Please Reply... Surf Fishing Tommorrow?

[dcabarle]

Where should I go, what should I bring? I'm going to have to pick up a new rod for this. I very rarely fish the beach, but I've been hearing about these reports and want to give it a try tomorrow morning. Anyone?

 

[njflyguy]

Dennis.....where are you going? I would reccomend a minimum 8 weight rod.....9-10 would be better.. make sure you have a good drag on whatever reel you'll use...If you get into a striper you'll need it. If the winds on the beach are not favorable for casting head to the bay......Flies to try.....Crazy Charlies, large clouser minnows.

 

[NJFred]

Dennis... I fish a 9wt GLX for stripers in the surf. Great rod... it's light and behaves more like a 10 to 11 wt. I like to fish North Beach at Sandy Hook. It's the last beach north to the tip. Walk north for anout 1/2 a mile and the beach turns and heads from east to west. This is the false tip. A huge rip runs almost to the beach. I've had good luck on this section. Look for birds and fisherman up and down the beach. Don't feel like you got to cast a mile. Very often the fish are right in the wash. I've hooked them literally picking up the fly for the next cast. I use a Teeny sink tip with 4 ft of 15 lb mono for a leader. Favorite fly is a green deciever. I find if you strip it in really erractic it entices hits. Make sure hook point is sharp. Bring a sharpener with you. If you feel a take just keep stripping until the line is taught and then give a good strip set by flicking your wrist hard as you strip. Bring some wire gaurds encase the blues are around. Good luck.

 

[Johnw]

I don't fly fish the surf so I can't advise on the rod - in fact if you have a spinning rod I'd advise using it as the beaches have been so crowded at times that fly casting is almost impossible. Start at Sandy Hook and look for action such as clouds of birds diving in the water, bent rods, lots of parked cars etc. Check both ocean side and the bay side this time of year. If you don't see anything there head south to Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach, and Long Branch and stop along the way where there is beach access. There were small bluefish in the surf at Monmouth Beach this morning and the fish can show up anywhere and at any time. If you see a gray haired guy in a silver Honda CRV that'll be me.

 

[njflyguy]

Oh yeah one safety thing.....DO NOT venture out onto a rock jetty without a pair of korkers....or some such studded wading shoe. Like Fred said bring some wire or lots of leaders if the blues are around and you give them an inch of slack you're kissing your fly goodbye if they don't take it on the strike that is......One spot I like is Island Beach State Park...good access to the ocean and the bay. If you chose to go this far take a minute to stop in the gatehouse and ask about fishing...They are ussually pretty helpful......Also on the way into the park you'll pass 2 shops(niether fly specific) that will have better knowledge of conditions and possible hot spots.One is New Dolphin B&T the other is Betty&Nicks, both are on the right as you head through Seaside Park......Good Luck and bring bug spray the flies stay around longer than you'd think and if the is a west wind they'll be all over you.

 

[dcabarle]

Nah... never made it out. My father did make it out but had no luck. He went to Spring Lake. He said there were quite a few people there too!

I think I may try this next week. I'll be using spin equipment as I don't have the $$$ to purchase the new fly rod / reel / line right now.

Let me know when you think would be a good time to get out, maybe I'll take a day off from work.

 

[dcabarle]

Flyin, I actually enjoy fishing off a boat with a spinning rod. My experience in the surf is not that extensive, but I wouldn't mind picking up a spin rig for surf fishing!