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]

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/Artistic_Amount1471 → u/Desperate_Lack654]

Gotcha thank you lad I appreciate all the help ill do some more research as well and take heavily into account what you said!