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Chewie
Joined: 27 Sep 2014 Posts: 7
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 7:06 pm Post subject: New to saltwater fishing |
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Hey everyone, Iam a long time freshwater fisherman who just got a place down here on one of the canals on the Island. I was wondering if you guys could point me to some good resources for getting started in saltwater fishing? I do not have a boat right now so I am looking for info on surf fishing, fishing on the canals and maybe kayak fishing. I feel really dumb, I am not even sure what baits to use beyond using Shrimp on a Trout rig or something like that near peoples lights in the canals.
Any help gang? |
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Bigrock Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 1380 Location: Sherwood Tx
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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You ARE at the right source for learning saltwater. Patience.
And WELCOME! |
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FoldCatOne Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 1159 Location: Kerrville
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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Live shrimp with a popping cork is not a bad start though!! And as IMS can show you, the live bait left over becomes part of the fish fry. Hard to beat that!!
Charter Jeff Wolda down PINS and learn the surf the right way (or at least the way Billy Sandifer taught him) - and that's a good thing!! _________________ Gary J
NA3VY
Ham Radio and Fishing - Is There Anything Else??
I'm Ultra-Conservative - Rush is a Liberal |
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BayFly Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 02 Sep 2014 Posts: 1728 Location: Austin/Flour Bluff
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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2014 9:04 am Post subject: |
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Welcome to the salt! A lot of us started out with primarily fresh water experience, and in my case, both fresh and salt, due to where I was raised.
The tides, wind changes, salinity, etc. all make a salt water fishing a challenge not experienced, as much, or at all with fresh water. The bait to use and presentation are the easy part. I encourage you to consider reading everything you can get your hands on, including some of the books offered on this website. "Plugger" is probably my favorite, but there are many more specific to the area. The wade or kayak access books will give you a education on the bays and their access points. Learn what a tide chart is and what it means to saltwater fishing. As far as live bait is concerned, shrimp, finger mullet, piggy perch, and croacker are the most effective. Buying or catching them is another lesson to be learned. There are a lot of different techniques on their use. As one other poster mentioned, patience is your best ally, because you will probably never learn everything you will need to know at any given time, and remember, it's called "fishing" for a reason, and not catching! Good luck with your salt knowledge, and you are welcome to PM me if you have a specific question. |
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kweber Full Grown Flour Bluffian

Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 2396 Location: Hondo
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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2014 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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takes time... but this outfit will cut a few corners....
lotsa cool folks here to help'ya transition...
we all like shrimp..everthing likes shrimp.
keep that in mind....
learn the surf...
lotsa nice fish there when it's 'right"
the 'when and right" is the trick.
jetties... same , but you'll lose stuff...
it's a learning curve...
I'm just kinda figgering all this out
but really ask any question...
some-one will step up and help. _________________ the creepy uncle that scares the kids.... |
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Hoggeman Flour Bluffian in training

Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 480 Location: Dallas
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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2014 5:00 pm Post subject: Fish to it hurts |
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Surf Fishing
Buy PVC and cut a 5' piece with a sharp angle for a pole holder
Learn to back of you drag and set the clicker after every cast and place in pole holder. (Do not cast with the clicker on!!! "The Bob Hall Buzz")
Learn how to cast a cast net for mullet or use your freshwater tackle with fresh dead shrimp on a Carolina Rig for whiting (cut bait) fresh dead is a must because you just might catch a pomp or red while you catch bait
Fish bites work FYI
Buy one surf pole that is going to last and take the abuse you are going to give it. Pick up an old Penn Squidder put brand new 25# test mono and a 11 FT + old Harnell. Both should cost around $200 on Ebay. you will understand the old school culture and get some respect with a Harnell.
Squidder cleans easy and likes sand
Set drag or you will lose it in surf
Or go and see Nick at Break a way Tackle or Roy at Roy's $500 option
If you go to Academy you will not get the service or depth of knowledge
Buy Redfish Leaders and sand grabbers until you learn to make your own
You don't need to cast far at first because you can wade out and lob a bait on the back side of the second gut or fish deep first gut and holes.
You can catch fish in the wade gut FYI
When starting out always drive the beach from South to North (easier to see cuts)
Guts are mostly strait
the beach curves
so the second gut dead ends into the beach every few miles
fish where you see dead ends, deep holes, cuts, bait and Pelicans
Pot Lick
Bring beer and offer a surf fisherman a cold one if he shows you the ropes or if he can explain why he is fishing there.
do not stay to long!!!
Good luck,
Hoggeman _________________ Fin in the wind |
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lil-red-hunter14 Guest
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Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2014 7:23 am Post subject: |
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Will be expecting a report with a full texas slam limit after all of this great knowledge you've got here. Good luck!
I mostly fish fresh because of my location but my bass rod is also my red/trout rod. I have a shimano citica with 12# mono. I have a section of 3-4' of 25-30# leader material connected by a uni knot (LEARN IT). You simply cannot go wrong fishing the jetty with a small split shot about 1-2' above a 1/0-2/0 kahle hook with shrimp, live finger mullet or croaker at the end! I've personally caught my best red to date on live shrimp slowly bouncing it off the rocks! You will loose tackle so buy extra of the small stuff! You will also loose bait to piggy perch and maybe a catfish or two. That's the name of the game! |
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ltorna1 Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 3240
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Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2014 7:47 am Post subject: |
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| lil-red-hunter14 wrote: | | You simply cannot go wrong fishing the jetty with a small split shot about 1-2' above a 1/0-2/0 kahle hook with shrimp, live finger mullet or croaker at the end! |
bingo. _________________ ...if my boss ever finds this forum I'll be unemployed... |
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ironmanstan Exalted Ruler of Flour Bluff

Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 12256
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Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:14 am Post subject: |
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| FoldCatOne wrote: | Live shrimp with a popping cork is not a bad start though!! And as IMS can show you, the live bait left over becomes part of the fish fry. Hard to beat that!!
Charter Jeff Wolda down PINS and learn the surf the right way (or at least the way Billy Sandifer taught him) - and that's a good thing!! |
IMS....  _________________ I LIKE MINE FRIED. |
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Tyler Site Admin

Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865
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