I want to build a surf rod for a friend who recently let me stay at his place near Assateague, MD. I know there are occasionally huge stripers and drum in the area but I want to build a rod that focuses more on the abundant whiting, spot, flounder, snapper blues, etc. Something like 9' 2pc. for 1-3oz. and 12-20lb. line that both he and his young kids could use without too much trouble. A rod of those specs can still handle a huge fish if he happens to hook one, it will just take longer to get it on the beach. He's a novice and occasional fisherman.

I have the RodMaker issue with the surf rod article but would appreciate recommendations for a good and inexpensive blank to work with for this purpose. Any recommendations for a decent and inexpensive spinning reel would be appreciated too. Right now, leaning toward Okuma.

Thanks, Steve

Look at the Rainshadow SW1087 9' 12-25# 1-4oz



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/14/2006 03:46PM by Barry D Thomas Sr.

"I want to build a rod that focuses more on the abundant whiting, spot, flounder, snapper blues, etc. Something like 9', 2-pc. for 1-3oz. and 12-20 lb. Line that both he and his young kids could use without too much trouble."

CAPE CANAVERAL SURF ROCKET
Graphite & Fiberglass at MudHole
LSBT-114-2M ... 2-piece ... 9'6" ... 12-30# ... 1-3 oz.
Moderate-Fast Taper-Action ... Medium Power ...
0.630" ... 10 / 64ths ... 7.5 oz. ... $60. [M-H].

SEEKER "E-Glass / BORON" Salt-Water Rod Blanks
SU-90 ... 2-piece ... 9'0" ... 12-20# ... 1-4 oz. ...
Taper-Action (not specified) ... Power (not specified) ...
0.960" ... 6.5 / 64ths ... Blank Wt: (?) ... $79. [M-H]

MudHole 2006 Catalog , pages 23, 26, 29.

As far as I can tell, none of the Batson SURF RODS
RainShadow or ForeCast Rods are TWO-PIECE
in YOUR 9-foot Length and Line / Lure Ratings.
[www.fishsticks4u.com]

It seems that the RainShadow RX7 SW-1087 and
SU-1087 are ONE-PIECE RODS, 108" (9-foot),
that are NOT available in a ferruled, 2-piece Model.
If YOU want to install a ferrule, that gives more options.
For one-piece under 8-feet, SWS-540 or SWS-597

You may consider some of the Salmon / SteelHead (IST / ISA)
(SH) Models or the Hot-Shot (HS) or the Down-Rigger (DR)
to be viable options. [www.FishSticks4U.com] -Cliff Hall+++



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2006 09:53AM by Cliff Hall.

I would look at the RX6 Forecast steelhead blanks. I am building a 1084 right now for just what you're describing, though I will use heavier rods to throw 3oz. I'll bet you could lob 3oz with the SH1086 (the whiting are in close anyway) and it's only $45. The IST1087 ought to definitely do it for just over $80. Or, I hear good things about the new SU1145 (on sale for just under $80 at Fishsticks4u); 9'6" and more of a true surf rod with a sweet spot around 2oz (I'm building one of these for the kids next!). Fishsticks4u also had some of the older SU1262 still in Charlotte - 10'6" but I hear cranks 1-2oz. I'm definitely moving toward the lighter rods for the surf just to have more fun with exactly the fish you're describing.

Thanks guys. 2pc. is important. The salmon/steelhead rods sound like good options for me. I have an old PSU 108-2 Fenwick Fenglass factory rod that I will be rebuilding for myself in a parallel project. It's rated at 1-4 oz. and is definitely overkill for whiting and snapper blues. I've put 20 lb. sharks and rays on the beach with it in under 5 minutes and it can throw 2 or 3 ounces with ease, although 4 is not that much fun except for short lobs into the breakers. Basically, this rod will be used 90% of the time with bloodworms or squid strips and 2 oz. of lead. Any ideas about the reel. I had an old Zebco Cardinal 7 that was awesome but was abused and died a slow, sad death. Am I on the right track with a $50 Okuma?

BATSON RAINSHADOW (RS) or FORECAST (FC) Rod Blanks
Salmon / Steelhead Blanks (IST / ISA / SH / HS / DR)
[www.FishSticks4U.com]

RainShadow Salmon / Steelhead Rod Blanks (Matte Clear)
• RX7 Intermediate Modulus (43 million), High Strain Rate graphite
• Durable, yet light weight designs
• Limited Lifetime Warranty
RS-RX7 Model #: "ISA-108-6-F" ... Matte Clear ... 9'0" ... 2-piece
12-25 lb. ... 3/4 to 1-1/2 oz. ... 0.580" ... 6.0 / 64ths ...
Mod-Fast ... Hvy ... 4.02 oz. ... $75.00 - Add [FS4U]

ForeCast Salmon / Steelhead Rod Blanks
• RX6 Standard Modulus (33 million), High Strain Rate graphite
• Clear Gloss finish
• Durable, yet light weight designs
• 2 Year Limited Warranty
FC-RX6 Model #: "SH-102-6-2" ... Clear Gloss ... 8'6" ... 2-piece
12-25 lb. ... 3/4 to 1-1/2 oz. ... 0.491" ... 5.5 / 64ths ...
Mod-Fast ... Hvy ... 3.30 oz. ... $44.94 - Add [FS4U]

Other Hot-Shot (HS) or Down-Rigger (DR) Options:
RS-RX7 Model #: "HS-102-1-F"
RS-RX4 Model #: "DR-102-4-F" Graphite-FiberGlass composite

The more I look, the better the FC-RX6 SH-102-6-2 (8'6") LQQKS.
At less than 4 oz Blank Wt, any youth will not tire of it. And at its price,
you can buy an import reel with the money you'll save. -Cliff Hall+++

SPINNING REEL Options: PENN CAPTIVA
CV-5000: 200 yds of 12# 5.2:1 Gear Ratio ... 17 oz.
CV-6000: 225 yds of 16# 5.2:1 Gear Ratio ... 19 oz.
These reels are made abroad to Penn's specifications.
For a little more $$ than that Okuma, these Penn's,
with 11 Ball Bearings, are really worth a closer look.

DAIWA's CAPRICE Series is also very nice, IMO, ...

I have handled the OKUMA Surf-size Spinning Reels
in the stores, and they do look like a good choice for
the occasional fisherman. Okuma's styles seem to differ
every time I see one, so I can't recall the Model #'s.
Good Luck, Steve Kartalia. ... -Cliff Hall+++, FL-USA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/14/2006 09:12PM by Cliff Hall.

The 1145 Rainshadow from Fishsticks is neat little blank. I've been using one for about 6 weeks and it really slings small metal and poppers. It handles fish pretty well too. I put a Quantum Energy 40 on it and 15 lb. Pline braid.

Thanks again, guys. I'm just about ready to go shopping. I wish I got to surf fish more. Every time I do it, I am reminded how enjoyable it is to stand knee-deep in the water and wait for something to tug on the line while you keep your eyes open for pelicans, porpoises , and ponies. Oh yeah, and bikinis.

BATSON RainShadow Surf Rod Blanks ("RS-RX7"):
• RX7 Intermediate Modulus (43 million), high strain rate Graphite
• 3 Year Limited Warranty
• All RS-RX7 "SU" Surf Blanks are on Special NOW at FS4U
[www.fishsticks4u.com]

RS-RX7 "SU-114-5" : ** NEW ** SU-1145 ... Matte Clear ...
9'6" (114") ... 2-piece (equal) ... 12-25 lb. ... 0.5 - 1.5 oz. ...
Taper-Action: Moderate-Fast ... Power: Medium (-5) ....
Butt OD: (?) ... 6.5 (?) / 64ths ... Blank Wt: n/a ...
$78.32 - Add [FS4U] *** on Special NOW ***