Thread: the absolute essentials

This one is directed at Pier#r and all those that fish from the beach (we never making it down to the pier). Helping my brother in law finish out his tackle. What are the essential tackle items, lures, baits needed for successful surf fishing, both with light tackle (7' rod, 3000 series reel) and big stuff (10' rod, 5000-6000 series) reel. Here's what I already have told him he needs to fish for reds/specs/flounder from the surf:

1. Fluro leader material
2. Circle hooks, various sizes (any definite sizes needed and for what species?)
3. Pyramid/bank weights
4. Fish finder sliding weight swivels
5. Beads
6. Mirrolures (top water primarily)
7. Hopkins tin
8. Johnson Gold Redfish spoons
9. Gulp Shrimp (may tell him to buy the hollow body type this year)
10. Popping cork
11. Jig heads (what sizes though?)

What am I missing that is something you should definitely have for shot at a successful day fishing from the beach?

1. 10#, 20#, 30#
2. #6 and #4 Kahle for pompano and whiting
3. 1 ounce up, also non-rolling sinkers and egg sinkers (for #9)
4. small & large sizes
5. variety size and color, I like clear unless used an attractant in front of hook
6. Top Dawg and TD Jr are good (bone, red/white & halloween)
but don't forget the suspending twitch baits as well (52M & 52 MR as well as TT series)
7. or Krocodile, Mr Champ & Sidewinder
8. I prefer the Johnson Sprite spoons (with treble hook, you won't need a weed guard)
9. One word: Gulp Floating Pearl (OK, that's 3 words ;-) rig Carolina style or drop rig
10. And cigar floats (for live shrimp, mullet or LYs) and Bubble Rigs work great from the beach
11. H&H 1/8 for shallow water of sub-surface, 1/4 for intermediate, 3/8 for deep water or moderate wind/current, 1/2 for strong wind/current/waves

GOOD BAIT is essential. Sand fleas and/or ghost shrimp or at least FRESH dead shrimp.
Otherwise you are fishing for hardheads, stingrays and pinfish (Garbage Can Slam)...

I will add to the fresh dead shrimp mentioned above.....peeled

#r, are Gulp Floating Shrimp and Hollow-body Shrimp the same item? Can't seem to find one called "Floating".

Some packs of Fishbites, in white and pink.
I like plain ole #4 and #2 bronze baitholders for hooks.
Don't forget the pliers, fillet knife, a few old towels, hat, shades, sunscreen and a cooler of water.

Only thing I've used was fish bites pink ones n live bait never caught anything on fish bites must not know how to rig r fish them bc others catch fish off them but used them every time im down n never even had a bite

Originally Posted by craigt

#r, are Gulp Floating Shrimp and Hollow-body Shrimp the same item? Can't seem to find one called "Floating".

Yes that's right Craig, they are called "Hollow Body" not "floating".
Sorry for the confusion.

Originally Posted by Javery

Only thing I've used was fish bites pink ones n live bait never caught anything on fish bites must not know how to rig r fish them bc others catch fish off them but used them every time im down n never even had a bite

I've caught the heck out of spadefish on them, small 1/2"x1/4" pieces.
Also caught whiting, croaker and ground mullet.
Have head of others catching pompano with the pink & orange ones when used with white jigs.

Pompano bite them on dropper rigs, especially pink or orange.

Thanks to everyone that contributed. I think I have a pretty decent idea of what he needs to finish out his gear and more importantly, I know know the items I am also lacking.

Pier#r, I'll probably have some follow up questions as I digest your list a bit more and as I attempt to figure out where i need to make changes in my own set up (e.g. I don't know a thing about bubble rigs, how to fish them, what set up to use, etc)