[BeachBob]

Nothing I can help ya out with ... the Avet isn't a long distance casting reel, but it's a good fishing reel, so pick any rod that'll mate with the fish species you'll mostly target, don't need to spend a lotta loot, even a 13' Fiblink off Amazon will do nicely for under $75. Load up with good mono and have a ball.

 

[BeachBob]

Tackle - it's all subjective stuff to one degree or another. On the beach for weight and bait I want a long rod, at least 12', 13-14' better yet. Set the realistic rod total payload range to meet the kinda bait and weight for the targeted fish. I have bait rods for different payloads. Some rods will do nicely for lures as well, but I prefer smaller 10-11' rods for the artificials (mainly tins and plugs). Got a Breakaway Omega 10'6" blank and a Zziplex Bass CT 11'8" blank to wrap up over this Winter, get ready for Spring. Life is still good.

I should add - don't trust rod payload weight ranges!

 

[BeachBob]

I would be wary of rod payload ratings that are wide…2-10oz …4-12oz.

Indeed. The low end is not so much the issue, but the high end is typically half the labeled weight range.