
By: Manuel Z |
MANUEL Z -on- FISHING, Terminal
Tackle
Basic
Tackle for the Surf
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Terminal tackle is, I guess what you
would call "Disposable" Tackle. Things such as
Leaders, Hooks, Swivels, Weights...etc... Below I will
show pictures of some of my basic Terminal Tackle.
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Tripple Drop Leaders are your
best bet for the Surf. You Tie your line on the Tripple
Swivel at the top, place your Weight on the bottom snap,
and two 4/0 Hooks on the two remaining Snaps. This way
you get to fish with two baits, You can even find 4 drop
leaders for placing 3 baits out. Please note the type of
weight on the bottom snap, This weight is called a
"SPIDER WEIGHT", I'll explain more on that
subject later. |
Redfish Leaders come in all
different shapes and sizes, But this 3' Long
"RAYS" Redfish Leader is my preferred single
drop leader. This leader has a Swivel which you tie your
line to, This swivel is connected to a plastic coated 3
Ft. Wire cable, Half way down, there is a stop which is
used to stop the (sliding) Swivel which is holding a
"Spider Weight". On the Bottom there is a 7/0
Wide gapped Hook. If this rig happens to get hit by a
Shark, It can withstand the punishment. and allow you to
land your Shark safely, This rig can be baited with Scaled/Cut
Mullet, Whole Squid or a 5 to 7 Inch live Whiting, Mullet
or Croaker. I
wouldn't recommend trying to use this rig with Shrimp for
bait. (Small fish and crabs will just steal your bait.)
Note: It is a proven fact that Larger Fish Eat Larger
Baits, Usually consisting of other fish. TIP: If
you can find, buy or catch small crabs, around 4 to 5 inches in size, that's a great BULL REDFISH
bait. (Check your State
Regulations first!) |
Spider Weights are the BEST
Weights to use in the Surf. The way you set it is, After
you cast it out, Reel back some line till you feel strong
resistance, This means your weight is now at the bottom
of the "GUT". Now you let off the pressure on
your line for a minute or so, to let the Spider Weights
arms sink into the sand. Set your rod into the rod holder
and reel your line till the rod tip bends towards the
surf. Now your set, See the TIPS -N- TRICKS section for
the "Reading your Rod Tip" article. |
Pyramid
Weights are NOT recommended for the Surf,
There is whats called a "RIP TIDE" in the Surf
This tide goes from one side to the other and can be very
strong at times, A Pyramid Weight will just roll along
with the tide. Use a Spider Weight for Surf fishing |
GUTS, BARS & CUTS, (how to find them) As you walk out
in the surf, and you start to get into a little deeper
water... That's is a GUT, Keep walking and it gets
shallower where you go up a small hill, This is the BAR. Here's a TIP, Walk along the Bar (Parallel to the beach)
till you feel it start to drop off and that's what is called
a CUT. The cut is a great place for a bait since
the CUT is where fish cross from GUT to GUT, The Third
GUT is the deepest of the Accessible fishing spots from
the surf, Unless of course you have a raft or Sea Kayak to
Swim out your BIG baits. |