Fishing tackle: Rods

I would not even attempt to categorize and describe the variety of rock and surf fishing rods available on the market in South Africa, as almost all the major world manufacturers are well represented. On top of that, there are number of extremely experienced private rod builders, which can produce excellent custom build rods.

For the purpose of this blog, we will focus on type of rock and surf rods, which allow for greater versatility in use and comfort for the traveling rock and surf angler.
Gone are the days of selection of light, medium and heavy rock and surf rods by the anglers residing in the interior of the country with the introduction of “multi tip” (five pieces) rock & surf fishing rods.

Some of the master anglers still prefer the use of one piece rods, but largely the currently produced multi tip rods are of excellent quality.
Transporting of one piece rock & surf fishing rod can be a problem for many anglers residing in the interior of the country, and for those who travel by air to the coast; this may not be a viable option.

In general the selection of rod will depend on the type of fishing intended and here emphasis is made on edibles fishing and very little is mentioned on targeting sharks.

In the context of this booklet we shall refer to two major groups of rock and surf rods:

• 4 : 6 OZ and;
• 6 : 8 OZ

The categorization of these two groups of roads is done by the wait of the sinkers that the rod is designed to cast. For example, the group of 4:6 OZ multi tip rods are designed to cast:

• 4 OZ sinker on the light tip;
• 5 OZ sinker on the medium tip;
• 6 OZ sinker on the heavy tip;

The group of 6: 8 OZ multi tip roads are designed to cast:

• 6 OZ sinker on the light tip;
• 7 OZ sinker on the medium tip;
• 8 OZ sinker on the

In general the different tips are used for targeting of different species of fish and used under different sea conditions:

Light tip (4:6 OZ) may be used in estuaries and gullies for spotted grunter, black tail, karanteen and bream;

Medium tip (4:6 OZ) may be used in moderate sea conditions for shad, cob, grunter, galjoen and bronze bream;

Heavy tip (4:6 OZ) may be used for big fish - leeries, large cob, and small sharks;
If fishing when strong under - currents are present obvious use of 7-8OZ wire grapnel sinker is required and that is where the use of heavy tip on (6:8OZ) rods may be utilized.

If you intend using sliding technique with none return clip, for live bait or constructed large baits – 7 - 8 OZ grapnel sinker is required as a minimum and a rod with considerable “back bone” required.

These two main groups of Rock & Surf rods are produced mainly in 14FT, which is considerate to be the optimum length for achieving of maximum casting distance. Also it is important to mention that these types of rods are designed for use of a multiplier reels and use of coffee grinders on them is very uncomfortable, as the reel holders are placed in such way so that the reel will be fitted on top of the road and it is placed very close to the end of the rod.

Different group of rock & surf rods are the spinning rods, which are predominantly available in the following sizes:

• 11FT;
• 12FT;
• 13FT
It is important to mention that most of these rods are designed to be used with a coffee grinder type of reels and are predominantly used for targeting shad. In this booklet drop shot rods and techniques are not discussed.

If one is to select and purchase suitable rock & surf fishing rod, it is worth to visit number of fishing tackle shops, as there is a considerable difference in prices offered from one fishing tackle outlet to the next.

Some examples of good quality multi tip five piece rods available on the market, without breaking the bank if acquired are:

Shimano EXAGE AX Surf - 4:6 OZ or 6:8OZ

Blue Marlin G3 – 430 – 4:6OZ or 6:8OZ (Local is lekker)

These rods are not going to cost you an arm and a leg and will do the job well; however like with everything else in our days, there are custom rods available, for a price, and there are products which will cost you twice as much as the price of the rods mentioned above. By the end of the day it is your personal choice and preference and it is very often question of available financial resources or matter of principle, of how much you are prepared to spend and/or both.