I have been dragged against my will to Galveston this Sunday... So, after surviving traffic (and with a grim foreboding of traffic on way out) I used this opportunity to try surf fishing. While kids were having fun in waves I went out to catch something. It wasn't spectacular, but I wasn't skunked either (got big old lady-fish on vudu shrimp) -- so, I'd say the ground is broken.
Really enjoyed this type of fishing -- bobbing in waves, trying to catch fish that swims and jumps around you. But I need some help with basics:
- place -- I was fishing right where people swimming (well, I went further in water to avoid snagging anyone). Should I look for secluded beaches or any beach spot is fine?
- location -- I know theory about sandbars, rip-current and cuts. But practice is a different story. I had to walk at least 40 yards to get to first sandbar. Could not reach second one because water was reaching my shoulders (and I am 6'6"). Is it normal? Or I do not understand what sandbar is? (it was outgoing tide)
- waves -- waves were pretty high (2-2.5' when they break). Do you fish in such waves? What is the proper conditions for fishing the surf? I tried fishing area between shore and first sandbar (2-3' of water) -- it was useless, water was basically boiling from breaking waves
- lures -- I tried different things (mirrorlure 51m, bucktail with gulp, vudu shrimp). Observed something small chasing mirrorlure few times, but always missing it (probably skipjack). Got one on vudu shrimp (and few misses) -- thsi lure produced most action. Got few very weak tugs on gulp. What you'd normally use? (in terms of artificials -- live shrimp would work anywhere, I know :-)).
- technique -- how do you work lures in surf? I found that in waves it behaves in a very different manner. It gets pulled back and forth, smashed around and generally does not really want to go down
- distance -- how far normally do you throw in surf? I found that throwing far does not seem to be working for me -- I end up snagging seaweed (and there is sh.tload of it right now) and have to reel in and cast it again.
- time -- what is the preferred time? or tide? Is there any difference between times or tides wrt fish location/mood?
- reel -- I think I ruined my most expensive reel; tried to save it from waves, but it is useless. In some waves I had to jump just to keep my head above the water. Soaked reel in freshwater for a while, but it is definitely not as smooth as it was. Which reels do you use and how do you maintain it? Is there any trick to prevent salt water from getting on/in your reel?
- fish -- what kind of fish you'd expect to catch (on artificials) currently? How about other months? Where they are expected to be feeding depending on time of year?
- footwear -- I brought my wading boots, but did not use them (realizing that they will just drag me down). Had no problems standing in the sand. Is there any good reason to wear them in surf fishing?
Huh, I ended up generating quite a few questions here... Apologies for that. I would appreciate any help with any number of them.
P.S. Do you wear PFD when surf fishing? I mean, unless rip forms around you there isn't any good reason to wear it (it seems).
Really enjoyed this type of fishing -- bobbing in waves, trying to catch fish that swims and jumps around you. But I need some help with basics:
- place -- I was fishing right where people swimming (well, I went further in water to avoid snagging anyone). Should I look for secluded beaches or any beach spot is fine?
- location -- I know theory about sandbars, rip-current and cuts. But practice is a different story. I had to walk at least 40 yards to get to first sandbar. Could not reach second one because water was reaching my shoulders (and I am 6'6"). Is it normal? Or I do not understand what sandbar is? (it was outgoing tide)
- waves -- waves were pretty high (2-2.5' when they break). Do you fish in such waves? What is the proper conditions for fishing the surf? I tried fishing area between shore and first sandbar (2-3' of water) -- it was useless, water was basically boiling from breaking waves
- lures -- I tried different things (mirrorlure 51m, bucktail with gulp, vudu shrimp). Observed something small chasing mirrorlure few times, but always missing it (probably skipjack). Got one on vudu shrimp (and few misses) -- thsi lure produced most action. Got few very weak tugs on gulp. What you'd normally use? (in terms of artificials -- live shrimp would work anywhere, I know :-)).
- technique -- how do you work lures in surf? I found that in waves it behaves in a very different manner. It gets pulled back and forth, smashed around and generally does not really want to go down
- distance -- how far normally do you throw in surf? I found that throwing far does not seem to be working for me -- I end up snagging seaweed (and there is sh.tload of it right now) and have to reel in and cast it again.
- time -- what is the preferred time? or tide? Is there any difference between times or tides wrt fish location/mood?
- reel -- I think I ruined my most expensive reel; tried to save it from waves, but it is useless. In some waves I had to jump just to keep my head above the water. Soaked reel in freshwater for a while, but it is definitely not as smooth as it was. Which reels do you use and how do you maintain it? Is there any trick to prevent salt water from getting on/in your reel?
- fish -- what kind of fish you'd expect to catch (on artificials) currently? How about other months? Where they are expected to be feeding depending on time of year?
- footwear -- I brought my wading boots, but did not use them (realizing that they will just drag me down). Had no problems standing in the sand. Is there any good reason to wear them in surf fishing?
Huh, I ended up generating quite a few questions here... Apologies for that. I would appreciate any help with any number of them.
P.S. Do you wear PFD when surf fishing? I mean, unless rip forms around you there isn't any good reason to wear it (it seems).
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