Best Surf Fishing Rods: Tested and Reviewed
When it comes to choosing the best surf fishing rod, there’s a lot to consider. In this article, we’ll talk about the best rods for surf fishing as well as which rods and specs you should use depending on the type of surf fishing you’re doing. You’ll also want to match your rod to the best surf fishing reel for it, so follow this guide and you’ll be on your way to catching some fish from the beach.
Table of Contents:
Rod Specs | Light Rods | Lure Rods | Shark Rods
Carolina Rig: Croaker, Corbina, Surfperch
- Okuma Celilo Salmon Steelhead (8’6″) | M)
- Okuma SST (8’6″ | M)
- Berry Pro Salmon/Steelhead (8’6″)
- Bass Pro Salmon and Steelhead (8’6″ | M)
Jerkbaits: Halibut and Surfperch
- Okuma SST (8’6″ | MH)
- Okuma Celilo Salmon Steelhead (8’6″) | MH)
- Berry Pro Salmon/Steelhead (8’6″)
Swimbaits: Halibut, Calico, White Seabass, Striped Bass
- Okuma SST (9′ | H)
- Bass Pro Salmon and Steelhead (8’6″ | M or MH)
- Tica Spinning (8’6″ | M)
- BerryPro Salmon/Steelhead (8’6″)
Sharks and Rays: Leopard Sharks, Soupfin and 7 Gill
- Fiblink Moon Sniper (13′ | H)
- BERRYPRO Surf Spinning
How to Select the Right Specs for Your Rod
Choosing a surf rod requires that you know a few things. You should know your target species and the bait or lure you’ll be using. You’ll also need to know what specifications to look for on a fishing rod. You’ll see specs like M, MF, 1/4-1oz, 8-17lbs” and many similar numbers and letters.
Most styles of surf fishing around the world are very similar to one of the three styles I’ll cover in this article, so figure out which category you’ll be in, and follow the buying guide below to the best rods for surf fishing. Below are the specs of the best surf fishing rods for each style. These are the rods that I use.
| Style of Fishing | Model # | Line Weight | Lure Weight | # of Guides | # of Pieces | Length | Power | Taper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-rig | CE-S-862MA | 8-17lbs | 1/4 – 5/8oz | 7+1 | 2-pcs | 8’6″ | M | MF |
| Lures | SST-S-902HA | 10-30lbs | 1/2-2oz | 8+1 | 2-pcs | 9’0″ | H | MF |
| Sharks | MO-S1304 | 20-40 | 4-8oz | 5+1 | 4-pcs | 13’0″ | H | MF |
Breaking Down What the Specs on a Fishing Rod Mean
Model #: The manufacturer’s abbreviated/descriptive name of the product.
Line Weight: Refers to the recommended line weight you should use with the rod (usually in mono).
Lure Weight: (Usually in ounces/oz) refers to the approximate weight of the lure or bait you should throw on while using the rod. Many times the rod can actually throw more weight than this rating, but this is what the manufacturer recommends.
Guide #: This is just the quantity of guides (or eyelets) the rod has. So, “7+1″ is read as ” 7 guides plus the tip” which actually means 8 total guides. There are certain benefits to having more or less of these but things can get complicated when comparing the two “lighter rods” to the shark rod. For lighter rods, expect a guide per every foot to be sufficient. Heavy rods can have fewer guides and still be great rods; as is the case with the Fiblink Moonsniper.
Pieces #: Number of pieces the rod breaks down into.
Length: Length of the rod when all pieces are put together.
Power: (Usually, you’ll see anything from “Ultra Light” (UL), to “Heavy” (H) or (HA). Imagine this as the strength of the rod in terms of how much it can take in a fight or how much weight it can pull. While power refers to the rod working against the fish, “Taper” or “Action”, refers to casting… for the most part. I guess I should say it mostly works that way, although they both affect both aspects of fishing.
Taper: Taper (or Action) refers to where the rod bends. The most common tapers are M (moderate) and MF (moderate-fast), but as depicted in the illustration below, there are a number of different tapers that allow for more and less bend in your rod. The reason, I say this affects casting, is because faster taper results in the rod tip whipping back into position (inline with the rest of the rod) from wind-up to swinging; meaning the rod tip catches up with the rod body faster, allowing for stronger and likely further casts, depending on the weight of your lure or bait. See chart below.
Best Surf Fishing Rods for Carolina Rig
| Style of Fishing | Model # | Line Weight | Lure Weight | # of Guides | # of Pieces | Length | Power | Taper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-rig | CE-S-862MA | 8-17lbs | 1/4 – 5/8oz | 7+1 | 2-pcs | 8’6″ | M | MF |
These are the best fishing rods for light tackle surf fishing, which most commonly entails surf fishing with a Carolina rig. This style of fishing is most frequently associated with the Carolina rig. Depending on your desired catch or your preferred sensitivity level and such, you can choose which pound-test rating you’d like. Given my years of experience, I would recommend using a rod with medium or medium-heavy power usually with moderate or mod-fast action for these rods.
1. Okuma Celilo Salmon/Steelhead
 |
Recommended Specs
| Model | CE-S-862Ma |
| Rod Length | 8’6″ |
| Action | Mod-Fast |
| Power | Medium |
| Lure Weight | 1/4 – 5/8 |
| Line Weight | 8lbs – 17lbs |
| # of Guides | 7+1 |
The Okuma Celilo Salmon Steelhead is another high quality Salmon and Steelhead rod. Very similar to the Tica Salmon/Steelhead rods:
2. Okuma SST
 |
| Model | SST-S-862MA |
| Rod Length | 8’6″ |
| Action | MF |
| Power | M |
| Lure Weight | 1/4 – 5/8oz |
| Line Weight | 8lbs – 17lbs |
| # of Guides | 8+1 |
As you’ll see in the section below on the best rods for surf fishing: lure throwing, the SST is what I use for lure throwing. I have absolutely fallen in love with it and it’s the perfect combination of finesse and power. I use the 9′ Heavy rod for lure throwing while I would recommend the 8’6″ MA for Carolina rig or other similar styles in targeting corbina, perch, croaker, or whiting, etc.
3. BerryPro Salmon/Steelhead
| Model | HLHB86M2S |
| Rod Length | 8’6″ |
| Action | Mod-Fast |
| Power | Medium |
| Lure Weight | 3/8 – 3/4 |
| Line Weight | 8lbs -12lbs |
| # of Guides | 8+1 |
| Blank Materials | Graphite – 24 ton |
I hadn’t heard of BerryPro before seriously putting some research in and speaking with hundreds of other anglers. They’re up and coming and their salmon/steelhead rods are killing the game as of later. Get ready to hear a lot more about them in the near future.
4. Bass Pro Salmon/Steelhead
 |
| Model | LS86MS |
| Rod Length | 8’6″ |
| Action | Fast |
| Power | Medium |
| Lure Weight | 1/4 – 3/4 |
| Line Weight | 8lbs – 12lbs |
| # of Guides |
The Bass Pro Salmon/Steelhead is a rod fit for the surf. When in your hands, you’ll feel the quality of its engineering. A perfect balance between sensitivity, strength, and power, this rod is sure to impress even the most seasoned of anglers. Of the people that I know to have owned and used this rod, I’ve heard zero complaints.
Best Fishing Rods for Lure Throwing
| Style of Fishing | Model # | Line Weight | Lure Weight | # of Guides | # of Pieces | Length | Power | Taper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lures | SST-S-902HA | 10-30lbs | 1/2-2oz | 8+1 | 2-pcs | 9’0″ | H | MF |
The optimal rod length for surf fishing with lures is 8 to 9 feet. Another key characteristic is that you want to select a medium to heavy rated rod with moderate-fast to fast action. This helps with casting distance as well as sensitivity.
1. Okuma SST
| |
| Model | SST-S-902HA |
| Rod Length | 9′ |
| Action | MF |
| Power | Heavy |
| Lure Weight | 1/2 – 2 |
| Line Weight | 10lbs – 30lbs |
| # of Guides | 8+1 |
My current go-to lure throwing set-up is the Okuma SST. It’s a perfect combination of power and finesse. I spent a long time searching for the right set-up that would allow me maneuverability (in length and weight) so that I could cast repetitively throughout a session without exhausting my arm or back. Additionally, I focused on optimal casting power and distance in casting lures from lucky crafts to swimbaits to other bigger-game lures up to 2oz including the Daiwa SP. I couldn’t be happier with the Okuma SST.
2. Bass Pro Salmon/Steelhead
| |
| Model | LS86MS |
| Rod Length | 8’6″ |
| Action | Fast |
| Power | Medium |
| Lure Weight | 1/4 – 3/4 |
| Line Weight | 8lbs – 12lbs |
| # of Guides |
Once again, the Bass Pro Salmon/Steelhead rod is a fishing rod fit for the surf and for any other style of fishing you’re looking to pursue. You’ll feel the the high quality build. A perfect balance between sensitivity, strength, and power, this rod will impress even the most seasoned anglers. Of the people that I know to have owned and used this rod, I’ve heard zero complaints. Especially with lures, this rod can whip a 3/4 oz to a 2 oz with the very best.
3. Tica Spinning
| Model | HLHB86M2S |
| Rod Length | 8’6″ |
| Action | Mod-Fast |
| Power | Medium |
| Lure Weight | 3/8 – 3/4 |
| Line Weight | 8lbs -12lbs |
| # of Guides | 8+1 |
| Blank Materials | Graphite – 24 ton |
Tica is a growing fishing brand. Based in Hawaii, it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing when it comes to the surf. It won’t be long before Tica is a household name for surf fishermen across the globe. The Tica HBLB and a few other of their Salmon/Steelhead-like rods are some of the best surf fishing rods out there.
4. BerryPro Salmon Steelhead
| Model | HLHB86M2S |
| Rod Length | 8’6″ |
| Action | Mod-Fast |
| Power | Medium |
| Lure Weight | 3/8 – 3/4 |
| Line Weight | 8lbs -12lbs |
| # of Guides | 8+1 |
| Blank Materials | Graphite – 24 ton |
Ever heard of BerryPro? Neither had I before really doing my research on fishing rods. Like Tica, it’s growing in popularity as its reputation for quality grows. BerryPro has only been around since 2017, but their rod making skills are already up there with some of the best.
Best Rods For Leopard Shark Surf Fishing
| Style of Fishing | Model # | Line Weight | Lure Weight | # of Guides | # of Pieces | Length | Power | Taper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharks | MO-S1304 | 20-40 | 4-8oz | 5+1 | 4-pcs | 13’0″ | H | MF |
The following fishing rods will likely not be used for anything but sharks, rays and other big game fish. It’s simple enough, if you plan on catching sharks from the surf (successfully and consistently, you will need one of these. Important factors to look for in a quality shark rod are as follows.
The optimal rod length for a shark rod is 10-12 feet. If you feel the need to get a larger rod, go for it. More length helps with casting your bait farther, but there comes a point where it’s too much to control. There also comes a point where the extra length makes the fight more difficult. You want a healthy balance and you want a rod rated for heavy and fast action.
These aspects help in the fight of course, but maybe more importantly, they drastically help to add in casting distance.
1. Fiblink Moon Sniper
 |
| Model | MO-S1304 or MO-S1202 |
| Rod Length | 12′ or 13′ |
| Action | Mod-Fast |
| Power | Heavy |
| Lure Weight | 4 – 8 |
| Line Weight | 20lbs – 40lbs |
| # of Guides | 5+1 |
The Fiblink Moon Sniper is my go-to when it comes to sharking. I have this ranked number 1 for so many reasons but I’ll leave it at this… This is the rod that landed our land-based record Yellow Tail from the surf at 53.5lbs. It withstood the fight and much more and I have no complaints. That aside, this rod is everything you need in a sharking rod. It’s got great flick when casting, making for some real nice castability. Additionally, it’s not big or clunky by any means. It’s got great sensitivity and it’s really responsive to all action… It also looks great in full-bend.
2. Berrypro Surf Spinning
| Model | MS-1102 or MS-1333 |
| Rod Length | 11- or 13’3″ |
| Action | Fast |
| Power | Heavy |
| Lure Weight | 2 – 5 |
| Line Weight | 15lbs – 40lbs |
| # of Guides | 6+1 |
| Material Type | Graphite, IM7 |
This was one that surprised me. Not because I didn’t trust it, but because I hadn’t yet heard of the brand. When more than just a few anglers backed its rep, I had to check it out. Sure enough, it’s a legitimate shark rod; one that’ll land you some big ones if you know what you’re doing. Selecting the 11’2″ rod will automatically select heavy and fast and that’s exactly what you want. Looks very similar to the Moonsniper and if I have the time and money aside, I’m going to try this one next.
Best Reels for Surf Fishing
Looking for the best reels for surf fishing? Head on over to my page on picking out a good reel for surf fishing, what all the numbers mean, what size reel you’ll want, and a detailed list of the best spinning reels for surf fishing.
Great collection of recommended gear! For the rod/reel combos, the 4000 reels usually come with a 7 ft rod. With the stand alone rods, you recommend 8-9 ft. Do you usually go with the 4000/7ft combo or increase the reel size to 5000/6000 to get a 8-9 ft rod?
Thanks!
So if you’re getting the penn pursuit 3 combo 4000 series and the combo is available, that’s what I use a lot of the time. That’s my favorite setup for the price. Although the battle is a nice replacement for the reel.
Specifically, if you’re getting the penn pursuit 3 combo, get the 4000 and the 7 foot medium. That’s a super solid setup and super cheap and I use that.
The other setup I use is an okuma celilo 8’6” medium paired with a battle 2 4000. I love the reel and the rod is sweeeeet, it of you like a rod with a little more backbone, it’s not for you.
I would not recommend increasing the reel size to a 5000 or 6000 if you’re fishing light tackle. That would be one clunky set up. That’s what I use for sharking.
Thanks!!
Nick do you have any recommendations for a good starter shore fishing and/or pier fishing rod and reel? Am trying to think about what would be a good gift for a friend to get them started. Ideally something in the $100-$150 range for both the rod+reel combined. I was thinking of getting the Okuma Celilo rod but am not sure what a good (cheaper) starter reel would be since the Penn Fierce seems to be a bit on the heavier side. I think this would be a good thing to put up on your rod and reel page as well if you have a recommendation.
I was also wondering if you had a recommendation for younger children (ages 5-10). Your Okuma Celilo+Penn Battle combo would work great for an older and taller (and more responsible) kid but I suspect it is overkill for a younger kid (again – too heavy and also too long). If you don’t have recs for kids, I totally get it 🙂 .. I just thought I’d check given how much info you have on here. Maybe you’ve had clients you’ve taken out that have had specific rod/reel combos for their kids that seemed to be good. Anyways – thanks for all the solid info on this site again. As I’ve said on another post, I keep learning and trying.
Hey M, shoot me an email at surffishingsocalsd@gmail.com and I’ll send some ideas your way.
Hi Nick,
Been a while since I posted 🙂 .. Hope you are doing well.
I was wondering if you had recommendations for field dressing knives/etc. It might make a good article if/when you get a chance. It would also be interesting to hear about what you do (if anything) to dress your catches on the beach or in your car. I’ve seen your video on how to dress a leopard shark but that was once you brought the body home with the head presumably cut off on the beach? Anyways – would love to learn more about this topic from you and your other awesome readers.
Best,
M
Hey M… I think you’re referring to the video of the “How to fillet a guitarfish”. I’ve never killed a shark. But yes! I will certainly write an article on that soon. I’ve got a few different options I use.
I read this article 2 years ago and started surf fishing. Great knowledge. Thank you Nick.
Would you consider expanding this article (and the one for reel) to include rock/reef fishing?
Hey Zhao. I just updated this one to include my reef backpack actually. It’s the one for “on the move plus”. All blacks samurai brand that fits 3 3600 tackle boxes. That’s the one I use for reef fishing as it stays on my back the entire time. As for the reels. I actually updated the article linked below to include my reef/swimbait reel (the Penn Spinfisher vi 3500 or 4500. This article outline my setup for swim baits, jerkbaits, Carolina rig, and sharking.
https://surffishingsocalsd.com/nick-heids-surf-fishing-set-ups/