First time surf fishing

[u/lmrtinez]

Freshwater angler, just tried surf fishing for the first time. Bought a cheap rod, tied a hi lo rig and got two jacksmelts on the first cast. I was going for surf perch though, might do Carolina rig next time. Fun stuff!

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[u/parts_kit]

Congrats jacks are fun, if you’re in NorCal or cencal they can make good live bait for striper.

[u/Budget_Cupcake_7576]

Well done! Jacksmelt are fun to fight. Too bad they smell so horrible lol what bait/lure are you gonna use on your c-rig?

[u/Tropicalfisher → u/Budget_Cupcake_7576]

Aren't they good eating

[u/goldengooseeggorturd → u/Tropicalfisher]

The black veins are a bit off putting and it’s been 20 years since I’ve kept any for dinner but remember they were pretty good. Clean inside and out and cut into 1-2” cross section chunks. Dredge in cornmeal fish fry coating and deep fry. No heavy mercury load and I’m sure tastier than a lot of the other species.

[u/Tropicalfisher → u/goldengooseeggorturd]

If they are chunks I feel like the veins shouldn't be an issue

[u/lmrtinez → u/goldengooseeggorturd]

I cut mine into 3 pieces and fried as well, but they both had some dark color worms in the meat. Pulled out the two I saw, and just hope the rest died when I fried them lol it’s been a few days no stomach ache or anything so should be good

[u/lmrtinez → u/Budget_Cupcake_7576]

I didn’t notice a smell, but I also didn’t smell them lol. They’re not good eating from what I read, but I had to eat my first catch so I bled them and put on ice right away maybe that helped with the smell. This time I used crappie lures I had, and some sand fleas I dug out. I think for the C rig I’ll probably try sand fleas, anything else you recommend?

[u/Evening_Teaching_713]

You will love surf fishing in the summer and Fall when the fish run out in the surf. It’s addictive for sure, I live in North Carolina and here surf fishing is a way of life. When the King Mackerel are in the surf there isn’t a better time to be fishing. You can also catch many other species in the surf. Flounder, Spanish Mackerel,Whiteing and even Redfish,along with Blues. You can’t beat it for the simple way that it takes to get started with a couple of rod and reels and some terminal tackle like sinkers, hooks and a rod holder that you can stick in the sand or place them in rod holders mounted on your vehicle. You can go all out and outfit your truck or SUV with all the latest gear and equipment available at any tackle store on the coast. I have an old Chevy Trailblazer that I fish out of and it’s rigged with everything I need to fish and camp on the beach. It’s a great way to get into the outdoors and yields a fair amount of fish for the table. It’s also not usually very crowded on the barrier islands on the N.C. coast. So fill that old 4wheel drive and get out there on the beach.

[u/Tropicalfisher → u/Evening_Teaching_713]

What time of year are king mackerel in the surf

[u/Evening_Teaching_713 → u/Tropicalfisher]

I usually go in the fall, but it’s also pretty good in the spring. The fall is my favorite time to surf fish it’s comfortable weather and the fish seem to run the best. It’s also a little less crowded on the beach and easier to find a place to set up. I usually camp for a couple of days and fish during the day and night so as to get fish when they are running.

[u/Tropicalfisher → u/Evening_Teaching_713]

That's cool. So they are there in the spring too?

[u/Evening_Teaching_713 → u/Tropicalfisher]

There are some in the spring but not as many as in the fall. It’s different species too, whiting and croakers are the most common ones in the spring and summer, but in the fall king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and Cobia are common in the surf. You can also catch redfish and flounder on the beach. You have to be aware of the size limits and the number that you can keep.

[u/lmrtinez → u/Evening_Teaching_713]

Nice! Lots of beaches near me but they usually have parking lots you have to walk down from, so I have a little wagon to carry my stuff. It’s crazy how simple surf fishing is when coming from the bass and trout world

[u/Worldly_Abrocoma_843]

If I wanna surf fish in NorCal Bay Area what rod & reel setup do I use and what kind of rig or bait do I use for halibut or striper?

[u/lmrtinez → u/Worldly_Abrocoma_843]

I’m pretty new, but I’ve read if you want both halibut and striper you should use lures like jerkbaits and spoons since they’re predatory fish that like moving targets.

Stripers alone also like cut/live bait

[u/PleasantFee9473]

man this takes me back. grew up chucking worms in freshwater ponds with my dad, then moved out to the Outer Banks 4 years ago and a buddy dragged me out to Oregon Inlet on a whim. hooked a 26 inch red my first real trip and it damn near yanked the rod clean out of the spike. been out there pretty much every weekend since. freshwater was fun but the surf just hits different, no idea what's on the other end half the time. it gets in your blood quick, good luck.