11 Best Surf Fishing Rods in 2024 (The Ultimate Buying Guide)

Hey, anglers! Welcome here, It’s time to do your best to choose the best surf fishing rod. But I’m also here to help you, you need the right guidance because this decision will matter a lot in your journey!

The right surf fishing rod is something most important when it comes to surf fishing tackle. You need to know that there is no lack of time-wasting and money-wasting rods in the markets.

On the other hand, it’s important to pick one that fits you and your requirements. I always say that comfort is more important than anything, for example, you will struggle if you purchase a heavy rod and without understanding picking any light rod can waste your time. Let’s start and save your time with our top 11 best surf fishing rods:

Our Top 12 Best Surf Fishing Rods

1. St. Croix Triumph Surf Rod
2. Penn Battalion Surf Spinning Rod (best All-round surf fishing rod)
3. Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Fishing Rod
4. PENN Carnage III Conventional Rod (best baitcasting rod for surf fishing)
5. Berry Pro IM8 Spinning Rod
6. Okuma Rockaway Spinning Rod
7. Ugly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod (best heavy-duty surf fishing rod)
8. Okuma Longitude Spinning/Baitcasting Rod
9. Goture 4-piece Travel Spinning Rod (best travel fishing rod)
10. KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Travel Spinning Rod
11. Ugly Stik Tiger Baitcasting Rod

1)St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod (All-rounder)

The St. Croix Rods Triumph Spinning Rod, known for the TSR,  is 16 ounces. Think of it as the leader of your surf fishing gear and tackle. St. Croix triumph Spinning rod is strong and made with  Premium SCIII carbon construction, people like it mostly because it’s great for many situations.

Well, I can say St. Croix is a good brand to use the rods they offer. Let’s take an eye to it features here

Pros

1. Best Precise design for easy and smooth fishing
2. Premium SCIII carbon construction
3. You can use it almost in every situation
4. A comfortable Grip can avoid hand-tiring

Cons

I don’t know why but this rod has 10% of negative reviews (1-star)

Ideal Fishing Scenarios

It’s known as a top-tier rod, if you are planning to go fishing (no matter what trip you want to go for) it can handle all kinds of situations. I think it’s also best to give gifts to your loved one.

2)Penn Battalion Surf Spinning Rod (Best Surf fishing rod)

I like this Rod a lot, it comes with many features. It’s durable and lightweight without compromising on quality and power, more features include premium carbon fibre construction, 5-30lb line rating, and medium-heavy power. The moderate-fast action adds responsiveness to your coastal fishing, while the lure rating of 1-5 ounces gives you versatility.

The most interesting part is that this penn battle surf spinning rod comes with high-end features like Fuji Graphite Reel Seat and Alconite Guides, which provide a lightweight yet dependable anchor point for your reel. With Fuji aconite, this rod withstands rough treatment while keeping your lines strong under tension in fresh and saltwater.

In this price range, it’s a great option. Now if I talk about comfort Premium Cork Grip is included.

Pros

1. Strong and lightweight
2. Fuji Graphite Reel Seat & aconite guides
3. Durable and secure reel seat
4. Versatile Line Rating
5. High Value in mid-price

Cons

Limited length options

Ideal Fishing Scenarios

• For Coastal Skirmishing due to the moderate fast action of Penn battle
• Ideal for saltwater condition
• For medium to heavy species

3)Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Fishing Rod (All-round & Freshwater rod)

Ugly Stik Gx2 is one of the popular and favourite rods for many anglers and just a go-to choice, because it’s also corrosion resistant, durable, and offers some interesting features at a lower price but the most interesting thing I like is ugly Stik has overall a positive rating and a very less ratio of negative feedback in compare to other rods (it’s amazing).

Pros

1. Legendary Toughness (It can handle various situations)
2. This rod is a better model and with improved or upgraded components
3. Lighter weight with no compromise on robustness
4. 6 durable Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless steel guides
5. Graphite Reel Seat and EVA Handle (Remember Comfort is more important than anything they offer)
6. 7- year warranty
7. 4-10lb and a lure rating of 1/8-1/2 oz

Cons

Limited length options

Ideal Fishing Scenarios

• Great for freshwater or if you are targeting bass fish and mackerel
• Light to Moderate Saltwater Fishing
• All-Around

4)PENN Carnage III Conventional Rod

Well, for me this is a good option for heavier tasks like boat fishing, jigging, surfcasting, and nearshore angling. Penn Carnage is lightweight, durable, and available in both spinning and conventional styles.

Penn Carnage also offers advanced features, I like it because of LS3 Blank Construction a thin diameter to reduce weight without compromising on power and durability.

Moreover, Fuji K-Series Guides with Sic inserts are interesting so the rod ensures smooth line flow and reduces the risk of tangles during intense fights. The Fuji DPS reel seat adds a touch of high-end quality, which provides a secure and reliable anchor point for your reel.

Pros

1. Its Lightweight, responsive & Powerful Action
2. SLS3 Blank Construction
3. Fuji K-Series tangle-free guides featuring SiC inserts
4. Available many models
5. Frictionless casting

Cons

Costly

Ideal Fishing Scenarios

• Surf Casting
• Boat fishing
• Jigging and Nearshore Fishing

5)Berry Pro IM8 Spinning Rod (Low budget rod)

The Berry Pro IM8 Spinning Rod stands out as a testament to its slim design, lightweight feel, and exceptional durability. This rod used IM8 X-Carbon technology blanks, this is the best rod for beginners who have a low budget or looking for an affordable price.

This rod can handle many situations for beginners even big fish, at a low cost we can’t forget that also you can take it as a backup Checkout its features here

Pros

1. IM8 X-Carbon technology blanks
2. Available in 10 styles
3. Length options are great
4. Slip-resistant
5. Strong and durable
6. 1-year warranty

Cons

May be stiffer than high-end rods

Ideal Fishing Scenarios

You can target even distant areas or surf-casting because of its better length options

6)Okuma Rockaway Spinning Rod (Lightest Surf fishing rod)

This light surf rod comes with a variety of lengths and power options, it’s like medium-heavy duty. You can target medium to medium-heavy-duty surf conditions. This lightest surf rod can make your journey easier.

Have a Lure weight of 3 ounces and a line weight of 20 pounds, you can easily use a variety of lures and lines. So overall you can handle various conditions especially surfcasting, its flexibility and responsiveness are nice due to moderate fast action.

Pros

1. Length and Power Variations
2. Moderate-Fast Action
3. Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) Grip (Comfortable even for large fish)
4. 1-year warranty
5. Featherweight

Cons

Not best for large species

Ideal Fishing Scenarios

• For targeting medium-sized species or surf conditions
• Long-Distance Casting

7)Ugly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod (best heavy-duty surf fishing rod)

Ugly Stik big water heavy-duty spinning rod is a pick for big game fish, it’s designed with the toughness and durability that Ugly Stik is renowned for. With this rod, you can target large strip bass, snapper, or black drum, and this rod can be tossed with larger bait rigs.

The Ugly Tech construction, a blend of graphite and fibreglass, produces a robust yet sensitive rod that responds to the slightest nibbles. Featuring Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless steel guides, this rod ensures exceptional durability, eliminating concerns about insert pop-outs during intense battles.

The Ugly Stik Clear Tip design adds an extra layer of strength and sensitivity, providing the angler with a distinct advantage. Paired with Fuji reel seats and comfortable EVA grips, the Bigwater series promises an enhanced fishing experience.

Pros

1. Ugly Tech Construction (Ideal for heavy-duty handling big species)
2. Stainless steel guides
3. Great for casting large bait
4. Fuji Reel Seat & Durable Rubber Gimbal

Cons

Heavy and limited colour options

Ideal Fishing Scenarios

Ideal for big game fishing when you targeting large species in open-water

8)Okuma Longitude Spinning/Baitcasting Rod

This rod is specially designed for chasing Snakehead and offers a lightweight and responsive fishing experience. Okama is made with 24-ton low resin carbon rod blanks which provide both strength and agility, and the UFR (Ultimate Flex Reinforcement) tip combines power and flexibility boosting a 300% increase in lifting strength.

Most interestingly longitudinal fibres around the rod blanks help enhance power and keep the rod lighter, so this rod offers a lot of features, high-end components, and stainless steel guides with Zirconium inserts to ensure compatibility for both braid and mono lines.

it might not be suitable for more general-purpose fishing. Because it focuses on snakehead fishing.

Pros

1. Lightweight and Responsive Blanks
2. Ultimate Flex Reinforcement (UFR) Tip
3. For casting heavy bait
4. High-end components

Cons

Design for snakehead fishing

Ideal Fishing Scenarios

• For harsh challenging environments or snakehead fishing

9)Goture 4-piece Travel Spinning Rod (best travel fishing rod)

You know with the name it’s a travel rod for those on the move, with a keen focus on portability, this rod features a new generation O guide ring, offering a smoother and tougher experience than traditional SiC guides.

It’s lightweight and maybe a dream rod for travellers, The reel seats, made of high-quality ABS material, and the EVA split grips ensure comfort during extended fishing sessions.

Pros

Smoother, and tougher
10% Increased Strength
Lightweight & Portable
Comfortable Reel Seat & Grip
Warranty and Replacement Policy

Cons

Specific use

Ideal Fishing Scenarios

It is ideal for anglers who need a portable and lightweight rod for on-the-go fishing adventures.

10)KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Travel Spinning Rod

The KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic fishing rod is a game-changer for anglers seeking convenience without compromising performance. This rod features SoloScopic Performance Technology, blending KastFlex Toray 24-Ton Carbon Matrix and a solid glass tip section for unmatched durability, sensitivity, and overall excellence.

Its unique one-piece feel in a six-piece telescopic design ensures you experience the power of a traditional rod in a portable package. Whether you’re casting for trout, or bass, or enjoying kayak or inshore fishing, there’s a Blackhawk II for you.

The convenient telescopic design not only aids travel but also saves precious fishing time. Simply extend, lock, and you’re ready to cast – no need for time-consuming re-rigging.

Pros

1. Great durability with SoloScopic Performance
2. Easy setup
3. Easy to pack
4. Available in many lengths and actions
5. Best quality (stainless steel guides and graphite reel seats.)

Cons

This rod may not be the best choice for heavy-duty

Ideal Fishing Scenarios

• Freshwater bass to inshore saltwater adventures.
• Travellers

11)Ugly Stik Tiger Baitcasting Rod

Now Let me Introduce the the versatile and dependable Ugly Stik 7′ Tiger Nearshore/Offshore Rod – your trusted companion, for conquering all types of fishing adventures whether in freshwater or saltwater.

This rod embodies toughness, reliability and a touch of excitement. It is designed with a line rating of 20 50lb and medium power to handle any surprises that may lurk beneath the waves.

The Ugly Stik Tiger is expertly crafted using a combination of graphite and fiberglass materials ensuring its toughness while reducing weight. Its fighting length type B EVA rod handle provides a grip while the rubber gimbal adds stability when placed in a rod holder.

This rod’s durability is better by Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless steel guides that provide resistance to corrosion and tough handling.

The graphite reel seats with stainless steel hoods not only provide comfort for your hands but also protect your reel, from damage. Additionally, the Ugly Stik Clear Tip design enhances both strength and sensitivity which makes every fishing expedition an immersive experience.

Pros

1. Durable Construction
2. Comfortable Handling
3. Corrosion-Resistant Guides
4. Great power for button fishing
5. Available in diverse power options

Cons

Available mainly in 7′ length options.

Ideal Fishing Scenarios

Nearshore and Offshore
Catfish Quests

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Surf Fishing Rod

Now you know about some best surf fishing rods, choosing the better one is your decision here are some factors you can consider.

Length

It’s depends on where you are fishing, A short length might great for tight spaces but longer rods are ideal for surf fishing as they allow for longer casting distances. In short for surf fishing or shore fishing consider the longer rods.

Power

For surf fishing, a moderate to fast action rod is recommended. Moderate action provides a balance of power and flexibility, crucial for casting over waves and handling larger fish.

The best rod for you will depend on a lot of factors like where you are fishing, and your style and target.

Material and Construction for Durability

A combination of graphite and fibreglass ensures durability without compromising on sensitivity. Graphite provides sensitivity, while fibreglass adds toughness to handle the strain of saltwater conditions.

Composite Blanks

Consider rods with composite blanks (a mix of graphite and fibreglass) for a well-balanced combination of strength, sensitivity, and lightweight design.

Power

Surf fishing mostly needs medium to heavy power rods for handling large fish and casting heavier lures or baits.

Weight Capacity

It’s important to make sure your rod can handle the weight of the line, bait, and potential catch without compromising performance.

Rod Guides

Pick rods with corrosion-resistant guides, especially if you’ll be fishing in saltwater. Stainless steel or ceramic guides with reinforced inserts offer durability and smooth line flow.

Reel Seats

Look for a high-quality reel seat, preferably made of corrosion-resistant materials like graphite or stainless steel.

Handle

Handles made from EVA foam or cork provide a comfortable and secure grip.

Grip Type

Choose between full or split grips based on personal preference. Full grips offer more hand-to-rod contact, while split grips reduce overall weight.

That’s but the most important thing is your budget, keep in mind it may be your one-time investment. You can expect performance like high-end rods from mid or low-range rods

Conclusion

Now you know it, at my recommendations, you can go with Penn battalion or if you have a low budget the ugly stick gx2 is the best option but again this is all about your situation and requirements. You also need the best reel that fits you here is my complete guide to the 9 Best surf fishing reels, for complete fishing gear I also wrote a complete article on Surf Fishing Gear. I hope you like my article, best wishes for your fishing journey!

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