Thoughts on st croix Avid surf 8’ and what reel to pair

[ianroddie]

Was wondering about people’s thoughts about the St Croix Avid surf 8’ medium power moderate fast action rod and what reel to pair with it. I fish from the surf whether it be on jetties, rocks or near shore and would like a nice surf rod and reel to get distance but a rod and reel that isn’t overkill because the bass I am targeting aren’t monster 40 lbers but definitely a chance at a large bass here and there

[MattieG]

I’ve fished the red version 8’ with a penn 4500 ssv. Very light setup lots of time and fish with that. Then when the Vr50 came out switched the rod over to that and have fished that setup for a long time now. A shimano Stradic FL 3000 or 4000 would also be very light weight on the avid 8’. I’m using this rod in the backbay tho, mainly throwing SP minnow, and bucktails. 

[GrahamN]

I've got several 8 ft avid inshore a and an 8 ft triumph surf 

I've got a new 5k saragosa swa on one avid inshore and while it's a hair big, it fits absolutely perfectly on my 8 ft triumph surf 

Have been very happy with it so far 

[Plugger207]

I also have the red 8ft avid surf, and 8ft inshore. Love em, had slammer 4500, stradic  5000 and vr 50 on the surf...handles big fish, great fun when the surf is calm.

[CoffeeHangover]

I fish a Stradic 4k on my 8' rod, I think a 4500 might be a bit big.  If I really wanted a drag stack to lift cinderblocks I'd probably go for a Slammer 3500.

[Livliner]

My 8ft Avid Surf is has been paired with a BG3000 for two years now. Great back bay or rock hopping outfit. Spooled with 20# Jbraid I get great distance

with everything I throw. The rod is a bit stiff for some but I like the hoistibility or stoutness the rod affords for lifting fish up & around boulders. The rod has a lot of muscle that comes in handy when perched on ledges.

[Sevendust111]

Do any of you guys have experience throwing its max oz? Can it throw 3oz?

[BJJ Brown Belt]

VS 150 is perfect