I wanted to see if anyone uses an Abu Garcia 5500 for surf and pier fishing. If so what type of line and weight?

yes. i've got min on 6'6" Berkeley Lightning rods, spooled with Berkeley Trilene 15lb mono, mostly 1 oz sinker to catch panfish like whiting, croaker, sand trout. sometimes will use a float under the pier lights at night. i've also thrown lures when the water is really green and caught spanish mackerels.

on the surf, what ever you do, don't drop it, if you get any sand in it, its out of commission til you go home and take it completely apart.

My primary reels when I go to the coast are 5500s and 6500s. I do mostly pier fishing, especially under the lights. A good rinse and lube and you are good to go for the next trip.

yes....used 17 pound trilene big game---worked well catching small black tip sharks surf fishing --7ft 6 rod was used

Thanks for the info