dual purpose rod?

For all those more knowledgeable than me- which means almost anyone... Is there any reason why a short surf rod (8') couldn't double as a king rod? I've seen several rated for appropriate weights.

I don't see any reason why not. You don't want to completely abandon casting distance when fishing from the pier, but you also don't need the same casting distance that would be needed to reach good spots in the surf. 7-8 feet seems to be the sweet spot for this. I've seen longer rods on the pier, but as a personal rule I don't use anything longer than 8 feet on the pier. Take this with a grain of salt, as I am not very experienced when compared to the pier regulars.

Depends on what you are casting. A live or frozen bait requires a bit softer tip than a rod maximizing distance with a sinker. A rod with backbone for fighting heavy fish can rip out a small hook if too much pressure is applied (especially when the smaller trebles used for nose-hooking a frozen cigar minnow) but you should not be applying that much pressure to a running King as it speeds away from the pier and exhausts itself (you are almost never trying to turn a king as you might a heavy drum or shark on the beach, but then the hook/rig will be tougher). On the way in the king will reduce the hook-stress by going with the direction of your pulling.

Length of handle is a consideration. Surf rods tend to have longer handles and your hands separate more. On the pier surf rods (especially if lure fishing) become awkward if you keep hitting yourself in the armpit working a lure. Also, on the beach you may have the rod butt on your knee or in your stomach, but your reach is then up; that is not comfortable on the pier. Shorter handles on pier rods keep your hands closer together so really strong beach casting may be limited slightly. Pier rods may or may not have a longer portion of grip above the reel seat to improve leverage, but if using a surf rod just palm the blank and keep clear of the line. Short answer is that the ergonomics of a rod handle are nice but not a deal breaker. A rod handle that is a little too short for beach and a little too long for pier does not mean it doesn't work. You will just need to adapt your mechanics for fighting fish for what is most comfortable. Do not forget that a rod-spike which elevates the rod may raise it over the waves for you -- a shorter handle pier rod will not raise as high. A longer rod spike can be made from scrap PVC if it ever is an issue.

Distance casting from the pier should be OK. An 8' throwing lures on beach or pier should be OK, but you might lighten the reel for repetitive casting. On the beach there will be less distance from a 8' than from a longer rod, but fishing in heavy surf is not as common on the gulf as it is further up the Atlantic coast, and the fish are often in the first cut, perhaps even closer. The worst thing that happens is that the rod is better for one task than the other, so eventually you buy another rod which is for the weaker slot. Then you will have an A rod and a B rod for each situation and always have a backup, not just 1 rod where if it goes you have nothing.

You do not need a golf-bag count of rods. I have even seen people flipping with a short surf/pier rod, and vice versa using a flipping rod on the pier. In the end, never skip fishing because you don't have a separate rod for every condition, plus one each for left-handed fish and right-handed fish. Have fun. If the rod is not perfect and you succeed anyway, then your accomplishment is even sweeter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by midwestexile

Depends on what you are casting. A live or frozen bait requires a bit softer tip than a rod maximizing distance with a sinker. A rod with backbone for fighting heavy fish can rip out a small hook if too much pressure is applied (especially when the smaller trebles used for nose-hooking a frozen cigar minnow) but you should not be applying that much pressure to a running King as it speeds away from the pier and exhausts itself (you are almost never trying to turn a king as you might a heavy drum or shark on the beach, but then the hook/rig will be tougher). On the way in the king will reduce the hook-stress by going with the direction of your pulling.

Length of handle is a consideration. Surf rods tend to have longer handles and your hands separate more. On the pier surf rods (especially if lure fishing) become awkward if you keep hitting yourself in the armpit working a lure. Also, on the beach you may have the rod butt on your knee or in your stomach, but your reach is then up; that is not comfortable on the pier. Shorter handles on pier rods keep your hands closer together so really strong beach casting may be limited slightly. Pier rods may or may not have a longer portion of grip above the reel seat to improve leverage, but if using a surf rod just palm the blank and keep clear of the line. Short answer is that the ergonomics of a rod handle are nice but not a deal breaker. A rod handle that is a little too short for beach and a little too long for pier does not mean it doesn't work. You will just need to adapt your mechanics for fighting fish for what is most comfortable. Do not forget that a rod-spike which elevates the rod may raise it over the waves for you -- a shorter handle pier rod will not raise as high. A longer rod spike can be made from scrap PVC if it ever is an issue.

Distance casting from the pier should be OK. An 8' throwing lures on beach or pier should be OK, but you might lighten the reel for repetitive casting. On the beach there will be less distance from a 8' than from a longer rod, but fishing in heavy surf is not as common on the gulf as it is further up the Atlantic coast, and the fish are often in the first cut, perhaps even closer. The worst thing that happens is that the rod is better for one task than the other, so eventually you buy another rod which is for the weaker slot. Then you will have an A rod and a B rod for each situation and always have a backup, not just 1 rod where if it goes you have nothing.

You do not need a golf-bag count of rods. I have even seen people flipping with a short surf/pier rod, and vice versa using a flipping rod on the pier. In the end, never skip fishing because you don't have a separate rod for every condition, plus one each for left-handed fish and right-handed fish. Have fun. If the rod is not perfect and you succeed anyway, then your accomplishment is even sweeter.

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A well written, enjoyable to read answer. Not my question but Thank you for the informative response, I learned from it.

+1
mwe nailed it!

Right tool for the job my dad always said.
You could eventually build a house with just a screwdriver, but it would be much easier with other tools as well.