10 Best Surf Fishing Rods for the Money + Buying Guide

The best surf fishing rods are over 9 feet in length, have heavy power, are made from corrosion-resistant materials, and have 7 or more line guides.

The Penn Carnage is my top choice because of its durable construction to handle the harsh saltwater environments. It features a stainless steel rod butt and is available in a variety of lenths and pieces. It is ideal for anglers who want to robust and dependable surf fishing rod that will last for years to come.

There is no better feeling than heading down to the beach with your surf rod over your shoulder ready for a few hours of inshore fishing. But ensuring you have the right equipment can be the difference between a trophy fish and an empty hook.

I have put together this buyer’s guide to help you make a better purchase decision and I have gone through the top 10 surf rods available on the market.

Read through this article, and you will be catching saltwater fish in no time. I have also written a guide to reels for surf fishing that you may enjoy.

I have gone through the best surf rods available on the market today and given a review on their key criteria so you can make a judgment about whether they meet your personal needs.

1. Penn Carnage II – Best Surf Rod

The first rod on our list and certainly one of the best models available is the Penn Carnage II.

Available in both 9′ and 12′ long, you can pick a rod length that suits you. This is also a two piece rod so you can store it with ease. It is made with graphite which makes it light and easy to transport.

What I Like About It:

The rod power is available in Medium, Medium-Heavy, and Heavy which are the most popular options.

With 8 guides this rod will allow you to cast baits and lures long distances and retrieve the line smoothly and align onto your spool cleanly.

The rod butt also has a stainless steel sleeve to protect it from sand and saltwater.

Pros

• 2 piece rod for easy transport and storage
• Stainless steel rod butt
• Comfortable grip design

Cons

• Thin blank diameter

2. Tica Dolphin – Best Value for Money Surf Rod

Second on the list is the Tica Dolphin UGSA series surf spinning rod. This is an extremely versatile option simply due to the wide range of models:

• Length – 8′ to 12′
• Power – Medium to Extra-Heavy
• Configuration – 1 Piece and 2 Piece

Made from graphite with a non-slip cork handle (a personal preference of mine), and Fuji guides, this is a well-made and high-quality fishing rod.

What I Like About It:

TICA have a great reputation for quality and if you are looking for a rod outside the main manufacturers, then certainly check out this model.

Pros

• High-quality cork handle
• Fuji guides
• Available in 1 or 2 piece

Cons

• Nil

3. Daiwa Tournament Ballistic – Best Competition Surf Rod

This Daiwa tournament surf rod is designed to win competitions. It is made from 3 pieces so transport is simple, particularly if you are traveling long distances or by plane.

The rod is made from graphite and is 13’3″ long, which gives it a huge casting distance.

What I Like About It:

The key feature is adjustable balance weights in the rear grip so you can make the rod suit your style perfectly.

With a heavy power and a 17-40 lb line rating, this rod is suitable for catching larger saltwater fish.

Pros

• Adjustable balance weights
• Tournament rod

Cons

• 3 piece design can be less sensitive

4. Okuma Longitude Surf Rod

Next up is the Okuma Longitude – this has oversized aluminum oxide guides which give a clean cast with long distances.

All models are 2 piece for ease of transport. The butt also has a rubber cap for comfort and to avoid slippage. The handle is made from a non-slip cork.

What I Like About It:

This rod has a good combination of quality and price but only with a 1-year warranty.

There are a variety of models available from 8′ to 12′ in length and from Medium to Heavy power. Have a look through the specifications to find one that suits your needs:

Model	Power	Length	Line Weight	Lure Weight
LC-S-802M-1	Medium	8′ 0″	15-30 lbs	1/2-3 oz
LC-S-902H-1	Heavy	9′ 0″	15-40 lbs	3-6 oz
LC-S-1002H-1	Heavy	10′ 0″	20-40 lbs	3-8 oz
LC-S-1102H-1	Heavy	11′ 0″	20-40 lbs	3-8 oz
LC-S-1202H-1	Heavy	12′ 0″	20-40 lbs	3-8 oz
LC-C-902H-1	Heavy	9′ 0″	15-40 lbs	1-4 oz
LC-C-1202H-1	Heavy	12′ 0″	20-40 lbs	3-8 oz

Pros

• Oversized aluminum oxide guides
• Nonslip cork handle
• Rubber cap on butt

Cons

• Only a 1-year warranty

5. St Croix Mojo Surf Rod

St Croix have built a strong reputation for high-quality fishing rods and the Mojo is no exception. It is available from 7 foot long to 11 foot and from Light-Medium to Medium-Heavy power. 

Some models are available in 1 piece with other in 2 piece so you can pick the one that you are interested in based on your transport and storage requirements.

What I Like About It:

The rod is made from graphite with weight-saving guides made from zirconium.

This is all backed by a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty which is hard to beat.

The St Croix Mojo specifications are here to see all the different models in case one suits your needs:

Pros

• Premium surf rod
• 5-year warranty
• Graphite material
• Multiple models available

Cons

• I did find the price to be higher than I would like, however when you include the long warranty and the amount of wear and tear this rod will undergo, it might still be good value for money.

6. Tsunami Airwave Elite Surf Rod

An out-of-the-box option is the Tsunami Airwave Elite. At 10’6″, this is a long medium-heavy action rod. It is made in 2 pieces just like most rods of this length.

What I Like About It:

It has a line rating of 15-30 lbs, so you can catch both large saltwater fish and smaller inshore fish species.

This rod is extremely versatile and can be used in multiple conditions and target species.

Pros

• Versatile design
• 2 piece design for easy transport

Cons

• A shorter rod length may not be able to get over the waves

7. Mounchain Fly Rod

This Mounchain Surf rod is the only fly fishing rod on the list. It is made in 4 pieces to give easy storage and transport as well as a black rod tube to protect it.

What I Like About It:

It is made from carbon fiber which is both durable and flexible. It is 9 feet long with cork handles for non-slip comfort.

The chrome guides are a premium construction and offer improved durability.

This rod is certainly an option to consider for beach fly fishing anglers.

Pros

• Chrome guides
• Cork handles

Cons

• 4 piece design can be less sensitive
• Shorter than some of the alternatives

8. Okuma Nomad Surf Rod

Another 4 piece surf rod is the Okuma Nomad. At 9′ long, it offers long casting distances and is as short as you would consider for a beach fishing rod.

This rod has medium power and medium-fast action which is a pretty versatile combination. 

What I Like About It:

The line rating is 20-40 lbs which will catch most fish species that you are targeting.

Included is a padded and waterproof case which is ideal for traveling anglers.

Pros

• Comes with a padded and waterproof case
• 4 piece design can easily fit in your car or traveling on a plane.

Cons

• Only 9ft long
• 4 piece rod can be less sensitive

9. Penn Battalion Surf Rod

Another great product by Penn is the Battalion Surf Casting Rod. Available in 10′ to 12′ these are longer than average rods for long-distance casting.

What I Like About It:

With a line rating of 12-20 lbs for the 10′, this rod is lighter than some of the other options. But the 12′ rod increases to 20-40 lb line rating. This versatility in product selection gives you the flexibility of choice.

This 2 piece rod has aluminum oxide guides for durability and corrosion resistance.

Pros

• High corrosion resistance can handle the sand and salt of saltwater.
• Best suited for smaller saltwater species.

Cons

• You might regret purchasing a lighter action rod when a larger fish bites your hook.

10. Shimano Speedmaster Surf Rod

I couldn’t include a fishing gear guide without mentioning Shimano. The Speedmaster is a heavier rod with a 40-65 lb line rating so you can pull in even large inshore saltwater fish species.

Available in 9′ to 12′ in length for a wide variety of casting distances. It is a 2 piece in all models, and from Moderate to Fast action.

The rubber butt is comfortable when you are holding the rod against your thigh.

Pros

• 2 piece design for easy transport and storage.
• Heavy rod suitable for larger saltwater species and even sharks.
• A wide variety of lengths are available.

Cons

• More expensive than some of the other alternatives.

Specification Comparison

Surf Rod	Length	Power	Pieces
Penn Carnage	9 – 12 Foot	Medium-Light to Heavy	2
Tica Dolphin	8 – 12 Foot	Medium to Extra-Heavy	1 and 2
Daiwa Tournament	13 Foot	Medium to Extra-Heavy	3
Okuma Longitude	8 – 12 Foot	Medium to Heavy	2
St Croix Mojo	7 – 11 Foot	Medium-Light to Heavy	1 and 2
Tsunami Airwave Elite	10 Foot	Medium-Heavy	2
Mounchain Fly Rod	9 Foot	5wt	4
Okuma Nomad	9 Foot	Medium to Heavy	4
Penn Battalion	10 – 12 Foot	Medium-Heavy	2
Shimano Speedmaster	9 – 12 Foot	Medium to Fast	2

Surf Fishing Rod Buyer’s Guide

I have put together his buyer’s guide to help you make a judgment about what actually matters when making a selection on a surf spinning rod. There are thousands of models available all with different claims and marketing.

This guide will explain the key criteria that actually matter to a beach rod including the length, power, action, and material.

Rod Length

Surf rods are generally much longer than you will typically see. This allows it to cast a lot further. You will often need to cast your bait long distances over any inshore waves, seaweed, and shallow sand beds to reach the deeper water where the fish are living.

The minimum length you will want is 8 feet long, but surf rods can go even up to 15 feet long. I recommend 12-foot-long surf rods to get a good balance between casting distance and ease of storage. The worst thing you can do is select a rod that is too short, and you cannot even get your bait past and waves and into the target zone.

You will also want to consider storage. A long surf rod can take up your entire garage if you aren’t careful. If storage is a primary concern then you will want to consider a telescoping or multiple part rod that can be separated.

Shorter rods are easier to store, lighter to carry and give more leverage on big fish.

Longer rods have an increased casting distance and help you to cast past inshore obstacles but take up more space to store and are heavier to carry and use. If you don’t want to use a large rod but still want to fish from the beach past the waves then consider taking up drone fishing.

Rod Power

To make a decision on the fishing rod power you will want to judge what your target fish species is. There is a big difference in the rod requirements between a redfish and a shark.

Heavier rod power is more suitable for larger fish as it can take more weight to bend the rod.

If you aren’t targeting a particular species and want to be as versatile as possible then I would select a Medium or Medium-Heavy rod power.

Fish species like sharks, tarpon, tuna, mackerel, and other large saltwater fish will require a heavy rod actions.

Small saltwater fish like whiting, trout, redfish, and flounder will require a light or medium rod action.

Rod Action

The action of the rod describes how far the rod tip bends under pressure. 

A fast rod will bend more at the tip of the rod.

A slow rod will bend further down the rod length.

Fast action rods are more sensitive as they bend earlier. This helps to set the hook earlier and you may notice a better strike rate. It also helps to control large fish as you can apply pressure to them more easily.

Slower rods give a longer casting distance with more whipping motion. They are also better at keeping the fish hooked during the fight as it will give more flex as the fish moves its head.

If you are going to be targeting a variety of fish species then I would suggest getting a medium action rod for more versatility.

Material of Construction

Most surf rods are available in either graphite or fiberglass. My preference is for graphite due to the lighter weight but let’s explore both options.

Graphite

Graphite rods are my preferred option for most rods. They are lighter and more sensitive. This means you don’t need to be carrying heavy gear down to your favorite fishing spot.

It also means you will catch more fish as you will have a better chance to telling the difference between a wave hitting your bait and a fish strike.

Graphite rods are not as durable as fiberglass and can break when struck with a sudden impact.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass rods are cheaper and more durable however they are also heavier and less sensitive to feeling fish strikes. This can be particularly problematic as it is already difficult to feel the fish in amongst the waves of the beach.

The weight can also be a deciding factor – a long rod is already very heavy, so you don’t want to be adding unnecessary weight.

What is the best length for a surf casting rod?

The best length for a surf casting is between 10-12 feet. The minimum length you will want is 8 feet long, but surf rods can go even up to 15 feet long.

I personally recommend a 12-foot-long surf rod so that you can get the longest casting distance and can get your bait past the waves. If you fish with a shorter rod then you might find that you cannot get your bait into the target zone and won’t catch any fish.

Does a longer surf rod cast further?

Yes, a longer surf rod allows a longer distance cast than a shorter rod, all other aspects being equal. This is one of the reasons that surf anglers prefer longer fishing rods to get their bait behind the breaking waves.

How far can you cast with a 12 foot surf rod?

With a lot of practice and some tailwind help you should be able to cast close to 100 yards, which should get your bait out to the deeper water depending on your beach configuration.

The word record for furthest cast is over 700 feet using the pendulum technique.

Can you use a normal rod for beach fishing?

This really depends on how your beach is setup. You want to be able to get your bait behind the breaking waves into the deeper water where your target fish species is. If your beach doesn’t have much surf or the waves are very close to the beach then you should be able to use a smaller rod. However, if the waves are larger and further away, you will want a specialized surf rod.

What is the difference between a surf rod and a beach rod?

Surf rods are designed to cast a lure or bait a long distance. They are typically made of graphite, fiberglass, or carbon fiber and come in different lengths. Surf rods have a stiffer action than beach rods as they are built for casting heavy lures and baits. Beach rods are usually shorter than surf rods and have less action as they are designed to cast light weight lures and baits close to shore.

A surf rod is designed to cast a lure or bait a long distance while a beach rod is made for casting light weight lures and baits close to shore.

Conclusion

That brings us to the end of this list of the best rods for surf fishing and buyer’s guide. I hope you have gained some knowledge and direction to make a better purchase decision. You should also consider getting a beach rod holder so you can enjoy a beverage while you are fishing.

An honorable mention must go to the Ugly Stik Gold Surf Rod. I am a big fan of Ugly Stik fishing rods due to their durability which makes them great value for money. However in this case I felt that the Gold model didn’t come in a sufficient length to make the top 10 best surf fishing rods.

There are also some other great guides available elsewhere if you are looking for more information.

If you have any experience with surf rods then leave a comment below with your wisdom and insight so we can all learn from it. I love to hear from our readers so that everyone can learn and catch more fish.

Now get out there, head down to your local beach, and start fishing!