New to surf casting, not sure what combo to use or lures

MRubin78

MRubin78

New Angler
Hi guys first post here, I want to get into surf casting on the south shore of Long Island for stripped bass, but I have never done it before and have no idea where to start. As of now the only thing I have is a nice old Gladding HI 9' rod but I'm not sure what the best reel for me would be, best pound test, or best lures. Sorry for such crappy/little info, as I stated I'm new to surf casting, been fishing the bays and inlets all my life. Thanks.
 
9' spinning rod for 1 1/2 to 3 ounces is good for calmer days and nights. I only use 20lb. braid with a 3 or 4' leader. Might want to go up in length if the wind is in your face and waves are over 3'. Penn, Daiwa, Okuma all make reasonably priced, medium size spinning reels that will do. You do not need to mortgage the house for a Van Stahl. (not at first, anyway, lol.) I just bought off Amazon a Penn Battle II 4500 and an 11' Okuma Rockaway Medium weight surf rod and both set me back no more than $200. I do have a 9' Lamiglass rod that I love, it would go a little over $200 but its for those calm days.
Lures ? Stick with 1 1/2 to 3 oz bucktails, some Kastmasters (metal tins) and Hopkins, and try some Tsunami swim shads in white or bunker colors. Plugs will cost twice as much but many swear by them. I just sold a bunch of new and packaged lures that at my age I knew I would never need to use and could part with more, barely or never used ones, but I suggest going to a local tackle shop like Causeway in Wantagh and buying a small assortment there. Guys in that shop are quite good with info and advice as well. (You can always ask others on the beach what they would suggest as well, or just watch what they are throwing.) Many will use bait, too boring for me and way too many trash fish like skates and sea robins.
From my avatar you see that I kayak fish from May through September. Sold my last boat four years ago after hardly using it the previous years once I started paddling the back bay. Surfcasting for me is October and November.
 
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CANY if you move this to "surf fishing" forum can you let MRubin know ? He could get more (and better, lol) advice there.
 
If your serious and are invested, I suggest hiring a guide. Bill Wetzel comes to mind but there are others. You'll really learn the details about what it takes to catch fish consistently adding to the enjoyment. Money well spent.
 
MRubin78 said:
Hi guys first post here, I want to get into surf casting on the south shore of Long Island for stripped bass, but I have never done it before and have no idea where to start. As of now the only thing I have is a nice old Gladding HI 9' rod but I'm not sure what the best reel for me would be, best pound test, or best lures. Sorry for such crappy/little info, as I stated I'm new to surf casting, been fishing the bays and inlets all my life. Thanks.
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beach fishing takes some time to learn, go walk the familiar beaches wit that 9 foot stick.. observe the others with the different styles, casting bait & wait or casting lures.. head over to the jetty rocks, there’s always fisherman there, careful though… bring lunch… best time is here… good luck… cellfish…
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another good guide if you are so inclined is Bernie Hoyt. (and I have no idea what they charge.) I just got back from my town's open ocean beach (as though my user name doesn't give it away, lol.) Wife came along. In two hours caught a 16" fluke on a Kastmaster as the wind was whipping 20 plus and the only other lure I tried was a bucktail. I think Cellfish' idea is the way to go once you get a few lures and a spinning reel. by mid October you will be needing waders and some sort of waterproof top, surf belt, etc. It never ends.
 
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Both of the aforementioned guides give terrific seminars, usually at the Ward Melville HS Fishing Expo every first Saturday in March.
 
MRubin78 said:
Hi guys first post here, I want to get into surf casting on the south shore of Long Island for stripped bass, but I have never done it before and have no idea where to start. As of now the only thing I have is a nice old Gladding HI 9' rod but I'm not sure what the best reel for me would be, best pound test, or best lures. Sorry for such crappy/little info, as I stated I'm new to surf casting, been fishing the bays and inlets all my life. Thanks.
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thanks Pequa, btw, RUBIN, scroll back the pages on this thread, it’s all there for FREE… cellfish…
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