Updated 12/29/2023
Looking for the best surf fishing rod and reel combo available on the market today? Look no further. I’ve done the hours of rod and reel research and testing on weight, strength, durability, and materials so you don’t have to.
Surf fishing can highlight some of the most challenging fishing conditions around. Huge fish doing their best to snap your rod in half, long casting distances, waves battering your equipment and salt eating away at the rod components all tax surf rods and reels to the limit.
Check out our top recommendations by category to have the best surf rod and reel combo for the job.
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
Our Top 7 Picks
- Best Overall: Penn Battle III Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
- Best Purchased Separately: St. Croix Triumph Surf Rod & Penn Battle III Reel
- Best Under $100: Daiwa D-Wave Saltwater Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
- Best Under $200: Daiwa BG Saltwater Combo
- Best for Beginners: Ugly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
- Best High End: Penn Spinfisher VI Saltwater Rod & Reel Combo
- Best Conventional: Penn Squall Conventional Rod & Reel Combo
The 7 Best Surf Fishing Rod & Reel Combos
Whether you’re a new angler or a grizzled expert, we have you covered. Check out our recommendations for best overall surf fishing rod and reel combo as well as budget, upgrade, beginner, and splurge options!
1. Penn Battle III Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 6’6″ to 10′
- Power: Light to Heavy
- Reel Size: 1000 to 8000
- Ball Bearings: 5+1
Pros:
- Wide range of available rod and reel sizes and powers for various applications
- Great value for the price
Our top choice overall for best surf fishing rod & reel combo is the Penn Battle III Spinning Rod and Reel Combo which we feel is that perfect mix of premium quality with a manageable price tag. Heck, the Penn Battle III reel is our choice for best surf fishing reel so it’s no surprise if you slap it on a decent rod we’ll think highly of it!
The reel was the 2020 ICAST Online Best of Category Winner – Saltwater Reel, includes a 5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system, Penn’s HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers, and a full metal aluminum body and side plate. It is high quality designed for durability and performance and Penn really outdid themselves with the attention to detail.
We recently attended a charity inshore fishing tournament in Galveston where we noticed our guide, Jesse, had Penn Battle III reels on all of his rods. When asked about it, Jesse said he fishes 250 days or more a year in saltwater conditions and does next to nothing to maintain these reels. He’s had no problems with them and loves how reliable they are considering how hard he works them. We even caught a 28″ redfish which placed for biggest fish in the tournament and a 25″ speckled trout on that trip with this reel!
The rod blank is a graphite composite with either cork or eva handle depending on the model. It has plenty of backbone to reel in big surf species.
While we generally expect a rod & reel combo to skimp in quality on one of the components, we were pleasantly surprised with this pairing by Penn. This combo is great value for the price.
Check out our article on best surf fishing reels for further reading on why we like this reel so much.
2. St. Croix Triumph Surf Spinning Rod & Penn Battle III Spinning Reel
- Rod Length: 7′ to 10’6″
- Power: Medium to Medium-Heavy
- Reel Size: 1000 to 8000
- Ball Bearings: 5+1
Pros:
- Best bang for your buck
- Similar high build quality between rod and reel
A great way to upgrade from our best overall choice for a surf rod and reel combo is to purchase the components separately. We love the Penn Battle III combo for our best overall choice, but we think the rod has room for improvement. Our recommendation for best value is by pairing a Penn Battle III reel with a St. Croix Triumph Surf Spinning Rod. This rod and reel are our separate picks for best surf fishing rod and best surf fishing reel, so why not combine them!
St. Croix’s Triumph Surf Rod is our overall top surf fishing rod choice for good reason. It nails that perfect mix of features and value that we’re always looking for in fishing equipment. This really is a premium rod at a manageable price point. We’ve fished extensively with our 10′ Triumph Surf and love its castability and transportability over the other rods on this list.
For further reading on why we like this equipment, check out our in-depth review of the St. Croix Triumph Surf Fishing Rod!
3. Daiwa D-Wave Saltwater Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 7′ to 10′
- Power: Medium
- Reel Size: 4000 to 5000
- Ball Bearings: 1+1
Pros:
- Budget friendly!
Our choice for the best surf fishing rod and reel combo under $100 is the Daiwa D-Wave Saltwater Spinning Rod & Reel Combo. This combo is a perfect budget entry point into surf fishing without sacrificing quality.
The rod is fiberglass and is heavier than most other choices on this list. That said, it’s plenty strong to reef in huge surf fish! Both the rod and reel are rated for saltwater and will have reasonable corrosion resistance. The components at this price point will not be super-high-end so we recommend to take extra care with a freshwater rinse after any fishing excursions to minimize saltwater damage.
Don’t think twice about getting this combo for a budget friendly option!
4. Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 10′
- Power: Medium-heavy
- Reel Size: 5000
- Ball Bearings: 6+1
Pros:
- Fantastic reel for the price
Our choice for the best surf fishing rod and reel combo under $200 is the Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Rod & Reel Combo.
The Daiwa Black Gold (BG) reel is one of our favorite saltwater spinning reels due to its rugged construction, smooth action, and excellent reliability for its price.
The Daiwa BG combo is perfect for surf anglers wanting a ready-to-go setup right off the shelf. Ten feet long is the perfect length, reel size 5000 is excellent for most types of surf fishing, and medium-heavy power can handle almost all surf fish species.
Check out our article on our favorite saltwater spinning reels for a deeper breakdown on why we like the Daiwa BG reel.
5. Ugly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 6’6″ to 10′
- Power: Medium to Medium-Heavy
- Reel Size: 5000 to 7000
- Ball Bearings: 1+1
Pros:
- Great Warranty (7 years for rod)
- Heavy duty equipment that’s beginner friendly
- Good starting point to try it out (then upgrade reel later)
Our choice for best beginner surf fishing rod & reel combo is the Ugly Stik Bigwater Surf Rod & Reel Combo. This combo is great for beginners due to its forgiving price point, heavy duty construction, and great rod warranty.
This rod is plenty sturdy. It’s heavier and less sensitive than other similar class rods but is nearly unbreakable! The first thing we noticed when we ordered a 7 foot, medium-heavy power Ugly Stik Bigwater is how solidly built it is. The blank itself is so strong we could barely bend it by hand and the Ugly Tuff guides have much more metal used in their construction than the normal guides we’re used to.
The reel is more on the budget end of equipment. We recommend beginners to get this combo, try it out for a bit, then upgrade the reel to a better option (like the Penn Battle III we discuss in items 1 & 2!).
6. Penn Spinfisher VI Saltwater Rod & Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 6’6″ to 10′
- Power: Medium-Light to Heavy
- Reel Size: 2500 to 8500
- Ball Bearings: 5+1
Pros:
- High quality rod & reel for great price
Our choice for best high end surf fishing rod and reel combo is the Penn Spinfisher VI Saltwater Rod & Reel Combo. This rod and reel are the top end of available pre-made rod and reel combos.
Penn’s Spinfisher VI is a workhorse surf and offshore fishing reel. Featuring an IPX5 sealed body and spool, full metal body/side plates, and a 5+1 sealed stainless steel bearing system, the Spinfisher VI has great durability and strength. The larger models have incredible max drag capabilities of up to 50 pounds which is more than enough for the largest surf species.
The rod is comfortable with a full cork handle and surprisingly good quality as a combo rod. This combo is a great splurge option to dip your toes into surf fishing. We recommend to grab this combo then later on upgrade the rod to a higher-end choice.
7. Penn Squall Conventional Combo
- Rod Length: 6’2″ to 10′
- Power: Medium to Heavy
- Reel Size: 15 to 30
- Ball Bearings: 6+1
Pros:
- Excellent conventional setup for surf fishing
Our choice for the best conventional surf fishing rod and reel combo is the Penn Squall Conventional Rod and Reel Combo. The 10′ medium power Penn Squall combo is a perfect conventional rod and reel setup for surf anglers that want a conventional combo for a reasonable price.
This combo includes the Penn Squall II star drag reel without a level wind which is perfect for surf fishing. Level winds on reels are the piece that moves back and forth on conventional reels that feed line evenly on the reel as you spool line. Level winds are a great feature for most casting reels but can cause problems for surf fishing because they increase friction for both casting and reeling. This increased friction can result in reduced casting distances (critical for surf fishing) and can cause binding in the reel if you hook a truly massive fish.
Conventional setups are slightly more comfortable than spinning setups to cast heavy baits which can be a key consideration when deciding between a spinning setup and a conventional setup.
Check out our article on our favorite conventional reels for reading on other great conventional setups.
Combo Comparison Table
Check out our handy comparison table showing key specifications for our top rod and reel combo choices.
| Combo Name | Rod Length | Power | Reel Size | Ball Bearings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Battle III Spinning Rod & Reel Combo | 6’6″ to 10′ | Light to Heavy | 1000 to 8000 | 5+1 |
| St. Croix Triumph Surf Spinning Rod & Penn Battle III Spinning Reel | 7′ to 10’6″ | Medium to Medium-Heavy | 1000 to 8000 | 5+1 |
| Daiwa D-Wave Saltwater Spinning Rod & Reel Combo | 7′ to 10′ | Medium | 4000 to 5000 | 1+1 |
| Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Rod & Reel Combo | 10′ | Medium-heavy | 5000 | 6+1 |
| Ugly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod & Reel Combo | 6’6″ to 10′ | Medium to Medium-Heavy | 5000 to 7000 | 1+1 |
| Penn Spinfisher VI Saltwater Rod & Reel Combo | 6’6″ to 10′ | Medium-Light to Heavy | 2500 to 8500 | 5+1 |
| Penn Squall Conventional Combo | 6’2″ to 10′ | Medium to Heavy | 15 to 30 | 6+1 |
Conclusion
Surf fishing rod and reel combos are a great one-stop-shop way to get into surf fishing for a reasonable price. Generally, combos will have either a lower quality rod or reel to keep the manufacturing cost down. This doesn’t mean rod and reel combos aren’t a solid option.
We recommend newer anglers grab a combo with a solid reel (like our top choice Penn Battle III Spinning Rod & Reel Combo) then upgrade the rod later.
Check out our articles for great reels to pair with these rods when it’s time to upgrade:
- Best Surf Fishing Reels
- Best Saltwater Reels
- Best Saltwater Baitcasting Reels
- Best Saltwater Spinning Reels
- Best Conventional Reels
Check out our related rod articles:
- Best Saltwater Fishing Rods
- Best Saltwater Rod & Reel Combos
- Best Inshore Fishing Rods
- Best Rods for Redfish and Speckled Trout
- Best Flounder Rods
- Best Sheepshead Rods
- Best Surf Fishing Rods
- Best Pier Fishing Rods
- Best Trolling Rods
How to Choose The Best Surf Fishing Rod & Reel Combo For You
Choosing the best surf fishing rod & reel combo should account for factors like rod size, power, action, and materials plus reel size, line capacity, and drag capabilities. Anglers should also consider their target fish species because this can affect which fishing technique is best.
Baitcasting vs Spinning vs Conventional Setups
Surf fishing can be performed with baitcasting reels, spinning reels, or conventional reels. The best setup depends on the target fish species and fishing technique.
Most techniques for targeting smaller saltwater fish can be done with either spinning or casting setups. Spinning reels are better for beginners because they can’t backlash like baitcasting setups. Spinning reels are generally preferred for bottom rig fishing live bait or super light setups. Baitcasting setups allow for more accurate casting and improved casting comfort but can be more difficult to use.
If getting one reel to do everything, we recommend a spinning setup to start. If grabbing an additional rod and reel to cast lures, soft plastics, or about anything that requires frequent, short casts, we recommend baitcasting setups.
For surf fishing for huge fish, conventional reels are a great option because they have the largest spool capacities, highest drag ratings, and features to catch huge fish.
Rod Length
Surf anglers should pick rod length based on what type of fish they are after and what kind of fishing they intend to do. Generally, longer rods can cast further, and shorter rods are easier to maneuver, cast accurately, and are sturdier.
Surf fishing off the beach requires long distances casts so most surf rods are over 10 feet long. A rod between 10 to 12 feet is a great option for surf saltwater fishing.
Inshore saltwater anglers should pick a rod around 7 feet long. This is a great length to be able to cast relatively far but still have the accuracy to pinpoint cast to a specific spot.
Rod Power
Rod power is the fishing industry’s terminology for rod stiffness. Rod powers range from ultralight to heavy. Medium power is a great all around choice for saltwater fishing.
Saltwater species are generally larger and stronger fighters than many freshwater species, so we recommend rods from medium to heavy for saltwater surf fishing. If targeting huge species like bull reds or sharks, size up to a heavy rod. If targeting reds, speckled trout, or striped bass size fish, medium power is perfect.
Rod Action
Rod action refers to how far down the rod will bend when pressure is applied to the tip. Rod actions range from extra-fast (bends near tip) to slow (nearly the whole rod bends).
The faster the action, the more sensitive the rod will feel. The slower the action, the more casting distance you can get (the rod will feel like it whips more when you cast).
Surf rods with moderate to fast actions are ideal. They provide a balance of accurate casting and sensitivity.
Portability
Another key factor to picking the best surf fishing rod and reel combo is portability.
Seven foot long rods fit in most vehicles and boat rod holders. Much longer and you may run into problems. Make sure you check if your rod can fit in your vehicle before you make a purchase!
Since surf rods are so long, they usually break into 2 or 4 pieces for transport.
Think about purchasing multi-piece ‘travel’ versions of rods and/or look into travel cases to help protect your rod during transport. There’s nothing worse than accidentally breaking a guide or the rod tip on the way to the beach.
Handle Material
Rod handle feel is an important factor to consider when picking a surf fishing rod. Common handle types are rubber shrink tube, cork tape, or neoprene. Rubber shrink is usually considered a more budget option, whereas cork or neoprene feels better to grip and handle.
Rod Guide Material
Rod guide material is important because lower quality materials are heavier and will rust quicker and could potentially fail. This can be partially avoided by rinsing rod guides with freshwater after every trip.
The highest end rods have titanium or silicone carbide (SiC) rod guides whereas middle end or budget rods will have some variation of aluminum oxide or stainless steel.
Higher end rod guides are made with lighter materials with lower friction that will either rust slower or not at all. Less expensive rod guides are heavier and will succumb to the elements more quickly.
For additional information on rod guide considerations, check out our article that explains fishing rod guides in detail.
Rod Blank Material
Rod blank material affects how rod strength and how it deforms during casting or reeling in a fish. Common rod blank materials are graphite, fiberglass, and composite. Check out our deep dive on rod blanks for more information.
Graphite
Graphite rods have incredible sensitivity in lightweight packages. They are great for detecting subtle fish strikes. Graphite rod disadvantages are that the rods can be a little weaker than the other options and more susceptible to breakage, especially around nicks or scratches.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is strong, durable and flexible but weighs more than graphite. They are less sensitive than the other types of rod materials.
Composite
Composite rod materials are a mix of graphite and fiberglass that seek to have the light weight and sensitivity of graphite rods with the strength of fiberglass rods.
Reel Seat
Reel seats are the component where the fishing reel is secured onto the fishing rod by tightening a locking nut. The basic parts of a reel seat are the body, hood, locking nut, and barrel threads. Common reel seat materials are either graphite or aluminum which are both lightweight, corrosion resistant materials. Reel seats are sized to match the power of the rod. For example, a reel seat on an ultralight fishing rod won’t fit a massive 10000 size spinning reel.
Most freshwater applications utilize fully graphite reel seats due to graphite’s light weight. For heavier duty saltwater applications, reel seats are commonly upgraded to machine-grade aluminum for increased strength. For targeting the largest fish on the planet, the complete rod butt and reel seat can be aluminum for maximum strength.
Reel Line Capacity
Line capacity refers to how much fishing line fits on the reel. The total spool capacity is specified by mono vs braid and line strength as pound test. An example line capacity would be “200 yards of 20-pound test braid”.
Braid is smaller diameter than mono at the same line strength which means you can fit more braid on a reel. Also, higher pound test line is larger diameter and will take up more space on the reel spool.
Since surf fishing requires long casting distances and large diameter line, line capacity is an important consideration. When I pick a surf reel, I make sure it can fit 200+ yards of braid at the strength I want. I usually put 20-40 lb braid on my surf reels. Some people will size up to 80+ pound test if targeting huge species like sharks.
Reel Ball Bearings
Ball bearings in fishing reels are small, spherical bearings that reduce friction and increase smoothness of a reel’s operation. They are located within the internal mechanism of the reel and allow the reel’s moving parts to rotate smoothly against each other.
Most quality reels have at least four ball bearings. More ball bearings is usually better because the higher the number of ball bearings, the more friction is reduced and less wear and tear on the internal reel components. That said, ball bearing quality and material choice is also important. I would rather have four high-quality ball bearings than ten low quality bearings.
Most ball bearings are stainless steel but can also be ceramic. Many reels list something like “5+1 bearings” – this reel would be five ball bearings plus one roller bearing.
Reel Drag System
Drag systems on fishing reels provide resistance to the spool as line is retrieved. A loose drag makes it easier for the spool to spin freely and a tight drag makes it difficult to rotate the spool.
Drag systems work using a series of washers or disks pressed together by a drag knob or level (usually on the top of spinning reels). As the drag is tightened, the drag washers are pressed together which increases resistance on the spool. Drag should be set to match the strength and size of the target fish species.
Setting the drag properly is an art. You want the drag tight enough to reel in the fish, but not tight enough where a strong pull could snap your line or cause your fishing knot to fail. When the drag is properly set, a strong pull from a fish should be able to pull some line from your reel.
Pro tip for setting drag when surf fishing – if you place your rod in a rod holder, drastically loosen the drag. If the drag is tight, a big fish could pull your whole rig into the water! Not a good day!
The two popular types of drag are lever drag and star drag.
Lever Drag
Lever drag reels use a lever on the side of the reel to the drag. These reels have preset drag positions that usually include free spool, bait, strike, and max settings but also allow for micro adjustments to really dial-in the drag. Lever drags are best used when targeting the largest fish, 30 lbs or larger, because drag settings can quickly be set for each phase of the catch. The common wisdom is the strike drag setting should be one third of the strength of the line. For example, 60-lb line should have a 20 lb strike setting.
Star Drag
Star drag reels can be identified by the star-shaped drag adjustment wheel just inside of the handle. They allow for on-they-fly adjustment and are a good option when it’s possible to hook into a variety of fish sizes that require different drag settings. Star drag reels are considered to cast slightly better than lever drags, but that’s usually not a big issue on high-quality reels. If targeting smaller fish, under 30 lbs, with a conventional reel, we recommend leaning towards a star drag. One downside of star drag reels is you can’t tell what the drag setting is just by glancing at the reel like you can with lever drag.
Reel Gear Ratio
The gear ratio on a fishing reel refers to the relationship between the number of turns on the spool for every turn of the handle. For example, a gear ratio of 5:1 means the spool rotates five times for every turn of the handle.
Gear ratio is an important consideration when selecting a fishing reel because it affects the speed at which you can retrieve your line. A higher gear ratio is better for situations where you need to reel long distances or require fast bait presentations. A lower gear ratio is preferred for situations where a lower retrieval rate is desired, like when using finesse techniques.
Most reels have a gear ratio between 4:1 to 7:1. Many medium size reels are around 6.2:1 gear ratio which is a great for most applications. Higher gear ratios are preferred for surf fishing due to the long reeling distances.
Reel Material Quality
Material quality is an important consideration for picking a surf reel. Surf fishing reels are typically made of a combination of metal, rubber, and plastic parts. The body of the reel is usually made of aluminum or another type of metal to provide strength and durability. Plastic is used for many of the peripheral parts like the handle or drag knob because it is lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
Rubber seals may be used to protect against water, dirt, and sand ingress. High-end reels may have ceramic bearings or higher quality metal components.
Look for reels made of high-quality materials with solid, durable construction.
Reel Brakes
Baitcasting reels have reel brakes. When you make a cast with a baitcasting reel, the momentum of the bait pulls line off of the spool. The spool rotates fastest at the beginning of the cast when forces are the highest. The reel brake slows down rotation of the spool to keep the fishing line tight on the spool and stop a backlash mess.
Brakes are important because if the spool rotates faster than the speed your bait is pulling out line, your reel will become a huge backlash mess.
Level Wind
A level wind conventional reel is a reel that has a mechanism that evenly distributes line on the spool as the angler reels in. Most low-profile baitcasting reels having a built-in level wind system. Conventional reels can come with or without.
Level wind reels have pros and cons. The advantages of having a level wind reel is they are easier for beginners because the angler doesn’t have to manually distribute the line on the reel. The cons are, level wind systems can bind when reeling in massive fish and tend to have shorter casting distances than their non-level wind counterparts because of the friction caused through the level-wind mechanism. Also, when casting long rods like 10-15′ surf rods, the best practice is to “bundle” line evenly on the reel because it will come off the spool smoother when high-speed casts quickly rip line off the reel. Birds nests also tend to be worse on level wind reels than on non-level wind reels.
For surf reels, we prefer not having a level wind because it maximizes casting distance. That said, this isn’t a deal breaker and you shouldn’t be afraid to get a conventional reel with a level wind!
Surf Fishing Rod & Reel Combo Frequently Asked Questions
What type of rod is best for surf fishing?
The best rod for surf fishing for most people is a 10 to 12 foot surf spinning rod with medium to medium-heavy power and moderate to fast action. This type of rod can cast far enough to reach the current troughs in the surf that fish frequent, and have enough backbone to reel in big surf species.
What reel to pair with surf fishing rod?
Since most anglers looking for rod and reel combos are just starting out, we recommend focusing on spinning reels because they are more beginner friendly and can do any fishing technique needed.
Saltwater surf fishing rods should be paired with saltwater rated reels. Surf fishing reels are built with corrosion resistant parts and hold up much better to the corrosive salty conditions. A 4000 size spinning reel is a great all around choice for common species like redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and striped bass. Size up to 6000 or larger for offshore or surf fishing for species like bull reds, sharks, and grouper.
Check out our article on best surf fishing reels for further reading.
Be sure to thoroughly clean your equipment after surf fishing with a gentle freshwater rinse. Sand and salt spray gets in everything and your gear will last longer if you spray it down after each outing.
What is the best length surf fishing rod and reel combo?
Ten foot surf rods are the best option for most people. It is a good middle ground of a manageable size to transport and handle while still being able to cast the long distances required for surf fishing. Most shorelines have 1-3 sandbars and guts that run parallel to the shore. You need to be able to cast the distance to these guts to catch fish. Shorter fishing rods may not be able to cast far enough.
Additionally, some piers have a rod length limit of 10 feet.
How many yards of line do you need for a surf fishing rod and reel combo?
Preferably 200 yards or more. You want plenty of line to make long casts. Also, large fish may pull a bunch of line if they make a run for it. Swapping from mono to braid can help with this because braid has a smaller diameter meaning you can fit more on the reel spool.
Is mono or braid better for surf fishing?
Braided fishing line is preferable for surf fishing. Braided line has significantly smaller diameter for the same strength line when compared to mono. This can be key while surf fishing, because wind and waves will constantly be pulling at your line. The smaller diameter means less effect from the elements.
What kind of bait for surf fishing?
Surf fishing can be done with both live and artificial baits. A common type of surf fishing is using live bait on a bottom rig like a fish finder rig or high low rig (check out our in-depth article on the best surf fishing rigs). Rig up a 1/2 – 4 oz weight and live bait on a circle hook and you’ll be catching fish in no time. You can catch anything from bull reds to sharks surf fishing with live bait. Common surf fishing baits are live shrimp, cut bait, squid, and crab (check out our article on the best surf fishing baits).
Artificial lures like soft plastic baits on jig heads or shrimp under a popping cork as also popular.
Written By: Andrew Juran
Andrew is a seasoned angler with over 25 years of experience fishing across the United States. He has caught hundreds of surf fish using various techniques and mentored many in the art of fishing. An advocate for sustainable fishing, Andrew is an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association, an organization committed to marine conservation.
For frequent fishing tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and real-time catches, connect with Andrew on Instagram
