You don’t need to spend a heap of money—there are some great pre-made surf combos available that are already put together and ready to fish. For example, the one I’m holding retails for about $100, and you can usually find decent combos ranging from $80 upwards. These typically include a rod, reel, and line.
What you choose will ultimately depend on your circumstances and how far into the hobby you want to go. Once you’re spending over the $150 to $200 mark, you’ll often be matching up a separate rod and reel yourself. Under $200, most options will be pre-assembled setups like this one.
Key Things to Look For in an Entry-Level Surf Rod
[1:20] Two-Piece or Three-Piece Rods:
Surf rods are long, so having a two-piece or three-piece rod makes it easier to travel with and store. These will fit in your car or caravan more conveniently.
[1:54] Rod Length:
For bait fishing, a rod that’s 12 to 13 feet long is ideal. While you might see 10- or 11-foot rods used for lure fishing, a proper beach rod usually starts at 12 feet. Avoid 14- to 16-foot rods as a beginner—they’re large and harder to handle. A 12- or 13-foot rod suits most general-purpose surf fishing needs.
[3:06] Rod Material – Fiberglass vs Graphite:
You’ll typically choose between fiberglass and graphite:
- Fiberglass is highly recommended for beginners. It’s durable, forgiving, handles heavy weights, and is less likely to break if you make casting mistakes. It also has a soft taper that helps with easy casting and hookups.
- Graphite is lighter and more sensitive—great for long fishing sessions and longer casting—but it’s less forgiving if you overload the rod or mistime your cast.
Choosing a Reel
This combo comes with a 7000-size reel, which is suitable for beach fishing. Reels vary in size depending on the brand, but generally:
[5:34] Go for a spinning reel (egg beater style) in a large size.
- For brands like Silstar, Penn, or Abu Garcia, something in the 6,000 to 8,000 size range is ideal.
- For Shimano or Daiwa, go for 8,000 to 14,000, even up to 18,000 depending on your target species and casting needs.
Line Selection
[6:25]
- Nylon (Monofilament) is great for beginners—20 to 30 lb test is perfect. It’s stretchy, abrasion-resistant, and easy to use. You can tie it straight to your rigs without needing a leader.
- Braided Line is an option for better casting distance but requires a shock leader and more careful handling. If you go with braid, consider 30 to 50 lb strength due to its thin diameter.
Summary Combo Recommendation
[8:14]
To sum up your ideal entry-level surf fishing combo:
- Rod: 12-foot, two-piece, fiberglass
- Reel: 6,000 to 8,000 size spinning reel
- Line: 20 lb nylon fishing line
This setup will be fantastic for any entry-level beach and surf fishing, covering a wide range of species from salmon and jewfish to snapper, gummy shark, and flathead. It’s a great all-rounder to start your surf fishing journey.