Florida Gulf Surf Fishing

This is kind of a piggyback on another recent thread about surf fishing, but I didn't want to hijack his thread.

We fish the local lakes and ponds in Ohio frequently - panfish and catfish mostly - and I understand freshwater fishing for those specific species.

Over the last 2 years, I've built a setup for saltwater. We have chartered in the past, but haven't fished the surf before. We travel to the Gulf ever year, sometimes twice, so I'd like to try it this year.

I have some other titanium items like pliers, etc., but this is what I have currently:

• Penn Pursuit II 6000
• 3oz spoon
• 2oz bullet weights
• 3oz pyramid sinkers
• Copper swivels
• Titanium leaders
• 40lb monofilament

From what I've read, fresh shrimp works great. Any good tips that I'm completely missing?

Keep in mind, I'm just an amateur fisherman who is teaches his kids to be outdoors instead of on an iPad, so don't be too harsh.

 

I’m guessing you’re not running 40# mono as a main line. If you are its way too much. 15# is plenty. The 40# mono would be perfect for tying your own two-hook bottom rigs, lots of good videos on the youtube about that, better than buying the over priced stuff at the baitshop and your kids will love catching pompano or whiting on a rig they tied themselves. The titanium leaders are not necessary unless theres a lot of toothy types around and if there are its better to get bit off than spooled anyway. Hey good luck!

 

I also have 15lb braid, so I can change it out. Thanks for the feedback!

 

That reel will hold over 500yds of 15# braid which is getting pricey. I would leave about 1/3 of the reel spooled with mono and fill the rest with the braid and you’ll be good to go. You could add a 3-4ft bite leader onto the braid if you want. It will give you somethingn other than the braid to grab onto when beaching a fish.

 

6k penn's are fairly large so dont expect to be casting to inshore fish like slot reds and trout all day with artificials. As far as rods look for something in the 8' range rated up to <3oz for the piers/jetties. Cobia and large kings can give you a work out.

Surf fishing with the family is fun, use that same 6k penn and find a 10'+ surf rod thats rated for 3+ oz. Use your sinkers with a dropper rig/pompano rig and use some sand fleas/ shrimp and you'll probably catch something.

Lines I use are 20-30lb braid main line for jetty+pier w/ 20-40lb fluero leader.
Surf is 20 lb braid main w/ 20lb leader.
I personally used to use waaay to heavy line when i was new...now Ive landed almost everything with 15lb braid....accept reef fish lol.

In destin, east pass look for outgoing tide for reds and incoming tide for pelagics like spanish macks. Look for birds diving also anywhere you go for bait and action. Find what you want to catch and target them specifically.