I know what you’re thinking, how the heck am I supposed to pick a good surf rod when there are so many options out there?
With more than 40 years of experience in the fishing niche, I’ve seen how the right gear and knowledge can transform a simple fishing trip into an unforgettable adventure.
Whether you’re casting from sandy beaches, rocky shores, fishing piers, or rock jetties, surf fishing offers a unique and rewarding experience.
In this post, I’ll show you the best rods and explain their cons and pros, to help you get started on the right foot.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for the Best Surf Fishing Rods
- Most Comfortable Handle: Okuma Longitude
- Most Durable: Daiwa
- Most Sensitive: Fiblink
- Tica UGSA
- BERRYPRO
Look, you’re right, there are a ton of competing brands and up and coming products that are filling up your search history. But stop for a moment. I did the research (more on it in this post), so you don’t have to.
Surf fishing is a fishing style done in shallow water. It entails wading in the surf or standing on the shore or on a kayak (check premium fishing kayak review) to catch fish. There are certain species of fish that can be caught from the shore.
Top 5 Surf Fishing Rods (Summary)
For more detailed and complete product reviews on benefits and features, keep reading.
Surf fishing or shore fishing can be done in sandy beaches, rocky beaches, fishing piers, or rock jetties. It is often done in saltwater, although with a few exceptions.
Beach casting or surfcasting is the technique used in surf fishing from the beach. Surfcasting is casting a lure or bait at a précised distance to capture fish from the shore. Casting with long fishing rods and from long distances requires a lot of skill and experience.
To be effective in surf fishing, you will need to have full knowledge of these factors:
- Season
- Weather
- Wind,
- Water temperature,
- Moon phase,
- Tide
- Other natural conditions
- The behavior of target fish
Surf fishing is usually done at night and in rough waters. Fishermen have to be mindful of slippery rocks, powerful waves, and unexpected underwater drop-offs to keep safe.
To be successful in surf fishing, you will need to have patience, knowledge, and the right equipment, most notable of which is a fish finding tool and the best surf fishing rod.
9 Best Surf Fishing Rods for This Year
1. Okuma Longitude
Okuma is a brand that always stands out. A brand that comes from a part of the world that prides itself on its fishing game, the Longitude is a great pick.
This is the most convenient rod because it meets all the high-build points along with packing good efficiency. The Longitude is a composite material surf fishing rod. So the actual material passes muster and some.
Handles are essential to a good fishing rod. In the case of the Okuma, the handles are prone to wearing down, sometimes pretty quickly. This happens when you buy an affordable rod. You’ll find that the cheaper options out there might have perfect specs, but some of their parts will be as valuable as the amount you paid.
In terms of overall sensitivity the Longitude is among the best surf fishing rods. What contributes to this? In general, if you have a strong composite material rod paired with flexible composite material – also a great power rating – then sensitivity will be localized at the tip of the rod, and give you a quick signals that a fish is biting down.
Pros
- Super convenient
- Great sensitivity
- Good build
Cons
- Rod handle isn’t durable
2. Tica UGSA Series Surf Spinning Fishing Rod
The Tica UGSA Series Surf Spinning Fishing Rod has true power. Think about it, when you’re shopping for rods that average around 10 feet and need to have great casting distance, what else do you want besides real strength? So, let’s dive straight into the Tica UGSA.
For one, the rod itself is made of very strong graphite. It’s one thing to have casting power, another to have a powerful caster with an even more durable build. What’s perhaps most surprising about the Tica UGSA Series Surf Spinning Fishing Rod is its sensitivity.
Casting power is very important, but it can be a little unsettling for beginners. Ask yourself, how many times have you been on a surf, and if you have plenty of experience, how much casting are you planning on doing? These are essential questions to ask yourself when you’re thinking about picking up a powerhouse surf rod like this.
It’s rare to find a rod this powerful that also has such great sensitivity. What are the last great perks of this guy? Well, the alconite tip guide is very nice. On top of that? The non-slip cork handle makes using such a beast easier for you and your grip.
Pros
- Non-slip handle
- Great tip guide
- Fantastic casting distance
Cons
- Pricey
- Learning curve
3. Penn Battle
Penn Battle is outfitted with a spinning fishing reel that is fully made of metal. This combination provides a great amount of sensitivity and makes it easy to catch and reel in large fishes.
The body of the rod, side plate and rotor are all made of high-grade metal. The rod is able to withstand a high amount of weight and continues to function for years without damage or rust.
The reel operates with a Versa-Drag carbon fiber drag system that utilizes the sides of the drag washer to provide maximum drag. With instant anti-reverse bearing, the reel stops pullback and allows you to pull out your game easily and quickly.
The spool is placed on a gasket made of rubber that prevents the rod from slipping when it is under pressure. It is designed to show the amount of line remaining with the help of its line capacity rings.
Pros
- Made of high-quality and durable materials
- Has an anti-reverse mechanism that allows for quick and easy reeling
- Does not slip under pressure
Cons
- Tip might break during use
4. Okuma Tundra
If you’re looking for a sturdy fishing tool that can catch all fish types, Okuma Tundra will meet your expectations. This is possible thanks to its white color that allows you to detect bites from a reasonable distance, even in low light conditions and the 10 to 30-line weight plus 2 to 8 lure weight that makes it easy to maneuver.
As of the design, this tool is constructed with a glass fiber rod blank and reinforced double footed guides to enhance durability. Medium-heavy power enhances its versatility.
The incorporation of stainless steel makes it easy to perform both heavy and light fishing tasks, while the presence of rubber butt cap allows an angler to work tirelessly without the rod slipping off their hand. Even though this fishing rod is corrosion-resistant, to enjoy it for a longer period, proper maintenance must strictly be adhered to.
It comes with a one-year limited warranty proving how reliable the product is. However, you may have to pay an affordable shipping cost if it mistakenly develops a fault as a result of poor management.
Pros
- Comes with a year warranty
- Has fiberglass that permits a decent level of sensitivity
- Considerable length makes it possible for the user to catch distance fishes
Cons
- To return the tool if broke, the user has to pay for the delivery of the new product
5. BERRYPRO
BERRYPRO is an outstanding fishing surf tool used by professional fishermen or hobbyists to catch fish in lesser time. This graphite spinning rod is powerful, durable and comes in different sizes. Thus, allowing you to catch fish of different sizes quickly without any hassle.
The 36-ton X-Carbon technology construction of this item makes it powerful with incredible sensitivity.
This fishing rod is equipped with several accessories, including the anti-wear rubber butt cap responsible for keeping you comfortable while fishing.
The high-strength reel seat, high-density EVA grips, non-slip shrink tube, plus the design textured carbon fiber rod surface of this tool give you nice working time. The rod comes with a warranty period of a year.
Pros
- Professional design and meets all fishing task
- Comes with a year warranty
- Customer service is responsive
Cons
- If not properly maintained when used regularly, it will get weared quickly
6. Fiblink
Specially made for travelers thanks to its lightweight and perfect design, Fiblink is a dual graphite surf rod. Thus, allowing you to choose the suitable rod size according to the fishing location and situation.
This carbon constructed fishing tool has an improved performance action plus increased sensitivity and durability. With this, you’ll be able to catch large fish with ease. Also, the rod is well constructed, making it ideal for boat and non-boat fishermen.
Considering the design, it is manufactured with stainless steel and ceramic to ensure its durability. This helps in minimizing the friction while enhancing sensitivity by transferring vibrations from the line through the guide to the rod and, eventually, to the operator’s hand.
It’s a non-slip rubber shrink tube tapered with rear grip tip handle. This item not only comes with a one-year warranty but also features a money-back guarantee with responsive customer service, making it the go-to choice for fishermen.
Pros
- Sensitive and durable
- Well constructed and aligned to increase the functionality
- Suitable for a fishing while on a boat
Cons
- More effort and special care must be taken to maneuver it
7. St. Croix Triumph
Renowned for its exclusive bonuses of 4 packs spinning rods equipped with a protective case and exceptional performance, the St. Croix Triumph Surf Rod is the choice for adventuresome surf anglers. It is light in weight and comfortable to lift in no time, thus, allowing you to catch more fish regardless of their size.
This St. Croix rod comes with several accessories, including the hard aluminum-oxide surf guide that helps to complement functionality. Also, the combination of Fuji DPS reel seat with frosted silver hoods, SCII graphite, custom cork tape handle, two coats of flex-coat slow-cure finish and many more gives you a nice fishing experience.
Whether you’re fishing in saltwater, colored or black water and you intend to catch more fish in less time; you’ll surely enjoy your fishing activities using this rod from St. Croix.
The St. Croix Triumph comes with five years warranty during which any slight damage or fault that arises on this tool will be the sole responsibility of the manufacturer.
Pros
- Features a pair of 4 packs spinning rods that are equipped with a protective case
- Has a warranty period of five years
- Can be used to fish in all water types or colors
Cons
- Weight is a bit heavier than other similar tools
8. Daiwa
Are you an angler looking for an ultra-lightweight surf fish tool built with high-quality materials? Maybe you like catching different fish in fresh or saltwater and you’re in doubt of getting a rugged, long-lasting surf rod, but Daiwa Beefstick will meet your expectations.
It’s specially designed with strong, stainless-steel reel seat hoods and stainless guides to enhance strength and ensure its long-lasting use.
This amazing, 2 pounds rod performs great thanks to its upgraded, super-strong carbon-fiberglass combination blanks.
This fishing rod has the option of casting, spinning, plus boat rod actions, which most anglers crave for to enable diverse fishing. It is pocket-friendly, making it perfect for those with low budget.
Pros
- Ultra-light in weight
- Price is affordable
- Well-built with upgraded materials
Cons
- To catch bigger fish, you must be very cautious
9. Tsunami Trophy
Tsunami Trophy is designed to perform heavy-duty tasks in less time. Thus, making it suitable for fishermen who like fishing on the high sea without compromising their comfort. Also, it is light in weight and lasts for a long time.
Similar to most fishing surf rods, this item is constructed with a high-density graphite fiber blank for strength improvement. Also, it is fitted with a light, thin and tough sure-grip cork tape with short EVA caps.
This fishing tool has corrosion-proof graphite plus a stainless-steel cushioned reel seat responsible for its effectiveness and longevity.
In short, if you are a professional or newbie angler that cares less about the price of fishing tools, don’t look further as this item stands out among others.
Pros
- Casts lure at a great distance with little effort
- Sturdy design and sensitive in action
- Corrosion proof
Cons
- A bit expensive
Conclusion
Surf fishing can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience, especially when equipped with the right gear and knowledge.
As I’ve explored, the choice of a surf fishing rod is crucial for success, and each of the nine rods reviewed offers unique benefits to enhance your fishing adventure.
Remember, patience and practice are key, along with understanding the natural conditions and the behavior of your target fish.
With the insights and recommendations provided here, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of surf fishing.
Tight lines and happy fishing!