Surf Rod/Reel recommendations?

I'm looking at getting into surf fishing for the days I don't want to load up the kayak. Maybe stop by and fish after work when I'm near the coast.

This is just me  researching on a rainy day, not gonna be able to afford this for months at least.

I'm willing to spend $500. Never gonna complain about going cheaper if the quality is there, but I'd rather spend a little more to buy a fantastic rod that will last me a decade. Same goes for reel.

Let me just start by saying I know NOTHING! About shore fishing. I know people target stripers and surf perch. I know some people catch salmon/halibut, but I would be shocked if I ever target those species from shore when I have a perfectly good Kayak to use  but having the potentional to do so would be fantastic.

I have no particular size requirements. It's easy to make a car-top rod holder out of PVC.

Discussion and questions welcome! I tried to use the search function but have not found a specifically surf-fishing recommendation thread past 2007.

Depends on which type of surf fishing you plan to do; "run-n-gun" (plugging) or "sit-n-wait" (bait fishing)...

For bait fishing, I used between an 10.5' to 12' spinning rod; doesnt have to be anything too fancy or expensive, since you are just casting and then letting it sit till you get a bite. Just get a rod with enough backbone to launch a 4oz pyramid weight beyond the 2nd surf break. I went with the Shimano 4000 "Bait Casting" spinning reel; which allows the fish to pick up the bait and run a little before I set the hook.

For light plugging (perch fishing) I use a Loomis 7'or 9' rod with a "left-handed" 200 Shimano Calcutta reel ; you generally dont cast too far out, but the lighter rod is alot easier on the arms when carrying it all day. (not to say you cant get bigger fish with this setup; I caught a guitar fish during the Sand Crab Classic with it)

For medium action plugging (Stripers) I use a Loomis 9'or 10' rod with a "left-handed" 300 Shimano Calcutta reel; still light enough to carry and cast all day, and gets it out far enough where the stripers play..

For people that cast with there right hand, "Left-hand" reels make for quick cast and retrieval; as you do not have to keep switching the rod from hand to hand to cast/reel...



Glen

Here's a kindle or pdf book Light Tackle Surf Perch. Free till Sunday  .
It's a good guide, JD goes into gear and tackle. He's also got one on Stripped bass I haven't read yet.
http://www.fishwithjd.com/2014/11/26/thank-you-free-guidebook/

I would spend 450$ on the rod and 50 on the reel.some of the sand that is carried by the water is so fine itll get into reel and ruin it.I got two reels  that I used at Stinson one spinning one baitcaster. Both make a grinding noise that I cant get rid of.and this is from water splash from the waves.just my.02

I would spend 450$ on the rod and 50 on the reel.some of the sand that is carried by the water is so fine itll get into reel and ruin it.I got two reels  that I used at Stinson one spinning one baitcaster. Both make a grinding noise that I cant get rid of.and this is from water splash from the waves.just my.02

probably a combination of sand fines and salt crystals..I always rinse or soak my reels in freshwater after use in saltwater and in some cases break them down and rinse and lubricate..I dont use WD-40..i use the reel oil if it came ( a little goes along way) with the reel or good old 3in1...there's a a thread on site from Alan Tani about reel care; use the search ..good info  keep asking ...better ,more knowledgeable fishermen than I might have more input,VK

dude that season I used those two reels at the beach maybe about two times a piece. And ive broken them down took all the. Lube out cleaned the parts and it still does it.I wade in the surf about waist high and the water would splash on me from time to time. Baitcaster was a daiwa advantage the other is a shimano symetre.both of these reels ive used in the bay and didn't start that grinding until the beach fishing. I think what happens is during the retrieve the fine sand gets in and as you use it through out the fishing the sand just grinds away all the internals. But as these reels I didn't pay too much money for I dont sweat it too much. On a different note I service my reels on a regular bases

Surf casting is my 1st passion... If you want a light weight rod that won't put a hole in your wallet  I highly suggest a tsunami airwave matched with a penn spinning reel like a used penn battle or spinfisher . But if you want a light weight rod but can't afford a st. Croix, lamiglas or any of the other super expensive name brand, check out the daiwa sp coastal rod... They are super awesome.

http://www.daiwa.com/rod/detail.aspx?id=756

Daiwa so rod.

Tackle direct should have some cool rod/ reel combos.

Not to highjack the thread...whats on your waist holding the rod...I was thinking of using an old quiver for that..Thanks Vic

Here's my tackle bag/creel & the rod holster:

That is sexy, G-Whiz. Much better than putting it in the sand for sure.

I've been thinking that I really, really want a G. Loomis rod. I'm not sure I'd ever buy one to fish on a kayak with. But, for surf fishing where losing/breaking the rod is minimal, it's tempting as hell. Those rods are super sexy. Breaks the bank at $500-ish, but.... 

Maybe I'll go that route.  It seems like most of you use cheap spinning reels.

G-Whiz, you don't have issues with sand getting into your Calcutta reels?

That is sexy, G-Whiz. Much better than putting it in the sand for sure.

I've been thinking that I really, really want a G. Loomis rod. I'm not sure I'd ever buy one to fish on a kayak with. But, for surf fishing where losing/breaking the rod is minimal, it's tempting as hell. Those rods are super sexy. Breaks the bank at $500-ish, but.... 

Maybe I'll go that route.  It seems like most of you use cheap spinning reels.

G-Whiz, you don't have issues with sand getting into your Calcutta reels?

My G-Loomis/Calcutta never touches the ground (sand); and my Loomis set's very, very seldomly go out with my kayak. Mostly shore & stream fishing; with the exception of my Pelagic, Blue Pro and Green Water, which only go out on a P-boat.... Shimano Trevalas are my main kayak rods....

Check out those daiwa sp coastal rods at the outdoor pro shop Vic, they are ridiculously light. I matched my 11"mh to a shimano baitrunner 8000OC. 

Check out Breakaway they have quite a cult following make some nice rods prices are fair and the have some pretty interesting reels sorta like the old Abu's (Akios)   

http://www.breakawayusa.com/

Every time I think about serious surf fishing, I really want a Vann Stall

Oooooooohhh van staal are pimp. Penn  706z are the poor mans VS.

Every time I think about serious surf fishing, I really want a Vann Stall

yep I want one too but at 1000$ each yeah im not getting one anytime soon