Best Budget Surf Fishing Rod and Reel Combos
Looking for a surf fishing rod and reel combo that’ll get the job done but won’t break the bank? You’re in luck. But first, you might want to consider not purchasing a rod and reel combo. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but it’s the right thing to do.
Instead of purchasing a manufacturer’s rod and reel combo, pair a rod and reel together by purchasing each separately. In this article, I’ll tell you why and I’ll suggest three rod and reel pairings to choose from.
What Is a Surf Fishing Rod and Reel Combo?
First, let’s clarify that the only thing that defines a rod and reel pairing as a “combo” is that the rod and reel are sold together.
All this means is the manufacturer decided a certain rod would go well with a certain reel. Rarely is the pairing “perfect” for the style of fishing you’re planning on pursuing. So, consider creating your own combo.
More on that later. First, I’m going to reveal the cheapest option for a surf fishing rod and reel combo that will catch fish and handle fish just fine. No flash, no finesse. Just bare-bones what you need.
Best Cheapest Surf Fishing Rod and Reel Combo (Dirt Cheap)
The best and cheapest rod and reel combo out there for under $30 is the Shakespeare Tiger 7’ rod and reel combo.
If you’re a surf fishing rod and reel fanatic, this is NOT for you lol.
When you’ve gotten used to high quality gear, you typically can’t go back. But, I will say, you can catch just as many fish on this rod and reel as your $300 setup.
This is one of the first rods I surf fished with. I caught everything from small surfperch and yellowfin croaker to a 23-inch spotfin croaker and a 28-inch corbina on this rod (yes, 28 inches… beginner’s luck).
And believe it or not, that was on the manufacturer’s pre-spooled line. I even took that combo out on a kayak with my brother and landed a couple 5 to 10-pound yellowtail on it while fishing the Lucky Craft FM 110. At the time, I believe the lure was more expensive than the rod.
But, stories aside and testimonials aside, if you’re just testing the waters to figure out if surf fishing is for you, or if you want to introduce your kids to the world of surf fishing and you don’t want to spend much, this is the combo to start with. By no means is it a “great rod and reel combo”. It’s a rod and reel that will get the job done.
Best Budget Surf Fishing Rod and Reel Combo (Under $150)
This next one might seem like a steep jump, but believe me, $150 is quite low for what most anglers spend on a surf fishing rod and reel pairing. Where the Shakespeare Tiger lacks in the little details that enhance your experience, this next setup is an absolute bargain!
It looks and feels high end, and as mentioned earlier, it will bot be sold as a “combo”. You’ll pair the rod and the reel together.
The Rod: Okuma Celilo 8’6″ MA
The rod is an Okuma Celilo salmon and steelhead fishing rod. For the main style of surf fishing that I do (using sand crabs and catching corbina, surfperch, yellowfin and spotfin croaker etc.), I like the 8’6” version with Medium action (MA) rated for 8-17 lbs and ¼ – ⅝ oz. If you like a slightly stiffer rod, go with the MH one instead of the MA.
Bottom line, this rod is usually sold on Amazon for around $70. It’s got great sensitivity and it’s a high quality rod made by a high quality brand.
The Reel: Penn Pursuit III 3000-4000
The reel is one I swear by in terms of the best surf fishing reel for the best price. The Penn Pursuit III will feel like a $100 reel out of the box. Over time however, it will break down if not cared for properly. That’s where spending the money on say a Penn Spinfisher VI pays dividends.
That said, the Penn Pursuit is what I have most of my clients fish with when I’m running guided surf fishing sessions.
These reels go through absolute hell. After getting dropped in the saltwater, then in the sand, then back in the saltwater again and so on, and clients forcing the bail to auto flip (as opposed to manually flipping the bail) and grinding the gears etc… they still typically last me at least 2-3 years for each reel. You can usually find them on Amazon for between $45 and $60.
The drop off from a $300 setup to this is much less noticeable than the drop from this $150 rod and reel pairing to the Shakespeare Tiger. And again, the Shakespeare Tiger WILL GET THE JOB DONE. It’s just not a high sensitivity, high quality setup.
Best Surf Fishing Rod and Reel Pairing (Under $300)
So, when it comes to getting a quality rod and reel for surf fishing on a budget, look no further than those two options mentioned above.
Figure out which description fits your situation best, and go for it. But, if you’re interested in what I specifically use now and what I would suggest is the best surf fishing rod and reel pairing, keep reading.
I’ve reached a point that I don’t see myself passing (any time soon at least) in terms of the taste I have for quality surf fishing gear. My goal has always been to find the best rod and reel for the best price… AKA: the best deal.
That said, there’s a point where the increase and/or decrease in money spent does not correlate properly to the difference in quality of the gear you receive for the price you pay. I think I’ve reached that sweet spot and found the best deal for the best surf fishing rod and reel pairing in the setup below.
The Rod: Okuma SST
The Okuma SST is absolutely perfect for all styles of surf fishing (except sharking). See the exact models/specs I use for each style of surf fishing below. I threw in my shark rod too (which is not an SST… It’s a Fiblink Moonsniper).
For more on shark fishing, head over to the linked page. The top three rods shown below are all different variations of the Okuma SST and they’re what I use ALL THE TIME for Carolina rig fishing, jerkbait fishing and swimbait fishing in the surf.
| Style of Fishing | Check Price | Model # | Line Weight | Lure Weight | # of Guides | # of Pieces | Length | Power | Taper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-rig | Shop | SST-S-862MA | 8-17lbs | 1/4 – 5/8oz | 8+1 | 2-pcs | 8’6″ | M | M |
| Jerkbaits | Shop | SST-S-862MHA | 10-20lbs | 3/8 – 1 1/2oz | 8 +1 | 2 – pcs | 8’6″ | MH | MF |
| Swimbaits | Shop | SST-S-902HA | 10-30lbs | 1/2-2oz | 8+1 | 2-pcs | 9’0″ | H | MF |
| Sharks | Shop | MO-S1304 | 20-40 | 4-8oz | 5+1 | 4-pcs | 13’0″ | H | MF |
The Reel: Penn Spinfisher IV
As for the reel, all you need is the 3500 series of the spinfisher IV and it will be perfect for everything from C rig, to jerkbaits, to swimbaits. For sharking, you’ll likely want a 6500 series or bigger.
The Penn Spinfisher IV is the ultimate surf fishing reel. It’s fully sealed so it will hold up to the elements much better than anything previously mentioned in this article. Additionally, the components that make up the reel (from bearings, to gears etc.) are of the highest quality. It’s bearing and drag system are also incredibly smooth.
My low budget combo is also from Walmart, which is the Penn Pursuit 4000 and the 9′ Ugly Stik GX2. I started with the Celilo, then the SST but, both tips broke because my rods tend to get beat up while surf fishing. The GX2 has a tip that’s indestructible. Once every Spring I will change the drag washers on the Pursuit, but overall, a solid reel.
Dang! Yah I’d say I’m pretty rough on my swimbait rods but still never had a tip break. Appreciate the info!
Your article on rigs, you use a 1oz egg slider weight. Since your c-rig rod is only rated up to 5/8 lure weight, how is the casting?
Good question, I’ve talked about this before and it’s personal preference. I cast just fine with plenty distance and no fear or feeling of overloading the rod.