Surf Fishing?

[flyfisher]

So i will be heading down to the outer banks for the first  time this summer and i am thinking i want to do some surf fishing.  I have never done it before so my question is what gear do i need?

 

I currently have a 6000 series shimano baitrunner on a 6'6" MH rod that i use for stripers and catfish.  I realize that the rod won't work but do you think the reel will be ok if i get a surf rod to go along with it?

 

I have no idea what i will be fishing for but i figure i will swing by a local tackle shop to get the scoop and pick up some bait and possibly a rod if i don't get one before i go as i know people are much more willing to give out info if you buy something substantial from them.

 

Anyways any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.

[SirSnookalot]

My first advice would be to check out a saltwater forum that fish the area you are going to visit.  I do my share of surf fishing but I think it's a bit different here in South Florida, IMO knowing the nuances of the species there is important.  Baitrunners are generally used for live or cut bait and your present rod should work fine for that.  Not that people don't cast lures with baitrunners, but they are a bit on the heavy side for my taste, again a very usable reel.  Where I fish the surf most of our fish are caught fairly close to shore, sometimes in knee deep water, we do not need surf rods here, but in the area you will be fishing you just might.

[NEjitterbugger]

I use a 7' 6" when fishing the Cape Cod Canal and other rivers... When fishing from the surf I would suggest a 10', if you really like your 10' you can use it where ever.... My dad has a baitrunner and uses it for swimming plugs and what not all the time with no issue, that is in rivers and the canal. He has a much bigger set up for surf, I think a 12' rod (not sure of the reel), the rod will usually tire him out after a few hours thats why I would suggest a 10'.

 

~A topwater plug is probably your best bet for finding stripers from shore, you can cast them a mile and they will get slammed if fish are around...

[flyfisher]

Yeah i don't plan on working any plugs.....i see this more as an opportunity to sit on the beach with my 3 year old, drink beer and chuck some bait out there and hope something eats it

[A-Jay]

Yeah i don't plan on working any plugs.....i see this more as an opportunity to sit on the beach with my 3 year old, drink beer and chuck some bait out there and hope something eats it

 

Your reel will be fine.

You'll need a rod of at least 9 or 10 feet.  The power and action will need to be sufficient to lob out what ever size lead you use plus the hunk of bait.  

Don't forget the sand spkie and a Koozie . . . . . .

 

Good Luck

 

 

A-Jay

[Felix77]

Yeah i don't plan on working any plugs.....i see this more as an opportunity to sit on the beach with my 3 year old, drink beer and chuck some bait out there and hope something eats it

Your reel should work out just fine.  Just need a decent 10 foot rod.  I just did the exact same thing out of Jersey.  

 

To keep things ultra simple I bought some of the pre-rigged hooks for stripers and other species.  I also bought a lot more stuff that I didn't even need!  The bait monkey does not discriminate between saltwater and freshwater.  LOL

 

I could have made things even easier by finding the closest bait shop to the shore and buying only what I needed there.  I overstocked on stuff I didn't even touch on my trip.

 

Buy the rigs and bait there and they might even share a spot or two.

 

Have fun!

[flyfisher]

Awesome--thanks guys.

 

I will be sure to let you know how it goes...the only problem is it isn't till mid July....

[fishinkeebs]

The reel should be fine. Use atleast a 9 ft rod. Get typical downrigs or a fishfinder rig. Where are gonna be fishing? Theres a couple good tackle shops i point you towards.

[A-Jay]

Awesome--thanks guys.

 

I will be sure to let you know how it goes...the only problem is it isn't till mid July....

 

That being the case, as far as catching - early mornings, late afternoons and even night ops may provide you the best opportunity.

 

 Talk to the local tackle shops - ALL of this will revolve around the TIDE.

 

Otherwise - good times can be had anytime - sunscreen and BUG SPRAY - biting flies on the beach can sometimes be Vicious.

 

A-Jay

[Christian M]

I do my fair share of Surf fishing up here in Jersey. Definitely go with at least a 10' rod, remember, you need something that will cast beyond the break into deeper water. As far as lures, topwater pencil poppers, large swimbaits, heavy bucktail jigs, sandeels, and ESPECIALLY diamond jigs with a surgical tube trailer all will due, emphasis on topwater tsunami poppers and #47 diamond jigs.

 

If you're not into the idea of working a lure, then you'll need a few things other things, you may want to consider a longer pole, when I'm fishing using bait I break out the 14' pole at least, my buddy is a bit taller than me and he uses a 17' pole. The longer the rod, the further the cast. You'll need weights, anywhere from 1oz-6oz, I prefer the ones that are shaped like a teardrop, the pyramid weights work well too. You'll need some heavy braided line (at least 50lb), along with barrel swivels and leader line. again tsumani makes some good strong ball bearing swivels, if you want to spend the extra $$. The leader will depend on whats in the water. I'd be safe and get some steel along with some flouro, the steel will come in handy with the toothy monsters. You'll need a sand spike if you're gonna fish with bait. You'll also need some rigs. I would wait to buy the rigs and bait at a local bait & tackle store. Usually the High-Low rig & the FishFinder rig will due. The store owner will tell you what the fish are hitting. It's usually going to be live clam, or bunker. If you get clam, make sure you get a clam knife, and learn how to properly bait the hook. Do yourself a favor and get some vinyl gloves so that you don't cut your finger badly casting that 50lb test (it can and will happen) and a pair of heavy neoprene chest waders so you can get in the water. After all this maybe a lantern, definitely a good headlamp as most of the fish on the beach eat when the sun is down or coming up. If you need anymore advice PM me and ill be happy to share what I know. Good Luck and have fun!!

[flyfisher]

The reel should be fine. Use atleast a 9 ft rod. Get typical downrigs or a fishfinder rig. Where are gonna be fishing? Theres a couple good tackle shops i point you towards.

I will have to look up the place again but i will definitely let you know.

 

I do my fair share of Surf fishing up here in Jersey. Definitely go with at least a 10' rod, remember, you need something that will cast beyond the break into deeper water. As far as lures, topwater pencil poppers, large swimbaits, heavy bucktail jigs, sandeels, and ESPECIALLY diamond jigs with a surgical tube trailer all will due, emphasis on topwater tsunami poppers and #47 diamond jigs.

 

If you're not into the idea of working a lure, then you'll need a few things other things, you may want to consider a longer pole, when I'm fishing using bait I break out the 14' pole at least, my buddy is a bit taller than me and he uses a 17' pole. The longer the rod, the further the cast. You'll need weights, anywhere from 1oz-6oz, I prefer the ones that are shaped like a teardrop, the pyramid weights work well too. You'll need some heavy braided line (at least 50lb), along with barrel swivels and leader line. again tsumani makes some good strong ball bearing swivels, if you want to spend the extra $$. The leader will depend on whats in the water. I'd be safe and get some steel along with some flouro, the steel will come in handy with the toothy monsters. You'll need a sand spike if you're gonna fish with bait. You'll also need some rigs. I would wait to buy the rigs and bait at a local bait & tackle store. Usually the High-Low rig & the FishFinder rig will due. The store owner will tell you what the fish are hitting. It's usually going to be live clam, or bunker. If you get clam, make sure you get a clam knife, and learn how to properly bait the hook. Do yourself a favor and get some vinyl gloves so that you don't cut your finger badly casting that 50lb test (it can and will happen) and a pair of heavy neoprene chest waders so you can get in the water. After all this maybe a lantern, definitely a good headlamp as most of the fish on the beach eat when the sun is down or coming up. If you need anymore advice PM me and ill be happy to share what I know. Good Luck and have fun!!

Wow thanks for the advice.  I am not looking to get into this to much so i am trying to keep it to something that i will use once maybe twice a year at most.  I already have a few fish finder rigs because that is what we used to go after stripers on the Delaware this season.  Luckily i have all the outdoor gear i need so a headlamp, lantern and the like are already in my arsenal

 

I also hope to not need chest waders as it will be July

 

I am pretty sure my reel is spooled with 300 yards of 40lb test power pro, you think that will work?  I am not looking to spend a ton of cash as this isn't something i plan on doing all the time.

 

Thanks again for all the pointers and advice.

[kadas]

I will have to look up the place again but i will definitely let you know.

 

Wow thanks for the advice.  I am not looking to get into this to much so i am trying to keep it to something that i will use once maybe twice a year at most.  I already have a few fish finder rigs because that is what we used to go after stripers on the Delaware this season.  Luckily i have all the outdoor gear i need so a headlamp, lantern and the like are already in my arsenal

 

I also hope to not need chest waders as it will be July

 

I am pretty sure my reel is spooled with 300 yards of 40lb test power pro, you think that will work?  I am not looking to spend a ton of cash as this isn't something i plan on doing all the time.

 

Thanks again for all the pointers and advice.

40 lb power pro will work fine--all good advice above--you will need weights heavy enough to get out past surf line which will depend on tide level--don't forget north carolina now requires you have fishing license--good luck--the beer always tastes better setting on the beach at the banks fishing

[SirSnookalot]

I would get a lay of the land so to speak, before I purchased anything and that info would be available in 2 places.  On a local saltwater forum before you leave and local tackle shops when you get there. All the well meant comments may have little or no bearing on the area you will be.  I'm in South Florida, I pay very little attention to what's happening just 2-300 miles away in N. Florida, the baits runs are different, the species may or may not be arriving at the same time and the water conditions are not the same.