Surf Fishing Advice

draltman · Newbie Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Am headed to the Rosemary Beach area of NW Florida next week. Have tried surf fishing there before--but the 'green tide' is usually in there this time of year. I'd like to catch anything other than shark--and I've heard a bubble rig with a Gotcha trailor is good for pompano early (although I wonder how you would fish that through the slime--any suggestions?). Question: what sort of rig would you use: one of my regular bass-fishing 6 1/2 foot medium action spinning rods or one of the 8 foot surf rods (am trying to decide whether to line it with 8 lb or 10 lb Trilene XT). What pound test line do you all recommend (is 8 too light--I also fish with 10 pound braid here, often with a flourocarbon leader)--although I am not sure how the braid would work with the green water. I also saw that two ounce weights are normal--is that for shark/bottom fishing? How about hooks (are my 3/0 Gamas okay for salt water)? Any help will be much appreciated! Thanks!

pierfish · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:16 am Post subject:

Have you tried freelining a finger mullet? Sometimes the simplest rig works best, freeling allows the bait to look natural. Cast out as far as you can and when the bait gets back to you, then do again. I have had alot of success doing this. I prefer to use an 8ft rod equipped with the Cabo 40. I spool it with 12lb test pp for the beaches.

draltman · Newbie Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks for the tip. I will definitely try that. Do you use a frozen finger mullet, maybe hooked through the mouth or dorsal? Also, do you use any small (splitshot) type weight up the line? Do you use any type of float, or straight free-line? Thanks again for the good idea.

pierfish · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:26 am Post subject:

np, I try and get live finger mullet. They are usually right along the beach. Yes, alot of times I will add a spilt shot to keep the bait down. I have had success also with the popping corks. Just add your popping cork, then 2-3 feet of flourocarbon leader and a 2/0 owner hook. Hope this helps. Using live bait will allow for more game fish and not catfish.

draltman · Newbie Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks again. Will give this a try. Sounds like live bait is important (have you tried sand fleas under that sort of rig?).

pierfish · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject:

No, I would use a fish finder type rig for the sand fleas.

draltman · Newbie Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 4

Sorry, am not familiar with that type of rig. Can you explain? Thanks!

Walkonwater · Newbie Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Posts: 1

pierfish · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:05 pm Post subject:

Exactly!