Best Rods??

Tue Sep 08, 2009 2:57 am

Whats the best Beachcaster rods out there?
The best spinning rods out there also, just want to buy quality rods, for beach/surf/rock and pier fishing.

I dont know why they make beachcasters and surf rods which are the same length mostly and bass rods that are the same as spinning rods.

Are beachcasters and surf rods the same type but just different names? And the same with bass and spinning rods.

Very confusing i must admitt.

Any help would be greatly very much appreciated.

Re: Best Rods??

Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:15 am

Surf rods and beachcasters would be the same thing, while a bass rod would have slightly more backbone than the average spinning rod allowing weights of up to 4ozs cast a good way out.A good bass rod would be sutible for spinning, float fishing and of course casting out into the surf with bait .Beachcaster choice would depend on a number of criteria with casting style and ground to be fished 2 major things to consider when choosing a rod.Id advise you to go to a good tackle shop and have a look at a few rods then try to find someone localy on this forum who has the rod you like, who would be willing to give you a few casts of it to see if its the one for you.While this may not be always possible it would save you buying somthing thats not suitible and wasting money.Good luck and happy rod hunting :D

Re: Best Rods??

Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:52 am

alright mate. It really depends on the money you want to spend and your envolvment in the sport. There is no point spending £250 on a rod if your only going to use it during the summer months. If your taking it a bit more serious I would recommend the shakespeare salt range. I would also advise joining your a fishing club.... you will gain a lot more knowledge quicker.
My own definition on a surf rod and a beachcaster is that a surf rod is a rod that you can hold in the surf and a beachcaster is a rod that sits in a tripod or support. I use my bass rods for flattie fishing with braid because there aint much bass up these parts.
To answer your question... The most expensive rods would be the likes of Zziplex, Century, Conoflex, Anyfish Anywhere. but they wont help you catch anymore fish on the antrim coast. bait presentation and rig design and technique will, check out the sea angler and total sea fishing website videos.. great tutitions. good luck and tight lines

Re: Best Rods??

Tue Sep 08, 2009 12:56 pm

Hey aaron i'd agree with throniefish about the surf and beach rod thing. i'd also say a surf rod would be the like of a bass rod which you could hold for ages and bass rods can be used for float fishing and spinning. as for beach rods if your new to fishing and if you intend to fish the beaches i'd go for the like of the Shakespear blue metal it comes in 13, 14, 15 and 16ft versions and can send a bait a long way with an overhead thump. i take it your using a fixed spool at the mo. joining a club is also a good idea cause you will learn alot from the other lads in the club trust me. i'm in the carrick club if ya fancy comin to one of our meetings send me a wee pm
cheers jonny

Re: Best Rods??

Tue Sep 08, 2009 3:30 pm

jonny gilbert wrote:Hey aaron i'd agree with throniefish about the surf and beach rod thing. i'd also say a surf rod would be the like of a Bass rod which you could hold for ages and Bass rods can be used for float fishing and spinning. as for beach rods if your new to fishing and if you intend to fish the beaches i'd go for the like of the Shakespear blue metal it comes in 13, 14, 15 and 16ft versions and can send a bait a long way with an overhead thump. i take it your using a fixed spool at the mo. joining a club is also a good idea cause you will learn alot from the other lads in the club trust me. i'm in the carrick club if ya fancy comin to one of our meetings send me a wee pm
cheers jonny



Cheers for the info guys, appreciate it. Yea i shall get in contact soon mate about goin to a meeting with you.
I use a stiffi beachcaster i bought from carrick and a fixed spool reel that came with it. it is a heavy rod, the reel is ok, ive had no problems yet, although al i've caught is fookin mackerel.
I fish off piers, rocks and will be on the beaches sooner or later, weather is unpredictable in n.ireland. So i would be facing gales and rain to sunny calm weather throughout the year. I dont have mega money to spend on the big big brands, i would be happy to spend around 160 for a decent beachcaster that i can cast far with, and around the same for the spinning rod.

Reels arent too dear these days, you can get the good quality ones cheap enough, i want a fixed spool for the spinning and a multiplier for the long range fishing.

So Just to clarify then.
Really the surf and bass rods are kinda the same, as you can hold them for long periods of time. So i could use either for casting far into the surf and for spinnin lures, float fishing and short range stuff off rocks and piers.

The beachcasters are for long range, so really there an all-rounder, you can use them on the beach instead of a surf rod but cant hold it for long periods, or use them off a pier or off rocks to get far out.

Yea starting to understand now, what the hype and confusion is all about.

Cheers again guys really helpful.