Thread: Any Tips and tricks for surf fishing

We come down every year and stay out on Fort Morgan. This year we will be here for 2 weeks and really all we do is surf fish. We have tried everything in the past and it seems like the shrimp flavored Fishbites Fish'n Strips seem to catch the most fish. The only problem is that most of those fish are catfish and while its better than catching nothing, its not what we'd like. I also have a drone that I can use to take my bait out as far as I need. Would it be better to fish inside the sand bar or past? I'm curious for any local tips or tricks that target the pompano, or even whiting this time of year. Any help is appreciated!

Try Mobile St and if you start catching to many catfish move down the beach until you find a good spot.Fish early and late in the day instead of mid day.Rent a kayak and get out pass the bar where there are some good fish.Set your rod on free spool and have someone drop baits out a good way from shore using your kayak.
Not sure what time of year your coming on Vacation so read reports and fish GSPP.Also check the Marina you can fish end of dock for 4 bucks a day sometime it could be good.I caught plenty of bluefish and trout there also they sell bait there also.
If you rent a kayak down in fort Morgan they will take it where you want it dropped to and they will drop it and meet you right at Jeff Friend kayak trail which is a little road on little lagoon.Its a short paddle to lots of good fish spots.Remember the lagoon is not wide but it's 7 miles long. Just tell them what time you will be done ahead of time and than you will be set.There is a nice parking area there also a short walk from the trial.
Last try different baits.Crab,live and dead shrimp,minnows just mix thinks up some.Take care Tom

If you are using a drone to take out your bait, you are fishing past all the whiting and most of the pompano.
Whiting will be right at your feet many days. Rarely do I cast more than 50' for them. Pompano may be out a little farther on the bar.
Flounder tend to be in the shore trough and and on the bar edges, redfish too.

Man, if you are going to fort morgan, 2 things. There was a terrible storm over there and everything is re arranged by God. The bouy is not in the same place anymore. Now look I go up there frequently and I catch pompano and redfish. some flounder. I usually allways limit on pompano. this is what i use. you need to get a piece of 20 lb leater tie a loop knot in it and thread a size 1 eagle claw Khale hook tie a 2 oz pirymid weight on the end and bait it wiuth a peeled shrimp. thats a" break the head and the tail off and peel a little of the shell off. wade out in the water to your chest and cast strait out. leave the bale out walk back to the beach, and hammer a piece of pvc pipe in the sand for a rod holder. sit and wait. you can cast a bucktail jig while your waiting for something to slam the shrimp. probably a pompano. the water is warmer than the air is now down here. I went fishing there a couple of days ago. the fish are biteing.

Thank you so much for info. Just curious, you are talking about at the very end of the peninsula correct? If so, where is the best place to fish when you get down to the end. We have fished there every year for one day and we never seem to have any luck, is better on the north end of the south or right off the very point?

Originally Posted by bamacamp29

Man, if you are going to fort morgan, 2 things. There was a terrible storm over there and everything is re arranged by God. The bouy is not in the same place anymore. Now look I go up there frequently and I catch pompano and redfish. some flounder. I usually allways limit on pompano. this is what i use. you need to get a piece of 20 lb leater tie a loop knot in it and thread a size 1 eagle claw Khale hook tie a 2 oz pirymid weight on the end and bait it wiuth a peeled shrimp. thats a" break the head and the tail off and peel a little of the shell off. wade out in the water to your chest and cast strait out. leave the bale out walk back to the beach, and hammer a piece of pvc pipe in the sand for a rod holder. sit and wait. you can cast a bucktail jig while your waiting for something to slam the shrimp. probably a pompano. the water is warmer than the air is now down here. I went fishing there a couple of days ago. the fish are biteing.

Pick smaller hooks: A fingernail sized bend covered in fresh shrimp 4-6-8, not a thumb sized hook. Small hooks can take large drum with some finesse playing them.

I use #4 baitholders for whiting. And cut my fresh shrimp into marble size chunks. You don't need much.

Originally Posted by CarlF

If you are using a drone to take out your bait, you are fishing past all the whiting and most of the pompano.
Whiting will be right at your feet many days. Rarely do I cast more than 50' for them. Pompano may be out a little farther on the bar.
Flounder tend to be in the shore trough and and on the bar edges, redfish too.

Fresh bait.. I like fresh/ recently killed blue crab knuckles and fresh live shrimp/ ghost shrimp on a double drop rig. Size your weight for the days forecast and hook size for bait. like CarlF said its more important about bait placement instead of distance.

+1 for smaller sized hooks.
I found out long ago how versatile, effective and durable are the #10, 8, 6 and 4 Eagle Claw Plain Shank (style 084) hooks were in matching to small baits like tiny live shrimp.
Later I found the same features in the Eagle Claw kahle hook (style L141) to be essential for surf fishing.
I can safely say I have caught more fish on the #6 kahle hook than any other style or size hook.
I even swap them out on many of the hi-low "pompano rigs" that come with larger hooks.

While they are almost essential for whiting and pompano they do hold up well to the pressure of the occasional larger redfish or black drum (like this 26.5#r) landed on a #6 kahle after a 25 minute battle...

Or this 26#'er on a #4 baitholder, 8# mainline and a 45 minute fight!!