Thread: Surf/Rock fishing rod

I'm in the market for a rod
Until lately my salmon rod has done dual duty but just before christmas I purchased a
Shimano ultegra 1400 XSD
https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/shima...-xsd-surf-reel

I have spooled one spool with 30lb nylon and the other with 50lb braid.

I wish to mate this with a rod, I will pay up to 300 for the rod, maybe 350 but not a cent more and preferably somewhat less however i do want the best bang I can get for my buck

I emailed three shops, all dedicated fishing places, all north island, no hunting shops with a side line in fishing etc but people who I would think should know

The two recommendations I have back are these
https://www.marine-deals.co.nz/shima...ft-10-15kg-3pc

https://www.completeangler.co.nz/kil...g-surf-rod-614

See, what I don't understand is even though I told all I emailed that I had 22kg spooled I was still recommended a 15kg line rod from everyone who replied.
When I emailed back asking does this matter . I never received a reply from either place.

So, you guys who know, Firstly
Which would be the better of these two Rods for South Island East and West coast conditions and,
Secondly
Does it matter that both of these rods have a manufactures recommended top line weigh of 15kg, and
Thirdly
Are there better rods for the money and if so what should I be looking at given the criteria I have.

Targeting Kahawai, Blue cod, Rigg, Elephant, shark, big skate etc, and there's talk of Kingfish here now the water is warmer

Thanks.

Shit Owen what are you trying to catch?
When I fish rocky stuff up here I only use 15kg and 6kg on the sand.

We have Massive 7 gillers down here Jan/ Feb, bigger than me. hence the 50lb braid.
Maybe it doesn't matter that these rods have a 15KG recommended weight?, thats one of the things I'd like to find out.

Originally Posted by jakewire

We have Massive 7 gillers down here bigger than me. hence the 50lb braid.

What do they taste like.
On a serious note is that what you are targeting when your out for a fish? Or are they a by-catch?
Sounds like you’d need a rod with plenty of grunt for them.

I have the nano 13.5 feet and it casts and feels all good. Havnt loaded it up on a decent fish yet so only an initial comment

During Jan /Feb they come in close and are deliberately targeted, anything over 5 off feet is to ammonia like, tastes bad under that seems to be not to bad , for me though it's mainly the fun of it and release.
I've caught them on my salmon rod, which is a fairly big one, ask phil he got a Waitaki river mouth Kahawai on it on Wednesday, but a decent one [7Giller] simply dictates where it wants to go and busts off most times.
Hence the bigger reel line and rod.
Most surf casting down this way is done by big rod, bigger than I think is needed but ....

You are unlikely to hurt the rod even tho you have 20kilo max drag.....that is more than your 50p braid will handle with a bit of line in the water.
Key with any rod when under big stress is dont lift it too high,that is how you break them. Short pumps and get a couple of winds on the way down.

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Has anyone had anything to do with NZ made K lab Rods?

Why don't you get a custom rod built to your spec?

Originally Posted by jakewire

Has anyone had anything to do with NZ made K lab Rods?

Yip, Kevin Boyle - he built me a rod last year

Originally Posted by terryf

Why don't you get a custom rod built to your spec?

Never thought about that terry, whats involved there/

Talk to Phil at tackle tactics .
DaiwaRods

The daiwa sandstorms are nice and grunty but still have a decent tip to see whats happening .
Pulling 20kg of drag on a long rod is bloody hard .

Originally Posted by jakewire

Never thought about that terry, whats involved there/

Its quite simple really - you give him your budget and spec and he will give you options pertaining to reel seat, guides, blank, 2 piece, 3 piece etc, colour scheme, wrapping colour, custom name etc and you're good to go - takes around 10 days to 2 weeks depending on how busy he is.

He is also a kayak fisherman as well as rock n surf so will tell you what can work and what can't - found him very helpful!

Originally Posted by jakewire

Has anyone had anything to do with NZ made K lab Rods?

Have one for a salmon rig. Broke the tip in a truck door and tried to get the top half replaced by them.
Thought they were out of buisness?
Someone on the forum said they were from K lab. I never heard from them again after saying they could supply a new half.
Got it repaired locally and still going well. Have caught a few west coast salmon and kahawai with it.

I just bought a new Okumu carbon fibre 15' surfrod and reel combo.
Lightest surf rod for that size I have held. Its ridiculously light.
Haven't wet it yet as the sea has been rough for the last week.

Probably break first cast


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Have faith R93 surely it will be better than that.