Rod Bells?

I have seen the little bells that you clip on the end of your rod when surf fishing, to ring when get a bite. Are they effective?

Only on a big bite, basically a hooked fish, but they are then. A lot of it depends on how well you suspend them and which model you get. I used to use them for night fishing but switched to a light on the tip of my rod because the bells weren't really great.

I would think each wave hitting your line would drive you crazy thinking you have a bite......semi loose drag and a bend in your rod for the bigger fish

When I first started catfishing, in Arkansas, I bought some and used them for 1 trip. They were less than impressive. They work if the rod gets slammed but a small light hit doesn't do anything with them. Plus setting the hook and then trying to get them off while a fish is pulling drag isn't fun either.

Used them one time while on Blackwater river fishing for cats and they seemed more of a pain than anything. I would not use them in the surf though.