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Teach Me About Surf Fishing

1,887 Views | 11 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by Animal Eight 84
BlackGoldAg2011
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Please.

Back story: I grew up in the outdoors hunting shooting, but was never really exposed to fishing. I can count on my fingers the number of times I've been fishing and so my knowledge base is a bit lacking. My kids are getting to the age that I would like to start exposing them to outdoors things and fishing seemed like a really good place to start since living in Houston gives easy access to so much water, but I don't even know where to begin.

I picked surf fishing because the whole family likes the beach, and it has always looked like fun to me. But I seek your help on where to even begin. My knowledge of fishing consists of: I recently learned the difference between and spinning reel and a bait casting reel, I know that a surf fishing rod tends to be longer, and last fall I learned the basics of casting a fly. Beyond that, talk to me like I'm 5. What equipment do I need to start? what do I need learn about where to fish? what types of fish should I be targeting or avoiding? what am I not even considering yet?

I am open to suggestions on other types of fishing in the area as well, but with the fact kept in mind that i'd like to be able to bring a 4 and 6 year old along with me once I learn the ropes.

TIA for any advice, and later in the summer, if anyone is in the area and game for it, i'd love to fill your cooler with beer and provide any fishing consumables for the day in order to tag along on a fishing trip to learn in person.
Htownag11
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Good old thread that gets bumped periodically

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2857318
bexar
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This is probably what you are looking for.

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2857318
BlackGoldAg2011
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Thanks! I looked for a thread before posting but apparently not hard enough...
MouthBQ98
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Wind and wave conditions are a BIG factor, as are tidal movements. Check NOAA weather site for gulf coast weather and look at near shore conditions and winds. SE wind you will be casting into it, but that's pretty normal for summer and it blows mosquitos away from the beach. It means casting spinning reels will be easier than baitcasters.
You want 1-2' waves or less if you can, that means a very mild surf and potentially clearer/green water closer to the beach. You'll get the potential for some better fish. Surf fishing for me is wading out and casting rattle corks over baits, or jigs and spoons from as soon as there is the slightest hint of sunrise until about 10am, then maybe soaking bait on a long line while I sit under a shade.
CS78
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Get some of this guys weights. Most important gear you will need.

https://www.2coolfishing.com/threads/spider-weights-pyramid-weights-and-surf-leaders.2714044/#post-24111019
ought1ag
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Yeet!!


Animal Eight 84
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Surf fishing is a blast but it can be a full contact sport.

If you're wading in the surf, get a manual, pull the cord, inflatable life vest and wear it.

The first time you're swimming for the beach caught in undertow/ rip current and starting to get tired you'll know why.

Also carry meat tenderizer to neutralize man of war stings.

You'll also want a long stringer when a shark decides to play tug of war.
BlackGoldAg2011
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Animal Eight 84 said:

Surf fishing is a blast but it can be a full contact sport.

If you're wading in the surf, get a manual, pull the cord, inflatable life vest and wear it.

The first time you're swimming for the beach caught in undertow/ rip current and starting to get tired you'll know why.

Also carry meat tenderizer to neutralize man of war stings.

You'll also want a long stringer when a shark decides to play tug of war.
thanks for the tips, any reason to use a stringer rather than immediately icing down the keepers in a cooler?
jpb1999
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BlackGoldAg2011 said:

Animal Eight 84 said:

Surf fishing is a blast but it can be a full contact sport.

If you're wading in the surf, get a manual, pull the cord, inflatable life vest and wear it.

The first time you're swimming for the beach caught in undertow/ rip current and starting to get tired you'll know why.

Also carry meat tenderizer to neutralize man of war stings.

You'll also want a long stringer when a shark decides to play tug of war.
thanks for the tips, any reason to use a stringer rather than immediately icing down the keepers in a cooler?
No, no need for stringer in the surf.
MouthBQ98
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Saves wading back to the beach each time if the action is good from a passing school, but I tend to Wade in and box the fish and get a swig of beverage before going back out. Also, wading in pants deters most jellyfish hits, though they are rare. A sea wasp or man of war can ruin your trip though.
I'm a minimalist, pocket with a bit of tackle, rod. Maybe bait bucket (smallest possible), floating pliers with snip built in. That's it. And yeah, if you can't swim like a fish with utter confidence, some sort of flotation isn't a bad idea if you wade past the second bar.
Animal Eight 84
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BlackGoldAg2011 said:

Animal Eight 84 said:

Surf fishing is a blast but it can be a full contact sport.

If you're wading in the surf, get a manual, pull the cord, inflatable life vest and wear it.

The first time you're swimming for the beach caught in undertow/ rip current and starting to get tired you'll know why.

Also carry meat tenderizer to neutralize man of war stings.

You'll also want a long stringer when a shark decides to play tug of war.
thanks for the tips, any reason to use a stringer rather than immediately icing down the keepers in a cooler?
If you're on the 2nd bar catching fish, or moving, following or chasing after a school you don't want to run back and forth to the bank to a cooler. Your only action may last 5-10 minutes with a school coming by so that's the time to be catching.
You can also use a fish basket donut but they're more cumbersome in the surf wave action.

If you're parked on the bank in a lawn chair, ice the fish in a cooler, no need for stringer.

Also agree with the minimalist approach for wading. A few plastic jigs and spoons is enough. What you could stash in a shirt pocket.
I wear the quick dry pants and a long sleeve shirt, and wading shoes. Try to stay covered from PMW & jellyfish stings. Lanyard on my sun glasses and also my cap or hat because a wave will get them easily if you're wading deep.

Buy quality pliers everything rusts in saltwater, buy or make a lanyard for them . Also wash your vehicle right away when you're done, it will be coated in salt film. Learn how to take apart your reel and clean it after every trip if wading.
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