looking to move. Hey, I got an old Penn Long Beach that I'll let ya have for a nice 6 pack!

I'm just concerned about rolling the surf like you were talking about and losing/breaking something.  

If your new to surf launching, you will be eating it sometime.  So maybe you buy crappy gear this year, get some surf launches and crashes out the way, then upgrade next season after your chances of eating diminish.

You will eat it, we all have, and still do. so i hear your concern about gear.  Like eric said, its a good idea to stow gear.  get in the habit, even on small days, just to get comfortable for bigger days.

BTW, my favorite rod ever was a 7foot generic i bought from Sportmart for $20.  So i never knock the cheap stuff.  My el cheapo worked fantastically, and even though it was only $20, i cried like a baby when i knocked it out of the rear rod holder.  Into the drink, bye bye.  Steamer lane 2007.  now i leash everything during transit.

ugly stix  series are great rods that will last forever!

Shimano Trevala jigging rod . Good rod for the price .

im waiting for basproshops to send me a gift certificate for the trevala that i broke , luckaly i got the warranty on it! i use that thing for sturgeon fishing suisun bay!

What everybody said   

I really like my Ugly Stiks. If I were to change anything I'd make them a little stiffer, but it's no big deal.

If you're willing to spend just a few more $$$ look at Okuma rods. W/o really intending it, I've ended up with several. They have the weight and feel of much more expensive rods and come with a lifetime warranty. My favorite pole is a $12 UL Okuma I bought off eBAy.

Ben

Sounds like I'll definitely be going with an Ugly.  I'll look into the Okumas though if I can find a killer deal.

For cheap gear that works great to catch big fish think BWC - it's the Shakespeare Big Water Combo.  Rod, spinning reel and line for around $40.  Look for them at K-Mart, Wal-Mart...etc.  I caught tons of fish on those before I upgraded.

Good luck.   

another fan of the ugly stik here . I still have both (tiger stik & a std MH ugly stik) that I started with in 1998 & use them regularly. Not bad for the $60 or so. I've landed big halibut & WSB on the tiger rod, and plenty of medium halis & RF on the lighter rod.

As far as keeping stuff in working order I have two bits of advice:

1. don't launch or land with your rods/reels out if you are at all concerned about damaging them.
2. stow your reels. Just put them in a drybag or plano box or hatch, whatever you have, but get them off the rods & waterproof.

I've lost just one reel to the sand gods & that was enough for me. I've never damaged a rod. I stow my reels in my plano box and put my leashed reel-less rods under the left paddle keeper of my T140 (I keep the right clear to jump in/out).

A clean kayak profile is gold if you are in the surf.

BTW, I saw yesterday that Outdoor World on river st in Santa Cruz has a number of marine dryboxes in several sizes.