My TOP 3 BEGINNER Surf Fishing Setups (Rod & Reel) for SoCal Beaches [Sav On Tackle]
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ย. 2020
- In this episode I reveal my top 3 surf fishing setups (based on pricing tiers) for beginners who are interested in getting their first rod and reel. Please keep in mind that these combos are specific for SoCal beaches and are ideal for targeting our typical surf critters ie perch, croaker (yellowfin/corbina/spotfin), and halibut.
Huge thanks to my friend Anthony from Sav-On Tackle for making the time to share his expertise and knowledge, as well as staying late to allow me to film this episode. Be sure to check out Sav-On Tackle and ask for Anthony (its worth the wait!!) and let him know I sent ya. If Sav-On is not local to you, be sure to support your local tackle shop!!!
Sav-On Tackle
9917 Orr and Day Rd.
Santa Fe Springs CA 90670
Phone - (562) 864-2911
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Combos Revealed in this Video
Combo 1 - $80
Rod - 13 Fishing 7 ft, fast action ($50) [ask your local tackle shop for comparable rods at the same price point]
Reel - Daiwa Crossfire 2.5K ($30)
Combo 2 - $230
Rod - Phenix Feather 7'7" Medium ($160)
Reel - Daiwa Legalis 2.5K ($70)
Combo 3 - $290
Rod - Phenix Trifecta Lite 9' Medium Light ($190)
Reel - Daiwa Fuego LT 2.5K ($100) - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
![My Top 3 Techniques to catch HALIBUT [SoCal Surf Fishing 2023]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hRi0EUySynY/mqdefault.jpg)
Great advice for the beginner like me, thank you sir.
So glad I found your channel. I love your attitude to say the least. Thanks so much for sharing all of this with us. You’re a true gem of the community. This is a prime example of what an angler can be. You’re a true inspiration and family man! You’ve 100% earned my buy me a coffee subscription
Thank you so much for the encouragement! If you don't feel comfortable sharing in public I totally understand, just curious what your name is so I can connect you to my list of names in BMC. Not essential, I'm just curious so no worries either way. And thank you again so much for the positive stoke!
@@BenjieKimFishing no prob sir. Brian Wert. Just joined the BMC.
Wow, great tutorial~ from beginners to experienced ~ great info~ Thank you~
I appreciate that, thank you!
Sav-on-tackle is my go to tackle shop. They have everything you would possibly need and the staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable.
Agreed!
I posted the address in the video description but the shop is located in Santa Fe Springs.
Great video Benjie!! I love supporting the smaller businesses as well instead of the big corporations!! Good information all around!!
Thanks Derick! Most definitely man, online retailers will always be there now but agreed that we all need to support the mom and pops!
sav on tackle is my go to for anything i need for fishing. i grew up down the street. great customer service. shout out to jose in the back!
100% agreed. Really well rounded store and Anthony is great!
I just went into sav on tackle. And they were super cool
love the video bro! haven’t really seen any saltwater anglers introduce different tier rods and reels like that, keep the 🔥 coming!
Thanks Alex, appreciate the positive vibes brotha, hopefully it can be a good starting place for beginners who don't know where to begin when it comes to picking up their first setup.
Benjie, I noticed you use a Fuego 2500. Would you recommend that over a 3000 BG for perch and light striper/hali setup? I like the lightweight Fuego but not sure if it’ll hold up based on reviews about the reel flexing at the reel arm.
Enjoyed the beepers Benjie! Good stuff!
Haha thanks Michael, gotta pull back the curtain!! 🤣
Sav on tackle AWSOME service 😀
YES absolutely agree!!
Back in the early 80's I lived by Brea mall and we use to ride out bmx bikes out there to buy micro jigs. They were the only store that carried them at that point and never have been available on line, not that there was an on line back then. It was a 4 hour turn around trip but those jigs were black magic on crappie and bluegill at Laguna lake, tri city, la mirada, los coyotes, etc.
Oh man what great memories!! This is part of what makes our sport so great...brings us back to those days!
Love the bloopers at the end... wish you did one for yellowtail/tuna rig set up... bass fishing set up... etc. (With price combos)
Great video
Thanks Daniel, those are some great ideas!
Blooopers!!!!? I need more of these!
My go to tackle store... friendly staff.
Most definitely, for sure an excellent shop!
Love all the combos I would just do the 3000 size of daiwa fuego for the 3rd combo
Great Video!
Thanks Kevin! Bro, this was the day I met you there! Good memories!!
For the $200 range, I love my 13 Fishing Fate Steel 9' Light paired with Shimano Nasci 2500. It's just a super nice feel in the hands, balances well, and extremely sensitive, awesome for light line c-rig. Other rods I own and use: Trifecta, Trifecta Pro, Trifecta Lite, Cousins Bill Varney, Justace Shore Winder, St. Croix Triumph, and Okuma SST. The Fate Steel is my favorite of the bunch next to the Justace.
Dang you've got all the bases covered. Nice collection of rods there and that's a great $200 suggestion for a combo. The right balance is definitely important!
What would a top of the line setup look like? A Stella reel with UC rod?
Very helpful video, I like how you break it down to budget vs performance. Might pick one of these up in the future, most likely the phenix ones haha. For combo one, I think the Okuma Celilo is a good choice as well, what's your thoughts on the Celilo? c:
Thanks my man!!! I’ve never held a celilo so I can’t say much but I’ve hear they’re ok. I’m sure they work just fine tho!
I feel like Phenix is a logical step up from budget rods. They’re not the most expensive but you start getting the experience of more premium rods. Basically, it’s the gateway drug for fishing rods 😜
Another informative video! I need to hit up Savon tackle. Think it’s time for a new rod! 🤙🏽
You and me both brotha!! Let’s get the same one and be twinsies 😜💪🏼
@@BenjieKimFishing let’s do it!
Very good video, Benjie. Maybe a companion piece to this episode could be about fishing lines, tackle, gear, options for waders to wet wading, safety. Just a suggestion anyway. Cheers.
That’s a fantastic suggestion thank you. I’m hoping to make videos like this a regular part of the channel so that would be a good one to follow up with!
The first rod I bought when I started dipping my toe into surf fishing late this summer was an Ugly Stik Inshore Select 7'6" 8-20lb and I paired it with a Daiwa Fuego 3000 based on some videos I saw about the MagSealed technology. I've been very happy with it but have since come to learn that most guys put the money into the rod, especially for spinning. (Actually, the first rod I fished with was an old 7' 12-25lb Californian baitcaster with an Abu Garcia 5500 but the reel was kind of cumbersome and the rod a little short and stiff, which is why I went shopping.)
That said, what do you think about Ugly Stiks? I have a soft spot in my heart for them from way back when I used one (6'6" 6-15lb) for everything from trout to bass to mackerel and bonito off the King Harbor jetties. Even took it on the half-day boats a couple times for calicos and sand bass on small jigs. That old Ugly Stik was a real workhorse that caught me a whole lot of fish and is now on something like it's third or maybe even fourth reel.
Ugly Stiks are certainly a viable option when it comes to a budget rod! They are durable and get the job done for sure. The road of nicer gear/equipment is pretty never-ending in fishing and sometimes it can be a bit much. Absolutely nothing wrong with less priced gear as a lot of it gets the job done just fine. The most important thing in my opinion is enjoying our time on the water and being grateful for the opportunity we have to enjoy a healthy hobby!
Do you guys ship? I’m currently stationed in Spain and recently got into surf fishing and on the hunt for a quality setup
Also bought a Kenkor sp3 there, bad ass rod. Maker retired 2 decades or more back, cant get them any more but I have 2, give me a hell yeah! I've spent enough money there to put the guys kids through college twice over!
I love it!!! 😆
Yes please support local tackle shops!!
100%!
Super cool channel. Just subscribed. Best-
Thanks so much for the sub and the positive vibes!
Very good help for not just beginners but for everybody. Very informative~!
I visited that shop last week all the guys working there are nice, good service.
I personally like 13 Fishing rods and Phenix rods.
By the way, are you nervous? Hahaha I like that lol
Thanks for sharing another good video :)
Have a blessed day ~
Thanks Tony! LOL, I'm always nervous in front of the camera. Just gotta push through it and do my best to be me.
@@BenjieKimFishing It reminded me Jackie Chan movie :)
So I am in Texas wanting to get into gulf fishing from the beach. But I see many people using like 10 to 11 foot rods with big open faced reels. Is that really necessary? But I also see many people using regular rods and reels. I don't if they are catching anything on that regular rod and reel either. For me though cabelas, bass pro, or like academy would probably be the place I would get a new rig. So hopefully I can find what you just spoke about. Also will the west coast rigs differ from Texas gulf Coast rigs? Thanks for your video.
Hey Ryan, thanks so much for the comment. To try and answer your question...it really depends on what you're targeting. Out here in SoCal, lighter line is more common but at the same time, there are plenty of folks using similar to what you're describing, but they are hunting sharks and such. While I've never fished Texas surf, my understanding is that you're dealing with much bigger fish so I can't speak to what would be appropriate out there. In SoCal, a rod rated 6 to 12 and one rated 8 to 15 can probably cover the majority of common species. But as always, some go lighter and some go heavier...context is everything. Hope that helps.
I love Phenix Feather Series Rods! I have destroyed several of them, but in every case, it was something stupid that I had done and definitely no reflection on Phenix craftsmanship and materials! I snapped three Feather Series rods in half when I rolled my kayak in very shallow surf! It was really embarrassing, but Phenix replaced each rod for a flat $50 fee, which I thought was amazing!🎣😃
Agreed, Phenix customer service and their warranty is top notch. Last year, I actually broke the tip of my brand new M1 on the FIRST DAY! Totally my fault too, but was very grateful that I could get it replaced. Hope ur recovering well Dan!
If you are using a set up in the salt, it just seems like we should be aware of set ups that have sealed reels and rods that have stainless steel guides. Cheaper rigs that are not for the salt will rust out and bind up... even after hosing them off with fresh water (over time). Maybe I missed it but is there a good sealed reel and rod combo we should consider for beginners? I know it will be more expensive but they will last way longer.
Hey Richard, thank you for sharing your expertise. The only truly sealed reel that I'm aware of that functions as its supposed to are Van Staal's. Even their entry level is pretty expensive and its not something I'd personally recommend for a beginner.
Personally, I mostly use Daiwa (with a Shimano Stradic ci4 mixed in) reels and Phenix rods. The reels I use the most are Fuego LT, Stradic, Tatula (bait caster), and Tatula SV (bait caster). I've had all of these reels for a minimum of 2 years and over 3 years for some. None are "saltwater" reels but I've done my due diligence with rinsing after every use, and doing regular maintenance with regreasing/oiling and cleaning. Every reel is still functioning extremely well even with the occasional/accidental dunk.
I know that my personal experience is sheerly anecdotal and I don't claim my results as scientific. But I can also be fairly confident in saying that with proper care, the reels I recommend will hold up in the salt with proper care.
The same goes with Phenix rods - specifically the Trifecta Lite series, while marketed as a freshwater rod, was actually field tested and created for SoCal surf fishermen. I personally know a couple of the pro staff that got to test the prototypes. I've had most of my Phenix rods for about 2 years now and there is zero corrosion on the guides. Not saying they are perfect rods (cuz they aren't), but also just sharing my experience.
Again, these are just my recs...not saying they have to be the hard fast for what everyone should use or be happy with. But its what's worked for me.
Thanks again for the comment and wishing you a great day.
Hi Benjie,
I love Daiwa reels. It seems the three Daiwa reel recommended are not made for saltwater but just for freshwater. Is your approach to just use the freshwater reel for both saltwater and freshwater?
BTW, love your channel. Very informative and elegant: )
Hi there, thank you for the kind comment and informative question.
Yes, in general I don't pay too much mind to what they are rated for. The bottom line is unless it is a fully sealed reel (like Van Staal), it doesn't matter if it is salt or fresh rated - they will all eventually fall prey to the salt.
My main reels are all "freshwater" reels (Fuego LT, Stradic Ci4, Tatula 100, Tatula SV 103) and they are all going on over 2 years with very little issues. The most important thing here is proper maintenance and I do rinse them after every use.
When I first started fishing salt, every single one of my reels seized and corroded quickly but that was because I never took care of them. Take care of your gear and it'll take care of you!!
@@BenjieKimFishing true, good maintenance is a must for any reel. Thanks for your response!
Howdy from Newport Beach California 🇺🇸🐬… hey buddy I’ve been watching all your videos I learned a lot I am going to buy the rod that you are using and the real you are reusing… i’d be the first time this year I’ll be surf fishing… I go for a big game like tuna thresher shark.. I want something different this time .. i’m looking forward to go check out Sav On Tackle… The more information I watch on your videos the more I learn….it’s the beast Tiger 🐅… I ordered a hat from you I’m looking forward to receive it..👍🇺🇸.. I see you on the beach..🎣
Go to turner's you can get a combo Daiwa for $ 30.00 a nice set up for a beginner or go to Walmart they have some nice combos penn wrath is a good beginner reel
What size fuego lt for that phoenix 903 trifecta lite Benjie?
3k 🤙
The shimano spheros sw and the shimano nasci are sealed and both our nicer than any of the reels shown today in my opinion
Both great reals, thanks for sharing your experience. Pricewise, they could both replace the Fuego LT tho the Spheros is a bit pricier. Question - are they truly sealed reels like the Van Staal?
Obviously they are much better reels than the Legalis or Crossfire but I wanted to provide tiered options based on price.
@@BenjieKimFishing i understand the cheaper price point and no they aren't going to be sealed like a van Staal but the spheros sw is a tank for 120 and I think for that price it will out last any of those other reels for years its basically a heavy stradic I've dunked mine getting to spots that you have to swim/wade and its still smooth as the day i bought it
@@jeremylewis8316 good word, thanks for the info. I’ll def keep the spheros in mind. Sounds like an amazing reel, especially for the money. 🤙
@@jeremylewis8316 You got that right, Jeremy. Hands down, Spheros is the best performer at the price range especially for surf fishing.(official SW model from Shimano) I still use it as a spare reel till this day. It got sunk 3 times on the beach. It got soaked by sudden shoreline splash in so many occasions. Still going strong. An inexpensive spinning DOES break if salt water reaches the internals and gets left without proper treatment.
"Core Protect" and "A-RB" are as good as advertised. I got a Daiwa Tatula and a Certate ...but Tatula quickly lost its smoothness on reeling after 20-30 hours on surf. It's a known fact in Japan that Shimano has better SW protection than Daiwa for the same price range.
If you are a beginner and willing to go for quality, I'll suggest Shimano Vanford 3000-4000 depending upon your application.
I own three 4000 series(NG, HG, XG) and one 3000 xg Vanfords and been fishing with them for the last 4 months. Phenomenal performance for its price. It really pushes Vanquish away for consumers.
I have the Shimano Spheros 6000SW. It’s a beast of a reel and sealed too. I have dunked it numerous times surf fishing on SoCal beaches. It came highly recommended by TH-camrs Scooby Tackle Advisors and Joe Olivas.
No joke, I hooked a legal hallibut on a Defy 13 + $30 Okuma Avenger.
How do you like using baitcasters in the surf?
I definitely enjoy it. I'll throw my Tatula SV and Tatula from the surf and they've both held up well.
Will the trifecta lite be able to handle legal sized halibut?
Yes 💯. As a matter of fact, I just landed one with it today. Plenty of backbone and power.
Daiwa Fuego is an extremely good reel. If you're looking at that reel and have doubts, GET IT! probably my favorite reel if I'm looking at it objectively and not nostalgically lol
I have the 2.5k and just got the 1k for trout. Definitely a solid reel for the price point. Same specs as the stradic ci4 at less than half the price. I do like my ci4 more but it has more to do with how it feels in my hand as opposed to just performance.
@@BenjieKimFishing how do you like the 1k? You catch any trout with that?
@@socalangler4082 I used it for the first time yesterday at lake Dixon. Worked as expected - great! It was kind of a scratch bite when I was there but managed a skunk buster on a mini jig.
How can you use a fresh water reel in saltwater
What size line do you use on these reel setups? 20lb Braid?
Man this was from a while ago so had to go back and check what we featured. And I've gone back and forth over the years and right now, yes...I am actually using 20 lb braid on most of my surf setups. But I've also used 30 lb comfortably and you can go down to 15 lb with no issues.
For something like the crossfire (budget reel) go with 15 pound as it has a smaller spool.
But for the Fuego LT, 20 lb is a good choice. In my opinion.
@@BenjieKimFishing thank you! I just picked up a Fuego 2500 on a Father’s Day sale at turners.
Looking for a Phenix trifecta lite next. I’ve been semi successful with random setups over the years but I want to try and get something nice now 😃
Oh awesome, I love the Fuego LT. Still a budget reel when compared to more expensive stuff out there, but absolutely a solid bang for buck option.
Trifecta Lite is such a fun rod, I think you'd like it....good thing with Phenix Rods are they come with a lifetime warranty. Even if it's your fault, you pay a small deductible (like $80 or something) and you get a replacement.
What lbs test and line would you recommend???
Hi Jay, apologies on the late response. It really depends on what and how you're targeting but if you're using a Carolina rig and catching croaker and perch, 6 to 8 pound test. Many folks use 10 or higher which is totally fine too, its just personal preference.
Thank you
Is save on tackle open to the public?
Yup, def open to the public!
What Beaches do you go to. The most productive ones.
I fish many and I don't have an absolute favorite. If you're looking for productive beaches to start off on, try Bolsa Chica and Huntington Beach in Orange County, and maybe Torrey Pines in San Diego.
That’s where I go.
Definitely a great shop, awesome staff and amazing selection!
Does he ship?
first like 😁 and comment
Woo hoo, thanks for the support!
I accidentally got to big of a rod....
9 foot medium heavy
Hey brotha, if you're throwing the LC for halibut, 9' MH should be just fine...maybe even preferred over some of the lighter applications suggested in this video. The setups in the video are better 'all around' suggestions that will be solid for a variety of different techniques.
@@BenjieKimFishing thanks for the advice
You have an excellent rod for surf, jetty and pier fishing.
dont spent too much on surf fishing gear, when youre used to other types of fishing youll spend like 500-1,000 for a rod and reel for like bass fishing or saltwater boat fishing. but u will be sad when sand gets in there and it will eventually 🤣
Now I want a new set up that I don’t need lol
Sorry bro lol! Welcome to my daily struggle - I ALWAYS want new gear that I don't need!
@@BenjieKimFishing the struggle is real lol!
Stella SW or stay home and work
Skip all those reels and buy a SHAMANO
Well surprise me I don’t have clue for fishing but im retired now and I like to go back to my country Colombia whit my brother to do some fishing well I start buying my equipment im in London is more easy to get here in Colombia is more expensive gest what my reel I got now is one nice penn fuji rod and okuma azores blue reel8000 series thanks for you guide