| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 470.1 | You Rang? | NYJMIS::HORWITZ | Beach Bagel | Tue Sep 08 1987 17:24 | 85 |
| Bandit.. Looks like your on the right path here! Bass and Blues on the
surface could make you forget all about steelheads!
A rod 9 to 10 ft. long and a reel with a capacity of ~275 yds. of
15# line- right on the money! For a reel, think Penn, Penn, or Penn.
I would recommend the model 550 or 650. These are skirted spool
reels, with front drags and bracket the capacity you are seeking.
One of these units should cost from $45 to $60 - shop around. With
the money you save by being a 'thrifty shopper' buy a spare spool.
This way, you can load one spool with 15# or 17# line and the other
with 10 or 12. This serves 2 purposes: first if something nasty
happens (like getting spooled) you can put on the other spool and
keep fishing; also, if the fish are hanging far out, dropping down
in line size can give you a lot more distaqnce on the cast.
Alternative reels would be the (Penn) 710 or 704. These are a bit
slower and don't have skirted spools, but have been in use for ages.
In the rod department, I can't reccommend a particular factory built
rod, as I don't use them. I would stick with Fenwick or Lamiglas
as far as brands go. (Lamiglas rods may be hard to find on the East
Coast). Penn has just brought out a line of rods that might be worth
investigating. The material in the rod can be fiberglass (E-glass),
S-glass, or Graphite. For all around work, I would stick with E-glass.
If you have the time, I would suggest "rolling your own", or if
you have the money, getting a custom rod built. Since even a graphite
surf outfit is relatively heavy, a rod that fits you comfortably
is important if you're going to do any amount of plugging. A few
hundred casts/tide can really rip up your arms and shoulders if
the "wrong" rod is used. (My wife wanted to buy stock in Ben-Gay
a few years ago). If you can somehow manage the "custom" route,
look at these blanks: Lamiglas- MB1083M: 9ft, lures:3/4-2oz,line12-17
" SMB1083 9 1-3oz "
BT1083M 9 1-~4oz
The first and last are E-glass, the second is S-glass.
If anyone in your area carries them, take a look at the 10 foot
Harnell blanks. These are heavy E-glass, but the only thing that
can break them is a car door (and I don't think imports count!)
Next time I'm in the shop I'll check out some factory rods for you.
One major piece of advise: in surf tackle you "get what you pay
for". There aren't a lot of big bargains out there as a lot of this
gear is considered "specialized". BUY THE BEST YOU CAN AFFORD.
Lures:
1.Surface:
Gibbs 'Polaris'
Atom 'Striper Swiper'
Creek Chub "Popper"
These are all poppers. Best colors: white, yellow,
blue(back)
2.Swimmers:
Gibbs "Casting Swimmer" "Darter" good white water plugs in white
yellow, and black.
Atom "Spin Atom" Atom 40, Atom 54 These are vaious sizes of
a classic swimming plug. These can be adjusted to swim
from the surface to several feet down.
Redfin ; 5-1/2" and 7 inch
Bomber: Long-A model 16-A & 17-A (These have been the hot plug
the past few seasons)
Needlefish: almost any brand will do, but look for ones with
"thru-wire constuction" for longevity.
3.Metals (spoons)
Hopkins
KASTMASTERS
Ultimus
All are available in assorted sizes and a couple of shapes.
Try to get one with single hooks rather than trebles. (Bass
seem to prefer a little bucktail on the hook but blues chew
it off).
In the lure department, it really pays to ask in the Tackle shop
as to what's hot. Don't ask this in Herman's or Caldor etc. Also
ask the other guys on the beach, most of them will tell you if you're
nice about it and don't crowd them . Worst case you just have to
spy on the "regulars" (don't be bashful, we all do it!)
Think about getting a surf bag to carry your stuff in, it's a lot
more convenient than a tackle box.
Hope this helps. If you have more questions just ask!
btw: tell us more about the BASS and blues!
Bagel
|
| 470.2 | Is There Tuition at Surf School? | PIGGY::VARLEY | | Wed Sep 09 1987 10:08 | 24 |
| Bagel, thanks for your reply; it's exactly what I need !
Coincidentally, I'm a charter member Rod Crafter and get most of
my stuff from Dale Clemens (although Bullard in Texas is also good).
I've never attaempted anything on the scale of a surf stick, however
so there are a couple of obvious questions:
* Is there a handy guide spacing/sizing chart around ?
* are high frame ceramic guides the best bet ?
* what kind of epoxy or glue do you recommend under the reel seat?
I assume it would be a flexible compound that cures by chemical
reaction rather than air, since there is the likelihood that the
space under the reel seat could be a vacuum if the butt grip and
fore grip fit flush against it.
One other thought - several years ago I read that the "hot" plug
out in San Francisco was a large edition of the "Big O" bass plug.
One of the hot colors was pink. Any experience with this ?
We were fishing a 6pm tide on a dark choppy, rainy day and the
only lure I had was a 1 1/2 oz blue Gibbs Polaris, which I bought
earlier because it "looked good" and I was familiar with the Gibbs
name. In an hour I got five stripers and a blue and lost 3 more,
but they were all "school Variety" (although I've never surf fished,
I have fished for stripers before off Cuttyhunk).
Keep me posted on your activities, and thanks again.
The Skoal Bandit
|
| 470.3 | No Tuition, Just Pay Your dues! | NYJMIS::HORWITZ | Beach Bagel | Wed Sep 09 1987 11:05 | 42 |
| Bandit, glad I could help.
To answer the last few questions:
* Since each blank (model #) has a different action, even when just
the material changes, there are no charts available. Mostly I do
it "by feel". The neighbors doubts of my sanity are confirmed every
time I trk over to the soccer field with a blank, a handful of guides
and a roll of masking tape. However, the _Fisherman_ magazine has
run several rod building articles over the years; when I get the
chance, I'll dig through to find some with spacing reccommendations,
etc.
* Guides: I use a mix of "regular" Hardloy (Fuji) and one or two
stainless. The stainless are used as the "stripper" guide and the
next one up. The reasoning for this is: a) ceramics aren't always
available in the larger (50 + up) sizes; b) large ceramics are
expensive (2 - 3 times the cost of stainless) c) when I drop the
rod and bend that #50 stainless, I can usually bend it back into
shape, whereas the ceramic cracks or pops out of the frame.
* Epoxy: since you will undoubtedly have to place bushings under
the reel seat on a surf rod, any good 2-part epoxy will work. I
would avoid the 5-minute variety, as the slower set-up types seem
to give a stronger bond. Note that sometimes reel seats aren't even
used on surf rods, but the reels are just taped on.
I don't have any experience with the 'alphabet' plugs, but I often
get strange looks on the beach when I'm trying to get those freshwater
size lures out of the mouths of bluefish.
That Polaris does look good, don't it? Casts like a bullet too!
A suggestion for rod building supplies. In Sloatsburg NY is a shop
called "MIDLAND TACKLE". His prices are the same or better than
the guys you mention. As a bonus, you can avoid shipping charges
as he is only a half hour from the TappanZee bridge, putting him
within a few hours drive of New England. My club usually makes a
mini-outing up there to get our stuff each year. Remember, that
if you want to build a 1-piece surf rod (which is preferred) the
shipping charges on a 9 foot blank are outrageous!.
|
| 470.4 | STUCK ON STEELIES !!! | AMULET::VALOIS | | Wed Sep 09 1987 11:54 | 15 |
| CAN'T BELIEVE YOU GUYS BADMOUTHING STEELHEAD. WHERE DO YOU FISH
FOR THEM? I HAVE FISHD STEELHEAD IN THE RIVERS OF UPSTATE NEW YORK
FOR SEVERAL YEARS,AND BELIEVE THAT POUND FOR POUND THEY ARE THE
MOST FIGHTINGEST FISH THAT SWIMS!!! I HAVE CAUGHT STEELIES IN THE
10-15 LB. RANGE, USING A 11 1/2 FOOT NOODLE ROD WITH 6LB. LINE AND
A 4LB. LEADER. WITH AN ULTRALIGHT REEL. I'LL TELL YA IT'S THE
GREATEST!!!REMEMBER WHEN YOU GET INTO BLUES AND STRIPERS,YOU HAVE
THE WHOLE OCEAN TO PLAY THEM OUT!! YOU HOOK INTO A STEELHEAD IN
A 20 FOOT POOL 4 FEET DEEP AND HE WANTS TO RUN DOWNSTREAM, BOY
YOU'VE GOT YOUR HANDS FULL!!
JUST MY OPINION THOUGH !!! ANY OTHER STEELHEAD FISHERMEN
OUT THERE TO BACK ME UP ??
STEVE V. 11YMAN E AT
|
| 470.5 | Oh Yeah!?!?!?!? | NYJMIS::HORWITZ | Beach Bagel | Wed Sep 09 1987 13:02 | 7 |
| RE.4
Try that tackle on a blue or striper in the 10-15# range in a running
surf then talk to me!
Bagel _who_does_use_a_steelhead_outfit_for_blues_
|
| 470.6 | I like RED HEADS! | CUERVO::GATH | | Wed Sep 09 1987 15:36 | 35 |
| Bagel, I am not sure what all your fishing experinces are.
I don't know if you have had a sample both blue and steelhead.
( Please do not take this personal, I am in no way attacking
you. I just have a different opinion.
I feel qualified since I have fished and landed all of the spiecies
mentioned in the base note and following replies.
I feel more than quaified to say In my life if I were to list
the most enjoyable days of my life there would be some days
listed that I caught steelhead in upstate N.Y.
And some nights that I caught stripers. I don't know what
exactly made these nights or days so precious but in almost
every case It was something more than just the fish.
I have tried to catch most all my fish on the lightest line
I and the lightest rod I can. I use ultrlight reels and have
landed some large fish. ( mostly bass )
Oh by the way I fish only salt these days but I am of the
opinion that it is more thrilling and more of a chalange
to land a 15 lb steelhead on a given line than it would be
to land a blue or striper.
Oh yea you can be fishing at some spot where the tide is so strong
that you would never land that fish on 6 pd test. ( like mouth
of the Merrimack with an outgoing tide.)
I have done both.... Steelhead is just a shade ahead. but why
are we argueing I really enjoy both and think it silly to ask
which do you like better a blond or brunet, when in reality I like
both.
Bear
|
| 470.7 | Bandit to Bagel - Over? | PIGGY::VARLEY | | Wed Sep 09 1987 16:32 | 49 |
| Now we're getting to the nitty gritty, which to me is the fascinating
part. I have a few more thoughts/questions:
* I'll probably be forced to go with a two piece blank. Any thoughts
on "Ugly Stick" blanks ? Since I'll be pitching plugs, sensitivity
probably won't be an issue.
* I also "dry fire" my rods to check the spacing before wrapping
them. Have you tried using rubber tubing on the guide feet rather
than masking tape? Also, I've generally used as a rule of thumb
for spacing the first guide 1/3 of the distance from the reel spool
to the tip. Does this work for surf rods ?
* I'm surprised you've had troubles with ceramic guides. Used to
be, they had "shock rings" to prevent breaking, then supposedly
they improved the ceramic so they didn't need the shock rings...
* I'm tempted to purchase a set of guides, but I'm not certain that
they have an adequate amount of guides (although with a surf rod,
"tunnelling the line is probably more important than loading the
blank, or distributing the stress over the blank).
* Did you ever try the "SIC's"? Expensive, but I've seen 'em on
steelhead rods and they're great.
* Comparatively speaking, a Penn 550 has a relatively small spool
(hence the fast retrieve), so why wouldn't a #40 stripper work ok
with 12-15 lb line ? Even more so with higher frame guides.
* Do you underwrap some or all of your guides ?
* Where can I see/purchase a "beach bag"? Are there any catalogs
that have them?
* I believe that "Big O's" come in 1 1/2 oz. sizes, if that's any
help to you.
* It seemed to me that the Polaris sunk slowly if I let it sit,
but you're right, it casts like a missile. Everyone else was fishing
it fast with quick jerks, but I just kept it around rocks and kept
the tip up and popped it, retrieved the slack quickly and popped
it again. On the day I described, this seemed to work...
* ever try the big "krokodile" spoons ? They're great in fresh water,
and only a Hopkins or possibly a Kastmaster casts better. Any luck
with chartreuse ?
By the way, I'll always be a died in the wool steelhead guy, and
I think a King Salmon fights better than a striper, but truthfully
nothing fights like a blue. I fished for them once before from a
boat and got fish up to 16 lbs, and the first one literally hit
so hard it broke the epoxy under the reel seat. Try reeling up a
12-14 lb blue with the reel 90 degrees from the guides... I love
fishing for those "ironheads" around Pulaski in December though,
and if you ever get a chance to go drift boat fishing in the Spring,
don't miss it!
Tight Lines,
Jack.
|
| 470.8 | GUIDES etc | PH4VAX::DEMARIA | JOE D | Thu Sep 10 1987 11:46 | 26 |
| Just a note on rod building supplies....Dale Clemmens is having
thier annual sale now, I recieved the flyer about a week ago. One
of the items on sale is the high frame SIC long distance guides.
The set was about $25.00 plus I needed an additional 16LL $4.00
for an 11'6" English style rod. Like you guys I couldn't wait to
try the combination out. Late last week I tape the guides and a
Penn 750 on the rod and went to the beach to test it (of course
I had to do some fishing while I was there). The high framed guides
performed exceptionaly well, especially the stripper. I would estimate
that I picked up about an additional 20 yards in casting distance,
mainly due to the high guides. With that particular combination,
its almost a straight line from the reel to the tip.
I don't have the number for Clemmens with me but they are located
in Emmaus Pa.
PS they also supplied a lot of information for the initial guide
spacing.
Hope this helps
From southern NJ
Regards,
JOE D
|
| 470.9 | C'mon Bandit | NYJMIS::HORWITZ | Beach Bagel | Fri Sep 11 1987 13:50 | 62 |
| Re: .7
I'm not really familiar with the Ugly Stick blanks. Down this way
Lamiglass and Fenwick seem to be the standards.
What kind of rubber tubing do you use? Since I do most of my building
in January - February, and tape gets difficult to operate under
35 degrees, this looks good! I usually do my spacing by trial and
error, but the 1/3 measurement may very well give a good starting
point.
If you ever saw me teetering and tottering on a Jersey Jetty, you
would understand why I have trouble with the big ceramics :-}
You're right, the SICs are expensive, and I personally can't justify
the cost. Most of my fishing situations don't call for extreme casting
range. (At Sandy Hook you run the risk of hooking into a 22 foot
boat if you cast too far :-} )
You probably could get by with the # 40 - I've used it on one or
two rods (for use with the 550) but prefer the larger stripper.
I underwrap ALL my guides - it really seems to protect the blank.
I have seen several rods go bang under the guide foot. (Looks nice
too!)
That Polaris is a nifty plug isn't it?? The way you worked it is
the "normal" retrieve. Did you know that a slow steady retrieve
makes it work just like a swimmer that runs 3-5 inches under the
surface?
I've used Krokodiles (and Gators) but the Hopkins and Kastmaster
fit the pockets on the surf bag better.
Surf Bag :
These are (canvas) bags designed to hold various lures, leaders,
terminal tackle, extra spools, lunch, a six-pack, the kitchen sink...
They are usually available from most near-the-beach tackle shops.
Up in Connecticut there is a shop called the "Surfcaster" or something.
He has a couple of different bags in his catalog. This is another
area where creativity is rampant. You'd be amazed at how many surf
bags are made for the US Armed Forces- of course they are cleverly
"mis-labeled" as map cases, gas mask bags, ammo puches, etc. As
I fish with a number of Telco and power company employees, I have
discovered that in addition to getting foul weather gear as a benefit,
they also receive tackle bags (those leather ones that go on a belt
sure look nifty).
re .8
Hey Joe, nice to hear from you. Is ther enough room at Island Beach
to use a Pendulum Cast?
Are you going to help out on Nat'l. Hunting/Fishing Day? NJBBA will
be hosting the kids from the special school for a day of Surf Fishing.
We can use all the Buggies we can get. The day usually starts with
a nice little parade through town and into the Park. Details will
be in the newspaper or give me a call.
Tight lines,
and keep those questions coming
Bagel
|
| 470.10 | need a leg up on this surf fishun' thing | VIDEO::LEVESQUE | | Tue May 31 1988 14:23 | 39 |
| I just convinced my wife to let me buy a surf rod. I bought a 10'
two piece shimano glass rod (1-5 ounce lure weight and 12-20 lb
line) and a shimano bait runner spinning reel. I went fishing saturday
night for flounder in the inlet at Seabrook at the point across
from the nuke station. Didn't catch any flounder even though I dug
my own seaworms. I got one good strike about 8:30; I set the hook
and proceeded to reel in a fish that I figured had to be 5 or 6
pounds. It kind of felt funny though; it didn't seem to fight like
a flounder. When I got it in, imagine my surprise (and disappointment)
to see a skate at the end of the line. It weighed a good 5 or 6
lbs, but I sure as hell wasn't going to eat it. So I pulled him
up on the bank to unhook him. Then I pushed him back into the water.
Sunday I rented a rowboat at Smith and Gilmore's pier. I took my
wife out during high tide. We chummed with catfood, but we still
didn't catch any flounder. I was using my sandworms again. They
were much livelier than any I've ever bought, so I won't hesitate
to dig my own again. It only took about 15 minutes to dig up more
than we used in about 6 hours of fishing.
What am I doing wrong? Why am I having such trouble catching flounder?
I used to catch them all the time as a kid- using far more primitive
methods.
P.S. Does anybody know of some good spots to try to catch blues
or bass on the north shore. I don't have a 4wd, and I live in Hudson,
NH. I'd like to get together with someone or some of you that have
experience in this type of fishing as I am new to surfcasting. I
realize that the blues and bass aren't up here yet but I'd like
to keep abreast of the changing surf situation.
I also need some help on lure selection for bass & blues. I already
have a Kastmaster with a bucktail (single hook), a couple of hopkins,
and the same old blue and white bluefish plug that you see in all
the mags. What else do I NEED? The wife is not too psyched for me
to spend a whole lot on additional tackle so essentials only, please.
Thanx in advance- get bent... rods that is.
The doctah
|
| 470.11 | surf fishin' spot | SMURF::AMATO | | Tue May 31 1988 14:51 | 10 |
| re .-1
try the mouth of the merrimack, on plum island. back in b.b. (before
boat), we did plenty of surf casting down there, and had plenty
of luck with blues. you have to catch the right tide tho. all
i had was a couple of bombers (about $5/per at zyla's in merrimack,nh)
and a hopkins. blues should be around in another couple of weeks.
goof luck
joe a.
|
| 470.12 | A couple of ideas... | TOOK::SWEET | Capt. Codfish...Jeffries Ledge or Bust | Tue May 31 1988 16:52 | 23 |
| Just as Joe said the mouth of the merrimac produces some nice blues
(we had fun in those days eh joe and didn't cost us over 20K to
get them). From my observations the best time to fish there is
an NE wind on the out going tide in the evening or at day break.
In general most blitzes in the surf are at dawn or dusk. There are
a couple of plugs that are mandatory in my book. The atom popers
are good top water, the rapala magnums for deep runners and some
thing like the Bomber for middle running. Also the cast masters
are great when the wind is up and it is tough to toss plugs.
I also have a couple of wooden plugs called goo goo eyes which are
awsome for BIG blues, I think stan gibbs also has a similar plug.
Don't forget chunks of mackeral and live pogies, these often work
when plugs won't.
There are many places in Boston harbor that offer great bluefishing
from piers. Let me know if you want to know some of these hot spots,
my largest blue (17lbs) came out of south boston.
Also many of the beaches along marblehead and manchester have blitz's
during july and august. Surf fishing is all "being at the right
place at the right time".
Bruce
|
| 470.13 | ..Hampton river here we come | SALEM::MEDVECKY | | Tue Jun 14 1988 16:34 | 10 |
| The wife and I used to fish out of Smith Gilmore just like you....
in fact, were thinking of going out there this Friday for flounder..
we just keep rowing out into the river until you cant see the
bottom, then drop anchor.....never been skunked....have even pulled
up a few lobster (and just as quickly put them back)
Always pull up about a dozen crab....steam them, and with beer
there great....
Rick
|