With much of the inshore action slowing for the hot summer months, and if you want to get your saltwater fix without going offshore, this is a great time to head to the beach. However, during the day it can be close quarters sharing the beach with tourists and swimmers, and on the piers it is elbow-to-elbow. What most people don't know is that when temps approach 100 degrees in the daytime, the best time to fish is at night. From 6 PM to 10 AM is the best window for summer surf fishing. A nocturnal angler can expect to see Spanish Mackeral, seatrout, whiting, weakfish, flounder, black drum, bluefish, pompano, and sharks, sharks, and more sharks.
There is really something for everybody in the surf at night. From those who use light setups to throw artificials for Spanish Mackeral and seatrout, to medium live-bait rigs for bluefish, whiting, and black drum, to heavy surf-casting or standup gear to tangle with big sharks.
For those who prefer light setups, I prefer a 7-foot medium to medium heavy spinning rod with a 2500 t0 4000 size spinning reel spooled with 12 pound mono or 20 pound braid. If you throw artificials, I recommend using a 2 foot flourocarbon leader of 20 -pound test. As far as baits, casting spoons, artificial jigs, a jighead with a live shrimp, or a Gotcha plug (seen below) will do the ticket. Gotcha plugs are especially effective on Bluefish and Spanish Mackeral when retrieved very, very quickly.
For a heavier setup, I like an 8-foot medium-heavy action spinning rod with a 4000 or 5000 size reel, or a 7'6" or 8-foot casting rod with an Ambassadeur 5600 or 6500 size reel (or something comparable) spooled with 17-pound mono or 30-pound braid. If the surf is fairly calm with little current, I'll cast a rattling cork rig, like a Cajun Thunder, out beyond the breakers with a live mud minnow or shrimp. When the surf is heavier, I'll use a wire or heavy-mono bottom rig with 2 hooks. Usually at least a 2-ounce pyramid sinker is required to keep the bait down. This setup is a good all-around setup if you aren't sure what you're going to catch.
Surf fishing for big sharks is a whole new ballgame, and will be the subject of the next entry.
