What could be better than waves crashing on the beach, the smell of salt in the air, and walking for miles along a sandy beach? There is one thing that could enhance the experience, that would be learning how to fish those waves. All too often, anglers are not exactly sure where to start tackling the surf. There are a number of concerns, including, which beaches are good for fishing, and what the costs involved are as well as what type of tackle they need.
The best thing about surf fishing is it does not mean that you have to spend a ton of money to get started. You might actually be surprised to learn that the old fishing rod that you got years ago that has been laying around in the garage, the attic, or the basement is perfectly suitable. Look around and see if you can find an 8 foot or larger rod, and add some of those lead weights that you have been collecting for years.
It is important to remember that your rod and reel must be up to the challenge of tackling the surf. Your reel and rod must be able to handle weights up to 4 ounces for a long cast. A rod with a fast action tip that is fairly strong will be your best bet. In addition, if it is longer than 8 feet that much the better, since the longer it is the more leverage will have. You reel must also be well-balanced, and allow for up to 200 yards of a 17 pound or larger monofilament line.
Whether you elect to use a fish finder, or a sliding weight system, proper preparation is the key to success. To create a sliding weight system, use a snap swivel, a whole, and the leader. This is typically the best possible rig for surf fishing. A fish finder, is a hollow sleeve that contains large snaps that allow you to snap your sinker to the clip. Both these systems allow you to land a fish without the fish necessarily being aware of the resistance. Your swivel prevents the slider from landing near your hook, creating less resistance. In general, you hook should be attached to a leader that is about 2 feet long.
One thing that you will want to do is have an assortment of spoons as well as artificial plugs as part of your tackle. There are instances, when artificial lures will give you far better results than live bait. If you see fish actively feeding on the surface, you will want to use the top water plug to try to attract them. Most surf anglers have found that 2 rods are their best option. One fully rigged and ready to use with an artificial lure, and the other using live bait.
If you have any questions at all about which beaches provide the best surf fishing, chances are they can be answered at a local tackle shop. Not only will local tackle shop owners generally know the best fishing spots, they will no doubt have been told multiple tales of success by local anglers. Once you decide which beach is right for surf fishing, there is little doubt that you will find other anglers there. This is probably a good indication that it is a good surf fishing area. Another thing that you should check your local tackle shop is which lures are being used by surf fishers because every body of water is slightly different. Keep in mind, the more time you fish, the more knowledge you will gain, and before long, there is little doubt that you will find the right sir fishing lures, and your bait collection will be more than sufficient.
Surf fishing should not cost you hundreds of dollars, even if you are just getting started. In fact, getting started with the basic equipment should be relatively inexpensive, and before you know it, you will learn more and more about this great sport. Your tackle shop the other beach anglers should be able to help you with a lot of information regarding which local beaches offer the best alternatives for surf fishing. This will allow you the opportunity to get involved in this exciting sport.
When you are preparing to undergo a saltwater fishing experience, it is important that you have the proper fishing gear. Some of the most popular gear include Shimino Spinning Reel, Penn Reels and Daiwa Reels.