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[Guest]

Interesting question here:

When I'm fishing with dead shrimp in smallish surf, I'm using 3 oz pyramid sinkers that keep my bait pretty much stationary, with little movement. However, if a small croaker, gafftop or whiting is on my line, I find myself reeling in a fish rather than "fighting" it due to all that leaded weight!

How do others put the "game" back into surf fishing, especially when targeting fish under five lbs? Use small 5/8 th - 1 ounce weights, let the current sweep it down the beach, just reel it back in five minutes later, check the bait and then recast?

Remember, this question is in regards to using bait!

[Guest]

Yes, I've also used "carolina rigs," but it seems I get far too many hardheads with such a set-up. I've been using 18 inch leaders (yes, those flashy, beaded ones with clips found at Wal-Mart and Academy) and attaching the weight at the bottom and a hook at the top clip.

Ought I just to rig "carolina style" and not worry if my dead bait is dragging in the sand? Also, when using the 18" leaders with the clips, is it best to keep the weight at the top clip and leave the hook on the bottom?...Seems to me the fish would be further away from my main line that way...

[Vern]

I have had the same problem. If I cant find a light enough weight to hold and still have a sporting element, I will just end up freelining baits. When the bite is on you cant beat it. Usually I dont have any problems with my rig holding either in the wade gut or just inside the second. This thursday I was down right after the front pushed through and you were lucky if you could get 5 or 6 oz to hold. The next day it was as slick as could be with maybe 1-2 foot breakers and I was fishing with a 2 oz slip sinker in the second gut with no problem. It is amazing how much the beach can change overnight. You just have to fish the situation and conditions. Maybe some surf veterans have some better tips on this subject

[Capt. Frankie Eicholz]

It is my experience to make your own leaders and surf weights. Leader for small whiting rig is this.Take 30 pound test and use about 2 arms length. Double it. Tie a double square knot making a loop so as to tie your mainline.Use a #1 or 1/0 gold aberdeen tru-turn hook on one drop and a small homemade spider/surf weight on the other. ( Most store bought weights have too much lead for the size of copper.)The real trick is to put out just enough weight to hold the bait.

[mulletmaster43]

some of the guys I fish with make their own surfweights using light gauge copper wire and .45 ACP brass. no mold needed just melt the lead and pour it around the wires

[Guest]

Guys,

Thank you for all the great advice! As we all know, fishing can become an expensive sport if we do not keep ourselves in check, so to speak. Why buy surf weights when ya can make 'em? The following link is excellent for those who'd like to attempt making their own: http://surf-masters.com/articles/devine/Surfsinker/Surfsinker.htm

Also, the idea about how to make your own leaders was great, Captain! I'd always thought of just using a swivel to tie seperate lines. Who would of thought of a U-shaped leader! Its ingenous!

Thanks to all, once again.

[Guest]

Mulletmaster,

Using all brass seems to be safer than using lead? I ask because we've all read a billion times the warning labels on packages that hold our lead weights and how dangerous it is even to handle. (hehe, how many of you like to sit around and just go through the tackle box, reading every package and daydreaming about the next time you'll have a chance to go out fishing?)

I'd like to learn if anyone has even tried using concrete as a weight? Certainly it would be a bit more environmentally-friendly?

I know that on freshwater lakes, its not uncommon for me to be seen using that 5 cent threaded nut I'd purchased at the hardware store!

[Torpedo]

Nick Meyer at Breakaway Tackle sells a plastic adapter for their weights which is supposed to be attached to their regular lead to increase its holding power.



It is made out of plastic, is very light and has legs that release like their lead weights. You can use this with a small bell sinker attached to help it set or by itself to hold bottom securely then release on the take or retrieve. You minimize weight, increase holding power and can fight the fish in a more sporting manner.

Lighter tackle helps also, smaller diameter line or GSPE decreases drag and reduces the need for heavier weights.

[SALTYDOG]

Maybe hat I use is a "carolina rig" I do not know. I have been called crazy for fishing like I do, but it is fun.

I prefer a light action spinning rig with 6# line on it. I use an egg weight and with the size of line it can not be very big. the a swivel with about 8 to 10 inches of mono and a 3-0 circle hook that is snelled on. for bait I like squid heads.

After the cast do not let it sit. Work it back in like a soft plastic. I usually catch only 12" whiting or bigger this way. I finnally talked my wife in to trying it and now that is what she wants to use.

I use this set up all the time. But another fun part of this rig is when some other fish besides whiting gets on. Then you are helpless. Make sure you use a light drag as well. If it is set the lest bit tight you will have a break off.

Hope this gives you an idea
_________________
SALTYDOG AKA Cliff McKay
(the surveyor)
#1 Fishing Partner is Lorna
My Betterhalf for 25 years