surf fishing in december?

This (barely) slot red was caught on Grayton Beach 5 days before Christmas 2006. I'd bring the rods...

Seeing that photo makes me happy. There's fish out there boys, and no one else seems to be fishing!

There was tons of bait fish in Western Lake Wednesday night.

We're seeing Redfish, Bluefish, Black Drum, and even the occasional Pompano being caught in the surf. Bring the rods.

Thanks for the report Yellowfin. Do you all repair reels there. My reel locks have stopped working on a few of my reels and they need some help?

I know that i won't be able to get my line out as far due to not walking out chest deep in the surf. Should I not bring my 9-10ft rod in favor of my shorter 6'6 to fish in the surf with. What should I use...jig heads with shrimp attached working it in the surf?

Thanks

arrrggghhhhh

Thanks for the report Yellowfin. Do you all repair reels there. My reel locks have stopped working on a few of my reels and they need some help?

We're not officially a reel repair center although we can sometimes resurect them. It sounds like you have a malfunctioning anti-reverse mechanism, the most common cause of reel failure. Depending on the reel, it may or may not be cost effective to repair it. We'd be glad to take a look at it.

I know that i won't be able to get my line out as far due to not walking out chest deep in the surf. Should I not bring my 9-10ft rod in favor of my shorter 6'6 to fish in the surf with. What should I use...jig heads with shrimp attached working it in the surf?

Thanks

arrrggghhhhh

Bring them both, if possible. You never know what conditions may offer. In the last three days the water temp rose from 59 to 61, despite the cold front. This seems to have livened things up. This morning there was bait being pushed up right at shore and a school of Bonita circling them like cowboys. Here, the short rod would work. On the other hand, you may want that long rod for distance casting past the first sandbar, for the reds and blues. Sandbars shift and you don't always have to wade out deep to reach the good spots. Hopefully no more than knee deep. Remember that the water is often warmer than the air temp this time of year.

What would use for bait in the surf?

What would use for bait in the surf?

I was trying to dodge that question because the answer is "it depends". This is one of those questions that, if posed to five different fishermen, may yield 18 different answers.

Regarding natural baits, lately we've had people swear that ONLY cigar minnows work. Whole, not cut. Others swear that ONLY live shrimp, frozen shrimp, squid, live sand fleas, live minnows, Gulp! sand fleas, and the list goes on. Some use only artificial lures with good success. The point is, there is no universal right or wrong answer. It will depend on the current conditions, like temperature, water clarity, season, surf height, presence of baitfish, etc.

Conditions change constantly around here and what works one day may not work the next. That is both the fun and, for some, the frustration of surf fishing.

Stop by our Seagrove store for the latest info.

I completely understand John, thanks for the help.

Yellow fin, do you think for the smaller surf rod and pompano jig with bait added to it might work in the surf...I am more familiar with fishing a little deeper.

THanks

YellowFin is spot on, as usual! I love that store. Be sure to purchase your goods from them when you get here. Great customer service and fishing/equipment knowledge, and prices competitive with Bass Pro Shops. Lately the Gulf has been extremely smooth, but I hear that surf is on the way. Definitely bring both poles. My experience is that the smaller rigs don't work so well with the Pompano rig if you have a heavy weight. It just doesn't feel right, when throwing it out, or reeling it in. The rougher the surf, the heavier the weight needed.

Should be great weather for sitting on the beach, doing some surf fishing, this week.

thanks for the advice......should I use a jig and work it in the surf.I do plan on casting out to the sandbar with my double hook rig with shrimp that I have always had success with. What should I use for Reds?

Thanks again

What should I use for Reds?

You've already got it.

casting out to the sandbar with my double hook rig with shrimp that I have always had success with.

Have fun. Maybe I'll get a chance to hit the beach over the next week to fish, too.