New to surf fishing

[Vacha_Shots]

Hi there guys, I'm an avid LMB and SMB fisherman who's been fishing all of my life. Recently my mother in law moved to Middletown (I'm from trenton area) she lives within walking distance of the bay. I'm interested in getting a surf set up so I can fish while we're visiting, we just had a baby in January so we will be visiting a lot lol.

Basically just looking for tips for a beginner like me. Starting with what kind of set up should I be looking to get into. Not trying to spend a fortune on top of the line stuff (yet) but also dont wanna buy crap. Primarily will be fishing the raritan bay, but occasionally would like to fish the ocean. Pretty much trying to keep it simple now, will focus on fishing with bait for now. Just want to get out and relax, but also maximize my chances for catching fish.

Also, I'm not looking for any secret spots or anything like that, doing my own exploring is half the fun! And if theres already a write up thread with this sort of information, I dont mind being pointed in that direction! Thanks in advance! :)

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

Congrats on your new addition. Welcome aboard and check out any Sponser tackle shop on here for the latest deals and spot info, they will point you in the right direction.

[WhaleFart]

Being that I'm board AF at work waiting to get on the surf this evening, I will take a stab at this.

Surf fishing can be incredibly rewarding and relaxing however like anything patients and ability to adapt is so important.

My advise would be following.

1. Learn how to read the surf for structure. (youtube will help)

2. I find fish to be most active on the change of tide (either way) and at night.

3. Keep moving, the biggest mistake I see people do when surf fishing is stay in one spot casting...I normally will walk 2-4 miles in an outing up and down the beach looking to find fish either staging or feeding.

4. Match the hatch, know what bait fish are in the water and carry a verity of lures to prepare you for any situation. I wouldn't throw a 3oz pencil when fish are feeding on rain fish.

5. Many guys bait and wait, I find bait fishing this time of year can be rewarding at times, but nothing compares to casting plugs and getting an epic blow up on a top water lure.

6. To be honest, this is a great webpage with a lot of knowledgeable people, however you will find very few surf reports or guys talking on here, you may want to scan the web for more surf fishing centric boards and learn from there.

Best of luck,

Ben

[PeteyHD]

Welcome to the site! I would recommend a 9ft M spinning rod with around a 6000 sized spinning reel. This is just a general recommendation but of course it depends on what you are targeting although it sounds like whatever is biting ie. fluke, croakers, blues, bass. You should be able to target all those species and have plenty of line to do so with that reel.

You will find that there are many guys on here that focus on surf fishing who can offer you more detailed advice.

[RAMMFISH66]

Welcome, I am the "token surf fisherman" on the site. I use a Penn 5500 reel with 30 lb power pro super slick line all season mounted on a Tsumami 11' trophy series rod It has caught it's share of Blues from 2lb to 15lb in the ocean surf. Just keep walking and keep your eyes open for bird action. That is where you will find the fish. Cast either behind or in front of the school. You do not need to chase after the fish since they will come your way. If they have passed, just wait for the next school. NO walk behind surf coolers on wheels or heavy gear. I carry an old Cabelas surf lure bag and a small knapsack with drinks and other necessary gear. Topwater lures with single hooks and some diamond jigs for fun too..That is all you need.
Have fun in the surf and the sun...see ya later, RAMMIE

[crookedbucktail]

For rods Tsunami trophy series or Tica 9 to 11ft MH range and for reels reels can't go wrong with work horse Penn battle2 or conflict in the 5000 or 6000 also another good and cheap reel is the Tsunami shield or Daiwa BG 5000. PowerPro 20lb or 30lb. Good luck!

[AndyS]

I have an older St. Croix Ben Doerr 8' 6" rod matched with an older Penn 6500ss and I love it, antiquated, maybe a bit but it works really well.
Chest waders, don't really neoprene, headlamp, SP minnows, fish at night !!!!!
Might want to stay off the bait and wait outfits. let us know how you do !

[Vacha_Shots]

Hey guys thank thank you for all the responses. I went to a local Tackle shop and he hooked me up with a Penn Battle II setup 8'. I love the rod and reel so far. My next question is coming from freshwater bass fishing, I like to keep casting and moving. The sit and wait approach kills me (I realized that Friday when I went out lol) now with that being said. Being as most of my fishing I'll be doing will be from the shore of the Raritan bay will I be wasting
my time using plugs/spoons/bucktails? Should I just suck it up and use the old bait and wait approach? Any input is appreciated! Thanks again!