Hi guys,

This is my first post! And I have a question about choosing a surf rod.

I'm looking at Okuma Cedros CSX spinning rods. These are pretty new on the market, so I'd guess there isn't a lot of direct experience with these, but I hope the specs mean something. Judging from comments on other Okuma surf rods, these look like they are worth looking into.

CSX-S-1002M . . M . . MF . 10' . 14~40 lbs . 1 1/2~3 oz
CSX-S-1002MH . MH . MF . 10' . 20~50 lbs . 2~5 oz
CSX-S-1102MH . MH . MF . 11' . 30~50 lbs . 2~5 oz

I will be using the rod in the surf and from piers. I'm not sure if it will be biased more one way or the other. But, there are time when it is necessary to be able to throw the distance from both.

All three poles are virtually the same weight and the proposed line sizes are good for me. I will line them with 40 or 50 lb braid. I expect to mate it with a Shimano Spheros or Saragosa 8000 reel.

So, it comes down to the 10 or 11 foot, rod power, and the amount of weight they can sling.

My question is, considering the fish I am likely to get into, which rod would serve me best in "most" cases?

Initially, I am biased to the 10 foot, medium power rod, rather than the MH rods, because (I think) it may be more bite sensitive and would probably handle most fish I might get into. But, it is only rated for 3 oz weight and

Also, since I am looking at a pole that will cost $160 and that is about the most I want to spend, I would consider another pole that is lower cost if it would be as good as these.

Thanks in advance for your comments!
-George

St Croix Mojo Surf and never look back, in the same price range, I have one with a Fin-Nor 095 on it and love it, heavy reel, ugly reel and built like a tank.

Thanks for the reply! I'd love to get a St. Croix. I have 3 of them with my smaller spinners on them. But, the Mojo surf rods are $80 - $120 more than the Okuma's and I'd really like to hold the price to $100 or so. I'm already getting higher up in price than I like at $150. I did see a couple of Tica rods less than $150. Maybe I should also consider them?

-George

The Tica rod is awesome. I got one at cabelas and love it over my tsunami airwave. They are very light and sensitive. I have it paired with a sustain 5000 and its my favorite setup.

Thanks, I'll spend some more time looking at the Tica rods. These new Okuma CSX rods sure look good though!

wow, those rods do look good. I already have 5 surf rods and want to check this one out. lol.

Thanks, namnutz. I just spent a little time researching the Tica rods. They seem to be highly regarded by many! I looked at the UGSA models and they are $25 - $35 lower cost than the Okuma CSX, so I'll think about them some more, too. I do notice that they are only available as MH and rated to throw 2-8 oz for the 10' and 10'6" and 3-8 oz for the 11'. If I decide I like the idea of the M over the MH, I would still be getting the Okuma.

Honestly I like my Ugly Stick about as well as the St Croix! Lots cheaper and it just works!

I would stick with 10 foot, that is the max length allowed on many piers.

Since I do mostly piers, I usually don't throw more than 4 ounces, and have gotten away tossing that on my old MH rods that are rated for 3. They are either ugly sticks, or a no name 9ft graphite composite. E glass MHs are a lot like Mediums in other compositions, in my opinion, and I only miss very small fish hitting those.

Oh! I didn't know about the 10' limit on some piers. I think that may at least narrow the choices down. I think I can use a 10' and it will be fine. I was only thinking abut the 11' for a little extra distance, but, practically, I doubt I would need it often enough to make it a serious need.

Thanks!

If you plan on getting the Tica, I wouldn't worry about the MH because mine is a MH 2-6oz and I am scared to throw 3oz since it is so light and thin, I feel its going to break. Its very sensitive too, so I think you are good if you go with MH on the Ticas.

dont go with the tica rods i have had alot of guide and butt grip problems with the 5 that i have owned. look at the bass pro surf rods. i love them got a 12ft with a sealine40 for my anchor rod and i can put a 6oz anchor 150yds easy but for your use they have a 10ft and whatever reel you wanna throw

Good info, you guys. Thanks!

I'm still looking. But I'm leaning to a 10' MH. I think the Okuma is my current 1st choice, but I'll go look at the Bass Pro rods, too.

i was looking at the okumas too, if you do get one let me know how they are i never actually got to see one or anyone use them

I'll let y'all know what I end up with. I'm now looking at the following in 10' length.
Okuma CSX-S-1002M . . M . . MF . 10' . 14~40 lbs . 1 1/2~3 oz $159
Okuma CSX-S-1002MH . MH . MF . 10' . 20~50 lbs . 2~5 oz $159
Tica UGSA MH F 12~30 lbs 2-8 oz $147
St. Croix Triumph TSRS100M2 10' M Mod.Fast 8-20 lbs 3/4-4 oz $150

St Croix Mojo Surf is still more than I want to spend, today.

.

Okuma avenger and hurricane black beauty

i like the specs for the okuma 14-40lb rod

Thanks for the input. I just went at looked at those.

The Avenger seems to be a combo product with rods of 6' 6" to 7' length, so don't meet my basic requirement of being able to cast some distance into the surf.

The Hurricane Black Beauty looks like a nice entry level rod. It doesn't appear to be graphite. I can't find any weight specs for it and I'd guess it's pretty heavy.

I'll probably stick with my current list for the time being.

Thanks, I do, too. From the comments of others, I'm starting to think it may be too light for my needs. I'm leaning to the MH rods, now.

Just bought a 12 ft penn prevail. dont remember if i got the 1-5 oz or the 2-6 oz. either way it looked cool we will see how it casts in about 4 or 5 weeks

i just picked up an oceanmaster 10ft with a sealine 30sha for 105 bucks on ebay..and i was just about to order them on bass pro

i have two ticas dolphin seris and ueha seris both are good no problems. there sensitive and light. i had a tsunami airwave which is also good,light, sensitive, and is good for beginners.
I have a laminglas surf king which are good and light , also sensitive. Daiwa ballistic is great, sensitive and light as well.
all of these are good choices. if your on cheaper side i would go with tica and tsunami. if more expensive budget go with lamis, st croix, and daiwa.

I'm a little cheaper then most but the Okuma latitude rod is my all time favorite ! I have them in spinning an baitcasing . There only about 70 dollars at academy an I have casted 4 oz weights to 12 once weights with a few oz of big cut bait. Cast big or little it gets it out there . Maybe you can check them out .

What kind of fish will you target in the surf and on piers? Unless you have a kayak to carry your bait out in the surf you will do good to get close to the 3rd sandbar casting. Piers in the Galveston area will not get you into an area where you catch HUGE fish. A lot of big bull reds are caught on much smaller gear.

I expect to see fish up to about 20 lbs. I'll be trying for big reds, trout, pompano, mackerel, and maybe some kingfish. I'd be surprised to see anything larger than 30 lb.

I catch some big reds on smaller gear, but it's been from the jetties. The reason I want some surf gear is to be able to throw some heavier lead/bait or jigs a greater distance than I can with my light tackle.

I've been looking at the rods I originally listed and several others suggested in this thread. I've pretty much decided to get the

Okuma CSX-S-1002MH . MH . MF . 10' . 20~50 lbs . 2~5 oz.

It looks like it will be a good rod for me to start with.

im pretty sure that i have that rod. Tip is a little stiff which is the only thing that prevents it from casting farther than it does. Im pretty sure it could bring in a descent sized shark though.



oh..... and always shuffle your feets when walkin out to those sandbars

Decision:
I got a Okuma CSX-S-1002MH . MH . MF . 10' . 20~50 lbs . 2~5 oz
I also bought a Okuma Solaris SS-S-902M-1 9 ft M F 15~30 lbs 1~4 oz for my wife.
Both will get Saragosa 8000 reels.

The CSX is nice, so far. I have not been to the beach with it.
The finish is really nice.
The guides are low profile and really small for a spinning rod. The paper says they are optimized for braid and long distance casting. I hope they work and I guess I'll find out shortly.

Pics:

First guides are larger on the Solaris. The first guide on the CSX is rather small.






Reel seats. There is a bit more metal in the CSX. It looks like it will work nicely.



The Solaris handle has a nice rubber knob on the end. I think I may like it better than the end of the CSX rod. All the guides on the CSX are smaller than those on the Solaris

Nice rods. The one actually looks like a casting rod to me, but that is the way some are being made now a days I guess.

I'm thinking about a 9 foot medium in the 30 lb class 3/4 to 3 or 4 ozs, just don't know which one yet, also want to go very cheap, I have a bad habit of breaking rods. lol.

Congrats on the new gear. If you ever plan on buying another rod then I would check out a breakaway rod in spinning or casting. Those rods cast a mile and are made right here in Texas. They are guaranteed and a small company which gives great customer support. You would easily be able to get out past the third bar standing on the beach casting. I do not have one yet but have seen people cast a country mile from the beach with one.
http://www.breakawayusa.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edpvesQvObc
Check out these weight set ups that release the bait after you cast for optimum casting distance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=M7JzMVV-z3k

The 9 ft Solaris was on sale for half price at a local shop. I got it for $45. Seems like a decent low end rod. I'll report on it when I get back from a trip to the surf.

Those do look awfully nice. They are a bit more than I wanted to spend this time, but I'll sure keep them in mind for the next purchase. I really like to buy from local makers and businesses.

I used to always use Salmon/Steelhead rods in the surf up in the Northeast. I really dont see why they cant be used down here in Texas either. They are great rods and cast great, especially with wind. It's not popular (yet anyway)....from what I've seen the guys down here tend to follow the same protocol - Casting rods, wading belts, mirrolures... Considering Texas is the Bass capital of the world thats probably expected but I think the infux of Yankees (like myself) and the dreaded Californians will be bringing different styles to the Texas coast.

Here is the stuff I use. Its a long "noodle" type rod. I generally cast "bucktail" jigs, pencil poppers, "mambo minnows" and other plugs, of course I have my spoons, but I call them "tins" or "squids"... All of the lures are thrown over my shoulder in a surf bag.... I stand out badly if you run into me...

Here is some stuff from my old "hood" to take a look at - Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G1LtmlWhPc

http://www.thesurfcaster.com/

By the way, that rod is a BEAUTY jpgrfan!!!!

Makes me want to get to the coast now...

I bet you could cast the plugs and spoons out a mile with ease with that puppy!

That video was fun!
Thanks for the info on the Salmon/Steelhead rods. I'll keep those in mind for next time.
I'm totally new to surf fishing, so I really don't know what I'm doing. I just got a couple of surf rods and reels so I can go fish the surf and learn something. I didn't want to spend a lot right out of the gate as I expect I'll want different stuff after I get into it. I'm getting excited about it. I do fish the bays and off of piers and jetties and I'm used to catching some nice fish, so I hope that I will not have too much trouble getting started.

Thanks! I'll post up some results as soon as I can get to the coast. I'd be going now, but the weather is lousy right now. I might go after next week if it looks like a nice day. Otherwise, it will be February before I can go.

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