19 Best Rods for Surf Fishing (2020)

Like any other type of fishing, getting the right surf fishing rod will determine whether you’ll get a big score. And since fishing reels and rods are arguably the most expensive elements of fishing tackle, they should be the most scrutinized purchase you make as an angler.

Some of the best rods for surf fishing in 2020 include St. Croix Spinning Rod, Okuma Solaris, Tica UGSA, BerryPro, Fiblink, Shimano Speedmaster, and Penn Carnage II, among many others.

In the rest of this article, we’ll discuss in great detail what makes these the best surf fishing rods and identify the most critical factors to consider when buying surf fishing rods to help you choose the right fit for your unique needs. Let’s get right to it.

Best Surf Fishing Rods

Surf spinning rods use spinning reels to wind the line. Reels of this type allow you to cast longer distances than their surf-spinning counterparts and are ideal when you want to cast lighter lures.

If your fishing needs call for this kind of functionality, here are the best surf fishing rods.

1. St. Croix Triumph Surf Spinning Rod

The St. Croix is, without a doubt, one of the best fishing rods on the market. The blank is made up of SCII graphite, which provides the necessary power to lift a big catch and excellent sensitivity to detect strikes by fish.

Additionally, this fishing rod has a custom cork tape handle that allows you to maintain a strong grip during fishing.

Overall, this fishing rod is a perfect fit for anglers who appreciate high performance in a fishing rod.

Pros

• Has an excellent blank
• Sensitive and powerful
• High-quality finish
• Lightweight and portable
• 5-year warranty

Cons

• It’s a 4-piece rod
• Low-quality travel bag

2. Okuma Solaris SS-C-1102H-2

The key selling point of the Okuma’s Solaris Surf Fishing Rod is its high sensitivity to fish strikes. The blank is made of graphite, with the tipping point being the most sensitive part of the rod.

Such a design allows the rod to quickly give you signals when fish bite on the bait, so you know when to set the hook. 

It’s also worth mentioning that this fishing rod is easy to handle and pocket-friendly.

Pros

• Great sensitivity
• Easier to handle than most fishing rods
• Affordable

Cons

• The rod handle is not durable.

3. Tica UGSA Series Surf Spinning Fishing Rod

The Tica UGSA is perfect for anglers looking for fishing rods with great casting distance. Thanks to a TC3 graphite construction, the blank offers an ideal blend of sensitivity, power, and durability. 

Additionally, this fishing rod comes fitted with FUJI HARDLOY ring guides and a Fuji Alconite tip guide to eliminate tangles and allow the line to pass through the guides seamlessly.

Meanwhile, the non-slip cork handle enables you to control the pole easily while the foldable hook keeper helps you avoid the inconvenience of re-tying your lure every time you change your fishing locations. 

Pros

• Great casting distance
• Excellent tip guide
• Durable
• Non -slip handle

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Very pricey

4. BERRYPRO Surf Spinning Fishing Rod Graphite Spinning Rod

BerryPro is an amazing surf fishing rod that suits professional fishermen due to its many handy features. For starters, the IM7 X-Carbon technology used to make the blanks of this rod gives it excellent sensitivity and casting power.

The fishing guides are enhanced with stainless steel for durability, as well as a ceramic ring to reduce friction between them and the fishing line.

In addition to these handy features, this fishing rod has an anti-wear rubber butt that keeps you comfortable when fishing and high-density EVA grips allow you to maneuver the poll smoothly.

Pros

• Incredible sensitivity
• One year warranty
• Meets all fishing requirements
• Has a professional design

Cons

• Wears out easily when not properly maintained

5. Fiblink 2-Piece Graphite Surf Spinning Fishing Rod 

Fiblinks‘ unique lightweight design makes it perfect for anglers who travel a lot.

The rod is built of solid carbon fiber to enhance durability, sensitivity, and toughness, a combination that makes the Fiblink perfect for surf fishing. 

Meanwhile, the guides are made of a blend of stainless steel and ceramic to ensure minimal friction for a smooth and long cast.

These useful features are complemented by a one-year warranty and a money-back guarantee for your peace of mind.

Pros

• Incredibly sensitive
• Durable
• Well-constructed to ensure its functionality
• Suitable for boat fishing
• Responsive customer care services

Cons

• Requires special care to handle it

6. Shimano Speedmaster Surf Spinning Rod

If you’ve been looking for a surf fishing rod with a higher casting distance, then the Shimano surf spinning rod would be a perfect fit for you.

Its carbon composite blank gives it plenty of casting power while the Fuji K-Frame guides with rings of Alconite help minimize friction as the line passes through the guides. 

Meanwhile, the long cast concept guide spacing allows you to achieve longer casting distances during surf fishing, while the light and user-friendly design allow new anglers to use the rod without too many hassles.

Overall, the Shimano Speedmaster is a powerful rod that ticks all the boxes for lure fishing requirements. 

Pros

• High casting power
• Excellent lure control
• Easy to handle and use
• Great for new anglers
• Excellent grip

Cons

• Rod can be hard to load

7. Offshore Angler Power Stick Surf Spinning Rod

The Offshore Angler Power Stick is a great low-cost surf fishing rod that doesn’t compromise on quality.

One of its key features is superior durability; the two-piece RT2 graphite blank provides the necessary power for long-distance casts and is tough enough to withstand the rigors of surf fishing on a regular basis. 

Other handy features of this rod include incredible sensitivity to strikes by fish.

Fuji stainless steel guides with an aluminum oxide ring to minimize friction between the line and the guides and a non-slip X-wrap rubber helps you maintain a firm grip on the rod when fishing.

Pros

• Affordable
• Excellent durability
• Incredible sensitivity
• Easy to handle
• Medium casting power

Cons

• Slightly heavy

8. Penn Carnage II Surf Casting Fishing Rod

The PENN Carnage 2 spinning rod is super lightweight thanks to its sls3 blank construction, and this makes it easier to throw your cast around the surf.

The rod is designed as a slow-action surf rod to provide you with better lifting power and increase the rods’ ability to absorb the shock caused by the fish pulling the braided line. 

The incredible blank is complemented by strong and smooth Fuji Alconite guides and aluminum reel seats.

The guides minimize the friction caused by the action of the fish pulling the braided line while the aluminum seats help secure the reel firmly to the rod.

It is also important to note that this rod is extremely sensitive to fish strikes.

Pros

• Extremely light 
• Very sensitive
• Casts very well
• Powerful spinning rod

Cons

• The length options for this version are limited

9. Shimano Tiralejo Surf Spinning Rod

The makers of the Shimano Tiralejo rod used ground-breaking C4S construction to design the blanks of this rod.

With such a design, the rod has superior hoop strength and incredible sensitivity, which come in handy during surf fishing. 

Also contributing to its functionality are stainless steel Fuji frame guides with Alconite inserts, and shrink tube grips that prevent the rod from slipping in your hands when you get sweaty or moist.

Plus, you can reach otherwise unachievable casting distances by using this rod alongside Shimano’s Ultegra reels (sold separately).

To enhance casting performance, the Ultegra comes with an ARC spool that sports the all-new HiSpeed Drag mechanism and two Speed Slow Oscillation lines.

Meanwhile, the use of CI4+ keeps its compact body light, making it easier to generate rod speed when casting long distances.

Pros

• Incredible sensitivity
• Improved hoop strength
• Allows for long casting distances
• Durable and weather-resistant

Cons

• Costly

10. Okuma Fishing Tackle CSX-S-1002MH Cedros

OKUMA is a reputable brand in the fishing industry known for producing high-performance surf rods, and the FISHING TACKLE CSX-S-1002MH CEDROS is no exception. 

The rod comes with a blank carbon construction that gives it incredible sensitivity to fish bites and a guide system with blazing Zirconium inserts to allow the braided line to pass through the guides smoothly. 

These features allow you to cast your bait way beyond the breaking waves (where saltwater fish flourish) without losing the ability to know precisely when to set the hook.

And while the rod is primarily designed to make it easy to hook fish, it also helps reel you reel your catch back to the shore, making it ideal for surf spinning.

Also, the custom non-slip rubber handle is tapered for maximum grip so you’ll never have to worry about slippery hands, and the stainless steel frame guides are resistant to corrosion to ensure long service life.

Pros

• Super sensitive rod
• Superb long distance casting rod
• It’s a lightweight surf rod
• Excellent grip
• Has an all life warranty
• Medium action surf rod

Cons

• The front guide is too small

11. Shakespeare Ugly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod

Built to withstand the rigors of fishing in saltwater, the Ugly Stik Spinning Rod delivers strength and corrosion resistance you can always rely on. 

Its blank is made from composite materials to enhance the rod’s strength, durability, and sensitivity, while the guides are corrosion-resistant to ensure long-lasting service.

And since it also comes with a 7-year warranty, the Shakespeare Ugly Stik is one of the best surf spinning fishing rods for anglers looking for peace of mind and absolute value for money. 

Pros

• Very durable
• Excellent sensitivity
• Has corrosion-resistant steel guides
• 7-year warranty
• Decently priced
• Medium action surf rod

Cons 

• Slightly heavy

Best Surfcasting Rods

Surfcasting rods use baitcasting reels to wind the line. Rods of this type typically provide more power than those with spinning reels and allow you to cast with more accuracy.

If your fishing needs require such functionality, choose one of the following surfcasting rods.

12. Daiwa Beefstick Surf Conv Rod 2 Piece

If you’ve been looking for a surf rod that can withstand even the harshest of beach conditions, then Daiwa Beefstick would be a perfect fit for you.

Its blank is made of tough two-piece fiberglass and is topped with heavy-framed, cut-resistant ceramic guides.

While this kind of construction does put the Daiwa Beefstick on the heavy side on things, it also makes it the perfect tool for long-distance casting because the extended butt of the rod gives you the leverage you need to load up and cast wider. 

Additionally, this rod packs enough power to pull an enormous catch. Steel guides complement this power with ceramic inserts that allow you to cast smoothly and reel sits that firmly secure the reel to the rod.

All in all, Daiwa Beefstick is a powerful pocket-friendly surf rod that will stand the test of time. 

Pros

• Affordable
• Perfect for long-distance casting
• Excellent durability
• Very powerful

Cons

• Loads towards the tips 
• The guide spacing is wide towards the tip

13. PENN Battalion Surf Casting Rod

The PENN Battalion is another great surfcasting rod designed to deliver the best performance during surf fishing. 

The blank is made of a graphite-fiberglass composite to give the rod a perfect balance of strength, lightweight performance, and power.

The graphite increases the rod’s sensitivity to help you detect even the slightest of fish bites, while the fiberglass adds power and strength to allow you to pull fish over things like sandbars.

Meanwhile, the Fuji reel seats anchor your reel to the rod while the Fuji guides allow the braided line to pass smoothly from the spool.

Complementing this top-notch functionality is durable rubber shrink tube grips that prevent slippage when your hands get sweaty.

Pros

• Very light
• Durable
• Affordably priced
• Perfect for beginners and experts
• Very sensitive

Cons

• Very Costly

14. Tsunami Airwave Elite Surf Spinning Rod

The Tsunami Airwave was designed to give anglers maximum casting range, meaning you can use it to cast baits further away from the wave breakers (where saltwater fish typically flourish).

The blanks are constructed using high-density fiber, which provides the power to launch long-distance casts while maintaining the perfect balance of strength and sensitivity. 

The casting rod also features strong and smooth Fuji Hardloy guides that minimize the braided line’s abrasive action, a Fuji graphite reel seat that anchors your reel to the rod non-slip vinyl handles for a strong grip.

Pros

• It’s a lightweight rod 
• A perfect balance of power and sensitivity
• Great for long-distance casting
• Great balance
• Reasonable price
• Suitable for catching big fish

Cons

• Limited sizes of the rod are available.

15. St. Croix Avid Surf Casting Rod

The award-winning St. Croix Avid Surf Casting Rod is popular among anglers despite being pricey due to its overall quality.

So if you’re looking for a high-end rod and don’t mind paying a premium, you’ll want to give it a closer look. 

Kicking off the features list is an Sc3 high modulus blank. Designed by incorporating integrated IPC technology, the blank gives this surf rod the performance and feel of a one-piece surf rod.

It also features a graphite construction that adds strength and power so you can cast long distances effortlessly.

Elsewhere, the Fuji DPS reel seats come with a backstop lock that secures your reel firmly. Also included are Fuji KW guides that minimize resistance and reduce tangles to achieve longer casting distances.

Customized cork grip handles provide you with a strong grip even when your hands get wet or slippery. 

Pros

• Has a 15-year transferable warranty
• Huge casting distance
• Excellent grip 
• A superb combination of power and feel
• It’s a lightweight rod
• Easy to handle
• Excellent Fuji reel seats with a backstop lock
• Fights hard

Cons

• Very costly

17. PENN Prevail II Surf Casting Rod

You can always rely on the PENN Prevail II Surf Casting Rod to do the grunt work for you.

Decently priced, this surf rod is designed to provide you with the versatility, durability, and power you’ll need to battle those hard-fighting saltwater fish.

The rod is a true powerhouse and has well-positioned steel guides, too, meaning you can use it for long-distance casting. 

The steel guides also allow you to cast smoothly, during which the combination of ergonomic Winn grips and X-wrap rubber shrink tubs will facilitate maximum all-weather grip.

To top that, the PENN Prevail II has a stylish design despite being very affordable.

Pros

• Affordably priced
• Very powerful rod
• Stylish design

Cons

• Tip guides or inserts might pop

18. Okuma Longitude Surf Graphite Rods

If you’re looking for a durable and sensitive surfcasting rod, the Okuma Longitude Surf Graphite Rods are worth your attention. As the name suggests, its blank is made of graphite composite material.

This kind of construction gives it the power anglers need to cast heavy baits and the sensitivity to detect fish bites instantly.

Meanwhile, the aluminum oxide inserts and steel frame guides enhance durability and allow you to cast smoothly by minimizing line resistance.

For comfortable angling, the Okuma Longitude comes with non-slip grips and Eva foam handles that prevent slippage when your hands get sweaty.

It also has hooded reel seats that firmly secure your reel as you battle with those resilient saltwater fish and come in multiple lengths to accommodate people of varying body sizes.

Overall, Longitude’s sensitivity, durability, and comfort make it one of the best surf rods in today’s market.

Pros

• Superb sensitivity
• Very durable
• Excellent grip
• Easy to handle

Cons

• Has a steep learning curve 

19. Fiblink Surf Casting Fishing Rod

Fiblinks’ unique design makes it an excellent tool for surf fishing. The rod sports carbon fiber construction that makes it very tough and sensitive.

This is complemented by stainless steel ceramic guides that facilitate smooth casting by minimizing friction as the line passes through the guides.

The guides also further enhance the rod’s sensitivity by conveying vibrations from the line through the guides to your hand so you can instantly detect fish strikes.

Also included is a durable non-slip rubber tube handle that enhances grip for comfortable fishing in all kinds of weather.

Pros

• Incredible sensitivity
• Durable
• Non-slip rubber tube for maximum grip
• Medium action surf rod

Cons

• The rod is heavy for all-day casting.

How to Choose the Right Surf Fishing Rod for Your Needs

As you might have noticed, surf fishing rods differ in terms of design, price, features, aesthetics, and brand. With so many differences, it can be tough to select the right fit for your unique fishing needs and conditions. 

To help you out, here are the most important considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a surf fishing rod.

Video credit: Surfcasters Journal

Rod Power

Rod power is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a surf fishing rod. It refers to the amount of weight a fishing rod can lift and cast effectively and usually ranges from light to heavy.

The power of a rod determines its ideal line strength. Generally, heavy-rated r rods are recommended for heavy line weights, while lighter power rods are ideal for light lines.

It’s essential to match your line test to the power limit of your fishing rod because a rod with a heavy power rating will snap a light line, and a heavy line will similarly break a light-rated rod. 

It’s also important to consider the nature of the water you usually fish in when choosing the rod power. Thick and heavy waters will call for a strong rod to get your catch out before it ties you up.

On the other hand, clear, open waters require thin, not-so-visible lines to get a bite, meaning a lighter rod may be more ideal.

Rod Length

Long surf fishing rods are ideal when you want to cast your bait way beyond breaking waves, where saltwater fish flourish.

They help keep your line away from crashing waves that might pull your bait off your rod or cause your line to slack, which can compromise your rod’s sensitivity and make it hard to detect fish bites.

On the other hand, short rods have a better casting accuracy than their long counterparts and are typically lighter.

Rod Action

Rod action denotes how much a surf rod can bend when the tip is subjected to pressure.

Fast action rods tend to bend only up to the top third of the blank, while their slow action counterparts typically start to bend at the lower third of their length.

Moderate action rods only bend at roughly the top half.

Generally, fast action rods are more sensitive to fish strikes and provide “faster power” for setting the hook.

By the latter, we mean the fishing rod is quicker to “shut off” (AKA, the bend stops higher on the blank), which means you won’t have to move the rod too much on the hoot set to get to the blank’s stiffer part.

Rods with this kind of action are best suited to applications that involve short-to-long casting distances and single hooks (e.g., jig fishing and worm fishing).

Medium-to-slow action rods typically offer moderate casting distance and adequate hook setting power.

Rods with this kind of action will be ideal if your fishing experience involves treble hooks (such as topwater lures and crankbaits) or other types of reaction baits like spinnerbaits. 

In a treble hook, the bite isn’t as deep as with a single worm hook, meaning it’s easy to rip the hook out of strong and heavy fish.

However, with slower action, you can prevent this because you won’t rip the lure out of the mouth before the fish fully engulfs it. 

Blank Material

Surf rods with blanks made of graphite have incredible sensitivity and are very light, meaning they are perfect for catching small fish. However, they are not durable and may break under too much pressure.

On the other hand, fiberglass surf rods are strong and stiff, making them suitable for catching large fish. 

Meanwhile, blanks made of composite materials have a unique balance of sensitivity and power. 

Reel Seats and Handles

Graphite reel seats are corrosion resistant and more durable compared to those made of metal alloys. So if you often fish in saltwater, the former may be more ideal.

Handles in a surf rod are usually made of either foam or cork materials.

Most anglers prefer cork handles since they are more resistant to saltwater’s abrasive nature compared to handles made of foam.

Line Type

The two most commonly used lines for surf fishing are braided and monofilament lines.

Mono lines are easier to use and have great elasticity, but are less sensitive to water changes and have less tensile strength compared to their braided counterparts.

Braided lines, on the other hand, are stronger and more sensitive to fish bites. As such, they’re great for long-distance casting.

However, they come with several drawbacks: they’re costly, difficult to knot, and may cause wear and tear on your rod.

Summing Up

Surf fishing is undoubtedly one of the best fun activities to indulge in with family and friends because it allows you to fish from the comfort of the beach without having to invest in a boat.

But while having fun is the main agenda, the whole experience is more interesting and fulfilling when you bag a big catch, and choosing the right fishing rod plays a big role in that.

Luckily, I’ve jumped-start your search with 19 top-notch options, from which you can narrow down and choose the best fit for your unique needs based on rod length, blank materials, rod power, reel seats & handles, and line type. Best of luck!