Please Help me choose a rod (few to choose from)

[Jinz000]

I have to buy another rod for surf fishing, mainly (small sharks, large sturgeons, large stripers)

Here what it comes down to

St Croix ------- 12' XH Mod-Fast 20-60 4-16oz $280
St Croix Avid - 11' H Mod-Fast 15-50 4-12oz $300
Breakaway --- 12'6 XXH 25-60 4-12oz $300
Tica 12' UEHA XH 20-40 4-10oz $85

My budget is not limited for these reels
My reel is the Penn 525 Mag

Please give me some suggestions, .etc

Thank you very much

[bitesize]

Hey man, sorry I can't help you out because I don't surf fish much,
but say, have you tried going to a store and checking these rods
out yourself? I mean, feel them in your hands and see what you
prefer. That's sometimes the best way to choose.

[Mike W]

I ended up choosing my last rod after spending a few trips out with a guide. Thought it was great to be able to try out some tackle before haveing to by it. Granted you most likely have that oprotunity on the shore line but Maybe looking around and seeing what others are trying might help.
I always found trying rods and reels in the store was a hard way to judge them. To bad they dont have a pool set up there for a few casts. Now that would be sweet. Would be just like trying on shoes. Have a sales man bring you a half dozen rods and reels to try. Maybe he would even go out to the end of the line and tug on it a few times for you.
Back to reality.

Do lots of research ifyou are going to spend some dough on it. Also I think it is not just the rod or the reel that make a great rig but the combo of them that does.
Hope this helps. I think I am going to go day dream about the perfect tackle shop a little more

[Jinz000]

The sad part is I don't know of a place around here that will carry any of those. I plan to buy one of these rods online. So yeah I would at least like to hold one.

[Reno Reeler]

Jinz000,

Call Chris at http://www.insidesportfishing.com. He, along with his staff, are fisherman and are experts on ocean fishing tackle. Chris can get you the rod you want at a fantastic price, plus the shipping will be free! Chris keeps in contact with a network of professional guides that are very opinionated about the rods they use.

Tell him Jim from Reno sent you!

[bundy]

I doubt that shipping will be free. I ordered a rod from ISF and got a surprise on their so called FREE shipping. They charge extra for rod shipping and I wasn't told until after it was sent!

[Reno Reeler]

Bundy,

Your correct about the rod shipping charge for 1 piece rods. I was charged $5.00 over the price of the rod, which was nicely discounted (see the last sentence in this post).

I can't drive to the sporting goods store and back for $5.00. (FedEx surcharge for lengths over 60").

I live in NV and since insidesportfishing is located in CA, I don't pay tax. I'll gladly live with the minuscule sur-charge for the convenience of fast and reliable to my door delivery.

Here's the specifics on my last rod order.

1 Lamiglas Bass Special Shipped $79.95
CS701 rod

1 FedEx Shipping Length Surcharge Shipped $5.00
Over 60" - NV Service

Total: $84.95

The Lamiglas rod retails for $100 everywhere.