Surf fishing with plugs?? @ DELMARVA?

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  • pleasant1911

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 12, 2012
    10,221
    Is it a thing? I ve used bait (bunker, crabs, squid,etc) but never plugs.

    Friends, I talk to says the DELMARVA area is not for that. Basically, from inshore (no boat), it’s all bait and chuck.

    Does anybody here use plugs/poppers at the surf (assateague, OC, Inlets, the bay or DE shores?

    Please advise. I want to get into surf fishing, and want to be that guy in a wetsuit/waders. Going to sell of some of my adult toys to fund this hobby. Before I start selling off stuff cheap, wanted to know if it’s worth it. Want to get a VS reel and a nice 9 foot rod.

    Can I fish the surf here likethe people do at MONTAUK?
     
    Yes, primarily when there are fish actively feeding in the surf but any morning or evening is good. A moving tide is a must. Look for pools of relatively calm water between sand bars. The water will be deeper there. Cast beyond the pool and pop your top water across the pool. A good indication of feeding fish are birds but in the surf you can usually see them swirling. I like to use a Rapala popper. There are several types available. I primarily surf fish at Assateague on the Virginia (Chincoteague) side. Fewer people and better fishing in my opinion. If you are so inclined, stop in a Captain Steve's in Chinco and talk Jimmy or any of the Greeks that own the place. They really know their stuff. I would recommend a longer rod. 9 FT is minimum. I personally have surf rods ranging from 9 to 16 feet. I've seen guys with custom rods as long as 22 with Alvey long cast reels. https://www.alveyusa.com/side-casting/
     

    Schipperke

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 19, 2013
    18,532
    Van Staal Bailess ? The Penn 6500 Bailess for $120, works great. You'll need a few Rods, give a Penn a try.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,729
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I imagine if you use light enough tackle you can get a plug past the breakers but, if the wind is up at all, it will be hard working it. I mostly threw "8 and bait" in my surf fishing days, but also used Hopkins and Diamond jigs if the blues were running.

    I miss the camaraderie of surf fishing more than anything else I can think of. Getting old claims another of life's great past times. :sad20:
     

    LimaVictor

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 9, 2012
    2,245
    Southern MD
    I use a lot of different tackle brands for all fishing but in the surf I find myself using Sea Striker Gotcha,Bomber Wind-Cheaters and Yo-Zuri 3D Pencil the most.

    +1
    I like to use a whopper plopper too. Works great in the surf when fish are feeding topwater. Occasional spoons too
     
    A 22’ surf rod???
    Dang

    Those boys don't mess around. Most of the long rod guys are shark fishing. Some use catapults and pneumatic launchers to throw their casts. Some use kayaks to paddle out their baits. I've even seen kites and drones used to get baits out past the breakers...In California i've seen them use weird catapult like contraptions to fish for Sturgeon in the bays...
     

    Some Guy

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 26, 2017
    1,014
    Is it a thing? I ve used bait (bunker, crabs, squid,etc) but never plugs.

    Friends, I talk to says the DELMARVA area is not for that. Basically, from inshore (no boat), it’s all bait and chuck.

    Does anybody here use plugs/poppers at the surf (assateague, OC, Inlets, the bay or DE shores?

    Please advise. I want to get into surf fishing, and want to be that guy in a wetsuit/waders. Going to sell of some of my adult toys to fund this hobby. Before I start selling off stuff cheap, wanted to know if it’s worth it. Want to get a VS reel and a nice 9 foot rod.

    Can I fish the surf here likethe people do at MONTAUK?

    I have never been much of a productive fisherman from shore, wading or kayaks but I love it just the same. I find this John Skinner's videos supremely informative. He fishes the Long Island Sound and offshore NY areas in addition to other East Coast locations. He has loads of great videos on youtube, including this gem about using plugs in the surf:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTpKpUBhKYU

    Enjoy, and tight lines!
     

    pleasant1911

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 12, 2012
    10,221
    Those boys don't mess around. Most of the long rod guys are shark fishing. Some use catapults and pneumatic launchers to throw their casts. Some use kayaks to paddle out their baits. I've even seen kites and drones used to get baits out past the breakers...In California i've seen them use weird catapult like contraptions to fish for Sturgeon in the bays...

    I seen a guy use a drone at assateague last year.
     

    pleasant1911

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 12, 2012
    10,221
    I have never been much of a productive fisherman from shore, wading or kayaks but I love it just the same. I find this John Skinner's videos supremely informative. He fishes the Long Island Sound and offshore NY areas in addition to other East Coast locations. He has loads of great videos on youtube, including this gem about using plugs in the surf:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTpKpUBhKYU

    Enjoy, and tight lines!

    John skinner and surfcasterjournal is an awesome source. I came across it couple weeks ago. Zeno hromin’s videos are good also

    Anybody care to share their set up. Currently I have a Daiwa saltist 8000 with a cheap 12 foot rod off of amazon. Had good reviews.... tsunami shield 5000 with a 9 ft rod. Both medium fast rods.

    What pound Line should I use. 20 or 30 braid. Wood or plastic. Length of the lures. How much do you guys like using bucktails? Eel? Is is valid for the DELMARVA? Wader vs wetsuit? Where in the surf am I suppose to cast to.

    If you guys can check this out.

    https://blog.saltwateredge.com/zeno-hrominits-all-about-the-whitewater/

    Is this also true here, principle wise.

    Thanks guys! Google can only give you so much before you have to go to the people who goes there.
     
    John skinner and surfcasterjournal is an awesome source. I came across it couple weeks ago. Zeno hromin’s videos are good also

    Anybody care to share their set up. Currently I have a Daiwa saltist 8000 with a cheap 12 foot rod off of amazon. Had good reviews.... tsunami shield 5000 with a 9 ft rod. Both medium fast rods.

    What pound Line should I use. 20 or 30 braid. Wood or plastic. Length of the lures. How much do you guys like using bucktails? Eel? Is is valid for the DELMARVA? Wader vs wetsuit? Where in the surf am I suppose to cast to.

    If you guys can check this out.

    https://blog.saltwateredge.com/zeno-hrominits-all-about-the-whitewater/

    Is this also true here, principle wise.

    Thanks guys! Google can only give you so much before you have to go to the people who goes there.

    I am an amateur at surf fishing.
    I was a WSI/Water Safety Instructor and trained and certified lifeguards in college. That being said, the only thing I will add to your post is that chest waders in the surf could turn a good day into a deadly day really quickly. I highly advise against them. Hip waders won't be as dangerous if you fall, but a wetsuit would be your safest bet.
     

    Overboost44

    6th gear
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 10, 2013
    6,619
    Kent Island
    I love surf fishing as John said "the camaraderie" is half the fun. I use a 9'6" St. Croix Avid and love it to death. I put a Shimano Ultegra on it with 30 lb braid. The reel is super sweet and smooth so you can really get out there with the combination, but is too heavy of a reel for the rod and I feel it is unnecessary. I have a Shimano Baitrunner 5500 and a Penn Slammer III of similar size that are better suited for this rod.

    As for plugs, I haven't fished in the surf with them, but I was at the fishing flea market on K.I. 2 weeks ago and there was a guy there that hand makes some beautiful plugs. Neal Cohen (www.nealcohenfishinglures.com) but they aren't cheap. FWIW, they had his lures listed among the top lures of all time in Rudow's Fish Talk magazine. I do realize that there are probably some reasons that the local guy got in that article but whatever.

    Contrary to popular belief you don't have to cast past the breakers to catch fish. You do need to be able to read the water and look for the eddy's. I am in no way an expert at that but I never stop trying to learn. Google "how to read the beach for surf fishing" and also check out this link.https://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/59116-reading-the-water/
     

    Archeryrob

    Undecided on a great many things
    Mar 7, 2013
    3,063
    Washington Co. - Fairplay
    I would recommend a SOT kayak and learning how to use it. I have been surf fishing an can see the blues or rock feeding out of range. I can chase them with a kayak. It is harder to use lures from shore, but if just using bait shore fishing is fine.

    Now that said, you need to know how to use it in the ocean and how to renter through the surf. Go onto Snaggedline.com and find guys to teach you if you want to learn. I always laugh watching people try and coast back in through the surf, they wave turns them sideways and flips them. Coming in the surf is like white water, you can't steer unless paddling hard.
     

    gtodave

    Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 14, 2007
    14,159
    Mt Airy
    What pound Line should I use. 20 or 30 braid. Wood or plastic. Length of the lures. How much do you guys like using bucktails? Eel? Is is valid for the DELMARVA? Wader vs wetsuit? Where in the surf am I suppose to cast to.

    Like most things...it depends. For mono vs braid, if you plan on fishing in the "congo line", where you are elbow to elbow with other fisherman, you will make a lot of enemies really fast if you're using braid. Braid will cut through mono in an instant, and other fishermen tend not to like that.

    Lure size/construction will depend on the fish and the conditions. I personally RARELY use topwater in the surf, and I never use bucktails. I never see anyone using fake eel either.

    As others have mentioned, you will need to learn to read the surf and the shore to find good spots to fish. being able to cast a mile is not a necessity, but it is helpful.
     

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