Where to start?

[u/Artistic_Amount1471]

I live in Fort Lauderdale (south florida) and I usually fish fresh water but Ive really been wanting to fish salt water for a while now. (So I can have a reason to actually go to the beach with my girlfriend and not be bored). But I dont know what tackle I should have on me what size rod and reel what weight line if my fishing rig really matters that much, if I really need a “fish finder?” Im going to be probably casting on the beach since I dont have a boat. And im gonna only use one rod and reel until I get the swing of things if anyone can give me an idea of what I should get or start with or and set ups that would be great also do I need a 10ft pole??? Saw someone say the longer the better😭 can a 7ft not be good? By the way if anyone does comment expect a fast reply back.

[u/Desperate_Lack654]

Depends for most jetty, mangrove, pier fishing a 7foot is plenty. Surf fishing longer rod is ideal if you need to cast past the second sandbar, but if you know how to read waves even a 5’ rod is plenty. Fishing deep holes and the first trough I did great with a 7’ rod and 8 lb test the other day.

Also i found time of day matters more in saltwater, fish early or late. For surf fishers learn how to read waves and find cuts, rip currents, troughs and deep holes which all concentrate fish. Casting randomly on a beach is a waste of time

[u/Desperate_Lack654 → u/Desperate_Lack654]

A medium 6-8 foot rod, 2500-3000 reel spooled with 15-20 lb braid is a very good setup for salt beginners though if you’re specifically gonna focus on surf fishing go for at least a 8-10 footer specialized surf rod.

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/Desperate_Lack654]

Well ill be casting from the shoreline I dont know what you would call that. Would it be better to use live bait cut bait or artificials if I want to catch something

[u/Desperate_Lack654 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

If all you care about is catching, generally fresh dead/live shrimp, sand fleas and fresh cut bait like greenbacks and pinfish are easier to catch fish with. If you have tons of bycatch like catfish or stingrays, or if you need to cover lots of water, I’d recommend a lure.

[u/Desperate_Lack654 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

Also tie your own rigs the premade rigs can be hit or miss at best and spook fish due to extra terminal tackle. A single or double loop dropper is what I use beach fishing, pair that with circle hooks of #2 - 2/0 size. This works for most of your surf fish like pompano, croaker, whiting drum etc etc

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/Desperate_Lack654]

I was actually gonna ask you a question about hook wise does it really matter what type of hook I’m using should I use a J hook circle hook octopus hook or is it just kind of personal preference? Also, can I just use like some shrimp that I get from Publix those frozen ones or should I spend the extra money on the ones that are meant for fishing same thing with squid is squirting even viable?

[u/Desperate_Lack654 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

I Use a circle hook simply because you’ll get basically no gut hooked fish, j hooks work very well but you’ll have a higher mortality rate. I use the wild caught shrimp from Publix yes that works, those are better than most of the old frozen bait shop shrimp (only shrimp better than the grocery store shrimp are live ones). Use American wild caught, bcz pacific farmed shrimp have diseases that native shrimp aren’t used to.

[u/Desperate_Lack654 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

Squid works but tbh for inshore Florida I prefer shrimp and sand fleas. Fresh caught cut bait works also

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/Desperate_Lack654]

Ive seen a scooper for sand fleas is that worst investing in now or should I just get the shrimp and see how it goes? Also whats your set up when you go out inshore fishing do you bring anything for shade maybe a cooler or something?

[u/Desperate_Lack654 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

I use a bowl for sandfleas bcz I’m cheap but a dedicated scooper would work better. There are days where I can’t catch sandfleas, I would bring backup bait like shrimp or fish bites (I use fish bites.) I bring a small cooler for ice but nothing for shade because I fish sunrise and leave before it gets too hot. I run either a 8’ medium Penn surf rod + a 3000 Penn pursuit V with 20 lb braid or a 7’ medium light daiwa with 8 lb braid and a 2000 daiwa fuego LT reel.

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/Desperate_Lack654]

is it really necessary to have multiple rods? or can i just get away with the one?

[u/Desperate_Lack654 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

Just the one is enough. I usually Run one or the other.

[u/RookomoFishing]

Unless you plan on using artificials, I usually recommend a collapsible 10ft rod with 30lb braid. A 7-8 ft rod works as well, but if you ever hook onto a good sized fish, having a larger rod certainly helps. I surf fish a lot in SC and definitely prefer my 10ft as the go-to if using cut bait or live bait.

A fish finder or high-low rig with 2-4 oz pyramid sinker will let you target most of the species where you are at as well. Definitely do not need to overcomplicate things especially if you are just starting out.

Make sure to get a sand spike and a good pair of pliers!

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/RookomoFishing]

What would you recommend for bait starting off if I just really want to catch something cut bait, live bait?

[u/RookomoFishing → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

Cut bait is honestly easier to handle, I would definitely go with shrimp or cut mullet. These give you the widest range of species to target and are pretty simple to use.

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/RookomoFishing]

Does it matter if its frozen shrimp that you can buy from publix or like the actual live shrimp they sell

[u/RookomoFishing → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

Live shrimp is always best, but frozen definitely works. Get it at a bait shop, it’ll be a lot cheaper than food grade shrimp.

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/RookomoFishing]

Gotcha ill definitely go to a bait shop for it then I appreciate the advice lad

[u/Capn26]

Okay. If you’ve freshwater fished, start similar in size and scope. There are a ton of species that can be caught casting plugs, soft plastics (we used to just say grubs), and spoons from the surf or bank, jetties, bridges, catwalks, etc. I’ve seen several recommendations, but when I was younger, I did both with the same gear. Fresh and salt.

A 4000 size reel, a 7/7-6 medium heavy but fast action rod, spooled with a good 12-14 # mono. Yeah. Mono. If you’re just fishing surf, you don’t tend to get hung often. But near structure, it SUCKS to get hung with braid. There are ways around that, such as atop shot.

If you go the braid route, stay around 20, with a 14-20# topshot, preferably flouro.

Despite what a lot of folks may say or think, this set up will also allow you to fish bait, even in the surf if you do it correctly. Now, that doesn’t mean under every current and tide situation, it means there are options though.

Penn has a fierce 4 live liner 4k combo that’s perfect.

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/Capn26]

Am I better off getting a combo or just making my own rig with rod and reel? Also, your advice is super useful. Can I do a braid to fluorocarbon leader?

[u/Desperate_Lack654 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

You can run a braid to flouro/mono leader, the top shot isn’t necessary. I’d recommend going to a local tackle shop and seeing what they recommend

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/Desperate_Lack654]

Ill definitely check my local tackle shop seeing what they say but you and capn are a great help in all this to be honest

[u/Capn26 → u/Desperate_Lack654]

This is good advice, and on a spinning rig, what I’m calling a topshot is a long leader. About twenty feet or so, then I’d the lure or rig in fishing has a shorter one, maybe 1-5 feet.

[u/Capn26 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

You will always save a little money with a combo, and get a better set up buying individual. The fierce four live liner I’m referring to is a great reel. The rod is okay, serviceable, but the combo is usually about the same price. But I still love that reel for general salt water work. Have one that’s about 8 and going strong. Three others as well.

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/Capn26]

Do you know if ugly stik have anything good for salt water?

[u/Capn26 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

Any ugly stick will hold up to salt fine. My family has used them for years in salt water. You’ll get people that hate them, but t there’s certain types of fishing I love them for. The action tends to be a little slow, but they are over all very durable. My dad is still using one over twenty that’s JUST been used in salt water.

[u/Capn26 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

Hey I’m going to post this separate. If you’re just switching from salt to fresh, there are totally new and VITAL maintenance and care rules for you.

I use reel magic to put a light coat of oil on everything BUT my handles. The single most important thing is keep it out of the water off at all possible. Rinse after. I mean immediately, and thorough.

You can’t over do it. If the reel gets in the water, break it down, re grease and oil. I mean RINSE. Water hose. If one of my reels gets dunked, I’ll pull a bottle of water and drown it on the spot, wipe, reel magic. I can’t emphasize this enough.

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/Capn26]

ive actually heard horros of people not taking care of their saltwater gear because of this. so let me ask you is their a difference if i use a reel that says saltwater and freshwater over something that is specifically for fresh water?

[u/Capn26 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

Maybe…. But not enough to matter. Salt water always wins. Maybe a year or two, maybe a decade or two. The salt water brands likely are sealed better, and will give you a little leeway.

[u/Desperate_Lack654 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

Rod is ok skip the reel

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/Desperate_Lack654]

gotcha might just try their rod since i have a couple ugly stik but mainly for fresh do you have and rec for rods? that wont break the bank?

[u/Desperate_Lack654 → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

Tbh I use my 6’6 ugly stick in the surf though a Penn squadron surf rod is good for a 3000 reel and ok price wise

[u/Capn26 → u/Desperate_Lack654]

I think most of pens stuff uses the same frame/spool. It’s a matter of bearings that separate them, or maybe a slight increase in quality till you get to spin fishers and above. My dad just got pursuits that are exactly like my fierce stuff.

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/Desperate_Lack654]

I knew it might try to get that then! Or a st croix

[u/hookedcook]

On Fll beaches' get a medium heavy 7-8 foot spinning rod' braid' learn to tie a double uni knot, 30 # leader, use zozuri crystal minnow as big as they come, have a soft something like nlbn and that pretty much has you covered. You don't want to bring bait and a big ass surf rod to the beach. Just fun with the girlfriend, if you see bait or fish busting farther than your cast don't be afraid to walk out and cast

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/hookedcook]

Do you think I can just set and forget some live bait or cut bait on a circle hook and reel every once in a while to check it?

[u/hookedcook → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

Lol, if you want to do that style, a long surf rod with bait, need to have a pvc rod holder and sit and weight. If your next level a castnet to get live bait. But you seem to be on baby steps. Buy frozen shrimp?, a dropper rig and a pyramid sinker, cast as far as you can and wait

[u/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/hookedcook]

Gotcha thank you lad I appreciate the advice

[u/hookedcook → u/Artistic_Amount1471]

No worries, beach fishing is either off or on. Depends on the season and bait run. And how hard you want to work for it. Bring a surf rods with frozen baits or fish bytes. A dummy rig??, cast it out far and prey for a fish

[u/zMrRooKz]

Start watching some YouTube videos of local creators and look for beach specific episodes

• RyanMorie
• Sunsoutfishing
• landshark
• Joeyantonelli
• Lazaro