From 9/14/00</font id=blue>
Fall signifies the end of summer and cooler weather in the lowcountry. Fall also signifies some of the best inshore fishing opportunities of the year for local fishermen. While most of the people have packed up their beach umbrellas and frisbees for the year, the Lowcountry angler is knocking the dust off of his favorite surf rod and sand spike and heading for the beach. While I enjoy many different types of fishing in the fall months, I find surf fishing to be one of my favorites. I specifically enjoy targeting large Redfish as they feed on the Mullet in the surf. There is nothing like feeling a fish pick up your bait, waiting to make sure he has the bait in his mouth, and giving him a great big hook set with a 10ft. surf rod.
Notice I said a 10ft. surf rod. There are many different ways to fish the surf and while there are those who prefer to use very light tackle I prefer to use a reel that will hold at least 200 yards of 20lb. test and a 7 to 12 foot rod with a good backbone. We have caught Redfish as large as 40 pounds in the surf off of Morris Island and about the only thing you will see if you hook a fish this size on a Trout rod is an empty spool. Many people also feel a large Redfish has a better chance of survival when taken on heavier tackle because you can get them to shore quicker and get them back in the water without the fish totally wearing themselves out. Don’t forget the 27" maximize size limit was placed on these fish because they generally reach sexual maturity when they get any larger.
There are as many different rigs as there are surf rods. Some people prefer to use a standard drop rig. The drop rig generally consist of a heavier leader material with two to three short leaders with hooks extending off the side. The weight on this rig attaches to the bottom of the rig. The advantage to this rig is that it allows you to place several pieces of bait in an area. Many people feel this rig is not the best rig for Redfish because they will feel