Is there benefit of longer rods for fishing lures in the surf in the upper gulf? I'm talking 9-11ft rods for plugs/spoons like in the NE for stripers, or really there is not species that could be caught to make it worth the effort? Seems like it is either wading the bars or fishing jetties and piers.

This is not for soaking bait.

I can't see it. You may be able to get a little more casting distance, but you have to lug around a lot of extra rod just to get an extra 30' on your cast.

I went through the same thought process. To get longer casting distance, you need to use braided line. I have a hard enough time untangling braided line from the tip of a 7� spinning rod while wading in the surf. I can�t imagine untangling braid from the tip of an 11� surf rod while trying to prevent the reel from soaking in the salt water.

Next time you�re in BassPro Shop check out their line of Offshore Angler Power Stick Surf Spinning Rods. They are an extremely lightweight for a surf rod. Fit it with a lightweight Shimano spinning reel like the $69.99 Sodora 4000 and fill the spool with ~200-yards of 20-pound braid. Physical demands of surf casting may wear you out, but the weight of this rod and reel combination won�t.

The Offshore Angler Power Stick Surf Spinning Rods come in the following sizes according to BassPro�s online catalog.

[*]� $99.99 � 8-ft, � to 2-ounce lure weight
[*]� $99.99 � 9-ft, 1 to 5-ounce lure weight
[*]� $109.99 � 10-ft, 1 to 5-ounce lure weight
[*]� $119.99 � 11-ft, 3 to 6-ounce lure weight
[*]� $129.99 � 12-ft, 4 to 8-ounce lure weight

Me personally, I would select the 10-ft rod because the lure weight range covers most of the lures I have an interest in trying and the 18-inch handle supports two handed power casts like the pendulum cast. I would expect to cast 60 to 80 yards throwing a 5-ounce lure with this combination.

Be aware power casts using a spinning reel and braid can injury your release finger unless you wear a protective device like https://www.breakaway-tackle.co.uk/diawa-finger-stall-prevents-cuts%20when-casting?search=finger or use a release trigger like https://www.breakaway-tackle.co.uk/Break...deal-for-braid.

I�ve been considering this approach to surf fishing the Gulf Coast for several months but have not made the investment. It seems to be a reasonable approach in the Corpus Christi area, but not so further North in the Galveston area apart from jetties but one needs to feel comfortable landing fish in a rocky terrain.

Perhaps the biggest deterrent is the Upper Gulf Coast does not have a steady presence of fishes like the strippers in the NE. It�s largely being at the right place at the right time, but if it does occur, it sure would be fun to have the right equipment handy.

Thanks for the input, I keep trying to think about the same techniques as I use in Peru when fishing. It is mainly surfcasting 1-3oz lures 80-90yds into the surf. Very much like stripers in the NE, as mentioned. The ocean bottom is also different, and in Texas you can wade the gulf much further. In Peru sometimes you are chest deep in the first 10m

Yes, I am aware of casting heavy lures with spinners and finger protection, but always good to mention it.

Long rods (9'+)... not really, at least not for specks and reds. When the conditions are right to fish the surf many times the fish are in the first and second gut anyway. It would be a lot of extra work with the big rod just to try to catch the fish if they were past or even on the third bar. Just not worth it. a good 7'6 will be as long as i'd go. Maybe an 8' that's extremely light and yet still a med or med light action with fast tip.

Tobin, those were my thoughts. I use a 7" Med Fast Shimano (Voltaeus) for my lures and live bait. Paired with a Daiwa SS 1300 spooled with 15lb J-Braid, I can cast a country mile with that setup.
Ocean bottom is different in Peru, and to reach the gulf equivalent of the 2nd gut/past 2nd bar you need thoser longer rods, as it gets deep very fast. Sometimes big flounder and corvinas will be close by, but that is more the exception than the rule.

I went with an expensive 13' Century for the surf but TBH you don't need it for Texas from what I have seen (though it is nice to cast from on shore to past 2nd gut/bar! Good luck keeping the bait on though haha). Sharks are out of casting distance and rest are in first two guts. Someone please feel free to correct me.