Surf Fishing

[predator1]

Anyone got any tips, tricks, or recommendations when it comes to fishing from the shores and beaches along the gulf coast? Hook sizes or types, bait, etc…. Any info is welcomed. Planning a beach trip soon, possibly Mexico Beach. Never made any attempts to fish the ocean but we would like too. Don’t even really care what kind of fish we catch, would just like the opportunity to catch some.

 

[xbokilla]

Circle hooks and live shrimp or cut bait is your best bet. If there is structure, fish it. You can cast, stick and sit, but my advice to wade past people and keep the pole in hand. Early morning is a great time. Not a very big beach crowd. Good luck. Beats work, regardless.

 

[drakeshooter]

 

[Drahts]

Get on beach at daylight, Grab a pole and a pole stand, a chair, some chips, a cooler full of ice and your favorite bourbon, a big yeti type cup with lid. Fill cup with ice, fill cup with bourbon. Set up at waterline with toes in sand. Cast out and let it set. Have a drink. If drink goes dry, add bourbon! Do this til Dark and go get some dinner.

P.S. don't forget your sunscreen!

 

[WaterDog88]

I’m no expert. I just pack a rod and reel on vacation and have fun. I’ve taken my catfishing rig with braid and tie on a circle hook, size 3 I think?? with about a 3 foot mono leader and weight. I usually fish in the evenings and I’ve had luck with shrimp. The most fish I’ve ever caught was actually during that hurricane a few years ago outside of destin. I’d fish between the bands and couldn’t keep my line in the water.

This year I’m packing my 7wt fly rod and going to try and catch something on that. Where we stay isn’t in prime snook range but they are there. I’ve seen smaller reds closer to the beach so I’ll definitely try for those on a shrimp imitation.

 

[reivertom]

Anyone got any tips, tricks, or recommendations when it comes to fishing from the shores and beaches along the gulf coast? Hook sizes or types, bait, etc…. Any info is welcomed. Planning a beach trip soon, possibly Mexico Beach. Never made any attempts to fish the ocean but we would like too. Don’t even really care what kind of fish we catch, would just like the opportunity to catch some.

Check out this guy's Youtube videos. He does all kinds of surf and pier fishing and does some "how to" videos.

 

[JeepComanche]

I do a lot of surf fishing when down at the Gulf. I have all of the equipment, cart with balloon tires, 8 -11 ft rods, spike rod holders, etc. I will tell you the basics that I use that won’t cost a lot for just one trip. I use pompano rigs pretty much most of time, different size pyramid weights depending on conditions. For bait, Piece of Fishbites and fresh dead shrimp, sand fleas, cut bait for Reds. I would go with a fish finder rig for cutbait or possibly Carolina rig. All that you can learn from Matt Isbell in those videos linked above. Just use rods you have or just your reels, you can get some pretty inexpensive longer surf rods down there. maybe make a few rod holders out of PVC before you leave, but they’re not expensive down there. That’s really what I started with and added alot as I went.

 

[smashdn]

Double dropper with small kahle type hooks. Sand flea and a fish gum to help hold it on. Experiment with colored floats and beads. Use a pyramid or sputnik on bottom to hold. Fish depth changes and where currents run back out into the troughs (cuts).

While you have those rods in rod holders fish a spook or cigar shaped popper/chugger on top in the very early morning. Fish a 4-6" paddle tail on a jig head for redfish and flounder. Bounce it on bottom.

Also, use a carolina rig or a sinker on bottom and a small (like #2 or #1) circle or octopus style hook with a live shrimp hooked in the head (look up a vid for where in the head so you don't kill it). Fish it along deeper sea walls and rocks for mangrove snapper. Though Mexico Beach doesn't have as much of that type of structure as does pcb.