Surf Fishing

Surf Fishing

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Surf Fishing - 5/2/2008 10:13:48 AM

CRAPPIE_SLAYER

Posts: 64
Joined: 1/7/2008
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I am taking a trip to Marco Island, Florida at the end of may and was interested in doing some fishing while I am there. My dad has an old surf fishing pole, so I was wondering if anybody had any tips on fishing from the beach. Have never tried it before, but I'm sure it will be fun and relaxing.

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RE: Surf Fishing - 5/3/2008 9:13:30 PM

Over the Hill

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Joined: 3/28/2007
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When I go to new territory, I usually go to the local baitshops. I put on my B.S. earmuffs and take it for what it's worth. (the advise I get). I'm always leary of what they try to sell me as far as tackle/lures. I've had people in Key West try to sell me every lure they could including the kitchen sink! IE: The fish only hit this color lure, the ones you have only work in Jersey waters....etc...

If you can stop at a marina and ask some local boaters, they usually can point you in the right direction as to what's running and how to catch them. I've had good luck that way.

Best of luck and have a safe trip.

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OVER THE HILL

Some people are like slinky's; not really good for anything, but, they bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs...

(in reply to CRAPPIE_SLAYER)

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RE: Surf Fishing - 5/3/2008 9:59:29 PM

kayak99

Posts: 893
Joined: 10/7/2000
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I fished for snook around Cape Coral a few weeks ago. Great fishing in SW Fl but you don't always need a surf outfit there. Here are a couple of my favorite sites with topics covering that area. Post your questions there and you'll get lots of suggestions.

http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee/forums

http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zeromain?id=1

Forgot one:

http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/forumdisplay.php?f=185

Enjoy

< Message edited by kayak99 -- 5/3/2008 10:04:26 PM >

(in reply to Over the Hill)

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RE: Surf Fishing - 5/4/2008 1:01:51 AM

gobyking

Posts: 288
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Nothing beats a live shrimp if your looking to catch anything.If your targeting speckled trout,snook,or redfish try Berkley Gulp shrimp on a stand up jighead or with some kind of weight to get it out there.There usually isn't any weeds by the beach,but if you find any patches,stick with it the fish will eventually come to them.But buy Gulp shrimp here not down there but make sure they don't leak in you luggage.They sell them for around $6.99 a pack in those stores close to the coast when you can get them cheaper everwhere else.Or if you have a relative your staying with there,order them from Bass Pro Shops and just have them shipped to that address.And wade out in the water trying to find a break or a dark spot where there is deeper water,thats where they'll be since the beach bottom is relatively flat.Spoons work good also early and late in the day.I know this because I did it for 3 years and worked a graveyard shift which finished at 7 am,just in time to hit the beach to catch some fish.

(in reply to kayak99)

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RE: Surf Fishing - 5/4/2008 1:06:29 AM

gobyking

Posts: 288
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Sorry,just checked Bass Pro Shops and the Gulp shrimp are $5.99 from them,though they were cheaper.It isn't worth taking those stinking bags of bait anywhere for a couple bucks,buy 'em down there.And Kayak99 is right,you can use a medium heavy bass rod for the smaller species inshore,most people take overkill from shore because they hear the horror stories of some guy catching a 500# bull shark or 70# tarpon at the beach.Most speckled trout fight like a bass and the redfish,well,a big one with wimpy tackle can pretty much close to strip your line of your gear.But most are under 5# and are a great fighting fish,on par with smallies in my book.There are certain times of year that different species hit on the beach like tarpon,spanish mackerel.Over the hill is correct in telling you to go to a local bait shop for the skinny,just don't believe some of what they say because you will be gone in a week or two but their crap lures that have been there for 2 years they will try to pawn off on you.Also,if you can get on a boat to fish,buy some D.O.A. shrimp(it is a rubber lure) in off white(which also glows in the dark if you want to night fish) and light brown have always worked for me over weedbed flats near dropoffs.None of these lures are cheap compared to what your used to,but your on vacation so enjoy yourself.

< Message edited by gobyking -- 5/4/2008 1:58:16 AM >

(in reply to gobyking)

Post #: 5

RE: Surf Fishing - 5/4/2008 2:01:03 AM

gobyking

Posts: 288
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PS don't grab a puffer fish or saltwater catfish if you catch one.They both have poison in them,the catfish has it in his spines and fins.I AM NOT JOKING.Also,if you see a rope in the water,don't touch it may have sea lice in it.They cannot be washed off,you need to get a cream to get rid of them.Don't ask,just listen.

(in reply to gobyking)

Post #: 6

RE: Surf Fishing - 5/7/2008 8:22:52 PM

kayak99

Posts: 893
Joined: 10/7/2000
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Just a tip. It's typically great to fish around stucture on an outgoing tide at night. Predator fish, like snook, ambush baitfish being sucked out of rivers and canals in that tide. 6" saltwater Long A Bomber - chartreuse

(in reply to gobyking)

Post #: 7

RE: Surf Fishing - 5/7/2008 9:21:48 PM

FlashDance

Posts: 1410
Joined: 1/6/2002
From: Dravosburg
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There are some good charters out of there.

I took one the last week of April a few years ago. Awesome.
I don't know about current prices, but then, it cost $75 for a half day.
It was worth it.

(in reply to kayak99)

Post #: 8

RE: Surf Fishing - 5/7/2008 9:29:30 PM

rsquared

Posts: 383
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Crappie -

I see that Marco is on the Gulf side of FL. Never fished the Gulf in FL, but have fished several times in the Gulf in Mississippi over the past 10 years. If Marco is anything like the coast in MS, I'd put away the surf rod (like a 9 or 10 footer with 30 lb. line) and downsize to something more in the 7.5 foot range with a little backbone. I usually run 10 lb. mono for a main line with a 2-3 foot leader of 20 lb. mono for the toothy critters like speckled trout & flounder. Lots of locals I run into use the braided lines with wire leaders on their spin & baitcasting outfits. I have done reasonably well on crappie jigs (Mister Twister type) for flounder, live shrimp and cocahoe minnows for the trout & flounder, and have tied into a few big red fish, but have only landed small ones.

By far, my most productive trip was last summer when I started using the Berkley Gulp shrimp. It is far cheaper than live shrimp or minnows, and I found it to be more effective at keeping the trash fish off of my line. You can fish them about 3-4 feet under a weighted float on a jig head on a 1/2-1 oz. jig head or bottom bounce them. I prefer white jig heads with the Gulp shrimp in Copper penny or white.

Like kayak said, look for structure like jettys, piers, pilings, drop offs, or channels running along harbors. My favorite spot is along a jetty next to a harbor. If a pier is closed or private, just wade along them if the water isn't too deep, casting under and along them. Run down or storm damaged piers are usually pretty good too, as many fishermen bypass them. I seem to do best right at sunrise, when the sun is creeping up over the water. Great time to throw top waters like the Long A bomber for speckled trout.

I don't really know what species of fish you'd be running into around Marco though. If you're after snook or tarpon, you'd definitely want to go with a different set up as I have never targeted them and don't have the faintest idea how to go about it. But if you're happy with speckled trout (by far the best tasting fish I've ever caught, IMO), flounder, and smaller reds, you should do pretty well with that set up.

Like the others have said, visit a local tackle shop if you can and talk to the locals. Watch and learn.

Oh yeah, if you happen to catch a ladyfish (kind of a small tarpon-looking fish with big eyes) make sure when you pick it up, you hold it away from you 'cause the first thing they do when you touch them is crap everywhere.

(in reply to kayak99)

Post #: 9

RE: Surf Fishing - 5/7/2008 10:18:21 PM

kayak99

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Joined: 10/7/2000
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quote:

ORIGINAL: rsquared

If you're after snook or tarpon, you'd definitely want to go with a different set up as I have never targeted them and don't have the faintest idea how to go about it.

I'd suggest he try:

Snook rig, 6'6" - 7' medium heavy rod, Shimano 4000 type series reel or slightly larger, 12 - 20 lb test with fluro leader

Tarpon rig - 7' - 7'6" heavy rod, Shimano 5000 type series reel or larger, 20 lb test line, again with fluro leader

If not a fly outfit I'm partial to Shimano spinning reels but for tarpon you could try 50 or 60 series saltwater reels, like Cabelas Salt Strikers.

If you're fishing for tarpon in Florida make sure you have a $50 tarpon permit if you plan to even lift the fish out of the water for a picture. Otherwise keep the fish in the water to retrieve your hook/lure. You can be arrested for lifting a tarpon without the permit (and a picture is proof enough to convict you).

Live shrimp are a great bait as is Gulp and the Long A Bomber caught me a nice 30" snook a couple months ago.

< Message edited by kayak99 -- 5/7/2008 10:22:37 PM >

(in reply to rsquared)

Post #: 10

RE: Surf Fishing - 5/7/2008 10:21:23 PM

kayak99

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Double post

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Post #: 11

RE: Surf Fishing - 5/7/2008 11:04:06 PM

gobyking

Posts: 288
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Quadruple post,beat ya.

(in reply to kayak99)

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RE: Surf Fishing - 5/7/2008 11:06:44 PM

kayak99

Posts: 893
Joined: 10/7/2000
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quote:

ORIGINAL: gobyking

Quadruple post,beat ya.

Double posts happen when one hits the "quote" button instead of the "edit" button on their original pots.

(in reply to gobyking)

Post #: 13

RE: Surf Fishing - 5/7/2008 11:15:45 PM

gobyking

Posts: 288
Status: offline

Sorry.

(in reply to kayak99)

Post #: 14

RE: Surf Fishing - 5/7/2008 11:58:59 PM

Deadbolt401

Posts: 688
Joined: 11/6/2007
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stay the hell away from sharks! Unless of course your in the playoffs, they'll just choke there.

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Post #: 15

RE: Surf Fishing - 5/10/2008 9:59:40 AM

CRAPPIE_SLAYER

Posts: 64
Joined: 1/7/2008
Status: offline

Thanks for all of the tips guys. Sounds like it should be a pretty good time if i get into them. Even if I don't, it'll be nice to experience a new kind of fishing. Flashdance, where did you get a charter for $75 for a half day. All of the ones i looked at were private, and like $450 for a half day. I know its vacation, but thats a little pricy for me. Might not have to worry though. My girlfriends boss has been talking to a couple of his friends down there about taking me out on their boats. Fingers crossed

.

ps. thank for the sea lice info. sounds like it could ruin a good vacation

(in reply to Deadbolt401)

Post #: 16

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