A Beginner’s Guide to Drum Fishing With a Spinning Reel Setup

One of the most common questions we hear in the shop is:
“What’s a good spinning rod setup for someone just getting into drum fishing?”

Spinning gear is a great option for beginners. It’s easy to use, forgiving when casting heavier weights, and still fully capable of handling big drum in the surf. With the right setup, you can confidently fish eight and bait without overcomplicating things.

Our Recommended Beginner Spinning Setup

For anglers just starting out, we recommend a 12’ heavy spinning rod paired with a 6000-size spinning reel.

Some of our favorite rod options include heavy or extra heavy surf models from Penn, Tica, and Tsunami. We like the Penn Battalion, Tica TC2 and Tsunami Trophy II for beginners and experienced anglers who do not get to fish often and don't want to break the bank.  These rods are built to handle heavy sinkers, cast well in surf conditions, and have the backbone needed to fight large drum.

On the reel side, solid 6000-size options from Quantum, Daiwa, and Penn pair perfectly with these rods.  Quantum Benchmark, Daiwa BG and Penn Battle reels are proven reels for this application.

Why This Combo Works

We like this setup because it offers excellent quality for the price point. It’s strong enough to handle drum fishing, but still affordable for anglers who are just getting started and don’t want to overspend on their first setup.

A 12’ heavy spinning rod gives you the casting distance needed for surf fishing, while a 6000-size reel provides the line capacity and drag strength required for heavier weights and bigger fish.

How We Recommend Rigging It

To keep things simple and effective, we suggest:

• 20lb monofilament main line

• 40lb shock leader

• Drum slider rig

This setup is capable of throwing eight and bait—an 8oz sinker paired with a chunk of mullet—which is one of the most common and productive ways to target drum from the beach.

Looking to Save a Little Money?

If you’re trying to stay on a tighter budget, there are still plenty of dependable reel options that get the job done. Entry-level spinning reels from Quantum and Penn offer good performance at a lower price and are perfectly suitable for drum fishing when properly maintained.

Ready to Hit the Beach

We keep these rods in stock, and we always recommend picking them up and feeling them for yourself. Balance, grip, and overall feel matter—especially with a longer surf rod—and what feels best can vary from angler to angler.

We also typically keep spinning combos like this rigged and ready in the shop, so you can grab one and head straight to the beach.

If you’re new to drum fishing and want a simple, proven spinning setup, stop by and we’ll help you get dialed in. ?