So I am very new to surf fishing but we live on JI and have been going out to Seabrook at least once a week, sometimes more. I have been surf fishing for the last two months and have started to land decent sharks all the way up to 5’. However, I would really prefer redfish. I am currently running a 9’ and 10’ rod with 65lb braid, 60 mono leaders with a 8" piece of steel, 6/0 circle hook, and 4oz pyramid sinkers. All of my bait has been large live mullet up to 14" in length hooked through the mouth. Any suggestions on what I can do to limit the sharks and increase the reds? I started running steel after the 15th or so break off and while I know that deters the redfish I was tired of getting broken off. Should I go to smaller bait? Different bait? Is it just sharks this time of year? When should I expect the bull reds in the surf? Thanks for the help ya’ll!
Smaller baits, other baits and 80 or 120 flouro will help also maybe the area and tide, fish closer to shore if casting far or the opposite.
If you fish cut bait during the summer months, you will catch Sharks and Rays 20 to 1 over Red drum. Shrimp or Blue Crab will weed out some Sharks.
Agreed during the warm summer months with cut bait you will catch a lot of sharks and rays. You shrimp from a seafood store. Once fall really kicks in finger mullet is my beta choice as that is usually what the Reds are chasing to the surf as the mullet run south. Plus by then the sharks for the most part have left as well due to cooling temps
Good news…October is heavy action for reds and typically referred to as the Red Run. Hell, even right now you can get some good red action if you find some nice troughs during the low tide to fish in when tide changes.