Been a while since I last posted. Summer time Surfishing has been tough this year…or is it just me? I’ve fished from Hilton Head to Cherry Grove, slow every where. Usual suspects, Small Whiting, Baby Sharks and Rays. Ocasional bonus fish, Rat Reds, Small Trout, Blue Fish and Baby Pompano. I’m guessing the rain storms are not helping. Also noticed the winds from the south/ sound east are killing my “secret” trough spots. Today fished the full falling tide…no troughs with in sight.
Snagged a new reel last week, guess I’ll try to catch some Sharks, yeah on purpose . Still need a rod to pair it with. Something that will actually CAST 6-8oz. More than likely be useing 60lb. braid main line with 40-60lb mono top shot. Suggestions?
I been using penn battalion 12ft for throwing 6-8oz of weight and love it. I pair with baitcasters but I can assume the spinning rods similar quality. I actually own 2.
A good 10ft rod can do the same job and feels better when using so it really is preference. The only benefit of a extra tall rod is the waves bother your line less. Make sure to run a shock leader of heavy mono about 3 ft longer than your rod and have about 3 wraps on your reel. A general rule is 10 x your weight so 8oz use 80lb shock leader. Sullivan’s island breach inlet rocks were slamming the other evening on the falling tide, just most fish were small.
I have it paired with an Okuma Eclipz EZ-90 with 50# Power Pro and an 80# mono top shot. The rod and reel are both older models (one listed above is not the exact one I have, I’ll have to go take a look) so, I can’t totally vouch for the recent quality so due your diligence reading through reviews.
The fishing has been slow for me as well D. Also touble finding my usual spots with troughs as the wind and rain just seems to wash a lot of it out. THat’s awesome that you are going for sharks haha.
Still haven’t replaced my lost reel and rod yet, but when I do I believe itll be a cabo 50 or 60. You and Pete got me intrigued
Slow for me as well Parker I went to Sullivan last 7/15/17 morning till noon that is the first time I went out didn’t catch anything at all not a single bite I went to different area and got nothing.
My current rods in rotation are all 9’-10’. MH rated to 4oz. I can through 6, just loads the rods way too much. And on the “Bejesus” scale I’ve got a pretty good “Off the sand” and Pendulum cast in my repertoire.
I have looked at all rods mentioned. Read some decent reviews on the Penn and Okuma surf rods, Looking real hard at the Mojo Surf, our buddy Pete has a hand full of St. Croix, they are nice.
I’m no shark guy but it takes a pretty heavy duty rod for “casting” those baits, weights and liters. Something rated for 8ou minimum. I have the 11 ft. 8ou rated rods and it wouldn’t surprise me if I cracked one off one day chunking. Usually I need a 5ou plus weight alone to get the bait to stick. Pair that with a nice chunk of fish and it starts to get heavy and pushing it. Certainly the 12 ft mojo would handle that. It’s rated for 6-16 ou.Not cheep at 290 but comes with a solid warranty for 5 yrs. The 11 ft one rated for 8ou is 250. I know the requiem shark boy’s used to use the 11 and 12 ft mojo’s at one point. I heard allot of people using the Penn Battalion Fishing Duo recommended as well. I think they cost much less. Allot of old shark casters used the ocean master 12ft heavy. It built quite a following. No longer available. People say a good alternative to that rod is the Tica Dolphin 12 ft xh 6-12 ou is very comparable. I believe it’s reasonable and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Not positive about that but supposed to be a true “heaver” rod. Star also has some surf rods that will chunk allot of weight for around 150-200 that come with a limited lifetime warranty. I think they are made in usa. I do like the longer rods for a traditional cast because it gets the long leaders off the beach. David it sounds like that is not an issue for you. That is a great reel you have bought and paired with a stout rod I can’t wait to see you in action:smiley: Regarding surf fishing this year. It has been my worst as far back as I can remember. 0 confidence in putting up fish this year. I have taken a beating:face_with_head_bandage: Thinking I need another whooping come Saturday. Talk to you soon.
I got an American Rodsmiths 12’, which is basically an Ocean Master, rated for 8-12 oz., got Abu Garcia 7000 mounted on it, also. got 2 of the okuma Longitude 12’rated 3-8 oz with 7000’s on those, too. Love them. The rod butt a little thicker on the A.R. than the Okumas, Paid less for both Okumas than the A.R.
Got a Star aerial spinner 11’ rated at 4-8 oz., I picked up at the local pawn shop for $40 last month. Got it leaned up the corner waited for a reel. I don’t do shock leaders on mine, I use them for anchor rods, I have noticed if I do use a shock leader, I birdsnest more. Guess the knot gets caught on the eyelets
Ya know, it must be nice living in Neverneverland. Remind me to come visit you, when I need a break from reality.
. Still need a rod to pair it with. Something that will actually CAST 6-8oz. More than likely be useing 60lb. braid main line with 40-60lb mono top shot. Suggestions?
