| If you've never surf fished before this article is | | | | Attach a #2 snap swivel to a pyramid sinker and slide |
| written for you. My goal is to provide you with a | | | | in on your line so that it can slide freely. Attach |
| very simple, easy to follow method so you will catch | | | | another #2 snap swivel to the end of your line and |
| your first fish in the surf. That's all I want you to be | | | | attach a leader to it with a 2/0 hook on it. |
| able to do. Just catch a fish, any fish. I don't care if | | | | That's it your surf rig is ready to go. |
| you have never caught a fish in your life. I want you | | | | Learn To Cast |
| to see how exciting and easy it is to do. After that I | | | | Pick an appropriate location like a park or ball field |
| guarantee you'll be hooked and I will have | | | | where there won't be any people around. You can |
| accomplished my goal. Once you catch your first fish | | | | tape off the hook for safety so you won't have to |
| you'll have the confidence I want you to get. At that | | | | take it off. Now I want you to practice casting until |
| point you will have the incentive to learn everything | | | | you can cast with a basic amount of control for |
| you can about this sport and enjoy many successful | | | | direction and distance. This isn't a bad idea even if |
| hours at the surf line. | | | | you have some experience. Practice until you can |
| Surf fishing is a neglected sport. You don't hear much | | | | cast 100' to 200' with a reasonable amount of |
| about it. The ironic thing is that it's probably the the | | | | predictability. If you can do better that's great. If you |
| easiest to do and the most exciting. How strange is | | | | try to cast much further you will need to learn and |
| that? | | | | use a shock leader. |
| Okay let's get started. | | | | Why You Need To Know About Tides |
| Get A Surf Rod And Reel Combo | | | | I need to give you a quick lesson on tides and surf |
| I want you to go down to Walmart or one of the | | | | fishing. Find the tide tables for your location. I'll give |
| big sporting good chains. You have go to one of | | | | you three possibilities. Find them on the Internet, look |
| them within range of the coastline otherwise they | | | | for them in the local coastal newspaper or ask at the |
| won't carry any surf gear. Your budget for a surf rod | | | | local bait and tackle shop. |
| and reel combo is under $69. You can probably find | | | | Find out when you can go to the beach at low tide. |
| something for around $49. (A combo is a rod & | | | | Visit the beach and look for variations in the bottom. |
| reel combination) | | | | Note spots for pockets and changes in the formation |
| Pick out any spinning surf rod and reel combo that | | | | of the bottom, basically where you can cast into |
| strikes your fancy. Surf rods are heavier and longer | | | | deeper water or past a sandbar. If you can spot a |
| than regular salt water rods. Get something at least | | | | rip through a sandbar so much the better. These will |
| 10' but not longer than 12' If you can find the Daiwa | | | | be your target spots to fish. |
| combo or the Shakespeare combo that's great. | | | | Pick The Right Time To Fish The Surf |
| Otherwise most any surf combo will do. Remember | | | | Okay now you know where you are going to fish |
| this is a beginners intro. Once you get into it you'll | | | | and the water you will be targeting. Go back to the |
| probably want to get more professional gear. | | | | the tide charts. Find a time when high tide occurs in |
| Get The Minimum Required Tackle | | | | the early daylight hours or around early dusk. It |
| This is going to a very short, simple list. | | | | doesn't matter which one you pick. You are going to |
| - 300 yds. of mono filament line 20 lb. Test (if your | | | | fish a two hour window before and after high tide |
| combo didn't come spooled with line) | | | | which will be four hours of fishing time. Now you |
| - 2 or maybe 3 Pyramid sinkers 3oz. weight | | | | know when to go fishing. |
| - 1 pkg. of 2/0 circle hooks ( Look at the ready | | | | Get Some Bait |
| made leaders with hooks on them so you can see | | | | Now it's time to start fishing. Head over to the local |
| how their set up) | | | | bait shop. Buy a dozen 3" - 4" shrimp. (Get a fishing |
| - 1 pkg. of #2 snap swivels | | | | license if you need one.) Head for the surf and get |
| Get Your Gear Set Up | | | | your gear out. Hook one of the shrimp through the |
| Okay now spool the line on your reel and don't wind | | | | tail about an inch from the end. Cast into the |
| it on too loosely. Wind your line on through a piece of | | | | designated spots, get in a comfortable chair and hold |
| Styrofoam or anything that will put a little drag on it | | | | on. If something doesn't happen in 20 to 30 minutes |
| as fills up your reel. We're not going to deal with a | | | | cast into one of the other areas that you scouted at |
| shock leader at this stage. You probably won't be | | | | low tide. |
| casting that hard anyway. If you don't know what a | | | | From the information I've given you, at this level of |
| shock leader is don't worry about it. You can find | | | | skill you have the best opportunity of landing |
| when you need to know or just look it up. That's too | | | | something very exciting. There's a good chance you |
| much to get into at this stage. | | | | will use all of your bait catching fish. Any size, any |
| With the hook and sinker you can go one of two | | | | kind just catch something so you can see what it's |
| ways. Either one will get the job done at this point. | | | | like. Plan on releasing anything you catch for now. |
| Method #1 | | | | You can get into keeping some at another time. |
| Make a short 12" leader for the hook and tie it on | | | | It's not foolproof but it will be highly effective. |
| your line about 18" from the end of your line | | | | There's a strong likely hood you will catch something |
| (Remember you saw hooks with leaders at the | | | | your first time out. Don't worry about the possibility |
| tackle store). Tie a snap swivel on the end of your | | | | that the fish aren't out there. They are there, just |
| line and attach the pyramid sinker to it.. | | | | take my word for it. |
| Method #2 | | | | |