Help Selecting a Surf Spinning Rod

[Buddyfish7]

I am looking for a 9-10 foot rod under $200 that is not too stiff to be matched with a Penn 550 or 650 reel. I will be mainly fishing with plugs from the surf. I have narrowed it down to 3... Tica, Lamiglas Surf King, and St. Croix Premier. Does anyone have any experience with these rods that they could share? Any other suggestions?

Thanks

[Hookemdude]

I am a newbie to the surf rods, prefer to fly fish when I get a chance. LA couple years back the shop set me up with a penn 704(?) and a loomis surf rod (med-heavy) for a decent price. I think the rod is $2-300. I definately have too much rod...for little schoolies, but that baby gives great leverage on bigger fish. I am just not in the position to have different rods for each different situation.

Hookem

[Kevin J]

I had a tica MH 8' 1-piece that handled everything from sluggos to 2+ oz plugs to eels. This was the older model not the Dolphin. Good rod for the price and (depending on how you fish) you can work fish up to 40lbs on them. I believe SWE sells them. Call them for some help.

[Buddyfish7]

Thanks guys ill check out Gloomis and Tica rods- tica is alittle more in my price range than the G Loomis. I appreciate the suggestions! IF anyone has any more suggestions or input please feel free to add to the posts!

[basswipe]

I recently purchased an 8' St.Croix Triumph for my girl for this Christmas.I was absolutely leaning towards the Tica Dolphin but Pete steered more towards the Triumph.Once I picked it up I felt it to be superior.The 5yr warranty was the kicker.Not all that much more than the Tica either.

St. Croix Fishing Rods - Spinning, Casting, Saltwater, Fly

[digr]

I am considering buying either the St. Croix Premier Surf Spinning Rod PSRS100M2 or G. Loomis 10' 6" 15-40lb. Plan to use it in the MA surf with plugs and the occasional eel. Figure maybe a Spheros 8000 to match.

I currently have a 8'6" St. Croix WildRiver with a low-end Shimano reel so this will be a step up. Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

[merch]

I'd go with the loomis. I've broken to many st croixs. It was always my fault but they left a bad taste in my mouth. Long (9-10 ft) St Croixs always seemed a little too fast for my preference too. Not very forgiving. I love loomis rods though.

[digr]

Funny you say that. I was trying to buy a rod recently at a local shop, and they stocked a number of rod, including St. Croix, but they were low on Saltwater gear I guess since it was January.... The shop guy steered me towards a Loomis even though they did not have any in stock. He also encouraged me to buy a Van Stall reel, sayign it would last longer than 4 Shimano's..... But I am too cheap for that just yet...

So, I figure I will put a Shimano Spheros 8000 with a Loomis 10 ft which ought to be nice. Anyone think this works well / not well.

Thanks in advance..

[basswipe]

You damn well can't go wrong with the Spheros.Best reel out there for its price.

Might want to look at the newer Spheros FB.
http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish...=1201371877103

Or the Saragosa
http://fish.shimano.com/catalog/fish...=1201371877103

Don't own a Loomis rod but their rep speaks for itself.

[MD51]

I love my Loomis SUR965S. Its a great all around utility rod that you can fish off the beach, pier or jetty. I highly recommend you checking the SUR series out.

If you go with a St. Croix pick up the Avid Series Surf. The 8-10'ers you'll be able to get for a shade under $200 since msrp is 210 - 240. Best of luck to ya.