Swim Baits from Surf for Beginners

[BIGPOPPER]

Hello All,
My name is Alex. I am a novice at all things fishing. And I'm new to this site and to posting, so please show mercy.
I started fishing June of 2012 and I have only used fresh bait. I am preparing for the up coming season and I would like to try some lures. I mostly surf fish and I want to use some plastic swim baits, but I am worried about casting distance even with JigHeads. Also, without the benefit of a boat I'm also concerned with the heavy weight for distance simply dragging on the bottom and fouling the lure action.
Any advice for this fishing fanatic?

[blackcloudbob]

Google surf day 2013.

[BIGPOPPER]

Wish I had the free time tomorrow. I would have looooooved to go. Thanks for the assist though.

[Leif]

Originally Posted by BIGPOPPER

Hello All,
My name is Alex. I am a novice at all things fishing. And I'm new to this site and to posting, so please show mercy.
I started fishing June of 2012 and I have only used fresh bait. I am preparing for the up coming season and I would like to try some lures. I mostly surf fish and I want to use some plastic swim baits, but I am worried about casting distance even with JigHeads. Also, without the benefit of a boat I'm also concerned with the heavy weight for distance simply dragging on the bottom and fouling the lure action.
Any advice for this fishing fanatic?

Surf fishing Made Simple

The following post provide some basic information and tips on surf fishing with artificial lures (Plugs, Poppers, Metal, ect) for the species along Monmouth county beaches. I hope this is helpful and feel free to comment as usual. I still don’t know it all. This post is intended to help people that may be interested or new to surf fishing in the area.

When and Where

Although fish can be caught anytime of year along the beach my favorite time is in late summer fall and early winter. September through December. (My son and I have caught many Bass in January and February as well, but the fish tend to be smaller.

I fish during a Northwest, Northeast, East and North winds at any speed. I do not like South/ South East winds for surf fishing. The water gets dirty and cold due to up-welling and I find it to be unproductive.

Some will argue, but I will fish on any tide. As my dad used to say when I would complain about the low tide…..”They’re not too tall”

I fish a half hour to hour before and after sunrise and the same at sunset. During the fall you can catch them anytime but the most productive time seem to be right before it gets dark or right before it gets light.

There are many spots to fish along the shore in Monmouth County. You can fish Sandy Hook, Monmouth beach, Long Branch, Deal Asbury Ocean Grove and so on.

There are several Beach access points in each town. Sandy hook and several parking areas. I use parking lot 2 if I fish the hook. I fish in the Deal and Allenhurst area and I have to say there are no bad fishing spots.

What I would say is don’t drive around “looking” for fish. Find a stretch or beach and start fishing. You don’t have to see them for the fish to be there. In other words spend more time fishing and you will be more successful.


What you will need

1) Rod

A 7-9 1/2 foot Medium action rod rated for 15-25lb test. I use a 9 1/2 foot Lamiglass Fiberglass rod and Old Penn 650ssm or 750ssm reel.

Tip You don't need a 11ft rod to cast a mile in this area. Most fish are caught right in the wash or next to the jetty. I use a smaller rod on calm days and a larger rod with bigger reel on rough or windy days.


2) Reel

Skirted spool reel capable of holding 250yds of 15-20lb test.
There are so many brands out there that fill this requirement. I use the Penn as a "reference", you can go up or down in cost from here. Van Stall, Diawa and Finor also make some great high end reels.

I have been using the reel pictured below for at least 20 yrs and with minor repairs now and then it works fine.

Tip: Do not drop your reel in the sand or rinse in the surf. Always rinse your reel and rod off with fresh water when you get home and it will last much longer.

3) Line

I use 17-20 pound test mono. I like Ande and Trilene XL in the colder weather because it is softer and does not stiffen up in cold conditions.

For braid I use 30-50lb Power Pro. Again, there are many brands available so use your favorite.

note: I do not like braid when using Pencil Poppers. The braid tends to "drop" down the spool when imparting the popping action. This may cause a tangle. I also prefer mono in rough surf conditions as it acts as a shock absorber resulting in less fish lost.

Tip: Tie a 50lb 12-18in shock leader to your braid using a Albright or Blood Knot. It will hold up against the sharp gill plates of Stripers and act as a shock absorber.

4) Waders

Waders have improved so much over the years. Breathable materials make them lighter and more comfortable than ever. I use the breathable "boot foot" chest waders with a belt for safety. Cabealas, Orvis and others sell them. I use both.

Tip: Wear appropriate weight "Polar fleece" under the waders for extra comfort. AND ALWAYS WEAR A BELT FOR SAFTEY.

Tip: Creepers, Corkers (Cleats) are not required for fishing from the sand but a necessity when fishing from the rocks. The tie on cleats will come off in the surf so watch out! Some brands come with Velcro straps; these may be a better choice.

5) Lures

"Match the Hatch" as they say!
I have narrowed down the lures that I bring to the surf with me. Think high, medium and low. I use a teaser rig when using metal and plugs. Poppers get a 12-18in shock leader.

High: Poppers surface lures in the 8in and six in. I use Pencil poppers a lot and when the mullet are in, the smaller size one can be deadly. Vary your retrieve and work that popper right to the sand. Often a Striper will hit right in the wash at your feet.

Tip: Small red and white pencil poppers are deadly on Little tunny. Use a fast popping retrieve when they invade and hold on!!

Medium: Swimming plugs like the bomber lures A-Salt or yo-zuri Crystal minnow work well. Reel faster to get down a little further, slower to stay closer to the surface. These lures seem to work best when you reel very slowly.

Tip: Again, reel the plug right up to the sand, use with a 30-50lb "teaser rig"
When the waves or current pulls on the plug, stop reeling and let the wave/current action do the work. You will often get a hit as this bait is holding in the current. Bring two sizes and two colors, Black at night or low light in the evening and White in the Morning.

Low: Metal lures, Hopkins, Kastmaster, or my favorite, 2-3 oz diamond jig with a green tail. These often work best in rough surf and when the fish are feeding on sand eels. Cast to diving birds, let it sink and start reeling moderately fast. Often you will get a fish on as soon as you start reeling.

Tip: Don't let heavy surf stop you from fishing. A hard dry Northeast can be just the thing to turn on the Striped Bass. Even if it looks "un-fishable" give it a try. You will be surprised. It is like a playground for those "broom tail" bass.

Also bring some small metals with you. Often Spanish Mackerel, Little Tunny, Cero Mackerel and Bonito will invade the surf in September and October. I have caught them on an off through the years and they can be a nice surprise.
Tip: Tie the metal right to the line (no leader) and reel fast.
Well I hope this was helpful. Hopefully we will have a good fall and catch lots of fish.

Don't forget a knife to bleed the fish, small light , cloth tape measure and sharpen those hooks.

Good Luck,

Leif

[paulyfish]

Awfully nice of Leif to write this for you!
Very few people would take the time and effort nowadays to help and welcome new folks like this.
Cheers,
Paul

[BIGPOPPER]

Thanks Leif. This has been truly helpful. I do have a couple of the lures that you mentioned and have caught stripers on the spoon. No luck on the others yet. I agree with fishing heavy surf and not casting too far. My most productive days are usually under these conditions. Observation confirmed. Note: Wear eye protection, the wind can really do damage. And I guess now I won't get that 11' rod I almost ordered.
So the swim bait w/ jighead, would you consider that High, medium or low?
Or is it the retrieve that determines that?

[BIGPOPPER]

Originally Posted by paulyfish

Awfully nice of Leif to write this for you!
Very few people would take the time and effort nowadays to help and welcome new folks like this.
Cheers,
Paul

Agreed!!!! I have read a few of Leif's posts. I feel truly honored.

[Leif]

Originally Posted by BIGPOPPER

Thanks Leif. This has been truly helpful. I do have a couple of the lures that you mentioned and have caught stripers on the spoon. No luck on the others yet. I agree with fishing heavy surf and not casting too far. My most productive days are usually under these conditions. Observation confirmed. Note: Wear eye protection, the wind can really do damage. And I guess now I won't get that 11' rod I almost ordered.
So the swim bait w/ jighead, would you consider that High, medium or low?
Or is it the retrieve that determines that?

Bigpopper,
You are welcome, glad this helped. The swim bait with the jig head like the paddle tail shad can be worked at different depths depending on the weight.
Generally if you are fishing off the beach you will be on the bottom most of the time. I had the most success with these types of lures off the ends of the jetties and like the storm shad in white in different sizes. The hooks and weights are secure inside the lure and won't slip off the hook like the paddle tail style with the jig head. They work really well though and can be fished with different weight. Ir you like these type of baits, try the Storm rubber eels with the lead lip at night. They can be deadly.

Leif

[BIGPOPPER]

Originally Posted by Leif

Bigpopper,
You are welcome, glad this helped. The swim bait with the jig head like the paddle tail shad can be worked at different depths depending on the weight.
Generally if you are fishing off the beach you will be on the bottom most of the time. I had the most success with these types of lures off the ends of the jetties and like the storm shad in white in different sizes. The hooks and weights are secure inside the lure and won't slip off the hook like the paddle tail style with the jig head. They work really well though and can be fished with different weight. Ir you like these type of baits, try the Storm rubber eels with the lead lip at night. They can be deadly.

Leif

Leif,
Thanks a lot Leif. Last season I used only fresh bait and didn't even consider lures. Probably because I was very new to fishing and I took my sons with me regularly. But when the weather got colder and they couldn't go and bait started to dwindle at the bait shops I figured it was time. So my plan is to try them all to figure out what lures work best where I fish. I have been to Sandy Hook, Keansburg Pier and shore, Seabright and Long Branch with plans to visit Island Beach, Deal, Belmar and the Barnegat Inlet for the 2013 season. The poppers, twitch and crank baits seemed pretty straight forward but the swims raised concern. Now I understand.