Dania Surf

[mg4u2nv]

Well i finally convinced myself to make a trip to the beach for some surf casting. I've been talking about it for a while now. I woke up at 4:30 sunday mornin and was at the beach by a quarter after 5. Wind was howling, and directly out of the east. i walked from the pier north all the way to the inlet and worked my way back. just after the suncame up i saw some birds about 30 yards south diving bait about 10 yards off the beach. I ran down and made a few casts and caught a small jack on a DOA baitbuster. That was all i caught for the morning. Wind made casting distance very tough. But i got out there! Cant wait to do it again, my legs and feet are still a little sore from walkin almost 5 miles on the beach. Good Luck!

Matt

[MCS]

At least you got one! Sounds much like my first time out and I missed my only hook up. Good stuff though. And I was looking at those DOA lures, might pick a few up before next time.

[SirSnookalot]

You didn't catch much simply because in our part of Florida there isn't much happening yet. As far as an east wind goes, that's when fishing is at it's best, flat water and west wind are the least desirable conditions. Distance is not always an important issue from the surf in South Florida, most fish are caught in the trough, casting parallel to the shoreline in the first and second trough is a good place to find fish. There are times when fish may be busting a ways out, for those times I throw a thin profile lure like a diamond jig, you would be surprised by the distance into the wind you get. Everything other than spoon and a bucktail is pure window dressing, I just use them for a change of pace. All is needed are those 2 lures, that doesn't mean a 25Lb jack busting a top lure isn't fun......lol. I do use DOA jerk shads on a 1/4 oz jig head as an important part of my arsenal for snook and tarpon (have no teeth and inhale a bait similar to a bass), but anything else just rips them to shreds.

Let me give you a tip on spanish mackerel, always use a piece of piano wire and no swivel on your leader, gotchas and spoons are good but the best bait is a crappie jig (10 at Walmart for $1.50) with a split shot.

[mg4u2nv]

Will keep that in mind. i only brought 3 lures with me. a topwater plug(which i ruled out by the rougher water) the doa baitbuster, and a bucktail. I figured that would cover top, middle, and bottom of the water column. i'm sure my distance wouldve increased with the bucktail. will certainly throw the bucktail next time. Either way the day was a success for me, got some good exercise and caught something, and even learned a little bit. Cant wait to get back there again! Thank you for the tips! Good Luck!

Matt

[SirSnookalot]

Fishing off the beach there isn't much water column to worry about. In my area it's probably a 100yds until you hit 8-10 ft of water. I have no qualms about using a top lure in 2-3' surf as long as I can control it with the wind, the fish will come and get it.

[mg4u2nv]

I appreciate all of the info! I am definatly going to try and get the ok from wifey about goin again on sun. I got there very early and was home before she woke up so it shouldnt be a problem. Would love to get a snook on the beach! I've heard this is prime time for beach snook so i will keep my fingers crossed and keep trying! Thank you again!

Matt

[Chattahoochee]

Keep in mind snook is closed until late 2013

[SirSnookalot]

Season opens Sept 1, 2012 on the Atlantic, the Gulf is catch and release until Aug 31, 2013

http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/

[mg4u2nv]

Even during snook season i don't think i would keep one. Only fish i've ever kept that i've caught were mahi, and one redfish when i lived in fort myers a long time ago. Of course i don't do a lot of saltwater fishing, i enjoy the experience more than anything else. I'm going to try tomorrow morning even though the conditions will be very calm. If nothing else i will have a beautiful scene as the sun comes up! Thanks againfor the help!

Matt