Since I moved here in 1981 I’ve been using my 8 1/2 foot steelhead/salmon setup including a Shimano 5500 C. I throw a 4 ounce pyramid sinker and tie two loop knots directly into my line. I use size 6 pre-snelled Danielson hooks. Never used a leader, either. We all know how shallow these fish are. You don’t have to throw very far out in order to be successful. My technique is to chase a receding wave as far as I can go, cast my bait as far as I can and then run like heck up the beach and out of the waves. I’m just saying that a person doesn’t have to invest in anything special in order to enjoy catching redtails in the surf.
PK; as expected. An excellent review of rods and reels for surf fishing. And pointing out that top $$ products are not necessarily the best or needed way to go.
My first surf rod was a Tica Libra 10 foot and believe it was classed as a surf rod . At the time I was looking for something that could cast 4 oz. a country mile which it does (it’s pretty stiff)) even though it is only rated for 1/2 - 1 1/2 oz. , it is similar in profile to that Allen rod you showed . I was very happy with the Tica but after watching many of your videos and realizing I didn’t need to cast over the last breaker with 4oz. I decided to get a lighter rig. I found a Fenwick Eagle (slated as salmon/steelhead) EAG90M , it’s a 9’ medium action rated 10-20# line / 1/2-1oz. Lure. I have no problem casting 2oz. way farther than I need to, and it’s very lightweight and balances at the reel which is a next to newest generation Mitchell 300 that I love. And as an added bonus I think I’m catching more fish fishing closer in. I like the Tica but being longer and a little heavier it seemed tip heavy and tired my hand and arm quicker. The Eagle rod was on sale at Bob’s Sporting Goods in Longview for $69 last spring and the Mitchell 300 was about 50 bucks on Amazon. I couldn’t be happier with my new set up, it’s like fishing with bass or trout gear all day but has the backbone to handle double hook-ups.
I'm still using my ten foot Cabelas Tourney Trail rod, and a Daiwa BRI reel with 20 pound test mono. It will handle up to a two ounce weight. Didn't fish much this year, ran out of time, or it was just too hot outside. And now every thing is freezing up. Tight Lines and stay safe.
For reels I like anything from Shimano, Daiwa and Penn but the best value to me is the Daiwa Fuego because of the Mag Seal that really keeps salt water out. I've dunked them in salt water (not on purpose) and haven't had to open any of them up, they just keep going with little to no maintenance.
im not gonna lie, when ever i feel like someone says 'what kind of 'blank' you guys have been asking me i use and tell you, and then following by ' i got sent this 'blank' a while back. literately just screams A. no one really asked you anything and B. totally just sounds like an advertisement.
