Is it possible to get set up with a decent rod and reel for surf fishing at SLP for less than $150?

I am typically a bay fisher (when I go) and exclusively use Ambassadeur Baitcasters for this. I have 5000, 5500, 6000 and 6500 types of reels but I suspect these are somewhat 'small' for surf fishing? None are 'mag' versions. So, I guess I would like a conventional, and probably one with a level wind because im familiar with it. I have been reading and kind of steering towards a Penn 525 but I dont think it has a level wind.

So, what should I go with? Id really like one that is 'good'...strong, reliable, easy to maintain myself, etc.

What do you guys like? Guess ill need a rod too.

I would look around and find a Newell if I was going to be using it for the surf.....long history of being a great surf type reel.
Excellent to cast.

Newell and Avet are fantastic reels for the surf but unless you practice your casting a lot I'm not sure the average guy can get the distance out of them needed to justify the costs.

If you're drowning live-bait or soaking cut-bait for bull reds & sharks, why not troll CraigsList or Ebay for a well-maintained, used Penn? Something with a good gearbox and lots of line capacity for yakking baits out past the breakers.

Surf as in long rod, or surf as in past the second bar for trout?

An ambassaduer 7000 on a 10' ocean master (bass pro) would work well for reds jacks and sharks <= 5'.

Go to this link at Texas shark fishing and scroll down the the surf casting section at the bottom. http://www.tx-sharkfishing.com/shark-fishing/rod-reel-tackle/

I want to catch redfish and trout or anything but shark. I dont mind catching them, but they arent really my goal. I really want to avoid having to walk out to neck deep water and then retreat to the beach with about 20 yards of line left on my reel. So, im not sure how far out I need to get...

That Sealine on the shark site looks like one I have been reading about. Would this be suitable for beach fishing in the surf? Not interested in 10' sharks at all.

[This message has been edited by BrazosDog02 (edited 4/19/2012 2:00p).]

Well, there are two different kinds of fishing you're trying to mix.

There is long rodding with with a baitcaster from the beach, often called surf fishing, and then there is trout fishing in the surf, also called surf fishing. If you're going to be using a popping cork or artificials targeting trout and reds in the surf, then you just need one of the $50 Academy trout rods, and a Shimano Citica or Caenan reel, standard trout stuff, and you can battle a bull red on it with some care.


If you are going to be taking out baits with spider weights or pyramid weights and leaving them on the bottom targeting big reds and small sharks, then you need a decently long rod, and reel with some decent capacity, so you can cast and have some line to work with.

The AG7000 mentioned above is a good reel for the low end of this category, on an 8 foot to 10 foot surf casting rod, unless you have a kayak to take out baits. The problem with reels in this category is you need capacity AND castability, and that combination is hard to find when you're using 65lb braid or 25lb mono as a mainline.

Avet and Shimano make some reels in that class, as does Penn, but they're budget breakers for you. Hell, the 7000 pushes $150.

A 10' shark caught in Texas from the beach is almost always a tiger shark, and that happens maybe once a year at most. More likely are bull sharks and blacktips in the 4-6 foot range.

Mouth...Yes...I am confused and mixing types...but trouts and reds in the surf...that's what I want to do. I have a 7' rod and ambassadeur reels...5500 and 6500's. Will these be suitable for this? I would like to use mullet or shrimp though.

[This message has been edited by BrazosDog02 (edited 4/20/2012 10:55a).]

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Yeah, if you want to target trout in the surf (reds- other than bulls are rarer) then an Abu 4500 or 5500 on a 7' medium action rod is plenty of rig.

Personally, I tend to prefer a spinning rod in the surf because they don't backlash and they cast farther. In the surf accuracy is not really at a premium and I generally use a Shimano Stradic 4000 on a 7' medium-light All Star rod. The reel is spooled with 20# Power Pro and I typically use a 6' length of 17-20# flouro as a leader.

I've caught a 25# jack with that rig. It took me about 30 minutes but the rig was more than adequate.

Oh, and for using live shrip- that's plenty.

Personally, I'd suggest a 7'-7'6" rod that's relatively slow action (full-flex) for tossing live shrimp under a popping cork but it sounds like you're pretty well set to go.

Go forth and catch fish brother.

And I need to wade out to the second bar right?

Not necessarily, but often you do. Early in the morning in the summer the trout etc. are often in the first gut or even the wade gut. They do tend to push off a little further as the sun climbs.

Cool, very helpful. Thanks all!

At dawn, I have casted back towards the beach from the second bar, and caught fish in 6" of water.

Mouth, lets say I move my budget on my reels. Would the Sealine 30SHA be suitable on a 10' rod? If not, what would you recommend? I am interested in getting a bigger surf fishing setup for big reds and small shark with spider weights and such.

Actually, maybe a spinning reel would be good. The Stradic 4000 as mentioned...What about the spheros 8000? Too much reel?

[This message has been edited by BrazosDog02 (edited 4/20/2012 4:15p).]

For that kind of fishing, spinning is often the cheapest way in. They sell combo setups, both spinning and baitcast, at the major sporting good outlets that are quite serviceable for long rod surf fishing. You don't need expensive gear for that unless you are doing it all the time, or are targeting big sharks.