Corpusfishing.com

JMiles · Joined: 17 Jun 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Corpus Christi

Hello everyone, I've done quite a bit of freshwater fishing and some bay fishing but not much surf or pier fishing. I'm looking to get good at surf/pier fishing and hoping someone here can point me in the right direction.

I've got a decent surf fishing rod and reel- Daiwa Sealine X50 SHA spooled with 30lb mono and a Daiwa 11.5 ft surf rod. I'm getting used to working a baitcasting setup that big, and can sling it fairly well.

Here's some of my questions:

Where do I fish on the surf? The 1st gut, 2nd gut, or just wade as deep as I can and throw it as far as I can? I've been doing a combination of the 3 without much luck.

What bait should I be using? Usually i'll get some shrimp or squid and catch whiting, then use that as cutbait. Would I be better off finding finger mullet or some other kind of bait?

What type of leader/hook should I be using? I'm not looking to catch anything in particular, just anything that will bite, be it a red, jack, shark, etc. I'm currently using a steel leader with 3 snap swivels, I put a spider weight on the 1st or the 3rd, and a hook on the other 2 (hook size ranges from 5/0 to 10/0). Should I be using that type of leader rig or should I get a mono leader, or a leader with just 2 snap swivels on it?

As you can see i'm fairly new to this, but I want to get started off right. I'm sure there are many other questions I should be asking, but that's what I can come up with now. Any other pointers you have for me are much appreciated, please share them!

Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

Go check out some of Nick's rigs at Breakawayusa.com and use other baits like cut mullet and or live mullet. Cut whiting will work but sometimes they like other things better.
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Bighead · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:05 am Post subject:

The only thing I'd tell you...you're going to get tired fishing that big rig all the time. When I first got started, I went with the 40 and 50 series reels and ended up getting rid of them. They're just freaking heavy...and I have found myself only really outgunned ONCE in doing this for the last 4 years...I had a sealine 30 get spooled, TWICE in the same day. The downside...you will be chasing fish up and down the beach, but HEY, that's the fun of it, and who says you can't get a workout fishing?

I take a gazillion rods out there with me, but end up fishing with basically 3, maybe 4.

1 is an 11.5' Tica TC2 with a Sealine 30X...I can cast it very well with anything from shimp/fish bites on a drop rig, to larger cut/live baits.

2 is a 10' Tica TC2 with a Saltist BG 30...I can REALLY cast this a long way with the shrimp/fish bites combo...but can also throw smaller cut/live baits.

3 is another 10' Tica TC2 with a Saltist 20...Same situation as the one above, but if I have one type of bait on one, I put the other on another rod...so if I have shrimp/fish bites on one, I have cut/live on the other.

4 is a 9' Tica TC2 spinning rod with a Shimano Sahara 4000 on it...this is an up close first gut/front edge of second gut rod...don't let the diminutive size of it fool you, I've conquered some large jacks with this thing...and that is fun. I throw live shrimp, dead shrimp, top waters and spoons with it.

On my casting reels, I run 200-300 yards of 40 lb braid as backing and then top it off with 15 lb Momoi Diamond Tough line...usually 100-150 yards of it depending on the reel.

For shock leaders, I use 10 lb test for every oz. of weight i intend to cast...IOW, an 8 oz. sinker gets 80 lb test, minimum...I usually go a bit heavier than I intend to cast.

Usually what I do when I get someplace is have my wife catch a whiting to use for cut bait, or she'll go cast net some mullet (yeah, that's a darn good woman!)...and I'll get the dead bait/live baits out ASAP. Then I'll fish iwht shrimp and fish bites...when I find out what's being eaten, I then fish maybe 3 rods...one with a live or cut bait, and the others with whatever they're eating.

When I get my baits where I want them, I tighten the line as much as I can without dislodging the weights on the bottom...then I back the drag off to where it's just holding it...then set the 'clicker'...and let the rod sit in the holder. When the fish hits...the 'stretch' in the line gives and sets the hook,easily...and I use circle hooks and 99/100, it gets them solidly in the corner of their mouths.

Just go try it...if something's going to happen, it's going to happen out there.

Bighead
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Ol Sanch · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 320

These kind of questions are asked frequently here. You ought to consider searching the message board or looking over some of the older posts. You will find a lot of the answers you seek.

Ol Sanch
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Bighead · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:15 pm Post subject:

JMiles...this is the text of a post i made on a Louisiana fishing forum when asked the same question...hope it helps.

Casting reels with NO level wind will always cast further. There is only ONE reel that sets the standard, and that is the Daiwa Sealine X SHA series. With the internal brakes...these buggers are EASY to cast, and cast a LONG way. Next up are the Daiwa Saltist Black Gold series...basically a gussied up Sealine. I am NOT a fan of level winds on surf casting reels...when they break (and they will), it will be on the fish of a life time, and you're screwed...ask me how I figure that one out. I'm not a fan of spinning reels, but the Penn SS series in 5500 and 6500 are great balance of power, size, and castability. Some folks love the abu garcia ambassadeur series...I love those reels, but not for surf fishing...sand invasion is a PROBLEM...I've dunked a Sealine 30SHA in the water by falling like a dumba**...shook it out, poured a bottle of aquafina through it, and it was as good as new...that would have DESTROYED an Abu Garcia, and stopped most spinning reels in their tracks. The SHA's are a bit loose, a bit rattley, but those loose tolerances come in handy when you do something bone headed, and there is NOTHING for the money that will out cast a Sealine X 20 SHA...nothing....there are longer reels, but you're talking starting at $250 bucks compared to $119 for a Sealine. Spinning reels are for girls that have not learned to cast a surf casting reel. You can take offense to that all you want...but it doesn't make it any less true.

Rods...10-11'5' long is perfect. The Tica TC2 series are the best bang for the buck there is. I've got 6 of them in various lengths. I've landed everything from small whiting to 5'6" black tip sharks on them. Expect to spend $150-$200 on one. They are available in casting or spinning. You can spend more, but IMO, you won't be getting a very good return on that extra expense. I've had lamiglass, St. Croix, and a custom Breakaway HDX...I have none of them now...only the Tica TC2 series.

Line/Leaders. I spool all of my reels as follows 300 yards of 40 lb braid, topped off with as much 15 lb mono that will get the reel to capacity. Why not 20? Easy...casting distance. The smaller line allows me to cast further, and I'm not targetting BIG fish...those are accidents...also, the drag pressure on your Sealine reels is right at 18 lbs or so...so PLAY THE FISH. For leaders...a SHOCK leader is a must...not for the fish, but for the sinker. For every oz. of sinker, you should have 10 lbs of test of shock leader, in other words, a 4 oz. sinker has a MINIMUM 40 pound shock leader...the reason? You don't want to 'step on it' to get that bait out past the 2nd or 3rd bar, have it snap, and turn someone's loving grandma into vegetable with a 4-8 oz. hunk of flying lead.

Terminal gear: I fish two types of terminal gear that I make myself...everything uses circle hooks. I make a simple single drop leader and a simple 'fish finder rig' using 130 lb black coated wire leader on the second end. Google making these...there are tons of tutorials out there. Why circle hooks...I'll get to that in a minute. I use 4 legged 'spider weights' to hold the bottom...read about my 'trap' below, and you'll see how I use the spider weight to my advantage.

Remember the 'mono' top shot I mentioned? You may ask, why not all power pro? Well...a couple of reasons...first and foremost, I USE that stretch of the mono to set a 'trap'...I get my bait out there and anchored on the bottom, set the rod in a sand spike/rod holder, then I tighten the reel down as far as I can without disengaging the sinker that's anchored, and engage the clicker...then I LOOSEN the drag until it is just holding the bait in place...what happens when the fish hits it, is it 'snap's straight up, setting the hook, SECURELY in the corner of the fish's mouth...ensuring a solid hook up, and allowing you to release the fish should you desire to do so. Also..TURN THAT CLICKER ON...if you forget and Mr. Jack Crevalle shows up...you'll get spooled and not even know it (ask me how I learned that one).

I also use a top shot, because sometimes, you hook into things that just ain't going to turn around, and instead of watching 350 yards of brand new 15 pound mono head to Mexico...I watch 125 yards of mono go, as I break it off at the knot, re-spool with the top shot and get back to fishing...I had that happen to me TWICE in the same day...big bull sharks (7-9 footers) cost me a combined 700 yards of mono in the same day. Lastly, the sand bars are abrasive on the mono, and changing 125 yards of line cost you about $3. It saves money.

Reading the water...this takes a LOT of practice and experience, but I'll try to impart what the 'old salts' from Texas taught me.

1. Nervous water is worth stopping for. If you don't know what nervous water is...take up golf.

2. Guts are the areas where there are no waves or smallest waves..bars have the most waves...you want your baits along side the bars in the guts. The fish travel those like a highway. As for 'which gut'...hey, you'd be surprised and terrified to see what swims up close early morning/late evening...that's all I'm gonna say on dat.

3. Suck backs...this is where a 'channel' forms perpendicular to the bars/guts...the water rushes in and then back out, sucking back water and bait into deeper water...the 'pattern' will look like a mushroom if you were to look from the top of it...you'll know it when you see it...FISH AROUND THESE. The predators hang around waiting for prey to get sucked back into their belly.

4. A 'pinch' is when two sand bars 'pinch' into each other...there will be a pool there...FISH THERE...I have caught some MONSTER speckled trout in pinches using top waters early in the morning...but wait, you're in crappy Florida...not God's country, South Texas.

Bait...I am a DIEHARD believer in LIVE BAIT...if it's not live, it needs to be as fresh as possible. For 'dead bait', I use shrimp and fish bites in pink color...pompano, reds, specks, drum, croaker, and other species eat these...use this on your single drop rig. For the fish finder, I usually put a mullet in the 3-5" range (live) on one, and a hunk of cut bait on the other and see what's what...8/10, the live bait gets hit first.

Fighting the fish...if you catch anything of substance, you will be chasing that sucker down the beach. Stay in front of it...do not let it get you at an odd angle, or it will break you off.

I learned a lot of this stuff hanging around here...some of it I just figured out by trial and error...hopefully this will save you a few bucks in selecting your gear.

I don't promise that everyone will agree with my choices in tackle, but it works for me, has taken a lot of very hard fishing, and has served me well.

Bighead
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Slow and steady wins the race...unless of course, it's an actual race.

Bluffer · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:48 pm Post subject:

Get a set of crimpers and hardware to make your own leaders. 60 to 100pd test & stops for wieght so single hook can move freely.
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BishopRyan · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:26 pm Post subject:

bmfdop · Horse Mullet Joined: 22 Jan 2011 Posts: 125 Location: CC

Which gut?

It all depends. My wife fishes strictly the first gut, and she catches the biggest variety of stuff. She is good with reds there. I usually fish the second and sometimes third, and I seem to catch the bigger jacks and pomps out there. Sometimes you just gotta throw em around and try to see whats working, find a pattern.

Same with the baits you throw. We usually start with fishbites and some type of gulp plastic. We will cut up some whiting for cut bait, but the best is the cut skipjacks. You can also buy skipjacks at Cosway sometimes. Mullet are good, but only fresh. The frozen ones I sometimes buy at Walmart suck balls. Walmart does sell some frozen cut bait that I've had decent luck with.

I have noticed that mono leaders, the double drop kind, are most effective. Not exactly sure why, but we catch the most stuff using them as opposed to the steel leaders. I will use steel leader when I get out there and throw the topwaters or jerk baits, just in case a smack or something like it is lurking around. We just buy our leaders from HEB, Roys, or anywhere really because I am too lazy to make them.

I only put the spider weight on the end. I used to mix it up and sometimes put it higher, but then I had higher instances of tangles with the weight and leader.

Alot too depends on the time of year as far as what fish is out there. Reds are best in August and September, etc. June sucks for me, especially with all the weed, but the whiting and hardhead are great on pink fishbites.

Alot also depends on the tides. Incoming tide is best, outgoing the worst.

I use three spinning Penn Pursuit reels, one 5000 (for the wife), one 7000, and an 8000. My wife uses a Hurricane Black Beauty 12 foot rod. It's got great action for a $35 rod. I use a 12 foot Ugly Stick, and I love it. I also use a 14 foot Shakespeare Alpha cheapo, and Alpha 10 footer cheapo too.

I use strictly braid on my reels right now, either 40# or 50#. I am a cheapo, so I buy 1000 yard spools off ebay from China for 20 to 30 bucks a spool. It seems like good line to me, no worse than cajun line. Have yet to have a break off when throwing a 6 oz weight, and I can throw it pretty good.

I am by no means an expert, just what I have learned over the last couple years. Don't give up surf fishing yet though, it will only get better as the summer goes on. And remember that no surf fishing setup is complete without your trusty cold twelve pack chillin on ice.

You can look up my old posts by searching my moniker in the search box to see older surf reports.

Bighead: I like your setup. I have been looking at Tica rods and glad to see an honest review.
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JMiles · Joined: 17 Jun 2012 Posts: 5 Location: Corpus Christi

Thanks for all of the great info, gentlemen. I agree that this thread or one like it should be made into a sticky. I'll be changing up my tactics a bit and will post with an update!

Rebecca of Sunnybrookfarm · Full Grown Flour Bluffian Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 3974

I brought this post to the top for two reasons; it has some excellent information on it for the Pompano window that is for tomorrow. Big head did an excellent job of breaking a lot of it down, as I've seen some questions on casting Rigs pop up on the board the last several days....

And the second reason is that Kenny (bluffer) posted on it, and him rabbit and CC bobber liked to chase the pomps at this time of year......salud gentlemen!!

Cheers all!
Becky
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Jetty Bandit · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 8:13 pm Post subject: