FS Digest

Want to try surf fishing for the first time. Gulf coast of FL. Would really appreciate advice for gear and what to do please, thank you!


Wall of text incoming lol. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hey everyone, I'm a very new fisherman, I've only fished a few times at my local saltwater river/stream with no luck. I'm in the Tampa/Clearwater area.

I don't have a boat or know anyone with one, so I thought surf fishing looked like a fun compromise.

I've done a little research already on what equipment is needed but I wanted to see what combination you all think would work well.

Rod: 10-12' Tica UGSA Series Surf Spinning Fishing Rod. I wanted something I could cast really far because I don't want to stand too far into the water. Read a top 10 list that said this rod has the best casting power. I also have no experience with baitcasters and wanted to stick with spinning.

Reel: I couldn't decide on this, I feel like there are a lot of good options. Last one I was looking at was a Penn Battle II Spinning Reel. I'm not sure how the compatibility works for these things. I guess I just want something that has plenty of room for line, and spins smooth. I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between two if you asked me since I've only ever used the default one on the Ugly Stik GX2.

Rig: I was thinking of doing a Carolina Rig. It's honestly about the only rig I know how to do lol, so idk if there's a better option. I've heard of dropper rigs and top bottom rigs and could learn them if they're better.

Lures: I'm not a fan of live bait just for the mess and hassle. So I bought some gulp worms, some gulp alive shrimp, and some powerbait shags. They're all on the smaller side so I figure I'll need to get bigger ones right?

Hook: I have one of those worm hooks with the offset loop, think it's either 0/2 or 0/4. Those numbers might be flipped, it's a big hook. Should I get a big circle hook instead?

Footwear: Does anyone have any recommendations for this? I cut my foot fishing barefoot once and I don't want to have that happen again.

Sand spike: How big of a sand spike should I get? I've never used one before and don't want to be out past knee deep.

Location: I was thinking about going to Ben T Davis Beach or Honeymoon Island in the Clearwater/Tampa area. Maybe Cypress Point Park. I could use a lot of advice here, idk what fish to expect. I read somewhere it's a good idea to try and be two hours behind or after high tide, true? What do I need to know to have success fishing in these areas?

Line: I was thinking about going with either 20 or 30# braid. I have no idea what to do for the leader. I've heard anything from 16# fluorocarbon to 50# mono. What do you recommend?

I know that was a metric ton of text, lol. There's so much more to fishing than I realized when I decided to get into it. I don't expect anyone to answer every question, but anything you guys could help me with I would be very thankful for. I just want to catch a fish damnit lol.

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by VoltDriven

FS Digest

You missed the biggest questions.

What are you trying to fish for? And where are you aiming to fish? Just casting from shore or trying to cast past the sand bar? Without knowing these people will have a hard time telling if the gear is right. I've surf fished with just your basic 6' or 8' with 20# but if I hit anything substantial like a shark I would've just cut the line.

That being said what you listed sounds like the stuff we used when we surf fished around gulf shores. We were just tossing line catching what we may for fun. Which turned out to be flounder. Except we used mono. Sand spike is really only if you don't want to hold the pole the whole time. Depth depends on the sand. Shoes I'd recommend would be flip flops, sandals, or dive shoes.

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by WifeofTech

FS Digest

Well, I'm not really sure. Not sharks, not rays. Nothing too crazy big, but just your average fish I guess. I'm very new and everything I've learned I learned on my own so I'm still very lacking in knowledge. Trout, bass, red snapper, flounder would all be cool to catch. No clue if that's what's out there.

Ideally just casting from shore, unless that's useless. Would rather not have to go deep into the water if I can help it what with how dirty it is lately.

Okay, I just read a lot of people recommend sand spikes so I wasn't sure if it was necessary.

I'll check out dive shoes, thanks! I've tried flip flops but they always get sucked into the muddy sand.

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by VoltDriven

FS Digest

Some neoprene boots with a rubber bottom is your best bet.

As far as the casting from shore that's fine but walk in as far as you are comfortable as throw into a gut with your bigger set up. You can use a 6-7 ft spinning rod with a 3000 or 4000 series spinning reel to use the lures to cast from shore while your 10ft is on the bottom with whatever bait yall use around there. Go to a local tackle shop to get an idea from them also. Local knowledge is always beneficial.

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by 84jrosales

FS Digest

Also I just googled Tampa bay surf fishing and some videos are there. See what rigs they use and find something similar within your budget.

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by 84jrosales

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I like the idea of using a free spool reel. This feature allows the fish to take your bait and run with it until your ready to turn the free spool off and set the hook. I own a Shimano Baitrunner and I love it, but it's not made for salt water so you would have to take really good care to clean it every time you use it. I don't know what your budget's like, but Shimano also makes the Thunnus which is the same type reel, but made from carbon fiber, so it's built for salt. It's also about twice as much as the Baitrunner. Both reels are exceptionally well made and will last. you a long long time. Be safe and don't turn your back to the ocean.

Hunterbill Loc: Toomsboro, ga

Don’t forget the water edge! You can catch a lot of fish close to shore!! Sometimes more! I look for the points just like fresh water. Once you READ the shoreline you will get to know where the BEST place to fish! My dad had me fishing 🎣 on the beach 🏝 from 1954 to now!!! Don’t ALWAYS follow what the locals do!!! Follow the ones catching fish! You can tell the weekend warriors from diehards!! We diehards love to help kids catching fish! Don’t be bashful, please ask how you are catching fish! He just might give one of his secret hooks to you, I do!!!

Georgejr Loc: Madison Fl

I know you said you don't like the mess of live bait, but you can catch a lot of fish with local baits. Look for fresh dead bait or fresh frozen it makes a world of difference.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

About Sand Spikes. Go to Lowes, Ace Hardware and look for schedule 40 PVC. A five foot section if they have it. Slant cut it in the center (Hacksaw works real good) and you now have 2 heavy duty sand spikes. You can drill a hole just above where the reel would stop, use a lag bolt and a wing nut to put it into the PVC. You can actually hammer it into the sand with a 3 lb hammer and it doesn't break.
Shoes = an old pair of cheap sneakers work really good for protecting your feet. The ones with laces so they don't get sucked off. Also I've said it before but if you are near Navaree Beach, I love their Pier. 1500 feet long and that puts you about 150 feet from the Gulf stream. Make sure you have water in the cooler for you though. It's a long walk back and forth.

Hunterbill Loc: Toomsboro, ga

For pier fishing 🎣 I love my beach buggi! Some piers already has a haul net. Both will help out a LOT!