RODS FOR ADVENTUROUS SURF CASTING

When we go to an exotic location to surf fish our time is limited and we need to have the capability to catch fish under the situation presented to us. We do find times when the fish are near shore but these times are usually brief and unpredictable for the visiting surf fisherman.   Adventure surf fishing frequently demands very long casting capabilities and rod selection is an important component of this.  I would consider 100-yard capabilities a minimum requirement and 150 yard capabilities are certainly possible and advantageous.  In addition, we will be making many more casts than we would on a casual home turf outing.  This requires the rod to be quite light.

An adventure surf rod needs to be at least eleven feet long.  It needs to be responsive to lures in the 2 ½ to 4-ounce range.  It needs to have a comfortable and gradual flex pattern all the way to the butt.  It needs to have a fairly stiff tip.  It needs to have a butt length of approximately 24 inches.  It needs to be a two-piece rod for traveling purposes.

Your rod decision will probably not be based solely on your adventure trip.  It will also be influenced by possible usage on home waters.  There are many good rods but here are my favorites in several scenarios:

You want a no holds barred high-powered rod expressly for your adventure trip.  It would be very hard to beat a Breakaway LDX made by BreakawayUSA.  This rod has tremendous long distance capabilities and power.  It is thirteen feet long and yet it is very lightweight.  The LDX performs well in the 2 ½ to 5-ounce range.  This is not a rod for beginners and good casting techniques must be used to release its potential.  It has a very long butt length but don’t be afraid to cut the butt down to 24 inches (from the reel stem).  This excellent rod comes at the incredible price of @$200 and the experienced long distance caster will not lust for more.  There are also several very upscale (and $$$) rods that work well for this type of long distance plugging.  If you are in the market for them you are undoubtably familiar with the names Zipplex, AFAW, Conoflex, etc.

You want a long distance rod that is a little tamer than the LDX and one that won’t be over kill for longer plugging at home.  The Batson Rainshadow 1387 is an eleven and one-half foot long rod.  It performs well in the 2 to 3 ½ ounce range.  It also slings a one-ounce metal fairly well.  It is available as a blank as well as a finished rod by several custom rod builders.  The 1387 has a fair amount of butt section flex and it’s easy to load and not fussy of technique.  Most people, including people with limited casting experience, can send a lure a very long ways with this rod.  It quite light and non-fatiguing.  The 1386 looks similar to the 1387 but I do not think it has the power to efficiently fight a big fish.  The 1387 is a little stiffer and will perform with a little more power.   A custom-built Rainshadow can be bought for @ $300.

You want a rod within a budget.  I favor the 12 foot Daiwa Emblem EMES1202MHRS.  When you cut the butt down to 24" it will be about 11 1/2 feet long.  The Tica Dolphin eleven foot (medium heavy) is also a lot of rod for the money.  They will do a very good job and not break the bank.  They can both be bought for @ $120.

You already have a rod and you are wondering if it will be sufficient.  It will be very difficult to reach long-range fish if the rod is not at least eleven feet long.  A heavy rod will be a huge burden.  Rods with very soft tips will limit your casting range.  It needs to perform well in the 2 ½ to 3-ounce range.  There are rods other than the ones I have mentioned that will work well so use your good judgment.