Surf casting cannons

I had one. They have their advantages and disadvantages. If using braid with “8 n’ bait” especially when raining or hands wet, they beat having finger tape or slicing your finger open.

I tested it in an open field vs just regular finger casting with 4oz, which is about the biggest that I usually use for weight. About the same distance. Maybe if used all of the time and dialed it in, could be more? The last cast I made, the weight was sunk all of the way to the knot. Those would definitely kill someone if you ever hit them.

I took off, mainly since it was just uncomfortable when reeling in and felt in the way and didn’t use for most of my saltwater fishing. I had attached with wire ties. Maybe a better way to attach it to increase comfort? Then of course when I was planning to do some heavier baits in the rain, I couldn’t find where I put it, so I wouldn’t lose it…. I also took it off since my aim was a bit off with it. Sometimes needed to wrap it 2 times other 3. They take practice, which I didn’t do enough to be comfortable with it. Sometimes wrapping it too much would have it catch and really bad casts, imagine could break off casts too. With that whole chance of killing someone on a bad cast, I didn’t want to chance it. Just be careful and try to dial it in with practice if you can. Avoid crowds at first.

Just wear a pair of Leather gloves....
 

For sharks, I guess you wouldn’t have too much of an issue of breaking off, if 60# braid or more. I think more of an issue with striper/bluefish/pompano rigs with 20# leaders. I’ve had many times the bail close during casts and the rig busts and flies out without my line.

Definitely good call practicing. Just got to remember the saltwater is a lubricant. So the wraps that you practice might be different. Maybe take a spray bottle with salt water?

Regardless, you’ll be at the beach. So, you could get a birds nest on every cast and still be winning! You going any time soon? I’m waiting for the NJ reports to start up. Have a job lined up, hoping they don’t get to antsy and need me out before things heat up. Back side schoolie stripers should be around, so won’t be a complete miss if I have to go soon.

I have not used that knot. But image what you are casting, you probably wouldn’t break off unless you really got caught in the cannon trigger or something. Unless you wrapped it 7-8 times. I think the strength of your set up would likely unstick it or be like a giant whip and come back at your feet.

I wanted to do EI this year, but my group had way too many “needs”…. Ocean front, pool, elevator, walking distance to shops/restaurants and a few others. We’ll be checking out Hatteras Village. First time for me. We’ve stayed in Avon 6 times and spent time down in Hatteras, but never stayed there.

We have done three trips to EI. For NC, it is my favorite. We have stayed in The Point area twice. I love it there. Only issue I have with the area is a major lack of backwater access. Pretty much need a kayak/boat to fish the backwaters. The point itself has some backwater access.

Hatteras and Frisco are also south facing. They have the similar clearer water as compared to the towns to their north. With a lot of backwater access too. The Point at Hatteras (Buxton actually) is amazing, but a PIA to get to if you don’t have an ORV permit. The Hatteras Bight, just to the south is a live aquarium if the conditions are right. Instantly drops 50’ crystal clear with sharks, rays and gamefish all swimming around in a huge fish bowl. I’ve seen dolphins less than 10’ from shore in 50’ of water cruising the drop off. Spinner sharks jumping clear out of the water doing spins.

Those two are nothing compared to Destin/Fort Walton Beach, FL though. The water is Caribbean clear there most days. The amount of sharks hanging around their pier is insane. 10’-15’ tiger sharks cruising around and can see their markings in 30’ or so water. The fishing there is crazy with the amount of species. They are currently catching black fin tuna from their fishing pier!

I never really shark fish, besides some nights just casting a chunk and whatever takes it while draining beers. Usually tell when it is a shark by breaking me off within a minute. Mostly cast spoons for Spanish mackerel and blues. Occasionally fish for pompano and mullet, but I enjoy slinging metals and walking the beach. It gives more cover for working your way closer to the chicks in thongs too…. Not that I would do such a thing.

EI Point gets extremely shallow in the surf at low tide. Like a 2’ deep wading pool for about 50 yards out. Check your tide chart. I’d avoid shark night fishing there if low tide. In the inlet it is deep regardless, but in the ocean itself, that section is worthless at low. At high, there is a ton of baitfish and usually blues and Spanish, so imagine sharks too. If you can, take a look over there at daytime low tide to get an idea.

Great place if you have young kids to splash around in.

Back side of that area has some inlets that are filled with mullet. So take a cast net if you have. Inside the inlet will often have green backs too. Those aren’t very hearty though, but the blues love them, especially if you cut them. Imagine what I am targeting it your bait. Both dusk and dawn has a nice window of Spanish and blues hitting 3/4oz to 1.5oz metal spoons. The same times are good at the BI Pier too. They get some midday too.