Which surf rod?

[heath7162]

I'm upgrading my old surf rod for tailor fishing on Fraser Island but I'm just chasing some advice on which rod to buy. I've settled that I'm going to get a Gary Howard rod but I'm not sure on whether to get the Greenback, Surf medium or Surf Heavy. I'm using a 6 1/2 Alvey with 15 pound line. Any advice on the differences between the three rods would be great.

[hooknose]

Cant comment on the Gary Howard, but can highly recommend the Snyderglas "surf special"(FS 156MT- 6wrap) for use with that alvey, absolute weapon.

[Tailortaker]

Go the Greenback, they are a very good tailor rod.

[CreelReaper]

Heath

There are lots of rods out there....I know Jones' does I think a 'Tailor Taker" which is a great rod also. If you've settled on a Gary Howard though I would take the reel down and have a 'feel' test with each rod in question. Check things like balance, line feed through the guides and if you can get it outside have a few 'practice' casts. You will know which one to choose from then.

Cheers

[DigitalSI]

I recently had the same problem, needed a surf rod but didn't know what to get. I purchased the Gary Howard Surf Classic Medium (Standard). I matched it with an Alvey 6500BCVRR reel and 20 pound Sydner mono. First time I tried it I used it at the Seaway on the beach with terible results. Second time I used it was at Cabarita Beach in NSW with OK results. Third time was at Fraser Island this long weekend and I finally nailed it. I guess what I am saying is it really takes getting use to but once you do its magic. Handles Tailor beautifully and will handle much much larger fish too. I wouldn't buy the Gary Howard Surf Classic Heavy, you won't be able to feel when to strike. Had I seen this post prior to Fraser the weekend just gone I would have offered you mine to buy but now I'm definately keeping it. Take a spinning rod with you as I caught more Tailor spinning than bait fishing pillies. There not in great numbers but they are there. I hooked 18 in 2 hours spinning as they weren't taking bait and they are fussy on the slugs as well. Take Halco Twisty's 70g, 55g & 40g in silver and you wont be disapointed.

[rockfisho]

I run a gary howard surf classic medium. It is a top rod and worth the money for general beach species. but has some serious guts to tackle big fish on. I havent caught anything massive on it yet, i have nailed a 4 kg tailor, jew and flatty on it, and it was nicely loaded at that point. it is designed to cast lighter weights so i wouldnt choose it for heavy tailor fishing. ie. 7 ball sinker and a big pilly.

for a serious tailor rod, i would look at something with a bit heavier tip to cast the weights.

In my opinion the greenback rods are overpriced as the blank is very basic in action, for a fibreglass blank. gary howard also makes a graph caster. its a good rod.

The surf classic heavy is too heavy for tailor imo.

I have several surf rods. surf classic for general beach and choppers. fs5162 for jew, and big greenbacks, although that doesnt work well with anything under about 3 ounces. an mt7144 for the rock tailor, and a snyder mag bream for hte light surf. Im also in the process of making a 12 foot jew and snapper pole for the rocks.

hope this helps

cheers

owen

[heath7162]

Thanks for all the great info. guys. My first thoughts were that the heavy was a bit too heavy for what I do and thought the medium suited me better. Sounds like I have made my mind up but will have a yarn to the guys at the tackle shop prior to buying. Thanks again everyone.

[DigitalSI]

Trying to send you a PM Heath but your message quota is full. Delete some of your messages and pm me so I can reply back

[heath7162]

Old messages deleted mate. Send away.

[jezz11]

Good day.

I fish a Gary Howard 12 foot 'North shore.' Probably too light in the tip, although i like to fish as light as possible. Its a graphite blank, light weight and good sensitivity allowing you to feel the lightest of bites. The only prob is when you encounter decent surf and need a heavy weight, shes too light. The Gary Howard classic is another one you should look into and prob more suitable to tailor fishing when conditions are ruough.

I would go for something thats 12 feet as aminimum and able to throw a medium weight with a pilcard in spinning. Match it to a fast retrieve spin reel for slugs.

I use a daiwa a 4500 Daiwa Emcast Sport. It has a wide and long spool and casts a mile and is balanced to the rod.

Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth and has caught me a few good feeds off the beach n rocks.

Cheers
Line, honestly go braid. 15lb Sunline pe (green) is more than enough and casts an absolute mile.

Cheers
Jerry

[nigelr]

Bit cheaper, but worth having a look at the Silstar Crystal Blue Power Tip in the 12 foot size, CB-1202SFM. Fuji runners, 8-12kg rated, very nice rod for the price.
Cheers.
Oops, just noticed you are using an Alvey, so this rod with its' medium height reel mount would be unsuitable. Would have deleted the post if I could figure out how...............:-[