Essentials for the surf - Terminal tackle - What to purchase with the first 50 bucks.

[Striperjim]

PART 1

For beginners
an approach to the surf

Ok Im not sure how this thread will evolve but it is designed for those of you who are brand spankin
new and rely on your buddies or someone else to rig up for you.
Maybe its a generational thing but Ive seen too many guys show up to fish and say ok now what?
I spent an entire outing rerigging for a group of my brothers friends who decided they wanted to go
fishing with me.
Im old school and i expect you to be self sufficient.
All you need to know and be prepared is all here.
So having said that we will not follow anyone around with wet naps.

Remember to watch and observe others if you want to learn.
See one - do one - teach one.
This will apply to just about every phase of your learning curve.

First. Asssuming you have a sturdy saltwater rod and reel. Med to heavy action rod capable of
holding 17 to 40 pound monofilament test and a reel capable of holding 2 to 300 yards
of 20 lb. monofilament
line.

Now. Terminal tackle.
A few packages of barrel swivels 80 to 130 pound test.

Package of three way swivels

Dozen or so sinker slides aka fishfinders

Hooks. 4/0 to 10/0 sizes Several in various styles and sizes.
Baitholders. Octopus style Live bait and or circle hooks.

The 0 means Ocean

A wheel of monofilament leader material in 30 to 50 pound test.

Flourocarbon is pricey and usually only necessary in super clear water

bank Sinkers. lead in sizes 2 ounce to 8 ounces.

This will cover most of your needs.
You will need extras if your getting hung up around rocks.
The price of lead sinkers has gone up astronomically.

Head lamp
Pliers / wire cutters
Hook extractor
These are essential to your tackle box.

You will soon want to be mobile and need to travel light with a shoulder bag.
next is what lures can you buy with just 50 bucks.

[Sudsy]

Originally Posted by striperjim

Hooks. 4/0 to 10/0 sizes Several in various styles and sizes.

The 0 means Ocean

O means Ocean - Well I'll be dipped in $### !! I never knew that (never even thought about it before)

[BryanL]

LMAO... I didn't know that either... This is shaping up to be a really good thread Jim Well Done

Bryan

[BACKBAYJ]

A question I was too embarrassed to ask. You learn something new everyday. Thanks

[colad]

I only knew the O for Ocean thing cause I read it somewhere else on THIS site...

[Striperjim]

Originally Posted by Colad

I only knew the O for Ocean thing cause I read it somewhere else on THIS site

You pay attention to Roccus posts.

[Striperjim]

PART II

50 bucks startup for your plug arsenal
Bucktails (white) yellow at first light - in sizes 3/4 ounce to 3 ounces
Storm wildeyes. If nothing else 6 inch paddletails pearl belly or bunker color
Crippled herrings assorted sizes
Kastmasters and other metals (tins) 1/2 ounce to 3 ounces
Diamond jigs with tubes - A17s A27s (sand eel imitations)




Soft plastics Like FinS and Lunker city sluggos

(Posted elsewhere as essentials for the surf)
What you see below is a good starter kit.
Plugs 101 Essentials for the surf. ~$60 pictured
You should have at least these for your surf arsenal.

Cotton Cordell red fin
Creek Chub Striper strike
Acme Kastmasters
Luhr Jenson-Needle Fish.
Hopkins No Equal Spoon
Atom Striper Swiper
1 ounce crippled herring
Luhr Jensen - Krocodile 1oz. Chrome
Baby Striper A-Salt Bomber
Mambo Minnow
Smiling Bill Bucktails (not shown)



6 and 9 inch Inch storm shads bunker pattern
6", 7/8 oz., 4 per pack $4.
9", 2 3/4 oz., 1 per pack $4

Popping plugs or surface lures are most effective during low light conditions
such as dawn or dusk.
Metal lures, such as Kastmasters or Hopkins are best during bright sunlight
conditions.
Swimming lures, both shallow swimmers and deep divers work best during
the day when fish are less likely to come to the surface to feed and at
night when they are close to the bottom and less active.
Bucktail Jigs and eel lures like the sluggo and tube lures take fish
during both day and night. These should be worked along the bottom
at an extremely slow retrieve even better when a piece of pork rind or
squid strip is added to the hook.


Wood plugs can come later.

Tackle bag. (~$80 )


Nail cutters
pair of cheap Pliers / wire cutters.
and a Head lamp with the red light for nights
Duo-Lock snap swivels

[Jimmy Z]

And a knife that will cut.

[pooley]

a towel for your hands.

[BryanL]

Originally Posted by pooley

a towel for your hands.

Isn't that what pants are for???

Bryan

[zimno1]

HOW ABOUT A CAMERA? somebody needed one at the cape. btw, pics are up

[shorthair]

Thanks. Being new, I love these post. Thanks again!

[JakeF]

Welcome aboard, Shorthair! Stick around... use the search feature to find already posted topics,,, but most importantly,, don't ever hesitate to ask a question when the answer is eluding you. Everyone here is really cool about helping out

[BryanL]

Welcome to the site... Check out all the stickies at the start of the forums... These posts are priceless and have been put there for a reason

[Striperjim]

Part 111
If your just a lawn chair - bait and beer guy you can ignore the following.
BUT!
If you plan to get serious about surfcasting then you will need to organize and add gear along the way. Extremely important to any serious neophyte intent on rockhopping and roaming below the tidal line are a pair of korkers or studded sandals that will fit over your wading boots or sneakers even.
This should be your next $50 spent - and spent wisely. Korker sandals model k1100 plus. Even better the K5000. This can at worst prevent a fall and at best save your life.
I would put them on your list before even a pair of waders, wader belt and dry top.