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Coming down in early May to try my luck. Casting in the surf. Curious as to anyone's thoughts about which line is best. Monofilament or Flourocarbon? Clear or colored? Another surf caster swore by black leader as opposed to silver.
Any help for this googan would be appreciated. Besides, I am not screwing up your day on the pier, I am far away down the beach!!!:D
I've always used Trilene Big-Game or Ande for mainline.
For leader, fluorocarbon is good stuff.
But bettter question: what are you targeting?
FOr whiting, reds, specs, pompano, 12# mono/flouro is all you really need. For Spanish & blues, 50# mono.
No reason for wire unless you are targeting sharks from the beach.
Black or brown WIRE leader is certainly better than silver WIRE leader. Spanish strike at the flash, and if they hit the top of the leader they cut off whatever you are catching. Ditto for silver swivels vs black. Tie directly in most cases.
From the pier, mono is less prone to cut others off and easier to untangle, although some skillful fisherpersons use braid. Lighter line casts farther and braid is thinner than mono of the same size, so from the beach that can be helpful.
Don't worry about interfering on the pier as long as you stay outside the elbows of the person next to you. If you know which end of the rod to hold, you are ahead of some who fish there and you can learn a lot from watching those around you. In fact I strongly recommend at least a walk out on the pier when the water is clear. Seeing the underwater structure -- ridges and troughs mostly -- and how the fish move across the open expanse can be very helpful even from the beach.
Also you don't need swivels to pull up a grown man.Small dark ones should all you need if you are going to use them.
Thanks, Midwest!
I have been out on the pier, without my gear, to see you guys have fun. Everyone is pleasant and willing to share their knowledge. I have been fishing Gulf Shores for about 15 years now and have had fair luck. Usually come down with all the rest of the crazies for Easter, but going to try in May and hope the Pomps are plentiful.
Tight lines to all you guys!
Sweet words, Midwest!
You said it just right!
I fish mono almost all the time and if I get tangled up with another fisherman (it happens to everybody) I just cut and retie. It was probably time to retie anyway!