The product recommendations on our site are independently chosen by our editors. When you click through our links, we may earn a commission. Thanks for helping us do what we love. Learn More
Are you thinking about surf fishing from the beach? I would visit the beach for years and see the shore lined with fishing poles. With longing eyes, I would walk under their lines, hoping one day to join in the fun. When I finally converted from a beach bum to a surf fisherman, my beach experience was transformed into pure bliss. I researched several surf fishing rod and reel combos. I am documenting my research so that if you want to start fishing from the beach, you can purchase the best rod and reel combo to angle the surf.
What is the best surf fishing rod and reel combo for beginners?
To get started surf fishing, I needed a rod and reel. Bass Pro Shop™ was conveniently 5 minutes from my oceanside rental when I finally decided to surf fish and become a surf fisherman. I headed over to look for the perfect rod and reel combo. A friendly Bass Pro™ clerk showed me all of the saltwater combos they offered. He shared the pros and cons of each with me.
The Rod: He explained that a surf fishing rod is a heavy action 9-11’ long pole. The rod is long in order to cast as far into the ocean as possible. The greater the distance one can cast, the more likely an inshore angler can reach the fish. The long rod is not versatile; it is meant for surf fishing. He explained that using the rod for trolling would likely break the rod. As we walked through the combos, he said that the rods are all pretty much the same and that the differentiation of price and quality is in the reel. However, he did mention that the low-budget Power Plus rod was fantastic and that many of the Bass Pro employees pair this rod with a more expensive reel.
The Reel: The differentiation between the combo price is primarily in the reel. Generally, the higher the price, the better the reel. The lower cost reels use materials that are not built to last. This may be perfect for some, but I wanted to buy something that would be guaranteed to last at least 5 years (hopefully longer). All were large spinning reels with big spools to hold plenty of 20-40 lb pound test line. Surf Fishing requires plenty of line to make long casts and also be able to allow sharks to take drag out if hooked. The clerk explained that pretty much anything over $100 was pretty good quality. But when I pressed him and asked which one would absolutely last 5 years or more, he paused and said that I probably needed a Penn.
2024 Saltwater Rod and Reel Combos Reviewed:
Power Plus Combo – This was the lowest budget rod and reel combo at $50. The clerk told me that it’s a good option because the pole is fantastic. It is a fantastic starter combo because if I get hooked on surf fishing, then I can keep the pole and upgrade to a higher-quality reel later. Also, he said that if I was flying back home then this was a great pole to use for the week and leave at the rental for the next aspiring fisherman.
Tightline and Sea Lion™ Combo – This was the next tier up from the power plus. The difference is that the reels were made of better materials and all the moving parts would likely withstand the brutal saltwater environment better than the power plus. These were solid options, but I wanted to make sure that my purchase was going to last but without breaking the bank. These combos came in at $100.
Penn Fierce IV Combo – The clerk told me that if I wanted something to last, I should look at the Penn Combos. The Fierce IV was their lowest priced combo and was perfect for me. I loved the reb and black look. He told me that the reel was fantastic and that it was built to last. I personally decided that this was the right combo for me – and I was not disappointed! It turned out to be a great purchase.
Frigate Combo – This combo was the top end of the Off Shore Angler brand combos. It was a solid rod and reel but $10 more than the Fierce IV. The clerk advised me that the Penn Fierce IV reel was the better option.
Battle III and Spinfisher IV Combo – These looked like great options but were a little bit higher in price than I wanted to pay. Since I was getting started, my criteria were a rod and reel capable of doing the job that would last for at least 5 years and at the lowest price. These combos met the criteria except for being higher in price.
After reviewing the combos with the clerk for about 30 minutes, I decided that the best combo option for a beginner was the Fierce IV. The spinning reel and pole combo offered the best value and quality. It was also a stylish red and black design that I liked. I bought the combo and thought it was perfect for a beginner surf fisherman.
The Fierce IV was the perfect combo for me. The remainder of my vacation I fished from the beach. The weather was perfect and it transformed my beach experience from laziness to a fun adventure. I caught 3 real nice Pompano and made some unforgettable memories. My son helped me reel in the third Pompano and he beamed at the achievement.
If you are considering surf fishing, stop dreaming and go buy yourself a great surf fishing combo! If you are like me, you will not regret your decision. Once you get your new combo then you can find a little slice of paradise and cast into the surf!
Check Out: My Entire Surf Fishing Experience
