For committed and pleasure anglers alike, there’s something quintessentially British about heading out to a windswept beach, and casting a rod into the white horses of a rousing surf. Whether you prefer to cast from the shore, or off a pier, there’s little that can beat the tang of saltwater surf, the feel of the wind in your hair, and, hopefully, the feel of a good, strong, wild bite on your line. The British oceans are a wealth of diverse fish species, each with their own temperament and characteristics, so there’ll be something to keep every angler happy. As part of a family holiday, sea fishing can be a great way to get the next generation engaged with angling as a wider pursuit.
However, saltwater angling has its own unique challenges, not least the corrosive nature of salt, and the damage it can do to tackle that’s not designed for the discipline. Reels, for example, can easily become clogged with the small particles of grit that the surf throws up, while most rods aren’t built to withstand the battering a strong tide can offer. If you’re fishing from a boat, the potential damage done to rod, line, and reel increases, meaning that fishing with the wrong kit can rapidly become a rather expensive risk, with the cost of replacing tackle and equipment exceeding the price of dedicated saltwater angling gear, such as the Penn Rampage II Surf Rod.
When you’re buying a sea fishing rod, you want to ensure that butt caps and reel seats are made from either rubber or EVA (a material much the same as rubber, but more lightweight.) Rubber and EVA may not look as attractive as metal. However, metal will rapidly be degraded by repeated exposure to the rigours of saltwater angling, while rubber and EVA are designed to be durable enough to stand up to the worst coastal conditions you’re likely to encounter. You also want a rod that is going to be strong enough to stand up to strong, choppy currents, yet lightweight enough to be easily played, and carried without undue effort.
The Penn Rampage II is a well-designed surf rod, featuring a 24T carbon blank, which gives a lightweight strength to the rod, ensuring that it’s up to the job of handling coastal water conditions, whilst still being as light and responsive as you need to get the results you want, and ensure that a cold, wet day isn’t a day wasted. The rod’s three-piece construction offers flexibility and response without compromising strength and rigidity, while the blank shrink tube grips, which contrast strikingly against the metallic red, ensure you can keep hold of your rods in the roughest swells. Rubber butt caps are durable enough to keep your rods looking good and performing well for years to come. Supplied in a cordura tube, which offers full protection to your rod while in storage or in transit.
Penn was founded in 1932 by Otto Henze, a German national who had emigrated to the United States. When Henze died suddenly, in 1948, his wife Martha took over the company – an unprecedented move, at a time when women were not considered suited either to business or fishing, that more than paid off, with Penn now one of the most trusted saltwater brands on the market. Penn builds all of its tackle and equipment with a dedicated purpose in minds, ensuring that each and every item the brand sends to market has a unique action that sets it apart from the plethora of out-of-the-box brands on the market.