Help a Surf Fishing Rookie (Port Aransas Area)

[howabouttheiris]

Going to stay on the beach for a week with the family. Solid bass fisherman, decent creek fly fisherman but have never casted a line from the shore into the Gulf.

I have medium-heavy bass tackle (which is probably light for some things that could be hooked) What can a guy do with a 7' rod, a reel designed to handle about 20 lb test, and a willingness to get wet? Probably be sunrise / early morning only.

What edible fish should I target? (so I can ensure I understand limits/regulations/etc)
Should I use live bait only or is there an alternative?
Recommended setup (drop shot rig)?

Guides are not an option on this trip, but would really like to get out and see it done for real some time. (I am 100x better bass fisherman after spending time with Mike Hastings on Lake Travis)

Thanks!

[ken]

What time of year? The available species in the surf are totally different depending on time of year.

[kingchip]

I always wanted to book Billy Sandefur for a beach run to learn what he targets. I've always just gone out with shrimp in the guts, and it's hit or miss.

[Outback]

Surf fishing is my favorite way to saltwater fish! I wade out to the 2nd sandbar or 3rd if possible and hopefully there is some tidal movement. I fish in one of two ways. One, with a popping cork 2' up from a swivel that has 12" of 20# fluorocarbon leader and a circle hook with a fresh caught mullet or a small treble hook with a live shrimp. The second way to not use a popping cork but to use a 1/2 oz. or larger egg sinker above a swivel with the 18" of fluorocarbon leader and a circle hook with a fresh caught mullet. Check the regs on size and limit. I taped a rod ruler to my pole. And make sure you have a saltwater stamp. I still think you need that. Since I get the Supercombo, I don't pay too much attention.

Good luck!

[Killer]

You can fish the jetties also. Use standard bass tackle. no wire leader 20 or 25# mono or fluorocarbon leader with popping cork as stated above.
You can also use a light spin rig with a smaller leader for free lining shrimp or mullet there too. Use no weight or very small weight and cast around the edges of the granite. I have caught lots of Mangrove snapper and trout and a few flounder this way.
If you can not get the hang of the free lining use a slip cork and shrimp or mullet along the edge of the granite blocks. Fish deep enough to get to the fish but not so deep you get hung up.

[howabouttheiris]

I'm fine for license.... I always buy the full supercombo/archery/duckstamp/etc .... If I don't use it in any particular year, I feel the money is heading to a good cause.

My trip will be in only a couple weeks time, so it is spring fishing, if that helps.

[howabouttheiris]

Does Academy/BassPro/Cabelas sell a laminated fish ID cheat sheet for the gulf?

something like .... or even better if it is a 2015-16 version with limits/etc

[double bogey]

In that area with bass tackle, I would rather wade fish the bays.

[LloydMcCoy]

But largest spin reel at academy they like 49$ clean with fresh water at beach showers after fishing. Further out you go the better. Kayak bait out to 3rd bar if ya can.

[gatorgar]

Carolina rigged anything will usually net you a bite. Whiting are prevalent in the surf and good eating. Get yourself a cheap spinning combo (pier and surf) and set it up with a 3 way swivel. One to a 2 ounce spider weight, anther with about 24" of kingfish wire tied to a 5/0 circle hook and the last to your main line. For bait, use a chunk of whatever you catch in the surf. Wade out as far as you can and chunk it as close s you can to the first/last wave and walk the rid back to shore. That can get picked up by anything from a big ray to decent Shark.
That's what I love about the surf, you never know what you can hook

[SCREAMINREELS]

Fish between the bars but above that follow the birds
Ealry morning throw topwaters before it gets rough I like spooks in bone color, spoons work well in the surf too silver most fish will hit, gold is good too but I prefer silver in the surf.
Once it gets rough live shrimp under a popping cork or buy a few premadr leaders (weight will depend how rough it is use dead shrimp,squid, cut bait, finger mullet on the bottom.

Get some PVC and borrow a bigger reel from a buddy. A big ambassador will work 7k range and Wade out and toss it with a big chunk of cut bait on it and a spider weight. Free spool it back, throw it in the pvc with the drag toned down and clicker on. When it screams have fun. Bull reds and sharks depending on time of year are easy and fun to catch

[SmTx]

I always wanted to book Billy Sandefur for a beach run to learn what he targets. I've always just gone out with shrimp in the guts, and it's hit or miss.

Unfortunately that will probably never happen now. Billy hung up his PINS guiding.

[Breezy]

for the next couple months or so the surf is ok at best. Wont get good for a while

[Breezy]

Unfortunately that will probably never happen now. Billy hung up his PINS guiding.

yup. contact Oz.

[SCREAMINREELS]

You'll catch whiting, croaker sandtrout on dead stuff that are good eating, throw hardheads back. Spanish macks,Specks on live and lures, possibly reds in surf, good eating, bull reds,rays and shark on big bait, maybe pompano.
Most fish on that you won't catch in surf. Print something out from tpwd so help identify and know length and limits.
The above listed on dead you'll catch anywhere.know the above list those are the most common you'll catch

Does Academy/BassPro/Cabelas sell a laminated fish ID cheat sheet for the gulf?

something like .... or even better if it is a 2015-16 version with limits/etc