Surf fishing-- worthwhile?

[Yoshi]

Not really surf fishing but just returned from Key Marathon.
Probably fished 40-50 hours last week.

Brought 2 travel rods.

First one a medium heavy, 3 piece casting rod. Abu Garcia, 6500c reel loaded with 15lb fluorocarbon. I use this for tarpon/cuda or whatever else is interested in an entire head rolling around the bottom.

The second rod is a medium weight, 3 piece spinning rod. Shimano Spirex 4000 reel loaded with 10 lb fluorocarbon.

I had 10 or so hits on the baitcaster, a few tarpon were nice enough to give me a show before making off with my bait. The lane and mangrove snapper bite was consistent. Sometimes doubles, my biggest snapper was a healthy 15 incher.

Friday evening came along. My wife came down to the pier with a bottle of wine and a few other family's showed up to watch the to watch the beautiful Keys sunset. I lit a cigar and chatted with my wife about how much fun the week was and how nic it would have been to actually hook a Tarpon.

As if on cue, one minute later, something started running with my heavy line. The clicker sang as line came off faster than I can describe. By now a crowd gathered around me. I forced myself to wait for a couple more seconds before engaging the drag.

I hit the drag, set on medium and was shocked that the fish didn't slow whatsoever. The tarpon at that point broke the surface giving a hell of a show.

I increased the drag by a bit and the fish began to slow and eventually turn. As I brought him in, I kept thinking, "OK now what??".

When close to the dock, he made multiple runs for the pilings. Luckily I was able to keep him from getting wrapped up.

Finally I got him up next to me. He took the hook deeper than I was willing to reach into his mouth. Luckily I had my cutters and cut the line as short as possible. He looked tired for a second then with a splash, swam off very strong.

I would guess him to be in the 55-60# range.

What a perfect end to a great vacation!

Great story! I would love to be able to fish like that one day. So jealous.

 

[henn5849]

Surf fishing at Atlantic beach nc only yielded small pinfish for me today. Caught dogfish, black bass, croaker, and pinfish in bog sound...

 

[yellowfin]

Something I'm going to try to get to work when I get the chance next is to use a kite to get the bait out further. People do it on boats all the time but it was originally intended for on land. Don't know why it isn't done more, but I guess all I care is getting it to work well for me.

 

[shocker998md]

Surf fishing at Atlantic beach nc only yielded small pinfish for me today. Caught dogfish, black bass, croaker, and pinfish in bog sound...

Damn your right around the corner from me. Spanish and blues areby hitting top water gotcha plugs by either of the piers? They were last month.

For a no bs fishing report and info go to chasin tails.

 

[annihilation-time]

Just arrived in South Nags Head! Have been fishing down here before but never really caught anything. What are they catching them on this past week? Anyone?

We arrived at North Topsail, NC late Saturday night.

Surf fishing at Atlantic beach nc only yielded small pinfish for me today. Caught dogfish, black bass, croaker, and pinfish in bog sound...

Last night, first night of fishing, my brother-in-law caught a Red Drum and I landed a 6ft Blacktip Shark on the beach. We're off to a great start.

 

[BigCountry14]

Any pictures?

 

[annihilation-time]

Any pictures?

I'll upload some today or tomorrow.

 

[henn5849]

Damn your right around the corner from me. Spanish and blues areby hitting top water gotcha plugs by either of the piers? They were last month.



For a no bs fishing report and info go to chasin tails.

Thanks! I never use artificial lures because I suck at it. Lol. I've been using squid and shrimp. Lots of croaker, pin fish, 1 trout, 1 dogfish. Surf fished 2 days using squid. The fish were robbing me blind. Went to a small hook and started nailing small pin fish.

I'll see about finding those plugs. Thanks so much for info!!!

 

[rgramjet]

Live pinfish are often used for bait.

 

[Hyp81]

Well we made our first attempt this week and it sucked. No bites... followed directions on using these smelly frozen bait fish that the local bait store sold to us. They kept disappearing, but we never managed to catch any fish. Couldn't seem to tell the difference between the movement of the surf on her bait setup and a fish. All in all, fairly disappointing.

Perhaps sometime we could have an MDS shore fishing party where some experienced people could show us newbs the ropes.

 

[henn5849]

Well we made our first attempt this week and it sucked. No bites... followed directions on using these smelly frozen bait fish that the local bait store sold to us. They kept disappearing, but we never managed to catch any fish. Couldn't seem to tell the difference between the movement of the surf on her bait setup and a fish. All in all, fairly disappointing.



Perhaps sometime we could have an MDS shore fishing party where some experienced people could show us newbs the ropes.

Not sure if you had same problem as me, but, it seems so. As soon as I casted I had to take slack out immediately because the small fish devour it right away. I also had to put smaller hooks on. Nailed the little 5-7" pinfish. Lol. The fish in NC seem to hit the bait the second it touches water.

 

[Hyp81]

I have no idea what we did wrong (if anything). It was an interesting endeavor, but definitely something where I feel like it would be good to go with people who know WTF they are doing.

Also I don't think the smell of those frozen fish is ever gonna leave my knife and sheath.

 

[SRD]

Heading to OC Sat. afternoon,gonna fish that evening.Staying near 40th so I might try around 37th and maybe move North from there depending on how I do (might head as far as 139th-up).So if anyone hears/knows of any spots hitting right now and they want to share,shoot me a pm.

 

[Overboost44]

I hear all the fish are hanging out at 49th st. I would really try to read the water/tides for better luck. Look for how the surf is drawn back into the ocean and a place that is forming tidal pools. That should help.

 

[annihilation-time]

We caught 3 sharks. The one below was the largest. A 6ft Blacktip. We also caught a small Reef Shark and a small Sand Tiger.

 

[annihilation-time]

Here's some video of the Blacktip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7riqEGo92nQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[henn5849]

Used a boat to fish just off the shore at Atlantic beach and caught 54" hammerhead.

NRA Member
MD Hunter Safety Instructor
RSO

 

[annihilation-time]

Used a boat to fish just off the shore at Atlantic beach and caught 54" hammerhead.

That's awesome. I have dreams of landing a hammer.

When I was at the market buying Mullet and Blues for bait, the guys were telling me their boat brought in a monster hammer. It was caught only 1/2 mile from the beach.

 

[ground chuck]

Saw some guys surf fishing while down at Myrtle this past week. They didn't catch sh*t, seems like a waste of time to me, id rather fish from a boat or at least a pier.

 

[rgramjet]

Saw some guys surf fishing while down at Myrtle this past week. They didn't catch sh*t, seems like a waste of time to me, id rather fish from a boat or at least a pier.

Its all about expectations.

If you want to sit on the beach all day and watch the world go by, drink beer and dodge the mother in law that manages to show up at all family beach vacations, surf fishing is one of the greatest things in the world!

If you want to catch fish, expect nothing and be happy when a few croaker or spot and the occasional striper/bluefish is nice enough to take your bait.

I'm no surf fishing expert in spite of my countless hours partaking in the sport.