[MarkDido]

Howdy!

Like mgoblue999 I too am an neophyte surf fisherman from Orlando.

With the spousal unit being out of town at a family reunion, I decided to dust off my equipment and do a little fishing.

I went out to Sebastian on the 4th. Never did get a line wet...too busy.

Today (Sunday) I decided to check out Playalinda and fell in love!
Stopped at Playalinda 8 (13 was packed)

I was only there for about 2 hours around 9am, and I probably wasn't using the optimum equipment (lightweight spinning reel, 12lb test line).

On top of all that I managed to catch 1 finger mullet on some Wally-World frozen shrimp. (I had bigger finger mullet in my bait pail!)

But I discovered that I really didn't care. The smell of the salt air, the wind whipping through what's left of my hair, the peace and quiet, the whole experience made the trip from Orlando well worth it!

So here are some newbie questions....

1. Equipment: 8 - 10' rod and a decent reel (spinning or casting)?

2. I was using a double-drop bottom rig, but noticed that the 1 other person there was using a single drop. Is the double drop overkill?

3. Hook size and type for what I will usually find out there in the surf? (1 site recommended 1/0 or 2/0 circcle hooks.)

4. Baits?

I work for the Orange County Sheriff's Dept (civilian) and we work an alternating schedule, meaning that in August, I'll go back on a Fri - Mon schedule with Tue, Wed and Thur off (and the spousal unit at work and the grand-daughter at school - ahhh blissfull silence!) - I'm guessing that weekday fishing is a little less crowded.

Thanks in advance for any info y'all can share!

Mark

 

[Beachbms]

Welcome to the board mark, have to get to work but Will replay in detail this evening !!!! Surf-fishing Will grab ahold of you for sure!!

 

[MarkDido]

Thanks for the welcome Beachbms

And I think it already has!

Just got back from picking up a 9' Shakespeare Alpha rod, a spinning reel that will handle a higher test line and a 10' section of 2" PVC to make some rod holders!

Gonna give Playalinda a shot with the new equipment tomorrow morning.

 

[Beachbms]

Good for you mark, looks like you are on your way! I started out using 9' spinning rods. then moved to 11' Shakespeare Tidewater rod. Which by the way is a nice rod if you are going to do any pier fishing for it has a shorter butt. I personally like to use conventional rods for larger fish, and a reel that will hole 300+ yards of 20# test line. I just bought my first 12' rod a little while ago and I love it. got it rigged with 30# power pro.......wow it cast a mile and the extra hight works great for keeping the line out of the break. I usually use triple drop rig. I have a Owner 1/0 hook on the bottom that I use Fishbites on, middle hook has a 2/0 eagle claw circle hook with shrimp/squid and the last hook is a Owner 4/0 which I always have mullet on. Don't know if this is the best way or not but it seems to work for me. I like to use the freshest shrimp I can get. I usually have the bait shop put live shrimp in a bag and then put them on ice. If you have an y questions I haven't answered just ask there is lots of info on the board. good luck tomorrow, and let us know how you did.