FS Digest

I'll be heading to the southern coast of NC, near Surf City, in April and in addition to doing some surf fishing, I'm planning on doing some in shore fishing on the intercoastal waterway, which I've never done before so I need some advice.

I know I need a saltwater reel, and probably a medium action rod, but what do I throw for bait? Doing some Googling I see a lot of folks suggest throwing live shrimp, but is there anything else (I'll be there a week, and don't want to head to the bait shop every day for more shrimp since I don't own a live well)?

I also need some advice on how to tie the bait on, again in my searching I see some folks advocate using a float with the live shrimp, but what else works?

Thanks in advance.

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by IdontgoonToast

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Dead shrimp will work well also. You can use finger mulletor larger mullet cut onto chunks sized to what you are fishing for. Carrying fishbites or Gulp sandworms can be a good backup that doesn't take any care or ice.

NCTide Loc: Grand Strand

I agree with the mullet. Too bad you aren't there in the fall, you can catch all the live mullet you want. I'm a surf fisherman primarily but if I was going to Surf City I'd try the pier there as well. Of all the piers on the Carolina coasts it is one of the best for yielding fish. They also have the best webcam on their pier.

hemihappy Loc: pawleys island s.c.

The float is probably a popping cork very effective on flats. Get some gulp baits especially swim baits and some different size jig heads. You can go on line and get advice up the wazoo just type in "in shore fishing" as far as surf you really need to get out so the rod should be maybe 8 feet though many use much longer. Cut bait double bottom bait- sinker that won't drag in the sand. Oh yea get Gulp New Penny Shrimp best bait down here. We also use a lot of Z-Man plastics the pin fish can't pull the tails off of those to easily. Go on line best thing to do to get all the info you could want.

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

Hopkins Shorty is a good addition to any salt water angler's bag.

RubberSoul1965 Loc: Greensboro, North Carolina

Check out a couple of you tube channels. One Fish/Two Fish, and SaltStrong. Both are excellent, entertaining, and very informative.

hemihappy Loc: pawleys island s.c.

Salt Strong those guys are great though I'm not a member yet they send me all kinds of videos with tips just by signing up on their site. The one brother is a fantastic fisherman and catches better fish accidently than I catch
on purpose.