Surf fishing from the beach has always been one of the most fun kind of fishing there is for me.
But, I have never caught a big bull red, trout or any other game fish from the surf. majority of the time I fish catch and release. And I love nothing more than catching a big shark from the beach…
I made a personal goal for myself this year to target a big red fish from the surf. Is there a specific time of year that reds run through the surf? I am guessing the most productive baits are cut baits? What size setup is best for this?
I have a 12 ft Oceaanm Master surf rod equipped with 400 yards of 100 lb braid on top of an additional 200 yards of backing on a penn fierce reel and it is absolutely my pride and joy.
I know when I shark fish from the beach I use my kayak to paddle and set my bait. Is this necessary when specifically targeting big bull reds?
Again, any knowledge you are willing to share is much appreciated
You can catch reds and sharks in close and out deep, they follow the bait or search for bait when there are no big pods around. I like to put a big spread out to cover more water and fish for everything. For me the most common factor for my big red catches is fresh mullet.
And learn to read the beach. Some spots are much more productive than others. You can find information about troughs and slews in some of the past threads here. 40inch and others know what I’m talking about and are very good at it.
Olde Man Charters
843-478-1538
Oldemancharters@gmail.com
286 Seafox/Twin 300’s
thank you to both 40inchreds annd sulcataman.
On a different note but in all seriousness… I could fish from the surf and from the kayak for the rest of my fishing years without ever stepping foot on a boat again, but i do love the arare ocassion an opportunity presents itself to jump aboard a fellows boat.
I can either cover or at the least, split bait cost, fuel and anything else if any one ever has an open spot on the boat to take someone out. i use to fish freshwater spot and largmouth tournaments when i lived in North Georgia but I could count on one more two hands the number of times I have been been in a boat in saltwater…
Oh yea… did I mention that I will also clean the boat as a gesture for letting me tag along?! Lol
I really am grateful for what I have now and anything other than is just a nice little bonus. Keep me in mind if you are ever in need of a fishing buddy.
SOMEONE FAMOUS ONCE SAID, “MANY MEN GO FISHING ALL OF THEIR LIVES WITHOUT KNOWING THAT IT IS NOT FISH THEY ARE AFTER.”
Jeffrey Wakefield
That 12 ft Oceanmaster is a beast of a rod. Can handle anything. I’ve got a 7000 ambassadeur on mine. Love it.
Ya know, it must be nice living in Neverneverland. Remind me to come visit you, when I need a break from reality.
izzydone, you have an awesome set up as well!
knock on wood, but i have yet to hook into something big enough to break me off
But i have had numerous occasions when i was tied up with something that was stripping so much drag, I was trying to wait for a second for it to stop so I could tighten down that i have had to literally just cut the line before i got spooled of about 280.00 worth of braid and backing. two specific times I can remember and then a hand full of long runns and loosing the fish.
having my shark rod in the rod holder, drag set loose and hearng that clicking sound as the rob tip doubles over and your hear line start screaang off the reel. that is the sweetest sounding noice my ears have ever heard!
Any idea what it could have possibly been that was able to do that?
The biggest I have caught from the surf was a 5 1/2 black tip and yea it fought hard. but nothing as hard as what ever it was that i hooked into. I thought it might have been a big hammerhead. What do you think?
Jeffrey Wakefield
or honestly, now that i think about it, i never got to feel anything other the pure pulling strenght of whatever it was so maybe it was an absolute giant of a ray. I was too too busy burring my heels and my a** into the sand that I wasnt focused on the kind of fight it put up
Jeffrey Wakefield
Fall is the best time to target big reds in the surf. They will hit most any cut fish and shrimp as well. I usually run two rods up front with shrimp. After you catch some small fish such as whiting or blues then cast the cut bait out in a secondary deeper zone on the back side of the breakers. I mostly use whiting, blues and mullet chunks, but like I said they will hit most any cut fish without issue. Fresh caught fish is best. Frozen fish or shrimp falls off the hook much easier. 2 zones. Shrimp up front/cut bait a little deeper. 9-10 ft rods, 6000 size reels, my preference is 30lb braid. I use double drop rigs up front with the shrimp and smaller hooks. For the cut bait a 50 lb mono liter with # 5 owner hook One thing that helps to reduce gut hooking is a fixed weight with a short liter. No need to yak for reds. Often they can be found up close. Review Rich Trox videos and they help allot as to what you are looking for when reading the beach and hunting structure, rips, troughs and sand bars. Very helpful vs. just casting blindly. Bars are easily seen when you see a line of breakers busting over in the same spot. Work both sides of the breakers. Good luck on your hunt for your trophy fish:smiley: