Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum School Me on Surf Fishing...

I'm probably going to get a little center console in the future, but I think at first I'm going to get set up for Surf Fishing and strangely enough I have never done it.

I get bored just sitting out on the beach all day and drinking lite beer. Surf fishing at least gives a guy something manly to do while you're out there.

I know I need at least a couple of rods and reels and a cart to tote stuff out to the beach. Fortunately I have about $200+ dollars in Bass Pro points that I need to spend up.

1. I'm thinking about a 5000 series spinning reel and probably about a 9-10' rod. maybe start out with about 2 of those.
2. Aluminum surf fishing cart with a little table for cutting bait.
3. Cooler (For sody waters of course.)
4. Assorted tackle stuff for surf fishing.
5. A big stick to beat off all the snow bird wimmins.

Seriously... For those that have surf fished a bunch, what am I missing and not thinking of

Sand flea rake.

See what I mean... I had no idea. I had to google what you do with one of those.

Thanks. Added to the list.

If you’re on Facebook check out Marrisa White. She kills them and has some videos on equipment

While you’re letting live/dead bait soak, make sure you have a rod setup with a big bass popper or a walking bait for top water. I prefer bone color or silver-ish blue with a red mouth

Assuming you are targeting pompano:
Sand Spikes (rod holders)
Pyramid weights (4 to 6 oz) and snap swivels to attach them to leader
Circle hooks (1/0 Eagle Claw Circle Sea are good and will work for anything from pompano to bull reds)
Colorful hook floats (yellow, orange) to keep your baits up off the bottom (this will reduce bites from stingrays and increase bites from pompano).
Swivels to attach drop leader to main line.
Fluorocarbon leader (20 lb)
Braid main line (20 lb test is a good strength for casting distance and break resistance)
Sand Flea rake
Fish Bites (optional)

You can spend a lot on good rods and reels but you can also spend way less on pretty good stuff. I have settled on Okuma Rockaway RA6000 surf spinning reels on Okuma Solaris SSX 12' Heavy surf rods as a budget but good option.

That is just the gear needed. There is a whole science around picking where to fish, how to tie drop leaders, etc. Fishing sand fleas will narrow your bites to mostly pompano (small sand fleas are far better). Fishing shrimp will open up your bites to everything.

I use 11-12’ rods. The extra length helps with keeping your line out of the wave action.
5000 size reel is fine. Load it with 30# braid and add a 15-20’ mono or floro leader. That helps when casting.
Get some 2-4 oz pyramid sinkers, #1-1/0 circle hooks and swivels. I also get some colored beads from a craft store. They help add color to your rigs. Thats really all you need in the way of tackle. I’d probably throw a few jigs in there too, especially goofy jigs in pink and Flo orange.
To make your leader, I start with the swivel, then about 3’ of leader material. Tie 2 dropper loops about a foot apart starting about a foot off the bottom. Run the loop knot through the hook eye( with the hook barb up) and around the hook. This allows you to change hooks without having to retire. Just unloop the hook and move on.
You can add a snap swivel at the bottom for the weight or just tie a loop knot and attaché the weight with that ( loop goes through the weight eye and around the weight and back to the top.
Sand fleas are good but hard to catch at times. I like fresh shrimp that’s peeled and clams.
If you get the surf cart, opt for the ones with the ballon tires or change them out to those. It’ll come through the sand much easier.
Cooler, bait bucket and tackle will all ride in the surf cart.

Good short video on tying dropper loops:
drop loop

Aldeer strikes again.

Get a casting finger glove if using braid. Very important!

Awesome fish.

Thanks. That's a good list. I'm going to start working on it this week.

We have all kinds of stuff to pack to move down there in the next two weeks.

Awesome info. Thanks.

Breakaway Cannon if you're using a spinning reel.

People often cast over the fish. The main reason to have the big surf tackle is you're going to have separate stuff for the surf anyway because that environment trashes tackle. It may as well be surf specific, but it's not necessary if you've got old stuff you'd rather use up first.

Study the beaches at low tide to see the structure. Then fish whichever beach has the cleanest water.

Sand fleas can be tough to figure out for some people. If you're seeing where they are but not getting them in your rake, which is probably comically small compared to what a pro uses, uses a shovel and bucket. Drill a bunch of 3/8" holes in the bottom half of the sides. Fill the bucket with sand where you think there are sand fleas and wash it out in the surf. This will likely produce results sooner than using the rake.

May as well spring for the Sputniks. They're worth it.

Very true as is people not reaching the fish. We always set multiple rods at different distances until we find out where the fish are.

I’ve been in much the same “boat” for the last several years. My ex was not big on the beach(sitting in the sun at least). The new lady is all about it so we are on the sand regularly. I’d just stare out over the waves and remark of what I saw busting just off the beach. She bought me an inexpensive beach cart for Christmas last. I’ve got gear for everything from bluegills to blue marlin but had only one surf rod and it was in sad shape. About $800 later(in rods, spikes, rakes and a little new terminal gear) and we were ready to play. The first trip with the new cart was exhausting. It had wheels about like a hand truck which may as well have been missing on our sugar sand beaches. I bought a kit with the largest balloon tires that would fit the cart(about $150) and the next trip was MUCH BETTER.
Do not skimp on the tires on a beach cart. If you can swing the 4-wheel cart those are even better. If you are in the area at the right time, Outcast Bait and Tackle in Pensacola has a spring sale. I can recommend them for deep discounts on surf rods and reels as well as lots of other tackle and gear.

All good advice, but the ballon tires for your cart is the best hint so far.

Always have a pack or two of fish bites in case you have trouble getting bait. Also keep a medium/heavy 7’ spinning rod. You can find whiting in the closet in troughs also fun to catch Ladyfish on a spoon when they are running the beach. You can also use the for crab trap bait.

More good stuff. Thanks guys. Keep it coming. I'm putting together a list.

Yes, everything you need is there and on sale. That sale is usually the first week of March.

Did you end up buying a place Irish?