Drifting Easy by Sue Foster

"I'm from out of town and I want to do some surf fishing I have only
done fresh water fishing in the past and know nothing about surf fishing.
What do I need to buy to get started?"

Even if you know absolutely nothing about surf fishing, it's easy to get
started. Surf fishing is relatively simple and the angler needs little
equipment to begin. One does not lose many rigs in the surf either, so
three or four rig set-ups are all you need to buy during your initial
investment. Even a tackle box is not necessary, as they only get full of
sand when you walk down on the beach. A good old' 5-gallon bucket works
better.

"What kind of rod and reel do I need? All I have is fresh water
equipment."

The most important part of the beginning surf fishing experience is the rod
and reel. You may be able to use your fresh water equipment in the bay to a
limited degree, but it won't do you much good in the ocean. The whole trick
to surf fishing is to get your rig, bait, and sinker out there past the
white water to get to where the fish are. To do this, you need to cast a
certain amount of distance. Therefore, you need a rod in the 8 to 13 foot
range. The most popular lengths are 10 and 11 foot. Once you have chosen a
rod, you want to pick out a reel that balances on you rod and fill it up
with 14 to 20 pound test line.

Don't worry if you're not sure what balancing means. Basically it means
that the longer the rod you choose, the bigger the reel you will need. When
you put in it your hand in the store and pretend to cast, it feels
comfortable. A surf fishing reel generally holds anywhere from 170 to 270
yards of 20 pounds test. (Reels generally have line capacities written on
the side of the spool.) The sales clerk in any tackle store can steer you
in the right direction when choosing a reel to match up with a surf rod.

"I don't want to spend an arm and a leg!"

You can spend a lot, or you can spend a little, when it comes to surf
fishing rod and reels. A surf rod and reel can be purchased for as little
as $40 or $50. Most of the surf rod and reels in this price range will
already be mounted together and most will even have the line already spooled
on. If you are not sure if you are going to like surf fishing, you may want
to stick to this lower price range or rent a surf rod and reel, before
putting a lot of money into it. Try to stick to name brands here, such as
Silstar, Okuma, or Daiwa. The rod brand does not matter that much, but the
reel brand is important.

On the other hand, like in any sport, the nicer the equipment, the more
enjoyable the sport will be. More expensive rods are lighter in the hand
(the rods have more graphite in them), and more costly reels have more ball
bearings in them (making them smoother to crank.) If you grade up to $100
to $150 for your rod and reel investment, you can buy a very nice outfit you
can enjoy for years. For example, the Daiwa Sealine- X or the Sea Striker
Beach Runner surf rods are extremely nice and relatively moderately priced.
In reels, look for a 6000 or 8000 size of Shimano or a 6000 or 7000 size
Penn Powergraph. A 5000 to 5500 size in a Daiwa (they have several
different models and price ranges, but the sizes are always the same.)
Okuma, a relatively new name on the market has a variety of surf reels in
the $50 to $90 range that are quite nice.

(To buy a nice surf rod and reel you can visit our shop or Order Online.)

"What pound test of line should I spool my reel with?"

If you choose a 9 to 10 foot rod and reel combination, I would spool with 14
to 17 pound test line. If you choose an 11-foot or longer rod and reel
combination, I would spool with 17 to 20 pound test. Just remember, the
lighter the line, the further you can cast with less wind resistance. But
if you are heavy-handed with your cast, you can "throw off" your rig if you
cast too hard with light line. (I find that choosing the pound test has a
little bit to do with personality!) Keep this in mind when making up your
mind what pound test you would like to use. Also, if you plan to cast lures
with your surf rod and reel, you need to use lighter pound tests- 10 to 14
pound test. Thin diameter lines are also a good choice.

"What about Berkley Fire Line or Power Pro lines?"

If you are an experienced angler, these lines are excellent. If you were a
beginner fisherman, I would stick to the regular monofilament first. Note-
only use these lines with the better equipment.

"I feel so intimidated and confused when I go into a tackle store with so
many choices!"

Don't be. Just tell the tackle owner clerk what length surf outfit you are
interested in and tell him or her how much you want to spend on your initial
investment. I would ask, "I have $150 to spend on a nice 11 foot surf rod
and reel. What do you suggest?" And go from there.

"What else do I absolutely need besides the rod and reel?"

Buy three or four ready-to-go surf rigs. (Never buy just one- if you go out
fishing and lose it, you are done fishing until you get back to a tackle
store!) You know you are looking at surf rigs when you come to the section
of rigs displaying brightly colored Styrofoam floats. These floats keep the
hooks away from the troublesome, bait-stealing crabs. You can buy single
hook rigs; two hook rigs, and specialty rigs that one can thread a whole
finger mullet on to. I would buy one of each type of rig.

Be sure to buy a sinker to go on each rig. (If you lose your rig, you will
usually lose the whole thing.) The sinkers you want will be pyramid,
hurricane, or sputnik types. These type of sinkers dig into the sand and
stay planted. If you use round or bank type sinkers, you rig will roll in
with the waves! You want to have 3, 4, and 5-ounce sinkers for average surf
fishing conditions.

Next, you need that 5-gallon bucket to keep your extra rigs and bait in. If
you do not put your bait in a container, the sea gulls will steal it! And
yes, they'll grab a whole plastic bag of bait off the beach!

Of course, you need bait. Finger mullet, squid, bloodworms, and filleted
and salted spot and bunker are typical surf baits. Use any kind of cut bait
on larger hooks, finger mullet on "whole finger mullet rigs," and bloodworms
on smaller hooks. If you are fishing in the spring or fall and only want to
buy one kind of bait, buy finger mullet.
If you fish during the summer months, a combination bait of some kind of
worm with a little strip of squid is always excellent.

Lastly, but of absolutely utmost importance, is the sand spike. The sand
spike protects your investment against sand and salt water. Without a sand
spike to hold your rod up while baiting your hook and taking a fish off the
hook, your reel may fall in the sand or ocean. Always try to avoid this for
obvious reasons.

"Anything else?"

A rag to grip the fish and wipe your hands, a pair of needle nosed pliers,
a ruler to measure your catch, and a fish identification chart are good
ideas.

"Do I need a fishing license?"

No, you do not need a fishing license to fish the surf or bay in Ocean
City, Fenwick Island, Indian River, or Assateague Island.

"Where can I surf fish?"

You can surf fish on any beach in Ocean City, Fenwick Island, and Bethany
anytime during the off-season. Once the lifeguards come on, usually from
Memorial Weekend to Labor Day (a little earlier and later in some areas)
anglers are allowed to surf fish before 10 A.M. and after 5:30 P.M. Some
beaches have restrictions on fishing after midnight when the beach cleaners
are working.

There are fishing areas in both the Delaware Seashore State Park and the
Assateague Island State and National Seashore State Parks where one can surf
fish all day for a small fee.

Surf fishing is fun, very relaxing, and relatively simple to do.

Good fishing!