decent beach caster / clean ground work?

[bozjc]

im thinking of getting another rod for using on the beach.

im using a conoflex enigma-nrg at the min, which is ideal for rockmarks as its uber strong and beefy. i have a few other rods but they are a bit soft and only 12ft and getting old now.
the conoflex rods is a great casting rod, but bite detection for small fish is crap unless its a decent thump.
anyone recommend a rod for beach / clean ground work?

i have been looking at the greys rods.

anyone know if the sonik rods are anygood? i have heard a few guys chatting about them.

cheers

[g-force]

Hi mate, I use a Greys Triplex 14 footer for a bit of clean ground work, it's got super bite detection but I find a little soft in the tip. My favourite is probably my Century TTsupermatch - bags of power but still great bite detection.

As to the Soniks, I've only used the SK4 14 footer (which I love, but I'm seriously thinking of getting the 16ft model for the beaches - you may prefer the 13ft 6 4-6 - the 14 footer probably a bit overkill for clean ground.

Gary

[big sid]

Sonik rods

I don't own one I did consider buying but I know of three club members who own the SK3 13' rod. All three have had problems with the rings popping in the worst case one member had five pop in one go, ok this happened due to the rod falling but for five to go. One tackle dealer was heard to say there cheap rings.
The Sonik SK4 rod are said to have the better rings but I would have my doubts as to wether there any better.
As they say, who ever they are "You get what you pay for"

[tonynufc]

as sid says the sonik rods have their problems with the rings. i have a greys platinum xs which is a rough ground rod but the tip is soft enough to use in any situation. ive also dropped my platinum a couple of times and its still going strong

[kensr27sz]

century bb, or anyfish anywhere rods.

[sage]

I have a sonik SK4 (SK4SR010) 13' 6" 4-6oz and was well impressed, the build quality and finish are excellent, had a few overhead thumps first just to get the feel of it using a 5oz lead and reel in the high position. it loaded up quite easily recovered well, tryed a cast along the beach into a slight wind and paced it out at about 145 yds. next tried pendulum with reel in high position and it felt really good,i could feel the rod load up on the rotation quite easily, after a few more casts, i found that by slowing the cast down the rod performed better paced it along the beach at about 170 yds,(clipped down rig used)..also tried otg and it performed admirably....so time to fish with it...used a clipped down pulley rig with pennel the bait was runnydown tipped with peeler first , the beach is relatively clean but kelp beds and gulley's are about 120 yds out, the sea itself was not quite flat but had a few small breakers for about the first 40 yds then the deeper water starts
first cast was about 100yds.. just before the kelp ...the rod stood still in the tripod, with very little movement from the breakers....anyway there was a small knock then another which the tip showed brilliantly, this resulted in a yting about half a pound ....rod christened on 1st cast..brill....next cast i put it a bit further just into the kelp, within minutes a distinctive rattle and i picked the rod up and held it ready,...knock knock...strike..next a small codling of about 1 3/4lb....the bite was felt easily holding the rod....third cast further still..right into the kelp, but no bites..hooked the kelp on retrieve....but managed to pull out...the rod handled it easily..only the top 3ft - 4ft giving... with plenty of beef in the middle and butt section....so far so good ...well impressed for the price..hope it helps

[big sid]

You could take a look at the shimano Aspire surf rod comes in various lengths.Shimano seem to have a strong reputation regarding quality.Don't quote me on this but I think the Aspire is the top of the range and commands a top price but then isn't worth paying for something that won't let you down

[bozjc]

cheers lads, some good reports there

i really need a new beach rod.
the conoflex is amazing, i cant fault it. just a stiff rod for smaller stuff on the beach as bite detection isnt the most sensitive. i got it for rock hopping, i love that fishing style the most, but i will have to venture onto the beach some time lol

[bozjc]

lol, i didnt know the sonik roads were from a base in Blyth!