Light Surf Fishing Advice

[microotter]

Decided to start a new thread. I am going to try surf fishing for the first time on a trip later this month. My understanding is the common species are surf perch and corbina. I plan to throw lures/artificials.

My question is what rod would be ideal to throw both topwaters, jerkbaits, grubs, and maybe some Gulp plastics. Is there one rod that can handle all of these techniques? Asking too much from one rod? In the bass world I would have a few different rods. The rod will need to be 2 pieces or more or perhaps telescoping?

My first inclination was using a ml or m bass rod, but thought they may be too short? Top water may be difficult to “walk” the bait with the longer rod? 
 

Any advice on line, other resources, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[bulldog1935]

I've used Lami and Loomis steelhead rods for surf lure fishing, and know several friends who do the same.  I also use them for inshore drift fishing to get away from hull slap - and dog-walk lures at that long distance.  

My 30-y-o GL2 spinning rod - anyone I've ever loaned this rod for inshore fishing wants to take it home.  It's landed king mackerel and samsonite-size jack crevalle.  

 

Lami MTC - 8'6" casting rod, fast enough, but soft enough tip to work lures very well, and light in hand.  

The lure range limits what you can throw - heavier is sometimes better.  Tyler who owns corpusfishing website swears by one of these for surf lure fishing.  

 

Lami Classic Glass - 8'2" casting rod - very cost effective, not particularly light in hand, wonderful moderate taper for working lures a long way out, and a wide lure weight range.   

 

My RH Composites 8' surf rod - couldn't pry, etc., - I'll loan every rod above, while this one is mine - the most perfect surf lure rod I've ever fished.  

[Dwight Hottle]

You should target longer rods (7-6 to 8') in the MH range that will handle baits up to a least an ounce in weight. The longer rods will help maximize casting distance & a MH will help with bigger baits & most importantly bigger fish. Don't bring a knife to a gun fight. 

[Konajon]

Look at the Fenwick HMG inshore rods, widest useable weight range I have found for a light saltwater rod. A Medium will throw 1/8oz up to 1oz which will cover everything from unweighted plastics to some “bigger” plugs. If you want something a”that can go heavier, take a look at the st croix mojo cat. I have the 8’ and it is an awesome inshore rod, throws 1/2oz to 3oz which covers anything unless you are throwing very large plugs.

[soflabasser]

I agree with what @bulldog1935 says. I will add that you can get away with very light tackle from the beach but make sure to use leaders. With that said I have caught bull reds on 8 pound test line so you can catch very nice fish with light tackle while surf fishing.

[microotter]

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I picked up an inexpensive Okuma steelhead rod. 7’6”, 4-10lbs., 3/16-5/8. It is only a light power and pretty whippy. It is not going to handle all of the techniques in my original inquiry, but should make those small catches feel a little bigger, haha.
 

I haven’t used it yet, but wanted to get something to see how I liked surf/inshore fishing before spending too much. I have a feeling I will be upgrading soon. Should be versatile enough to use for trout or panfish too. 

[microotter]

Caught 5 smaller fish my first time out! Fun stuff.

Anyone ever experienced any corrosion issues using freshwater baitcasting reels in the salt? I read a post on another board claiming a guy had corrosion in his new, well taken care of, Daiwa Coastal SV. Before reading that, I was about to use my Daiwa Tatula SV. Now I am a little hesitant.
 

Do I need to buy a Shimano Tranx 200 or something similar? ?

[OBXr]

6 hours ago, microotter said:

Caught 5 smaller fish my first time out! Fun stuff.

Anyone ever experienced any corrosion issues using freshwater baitcasting reels in the salt? I read a post on another board claiming a guy had corrosion in his new, well taken care of, Daiwa Coastal SV. Before reading that, I was about to use my Daiwa Tatula SV. Now I am a little hesitant.
 

Do I need to buy a Shimano Tranx 200 or something similar? ?

Yes, freshwater baitcasting reels will corrode in saltwater.

 

I am new to using baitcasting reels in saltwater inshore.  I have a couple of Daiwas and love them - I forget the exact models.  I'm not sure if it is necessary, but I hose them off after exposure to salt or brackish water - same with my other saltwater setups.

[bulldog1935]

Inshore I fish Stradic, Super Duty, Steez (salt-rated) and Zillion.  

No real worries as long as you don't dunk them and keep them rinsed.  

Surf is a little trickier because you're often getting splashed in surf and sand slurry.  

Get inside at least once/year.   

I always use unshielded spool bearings, at least partly because shielded bearings retain salt just like they retain lube - that also gets me inside more often to flush and lube spool bearings.  

 

But I fished old Lew's 20 years in the salt and surf, and this reel is still going fine - of course I retired it.  

 

Here's my Super Duty after 4 years inshore fishing.  

I have unshielded low-inertia spool bearings installed. 

Looks like my palm-plate brake magnets need replacing - four magnets are showing filliform corrosion lifting the surface plating...

...ordered replacement magnets from AMO Store on Ali Express...

 

that magnet went right in the garbage after this photo.  

Another thing about reels in salt - remove/replace parts showing any signs of rust.  The salt rust itself is more corrosive than the salt, and you don't want it spreading through your reel.  

[Seaworthy81]

Cheap trout style spinning reels are your best bet for so cal surf fishing. Medium steelhead rod and basically a medium priced spinner like a Sedona 2500 for beans and perch. 
 

For halibut something slightly heavier for fishing LCs, drop shots and swim baits. I like 20lb braid for casting the LC, 12lb Fluoro leader. Got many fish this way before I moved to the other coast. 

[bulldog1935]

Rather than low-grade Shimano, I would recommend Tica Libra SX3000 for sealed A/R roller-bearing, great ball bearing line roller (better than Shimano), and general balls.  SX3500 is the same reel body with deeper spool, though the 3000 spool holds right at 200 yds 12-lb fluoro.