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

It's mostly about like bottom rig catfishing where you are but use a swivel instead of a split shot. Keep a rod with a white or bone topwater and keep a rod with a spoon (gold works best for me but silver works great as well) handy for when a blow up happens.

Use live shrimp as bait or fresh dead. It will out catch frozen 10:1 and will catch the most species by a huge margin. Everything in the ocean eats and loves shrimp. Trout won't touch a frozen shrimp but 5 pounders will hit live as soon as it hits the water.

Sand fleas if targeting pompano and a few other species. Some people have success with fish bites but I never have.

If targeting small reds use mullet or bull minnows. If targeting large reds use live crab (blue are best but any work fine). Cut the points off the outside and rip the shell back off. Run a large circle hook through what's left. Fish a drop off just outside cuts on an outgoing tide.

Use the lightest line you can get away with - some fish are line shy. Use a reel with a smooth drag that holds lots of line. The people I know who catch the most fish use walmart's cheapest rods and reels made for saltwater and keep them clean and well lubed - they do not come well lubed. I say that to point out that expensive gear is not needed. Line and terminal tackle should be good quality and hooks should be sharp. If you can't sharpen them, toss them when they get dull. I prefer circle hooks for everything except sheapshead. Do not set the hook if using circles - just reel. If using a j hook - set the hook hard when you get a bite.