Best Surf/Rock Rod for spinning/baits for under $200?

[chokpa]

Hi Guys

I'm looking for a rod that I can use for the usual Sydney Harbour and surrounds species (anywhere from bream to kings) for under $200. I've had my current rod for over 10 years so i think its due for a replacement. I assume the main improvement in technology is lighter rods? 

I think my requirements are:

• 10' & 2+ pieces
• Can handle rock and surf conditions 
• Composite rod for a balance of durability and weight
• Can cast close to 90-100g (i assume a ganged pillie plus a lead gets close to this - i should measure it probably)
• Will let me cast lures on the odd occasion (appropriately weighted/sized ones)
• Will have a decent chance of handling a king (assuming using appropriate line) whilst not being impractical for bread and butter species.
• Compatible with a threadline reel. I'm using 4000s-7000s

What would you guys recommend? I've looked at everything from a $60 shimano beastmaster to a $200 Penn Prevail or Daiwa Sandstorm. It's hard to find reviews, and even when i do its not clear what the difference is between a $100 and $200 rod.

In some ways i'm not sure if we're just paying for marketing or what. I used my 15 year old penn power stick on the weekend to pull in a 20kg+ shovelnose shark... 

Thanks! Looking forward to reading the insights

Edited April 28, 2017 by chokpa

[Captain Spanner]

I haven't seen a daiwa sandstorm in real life but they get mixed reviews online.

I would walk into a shop and pickup all of the Penn prevails that are around the length you want and see which one feels like it will best suit your purpose. They have  a in the 9-11' range, all 2 piece. They are really nice rods, especially for their price.

Also look at the new (white ones with K-Series Guides) Shimano Aerowave Graphite rods. They are 3 piece and come in 9'6", 11' and 12' around the weight range you are looking at. I have an older 12' heavy composite and a new 13' heavy graphite and they are both great rods for the money. Once again pick them all up in the shop and feel the weight and action. The Revolution Coastal Range also has nice rods but the action might not suit you in your chosen size.

I have a mate that loves the Catana beach rods in the size that you are looking at and they are also nice for a cheap rod. They have saved the money on the guides with those i think.

Some of the Daiwa Sensor Surfs are nice and some just feel a little out of balance. They are probably out of that budget but i don't think you need to go there unless you love them.

My advice in short, walk into a shop and start with the Prevails and the Aerowaves and see which one you like the feel of. Even take your reel or ask the shop guy to stick a reel like yours on it if you are wondering about the balance. If you have your reel with line on it he might let you thread the line through to feel the action if you want. Worth asking.

Good luck

[geshy]

12ft penn prevail 100% best rod 

[chokpa]

4 hours ago, Captain Spanner said:

I haven't seen a daiwa sandstorm in real life but they get mixed reviews online.

I would walk into a shop and pickup all of the Penn prevails that are around the length you want and see which one feels like it will best suit your purpose. They have  a in the 9-11' range, all 2 piece. They are really nice rods, especially for their price.

Also look at the new (white ones with K-Series Guides) Shimano Aerowave Graphite rods. They are 3 piece and come in 9'6", 11' and 12' around the weight range you are looking at. I have an older 12' heavy composite and a new 13' heavy graphite and they are both great rods for the money. Once again pick them all up in the shop and feel the weight and action. The Revolution Coastal Range also has nice rods but the action might not suit you in your chosen size.

I have a mate that loves the Catana beach rods in the size that you are looking at and they are also nice for a cheap rod. They have saved the money on the guides with those i think.

Some of the Daiwa Sensor Surfs are nice and some just feel a little out of balance. They are probably out of that budget but i don't think you need to go there unless you love them.

My advice in short, walk into a shop and start with the Prevails and the Aerowaves and see which one you like the feel of. Even take your reel or ask the shop guy to stick a reel like yours on it if you are wondering about the balance. If you have your reel with line on it he might let you thread the line through to feel the action if you want. Worth asking.

Good luck

Thanks for this. I will look at those rods in store. Do you think there is much difference in a $200 prevail vs a $100 catana vs a $150 aerowave?

the aerowave has the distinct advantage of being 3 piece. that might sway me actually...

does your mate have the 10' catana thats rated 4-7kg? Looks a good shout for a beater rod. Would it have any chance at tackling a large tailor, aus salmon or king though?

2 hours ago, geshy said:

12ft penn prevail 100% best rod 

what do you fish with it? assuming you have the 8-12kg rod, do you find itd be overkill for average sized trevallies, flathead etc? I guess there is technically no hard in matching a light line with a heavy rod, except it may be easier to cast the same weights with a medium action rod than a medium heavy?

[geshy]

I usually spin with it but yeha no harm in putting a smaller reel on it but fishing off the beach you never know what ur gunna get mate some big Jew and sharks around 

[Guest Guest123456789]

IMO you should have two rods not one. A 13 or 14 footer for the beach and a 9-11 footer for the stones. Main reasons, beach fishing you want to be able to hit the back gutter and cast 100 metres and spinning with a really large rod becomes tough. Often you want different line and reel sizes for each application too. Depends on what you target and what your local ledges and beaches are like, you might be lucky enough to get away with just one.

[bluefin]

Wilson RLF 45/2  medium  live fibre 13'6" for the beach. Very light.  Shimano Starlo clasic  10' 6" for spinning up to 90 gram.nice and stiff to impair action to lures especially soft Vibes ( 20 and 30 gram Viblicious.) Stamped    6 to 10 kg  On the rod,  advertised as 6 to 8 kg ?? Spent a lot of time thinning  it down to these 2 rods for spinning reels ( ultegra 5500ci4+ )  I also use 2 fmt 7144l wilson/butterworth alvey rods.  Howard.

Edited April 30, 2017 by bluefin

[chokpa]

8 hours ago, flatheadluke said:

IMO you should have two rods not one. A 13 or 14 footer for the beach and a 9-11 footer for the stones. Main reasons, beach fishing you want to be able to hit the back gutter and cast 100 metres and spinning with a really large rod becomes tough. Often you want different line and reel sizes for each application too. Depends on what you target and what your local ledges and beaches are like, you might be lucky enough to get away with just one.

Ive got a 12' Penn as well. Was just hoping this next rod would be a hybrid between a bait and lure rod. I'll be going for 10' anyway, just deciding between the options available

 

4 hours ago, bluefin said:

Wilson RLF 45/2  medium  live fibre 13'6" for the beach. Very light.  Shimano Starlo clasic  10' 6" for spinning up to 90 gram.nice and stiff to impair action to lures especially soft Vibes ( 20 and 30 gram Viblicious.) Stamped    6 to 10 kg  On the rod,  advertised as 6 to 8 kg ?? Spent a lot of time thinning  it down to these 2 rods for spinning reels ( ultegra 5500ci4+ )  I also use 2 fmt 7144l wilson/butterworth alvey rods.  Howard.

Bit out of my price range on the LF but will look at the starlo classix. 

After doing research the past few days its become clear how annoying it is to buy a rod online. Very few places with a wide enough selection. nearly ever rod thats been listed has required me to go to a different site!

[Captain Spanner]

On 28/04/2017 at 6:30 PM, chokpa said:

Thanks for this. I will look at those rods in store. Do you think there is much difference in a $200 prevail vs a $100 catana vs a $150 aerowave?

the aerowave has the distinct advantage of being 3 piece. that might sway me actually...

does your mate have the 10' catana thats rated 4-7kg? Looks a good shout for a beater rod. Would it have any chance at tackling a large tailor, aus salmon or king though?

what do you fish with it? assuming you have the 8-12kg rod, do you find itd be overkill for average sized trevallies, flathead etc? I guess there is technically no hard in matching a light line with a heavy rod, except it may be easier to cast the same weights with a medium action rod than a medium heavy?

From looking at the rods i think the Prevail might be more durable, especially the guides from a corrosion point of view but i have not have had any problems with any of my aerowaves. I may get a prevail in the future.

My mate said he has the new Catana 1062 4-7kg and the older 902 6-8kg. He said it they would handle large tailor, salmon, rats and jewies on an open beach. I think these rods would all easily cast the weights you are talking about. the Catanas will be lighter in the hand to spin with but wont be as ballsy fighting larger fish/sharks/rays, or casting heavier baits.

[kingfishbig]

On 30/04/2017 at 8:06 AM, flatheadluke said:

IMO you should have two rods not one. A 13 or 14 footer for the beach and a 9-11 footer for the stones. Main reasons, beach fishing you want to be able to hit the back gutter and cast 100 metres and spinning with a really large rod becomes tough. Often you want different line and reel sizes for each application too. Depends on what you target and what your local ledges and beaches are like, you might be lucky enough to get away with just one.

A bit of length is also handy for beach fishing to stop your line continually being caught up in the shore dump. 11.5 to 12.5 ft is a good choice.

[chokpa]

Thanks guys.

Bit disappointing but i ended up getting a Ugly Stik Gold Surf. It was the only rod i could buy easily online that was the right length and specs. I wouldve preferred to Aerowave 3 pce but that can be my next purchase. I am considering getting something for more portable, lighter fishing. For now i've done a like for like replacement except unlike the new rod it's actually made in this millenium

I'll try to give it a crack this weekend if it arrives, and report back.

[savit]

On 5/4/2017 at 2:39 PM, chokpa said:

Thanks guys.

Bit disappointing but i ended up getting a Ugly Stik Gold Surf. It was the only rod i could buy easily online that was the right length and specs. I wouldve preferred to Aerowave 3 pce but that can be my next purchase. I am considering getting something for more portable, lighter fishing. For now i've done a like for like replacement except unlike the new rod it's actually made in this millenium

I'll try to give it a crack this weekend if it arrives, and report back.

Which Ugly one you got - 10' (6-10kg)? Did you have a chance to test it?

[chokpa]

Yeah thats the one

Haven't really put it through its paces yet. Fishing has been poor for me the past few trips..