How do you "surf fish"?

[ruauman2]

I'm going to Assateague State Park for a few days this week and thought I'd try some surf fishing. I've never done it but I think I can drink beer and fish at the same time so I'm what you might call a "natural" when it comes to these type of activities. I plan to go to Wal-mart get a rod and reel (something that will last but inexpensive) since I don't get an opportunity to do this very often. I'll get bait/tackle at the park since the locals can lead in the right direction regarding a good bait to use. I understand tackle, casting, etc. What I'm wondering about is sugestions regarding technique that may improve my chances of catching some fish. I know I'm way off topic here but any suggestions will be apreciated.

[PHOEBISIS]

My dad used to surf fish near Atlantic City-Avalon was the name of the place-in the late 1950's.I watched him and did a little myself,so I will chime in.1st off bring plenty of beer;you don't really catch many fish surf fishing-least my dad never did.Bring some decent food that tastes good dusted with sand-cold cuts,bread,mustard,mayo etc.You will get hungry because surf fishing is a fair amount of work-surf pounding you,casting,walking in to rebait,or to re rig when you lose your's(you will snag on the bottom pretty often-shouldn't be anything but sand down there,but you will) etc.You also do a lot of walking;you will fish about an hr-no bites-so you will decide it looks better 1/4 mile down the beach-so the cooler,tackle box etc all have to get hauled down there.Repeat this several time before noon,and several times after noon.The food and beer will taste good-you will be hungry.
Well,sounds like you got the beer down pat-that is really the most important aspect of surf fishing.On the bright side-good chance you won't have to clean any fish.Charlie

[ruauman2]

HAHA...thanks. If all else fails I'll stop by Safeway on the way home, buy a few miscellaneous filets and tell my wife I caught them. You know, the caveman approach..."me bring food". Since I lived out in the desert for almost 20 years, the sand will be very familiar. What will not happen is me walking up and down the beach trying to out-think the fish. Where I plop my *ss is where I stay until I have caught all of the fish in the ocean or I'm drunk, whichever comes first. The only thing that gets me walking up and down the beach are bikinis, my wife will vouch for that!

[Yeti77]

Just don't tie bleeding bait fish to your belt or what you catch. That's what is believed to have caused the second shark attack just down the road from me.

[FLfinfan]

Surf fishing poles are much thicker and bigger. Most guys here walk out alittle ways, cast as far as possible and then walk in, loose lined, and set their poles in a peice of PVC pipe stuck deep in the sand. Then they set the reel so the line/reel is tight. Then they have a cold one and wait for the rod to bend alittle and the fight is on. Some guys have 3 or 4 rods going. Some rods are being baited, some are being reset/equiped/tackled, some are being reeled in or cast out.
Good way to spend a day at the beach.

[CAPTMRGN]

Use some squid or shrimp as bait...cast right where the first waves are breaking, this is where most fish hang out...if you get no bites in the first 20 min. try a little farther out and then work your way closer to shore...look for birds diving in the water..that is usually where the bait is. If you really want something big throw half a bloody fish that you caught back out and you will certainly get a shark to show up...they are good eating too and the best thing about sharks are no bones..

[th1rd3y3]

My father-in-law usually surf fishes when we go down there. Usually doesn't catch much, but it's something to do. If you go right before it gets dark you can usually see dolphins out in the water. Pretty cool.