Surf Fishing 101 Part ONE....Houses for Sale in Emerald Isle, NC

PART ONE

Surf Rod, Reel, Line and Leaders

Whether you’re jigging for bass at your local pond, trolling for stripers at the local reservoir or battling giant marlin miles from the shore, you can have fun fishing in a number of different ways. But, as far as many anglers are concerned, there’s nothing quite like fishing from the beach here in Emerald Isle, NC, while feeling the sand between your toes and listening to the soundtrack provided by the gulls and crashing waves. And because you never know what you may catch, surf fishing is not only healthy and relaxing, but also exciting too. But to surf fish effectively, you’ll need to learn the basics. Over the next few blogs, I'll try to help you do exactly that by explaining the gear you’ll need and the techniques you’ll employ.

At its core, surf fishing is pretty similar to fishing for catfish, bluegill or carp at your local lake. Accordingly, you can – at least theoretically – use the same type of gear. You could head out to the beach with your 7-foot-long bait casting rig and start trying to cast a sinker rig out beyond the surf zone.

However, you’re unlikely to have a lot of success doing so (and your reel will likely start to have issues if it is not rated for saltwater use. Instead, you’ll want to obtain a rod, reel and tackle kit that is specifically designed for fishing in the saltwater surf zone and beyond.

Surf Rod

Because rod length is one of the key factors that determines how far you’ll be able to cast, and you’ll want to be able to cast your lure out 100 to 200 yards to get it beyond the crashing waves, most rods specialized for surf are relatively long. Unlike the 6- to 8-foot-long rods used by most anglers fishing from boats or in freshwater, surf rods are usually between 9 and 15 feet in length.

It can take a bit of practice to learn how to wield such a long rod effectively, so beginners are usually best served by selecting a rod in the 10- to 12-foot-long range at the outset. I recommend selecting a rod of medium-heavy power and with medium action, a forgiving combination that will work well in most circumstances.

Surf Reel, Main Line and Leaders

You certainly don’t need to spend several hundred dollars on a top-of-the-line reel when you are getting started. Just pick a high-capacity saltwater spinning reel. Some shore fishers prefer bait casting reels, but beginners will be wise to stick to spinning gear at the outset.

However, you’ll want to load up your reel with a high-quality fishing line, essential for working well with the challenging conditions found in the surf. Most surf fishers use regular monofilament for their main line, but you can use fluorocarbon if you don’t mind the higher price. Typically, you’ll want to use 20- to 25-pound-test line, which is strong enough for most fish you’ll catch.

You’ll also need to use a shock leader when fishing from the shore. A shock leader is used to help absorb the stress that heavy weights and long casts can place on the line. Shock leaders are typically made from low-stretch monofilament, and they are available in a wide variety of diameters.

Additionally, depending on the type rig you use, you may need a few other leaders. I recommend one that stretches between the end of the shock leader and the hook or sinker. And, you may also want one that branches off the main line via a three-way swivel and ties to a hook or sinker. Fluorocarbon is typically the best choice for these types of leaders, but monofilament will also work.

Check back for additional blogs offering insights and information on surf fishing here on the Crystal Coast. When you want to learn more about living herein Emerald Isle, visit my website at www.EIHomesforSale.com and request my free Guide to Living Where You Vacation or text your email address to: 919-308-2292.