For jetty fishing I just use my salmon bobber rod or an old 8'6" no name combo heavy spinning setup that is over 20 years old now. I wouldn't spend a ton on a rod and reel for a one time deal. It will get banged up crawling around on the rocks. If it were me and this was a one time deal, I would go pick up an Ugly Stik med heavy or heavy combo in the 8-9' range and spool it with some 30# mono and call it good. Maybe even one of the white okuma? combos that I see time to time at Walmart for $40 or $50.

I would also check out the classifieds on here. Slickcraft 2012 is selling some rods that would work without breaking the bank. Some of the heavier ones here would work https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...ad.php?t=1632753&share_tid=1632753&share_fid=19624&share_type=t&link_source=app

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Your points about the cost for a rod that is going to be abused makes a lot of sense. I will be honest though. I hate Ugly Stik. I mean I cannot stand that company. But Okuma does a good job for what they charge so I might try to find something from them.

My big question though it why... Why am I looking for a rod in the 8-9 foot range. I watch the videos on YouTube and I read the articles and everyone is saying "get a 9 foot med/Hvy - Hvy rod," but no one is saying "get a 9 foot rod because this..." I don't understand what it is about jetty fishing that makes all the anglers want these rods, but no higher end company seems to make a rod and were all using whatever we can find that will support/cast 2 oz rigs without having a 20 inch butt on it.

Oh, and this is a once a year thing. Not a once in a lifetime thing. And honestly, if I do it and I enjoy it, I may start making one or two personal trips a year to do it when the fishing is a little better than the first week in September. But I can count on once a year.

 

I really don't know why, that's just what I was taught. But here's my thinking into why you want a longer rod. When you are fishing from the jetty most of the time you are not at the waters edge, you are back at least a few feet. The longer rod allows you to keep you line from dragging on the rocks as you reel in. The last time I fished the Newport jetty I was at least a rod length from where the water met the rocks. If you get a calm day and get close to the water, with a longer rod you can hold it out without casting or make a short cast and vertical jig your bait.

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That makes a huge amount of sense. I looked into the rods in the link that were for sale and I can't find them online so I think they are all discontinued models. I'm not uncomfortable buying something used, but not really knowing what they are, I kept looking. I think I did figure out what i am going to run with though. Thank you for all the advice. It is much appreciated.

 

I use a few different rods for fishing on the jetty depending on the tactic and what I’m fishing for. 9 foot is for the reach that you need to get over the rocks, which is important once you hook a fish. It also helps when working your jig. I use a Berkley Air Buzz Ramsey 9’ it has a backbone when you need it yet you can feel the jig and work it correctly.

 

I had a similar trip last year (stay in rockaway, fish barview). First time jetty fishing and not sure how much I would do so used the gear I had. I used an 8-6 uglystik steelhead rod. I would have liked a little more reach and a little more backbone. If you aren't wearing wader boots, its going to be slick and you will be farther back. As others have said, need length to clear the rocks.

 

If looking to buy new rods here are a couple worth looking at. Cabelas house brand are both durable and wallet friendly. I have their Whoopin Stick in a 9' MH and a 10' M. Both are great for the jetty fishery. Not sure of todays pricing but I goth both for under $100 about 6 years ago. I upgraded 2 years ago for my surf rod and got the Okuma Rockaway 10'6" in medium and love it. All three are spinning models. Worth the time to research. Cheers.....:twocents:

 

I did a lot of jetty fishing when I was younger, 20-25 years ago. One thing that helped more than anything else was to wear some kind of traction on your boots. Back then Dan Baily's Fly Shop, out of Montana, sold what they called Stream Cleats. They were rubber galoshes with aluminum channel riveted to the soles. Two in the shape of W on the ball and a D on the heel.

Depending on what model you have, Korker boots have a replaceable sole that has aluminum traction built in. Rock Treads are aluminum disks that you screw into the sole of your boot. Simms makes an Alumabite Star Cleat that fits in between the lugs of their wading boots. The boots even have a pre tapped hole for the stainless screws.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that climbing around on the jetty boulders can be dangerous and it's always slick. Aluminum cuts through the moss/algae/goo and sticks to rock.

As to the length of rod, most of the time the fish are close to the jetty so fishing as parallel to the rocks as you can keeps your offering in the zone longer. A longer rod will help with that.

Be safe and have fun, CopperMan.