Surf Fishing 101 :The Bare Essentials

Presented by:John GermanosVBAC Surf Committee Chairman24 February 2019

Surf Fishing 101 – The Bare Essentials• Hardware – Rods, Reels, Line• Terminal Tackle – Snaps & Swivels; Hooks; Sinkers; Basic

Rigs

• Accessories – Sand Spike, Bucket, Cooler, Tackle Box, etc.• “Convenience” Items – Buggy Carts, Pack-Chair, Reel

Covers, etc.

Hardware

• Surf Fishing Rods• What length do I need?• What does all that rating stuff

mean on the handle?

• Surf Fishing Reels• Conventional vs. Spinning Reels• Maintenance is the key!

• Fishing Line• Mono vs. Braid vs. Fluorocarbon• Matching Line to Intended Purpose

Surf Fishing Rods

• Length: ranges from 7-ft to 14-ft based on application & skill level• 9-ft to 11-ft rods suit most beginning & intermediate surf anglers

• Action: light-medium-heavy…match to casting goal & weight w/bait

• Ratings on the Rod (discuss with folks in the pro shop):• Line – recommended max strength for braided and monofilament

line• Weight – determines what the sweet spot is for casting

• “Metal Rod” – typically tailored to casting ½ to 2 oz artificial lures

• “Medium Rod” – good all-purpose rig for most applications

• “Heavy Rod” – great for big red drum and other hefty fish

• “Hatteras Heaver” – typically paired with a conventional reel

• Conventional reels• Spinning Reels• Maintenance is crucial!

• Sand is the Devil!• Avoid submerging in saltwater• Freshwater rinse after each outing

Surf Fishing Reels

Spinning ReelConventional

• Monofilament Line• Memory can cause twisting• Larger diameter than braid• Stretches before breaking• Least expensive relative to Mono & Fluoro

• Braided Line• No memory – great for casting distance• Sometimes prone to “wind knots”• Very thin diameter with No stretch• More expensive than Mono

• Fluorocarbon Line• Ultra clear• Tends to be expensive• Excellent for leader material and tying

dropper loops

Fishing Line

Line Tips:1. Cost-effective to use Mono backing

to load spool before adding Braid2. Use Fluoro leaders and rigs when

fishing artificials and/or when water is very clear

3. Fish the lightest line practical, but ensure your reel has a reliable drag system to prevent break-offs!

4. ALWAYS replace frayed or damaged line!

5. Match the right knots to your line type to retain maximum knot strength and minimize slippage.

65-lb Braid with 50-lb mono backing

10-lb BraidWith 25-lbFluoro Leader

Mullet Rig

• Snaps and Swivels• Hooks – Circle Hooks vs. J-Hooks;

Pre-Snelled; Baitkeepers; Snag Hooks• Sinkers – Pyramid, Bank, Hurricane,

Frog Tongue, Sputnik, etc.• Basic Rigs

• Standard High-Low Bottom Rigs (many types!)• Fireball-type Rigs and Doodle Bugs• Tournament Rigs and Dropper Loops• Fish-finder and Mullet Rigs

• Variety is the Key!

Essential Terminal Tackle

Pyramid

BankSputnik In-line

Frog TongueHurricane

Basic Bottom Rig

FireballRig

Fish-finder Rig

MORE TERMINAL TACKLE

Accessories

• Tackle Box or Tackle Bag• Sand Spike, Mallet, Bucket,

& Cooler w/Ice

• Filet Knife and/or Bait Knife• Measuring Tape or Ruler• Hook File and/or Sharpener

• Braid Scissors

TacklePack Folding

Chair

Baitboard,5-gal bucket, sand spikes

Cooler& Ice

Rods

BEACH CART

Hard CaseTackle Box

Tackle Bag

Convenience Items

• Beach Cart• Backpack and/or Backpack Chair• Bait Board• Extra Bucket• Sand Flea Rake & Cast Net for Bait• Fish Weigh Scale• Rags and/or Bait Towels• Multi-tool or Needle-nose Plyers• Ziploc Bags – Galloon; 2-gal; ½-gal; snack

packs• Sunscreen, Drinks, Snacks• Reel Covers• Longsleaved Performance Fishing Shirt• Hat, Sunglasses, and Sunscreen• Hydrating Drinks and Snacks

BEACH CART

Reel Covers