Hello,
    Newby to the forums here. I know the focus of the forum is using watercraft, but if some of you surf fish I though you may have some suggestions anyway and it probably wouldn’t hurt to ask. 

1. I have 2 rods I am considering setting up, one is a 6wt and the other is a 8wt. Which would you suggest using in the local surf?

2. I need to get a stripping basket also. Would you opt for one of the mangrove hipshooters, or one of the orvis type rigid baskets?

3. I have a pair of stocking-foot waders I was planning on using. What type of shoe would you suggest? I have my regular wading boots but I really don’t want to use them or think I should in the salty.

Thanks in advance for any replies,
Perry

FlyFlogger - 31 December 2008 12:48 PM

Hello,
    Newby to the forums here. I know the focus of the forum is using watercraft, but if some of you surf fish I though you may have some suggestions anyway and it probably wouldn’t hurt to ask. 

1. I have 2 rods I am considering setting up, one is a 6wt and the other is a 8wt. Which would you suggest using in the local surf?

2. I need to get a stripping basket also. Would you opt for one of the mangrove hipshooters, or one of the orvis type rigid baskets?

3. I have a pair of stocking-foot waders I was planning on using. What type of shoe would you suggest? I have my regular wading boots but I really don’t want to use them or think I should in the salty.

Thanks in advance for any replies,
Perry

I’m certainly no expert, but here is what I’d recommend:

1. The 6wt will be fine, but most people will recommend a sinking shooting head to go with it.
2. I prefer a hip-mount style shooting basket, like the Mangrove Hipshooter
3. I’ve found the easiest thing is to use neoprene dive booties with hard non-skid soles . These are relatively cheap, use zippers or velcro to close, and are pretty tough

I’m pretty much in agreement. I tend to use an 8 wt in the winter and a 6 in the summer. With an 8 wt you can run a 300 grain (plus) shooting head which will get you down quicker in the increased turbulence, surf and current typically found in the colder months.

Summer time I run a 6 with a 200-250 grain head or a clear sink tip for Corbina

Typically I leave my 6wt. for sight casting to corbinas with a floating line, and light days in the summer.  For the most part I fish an 8wt. with 300g integrated shooting line the rest of the year.  NP/ HB / BC is windy in the afternoon most of the year.  Also NP / HB / BC get more of the direct ocean energy, so things can get turbulant.  With a 6wt. I will be limited to the days I can fish do to enviromental coditions.  With an 8wt. I get to fish biggers days , and not be co confined by a 6wt.  Since you got both, just get the right lines for each rod.  Your set from that point on.

Shane

sschung - 28 April 2009 02:53 PM

Typically I leave my 6wt. for sight casting to corbinas with a floating line, and light days in the summer.  For the most part I fish an 8wt. with 300g integrated shooting line the rest of the year.  NP/ HB / BC is windy in the afternoon most of the year.  Also NP / HB / BC get more of the direct ocean energy, so things can get turbulant.  With a 6wt. I will be limited to the days I can fish do to enviromental coditions.  With an 8wt. I get to fish biggers days , and not be co confined by a 6wt.  Since you got both, just get the right lines for each rod.  Your set from that point on.

Shane

yup, set them both up. I had a couple older 2 piece 6 wts and I put fighting butts and salt guides so I’d have the summers covered.

a 6 is good when there is little surf actions and/or current

but if you aren’t getting down to where the fish are when they are feeding you will go home skunked

Thanks for the input guys. I have setup both the 6 and 8wt for the surf. I like using the 8wt for a little extra, but after a few hours, I like the 6wt in the casting department. I’ve been out a few times and caught some Yellow Fin Croakers and a few short halibut so far. I fished in the mornings on an incoming tide, but other guys I talk to fish the afternoons, or an outgoing tide. I dunno if it makes a difference or not. TC&TL;,
Perry

I prefer either first or last light with a high tide, preferably rising
I’ve had luck at low tides so maybe I dunno what OI’m talking about
I took 2 nice Spotfin croakers on 2 consecutive ‘after work’ fishes
I’ve taken plenty of Halibut from the beach

I used to like the last few hours of an incoming tide, but after my last few trips surf and bay fishing we did well right after slack tide and the tide was incoming one. Any more, I try to watch the tides, but fish when I get the chance

FF

estuary / Bay Fishing I love the low just coming in
I used to slay Halibut in Batiguitos on that tide before they closed my water