Hi all, been following this site since last month when the wife and I planned our first outing to the area. I did some prelim research and got some saltwater gear, 10’ surf rod steel leaders etc. Was needing some help in the area of surf fishing, I was at the north end of folly and it seemed like i just couldn’t get my line far enough out there. I know my casting technique is pretty good, always room for improvement, but it seemed like my lines kept getting caught up in the current and brought in? Also any good pictures or links to good ways to rig my line would be appreciated. I was mainly using a carolina rig the hole time i was out there and I noticed most guys on the pier using a totally different style of rig. All in all any help would be greatly appreciated as I am new to salt water fishing but the one shark I caught, 32", gave me a thrill! Coming back down Wed 6/10/15 probably try and fish around folly and morris island or anywhere you folks can recommend! Thanks in advance!
If there’s much surf you’re gonna have a tough time keeping a carolina rig with a light lead down
May your tip forever wiggle
Bowfishermen: Saving your bass one carp at a time
A Carolina rig will work in the surf but if you’re using an egg sinker the line will do exactly what you described. You need to use a pyramid or sputnik style weight. 4 or 5 ounces is what I mainly use.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
thanks for the input! i had some pyramid sinkers but never tied one on. I will give it a try this go around. thanks a lot for taking the time to answer my question. if you happen to see a 6’4" guy running around the beaches this week hooping and hollering because he caught some fish you can bet it’s me 
If it was easy they would call it catching instead of fishing.
When using large pyramid ( 5 oz ) sinkers I attach them with a large locking swivel. The white plastic sleeve/snaps that you can buy for rigging like this can break during casting, been there, it is scary sending a 5 oz chunk of lead flying down the beach.
You might also want to look up how to rig a casting/shock leader for hard casting with a surf rod.
Mntnman,
I’ve got a few days off from work Wednesday and Thursday. I’m not sure of I’m fishing on my boat or the beach those days. If I go to the beach I’ll be happy to show you some other rigs and techniques.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
quote:Thanks for the picture and the tip on what to look for. I can only imagine the gut check you'd get sending 5oz of lead flying.
Originally posted by stlhunr
When using large pyramid ( 5 oz ) sinkers I attach them with a large locking swivel. The white plastic sleeve/snaps that you can buy for rigging like this can break during casting, been there, it is scary sending a 5 oz chunk of lead flying down the beach.
You might also want to look up how to rig a casting/shock leader for hard casting with a surf rod.
If it was easy they would call it catching instead of fishing.
sir if you are on the beach those days i’d love to meet an experienced saltwater fisherman and pick your brain. wednesday i will be driving into town and getting settled in probably won’t get any fishing done that day. This is actually a business trip for the wife so I am tagging along to “watch our kids” while she works Thursday she’s off at 2 so i hope to be on the beach/pier by 2:30 and fish until the kids have had enough. Thanks again for all the help. You guys on here are awesome. I hope things pan out for the wife this week and we will be moving down this way!
quote:
Originally posted by killinRMntnman,
I’ve got a few days off from work Wednesday and Thursday. I’m not sure of I’m fishing on my boat or the beach those days. If I go to the beach I’ll be happy to show you some other rigs and techniques.Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
If it was easy they would call it catching instead of fishing.
mntman, Hope you enjoy your trip and are able to catch some fish. I’m with killinR on the weights, pyramids are a must here in the low country surf. The current pulls south pretty good most days. Personally I start wth 3oz. pyramids and go up from there. Some days 6oz. + to hold bottom. For rigs, Keep it simple. I’ve been using pre tied drop rigs for 30+ years, don’t use anything else in the surf. Double beeded on the “small” set up, single 60lb wire on the “bigger” rods. As far as your casing distance? We got a lot of fish right here on the Carolina coast, no need to cast to Bermuda. 
Trust me, most folks cast OVER the fish. Now if you are targeting Sharks, on purpose, that can require some specific gear and rigs. But most Sharks you will encounter in the SURF can be handled on lighter rigs.
Here are the ONLY 2 rigs in my bag.
50lb mono double drop, #4-#2 j-hooks,15lb mono main line
60lb single wire drop, 2’ +/- 50lb “rub” leader, 6/0 2x circles, 25lb mono main line
“There’s a fine line between fishing and standing in the surf like an idiot.”
quote:
Originally posted by dparker677mntman, Hope you enjoy your trip and are able to catch some fish. I’m with killinR on the weights, pyramids are a must here in the low country surf. The current pulls south pretty good most days. Personally I start wth 3oz. pyramids and go up from there. Some days 6oz. + to hold bottom. For rigs, Keep it simple. I’ve been using pre tied drop rigs for 30+ years, don’t use anything else in the surf. Double beeded on the “small” set up, single 60lb wire on the “bigger” rods. As far as your casing distance? We got a lot of fish right here on the Carolina coast, no need to cast to Bermuda.
Here are the ONLY 2 rigs in my bag.
50lb mono double drop, #4-#2 j-hooks,15lb mono main line
60lb single wire drop, 2’ +/- 50lb “rub” leader, 6/0 2x circles, 25lb mono main line
“There’s a fine line between fishing and standing in the surf like an idiot.”
So when you say pre tied rig, are these ones that you buy at a fishing store or do you personally just pre tie a bunch? Do you then connect to your main line with a snap swivel or barrel swivel or straight tie? thanks DP
papajohick, the rigs are store bought. I get my rigs from a bait store in Goose Creek. Nice quality rigs. They have swivels at each joint. I usually buy 10-12 at a time. I keep all my gear, rigs, leaders, hooks and weights in a fanny pack. Remember…simple. If I get broken off, just one knot to tie, snap on hooks and weight, easy.
“There’s a fine line between fishing and standing in the surf like an idiot.”
quote:
Originally posted by dparker677papajohick, the rigs are store bought. I get my rigs from a bait store in Goose Creek. Nice quality rigs. They have swivels at each joint. I usually buy 10-12 at a time. I keep all my gear, rigs, leaders, hooks and weights in a fanny pack. Remember…simple. If I get broken off, just one knot to tie, snap on hooks and weight, easy.
“There’s a fine line between fishing and standing in the surf like an idiot.”
Haha ya that would have been easier this past weekend when I got a pretty good sized bite then the next second my line was waving in the surf/wind because whatever it was (shark or bluefish or other toothy) went straight through my mono leader… spent time tying my stuff back and by that time no more bites
Since I’ve only been doing this surf thing for a short time I can’t be a helpful as most of these guys who have thankfully help me. But I will say I have tied a 50lb shock leader of about 20 feet on my reel and it helps for cast tremendously for sure something you should try. I didn’t have any 5oz leads fly down the beach but I did have them breaking off and flying into the ocean and I got sick of seeing my money being lost. Also I was having trouble keeping my line down, I use a double drop rig which you tube has taught me how to make my own and a 4oz Sputnik sinker. Seems to work well and I have been catching fish. The most important thing I have learned is looking for troughs and holes and any slight change in the bottom im not saying im a pro at it but just being aware and looking for this has helped me. Good luck from one newbie to another I know it’s tough believe me! But really I just enjoy the great scenery where im at and if I catch something I look at it as a bonus. Kinda like the hot girls in bikinis. Sometimes you see em sometimes you don’t .
Philip Snyder II
I have always found that a slider rig works fine for the type of fishing I do. I put a slider on my fishing line and tie a 12 inch nylon liter with a number 6 hook. What is nice is you can use this rig anywhere. The double drop rig is also something that works well.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Sea-Striker-Quick-Slide-Sinker-Slide-with-DuoLock-Snap/744211.uts?productVariantId=1604230&srccode=cii_17588969&cp
thanks so much for all the input guys. I stopped by Hadrell’s tackle on the way to Folly one day and bought one of the double drop rigs already done up. I was able to see how it’s made and I think i’ll be turning out a few of them myself 
caught one baby shark while i was down last week.Wasn’t able to fish nearly as much as I thought i would be able too as the wife’s work schedule kept me with our toddler and infant almost non stop. All in all though I really appreciate everyones input and look forward to many more adventures on the beach surf fishing and hopefully getting offshore once I can get some money up for a charter or make friends with people with boats. Will be back down there this coming week, last set of interviews for the wife, beach life is so close!
If it was easy they would call it catching instead of fishing.