Alright, who's an expert at fishing from the beach around here?

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

Last year I got a portable ocean rod to take on trips -- last year specifically was to fish at Tybee Island in Georgia off some piers. I caught jack shit, but as a group we caught a couple of little rays.

Fast forward to now, we're going to Rosemary beach (Fl) in a few weeks and I'm thinking of trying to shore fish, or maybe fish some of the jetties/bays.

I've been doing a little bit of research and it seems like I might be able to take my rod (albeit only a 7' rod) and cast from shore using the same kind of rigs I was fishing the pier with in GA (High/low rigs and some cutbait). Seems like I might be able to actually fish some jerkbaits and spoons as well depending on the ocean conditions.

Anyone have any advice doing this? specific baits? All the YouTube videos I've watched suggest something similar to a high/low rig, 3oz weight and either some cut up blue crab, sand fleas or shrimp. And as for the hard baits, I've seen stuff suggested all over the place. But there's some Rapalas I was looking at specific to shore casting and something like maybe a Zman saltwater minnow?

Figured I'm going to the beach anyway, why not throw in a line.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

Seems like I'm on my own. Anyway, this is what I'm planning (mind you -- casually fishing while at the beach not going for a fishing trip)


Will probably get some high-low rigs off Amazon just to make my life easier. Honestly, though, I like fishing with artificials more.

 

[dikowt dowg]

Last year I got a portable ocean rod to take on trips -- last year specifically was to fish at Tybee Island in Georgia off some piers. I caught jack shit, but as a group we caught a couple of little rays.

Fast forward to now, we're going to Rosemary beach (Fl) in a few weeks and I'm thinking of trying to shore fish, or maybe fish some of the jetties/bays.

I've been doing a little bit of research and it seems like I might be able to take my rod (albeit only a 7' rod) and cast from shore using the same kind of rigs I was fishing the pier with in GA (High/low rigs and some cutbait). Seems like I might be able to actually fish some jerkbaits and spoons as well depending on the ocean conditions.

Anyone have any advice doing this? specific baits? All the YouTube videos I've watched suggest something similar to a high/low rig, 3oz weight and either some cut up blue crab, sand fleas or shrimp. And as for the hard baits, I've seen stuff suggested all over the place. But there's some Rapalas I was looking at specific to shore casting and something like maybe a Zman saltwater minnow?

Figured I'm going to the beach anyway, why not throw in a line.

Live shrimp or shiners. Cut bait works too, but I'm not a fan. Shore fishing is slow by nature but you can get some. Walk out as deep as you can before casting. Leave the bail or spool open as you walk back to shore. Sit on your beach towels and drink some beers.

I would rather rent a boat and do some inland fishing along the mangroves.

 

[Red_Alert]

Did a lot of saltwater fishing when I was in Mississippi. I'd buy frozen shrimp from the local bait shop, put it on a hook about 10" from a weight, and cast it out as far as I could.

I usually caught speckled trout, redfish, sting rays, or flounder. There were good days and bad days like any fishing, but I don't remember ever getting completely skunked.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

Did a lot of saltwater fishing when I was in Mississippi. I'd buy frozen shrimp from the local bait shop, put it on a hook about 10" from a weight, and cast it out as far as I could.

I usually caught speckled trout, redfish, sting rays, or flounder. There were good days and bad days like any fishing, but I don't remember ever getting completely skunked.

Were you fishing the inlets/bays or were you fishing the beach?

TBH, I'm planning to just take the kids to the beach and throw some shit out there while we're out on the beach for the day. But I'd like at least a chance of getting something. Seems like it's something that people do, especially for bluefish, ladyfish and flounder.

 

[dikowt dowg]

Were you fishing the inlets/bays or were you fishing the beach?

TBH, I'm planning to just take the kids to the beach and throw some shit out there while we're out on the beach for the day. But I'd like at least a chance of getting something. Seems like it's something that people do, especially for bluefish, ladyfish and flounder.

Me and the wife were swimming at a beach and after a bit we decided to walk out the pier to see what people were catching. We didn't make it halfway out...maybe 200 feet from shore and a guy had a big fish on. So we watched him ... it took him about 10 minutes to get it close enough for everyone to see that it was a 10' hammerhead shark. The wife wasn't impressed at all.

The town guy running the pier made him cut the line. He wouldn't allow him to beach it nor gaff it. Said it was against the law to catch any shark at a beach where there are us tourist. Threatened him with calling the police. The guy cut the line.

So careful what you bring in while the family is swimming.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

Me and the wife were swimming at a beach and after a bit we decided to walk out the pier to see what people were catching. We didn't make it halfway out...maybe 200 feet from shore and a guy had a big fish on. So we watched him ... it took him about 10 minutes to get it close enough for everyone to see that it was a 10' hammerhead shark. The wife wasn't impressed at all.

The town guy running the pier made him cut the line. He wouldn't allow him to beach it nor gaff it. Said it was against the law to catch any shark at a beach where there are us tourist. Threatened him with calling the police. The guy cut the line.

So careful what you bring in while the family is swimming.

I'm buying all small tackle like 1/0 hook rigs, small jerkbaits and 4in plastics. Because you said that I just looked into the regulation and there are specific rules if you're purposefully trying to target sharks. Doesn't seem to apply if you are just fishing, in general, from shore.

 

[Handicappers]

Buy some frozen mussels and use the drop shot method.

 

[dikowt dowg]

I'm buying all small tackle like 1/0 hook rigs, small jerkbaits and 4in plastics. Because you said that I just looked into the regulation and there are specific rules if you're purposefully trying to target sharks. Doesn't seem to apply if you are just fishing, in general, from shore.

I don't know if the pier guy was telling the truth...but when I looked to shore, I bet there were 50 people in the water and if the fisherman had beached a hammerhead, it would have caused a panic. Probably would have emptied the beach for a while. My wife wouldn't go in the Gulf for the rest of the week we were there.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

I don't know if the pier guy was telling the truth...but when I looked to shore, I bet there were 50 people in the water and if the fisherman had beached a hammerhead, it would have caused a panic. Probably would have emptied the beach for a while. My wife wouldn't go in the Gulf for the rest of the week we were there.

OK, so I just took their shark fishing certification (which I don't plan to do but wanted the education element). It's not illegal to fish by beach-goers. They simply suggest avoiding shark fishing during crowded times or at crowded beaches. Shark fishing from piers is totally fine pretty much all the time.

That said, if you catch something like a big hammerhead (which you're not legally allowed to take/keep) you're not supposed to do anything but cut the line as close to the hook as possible. So it sounds like the pier guy in your case acted appropriately.

 

[Dolemite censored]

if you're purposefully trying to target sharks.

Not into sharks at all. Their flesh is full of urea which has to be soaked out of the meat flesh (highly recommended) before cooking and eating it. I read once that you should soak the shark meat in milk.

Anyhow, too much work.

 

[Godstree]

Last year I got a portable ocean rod to take on trips -- last year specifically was to fish at Tybee Island in Georgia off some piers. I caught jack shit, but as a group we caught a couple of little rays.

Fast forward to now, we're going to Rosemary beach (Fl) in a few weeks and I'm thinking of trying to shore fish, or maybe fish some of the jetties/bays.

I've been doing a little bit of research and it seems like I might be able to take my rod (albeit only a 7' rod) and cast from shore using the same kind of rigs I was fishing the pier with in GA (High/low rigs and some cutbait). Seems like I might be able to actually fish some jerkbaits and spoons as well depending on the ocean conditions.

Anyone have any advice doing this? specific baits? All the YouTube videos I've watched suggest something similar to a high/low rig, 3oz weight and either some cut up blue crab, sand fleas or shrimp. And as for the hard baits, I've seen stuff suggested all over the place. But there's some Rapalas I was looking at specific to shore casting and something like maybe a Zman saltwater minnow?

Figured I'm going to the beach anyway, why not throw in a line.

You here in FL still? I am a few miles away in Panama city beach

 

[Dolemite censored]

Headed to Miami sometime in May. Also plan some shore fishing. May spring for a charter, we'll see.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

You here in FL still? I am a few miles away in Panama city beach

Yup. We’re down at Rosemary beach probably less than 15 minutes from you.

I think we’re going to go out fishing tonight. Haven’t really done much but the beach so far this week and it’s been too crowded to actually fish our own beach. So we’ll probably drive out to one of the state parks and fish and inlet.

 

[Godstree]

Yup. We’re down at Rosemary beach probably less than 15 minutes from you.

I think we’re going to go out fishing tonight. Haven’t really done much but the beach so far this week and it’s been too crowded to actually fish our own beach. So we’ll probably drive out to one of the state parks and fish and inlet.

Just a beautiful day. I napped it half away so far. Going for a hot stone massage then get some daiquiris and meet wife on beach for nap #2.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

Just a beautiful day. I napped it half away so far. Going for a hot stone massage then get some daiquiris and meet wife on beach for nap #2.

We swam in the morning and then my father in law and I went out to camp Helen state park and attempted to fish. Didn’t do too bad, but mostly dinks. It was basically a perfect weather day, can’t beat 78 and sunny. My wife stayed back with the kids and napped.

But now I’m exhausted and in charge of grilling kabobs tonight.

 

[Godstree]

We swam in the morning and then my father in law and I went out to camp Helen state park and attempted to fish. Didn’t do too bad, but mostly dinks. It was basically a perfect weather day, can’t beat 78 and sunny. My wife stayed back with the kids and napped.

But now I’m exhausted and in charge of grilling kabobs tonight.

I didn't get nap #2.

Off to a restaurant on the beach. Schooners? Or something.

Kabobs don't sound bad at all. Place we got has a grill area. Maybe tomorrow night?

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

I didn't get nap #2.

Off to a restaurant on the beach. Schooners? Or something.

Kabobs don't sound bad at all. Place we got has a grill area. Maybe tomorrow night?

How was Schooners? I got drunk grilling, ate and fell asleep on the couch lol.

 

[Godstree]

How was Schooners? I got drunk grilling, ate and fell asleep on the couch lol.

Of the 3 big party restaurants, the best. Hated the chairs though. Hightops are not for eating dinner.

Pineapple Willie's let's everyone in. And some they shouldn't have (show everything swimsuits). Great waitress but not doing that again.

Sharkies was OK but great entertainment with their karaoke.

I saw a dicks last resort and haven't been to one in 30 years. Gonna do that tonight, maybe. More than anything I don't want to go to a seafood joint. I am not big into seafood.

 

[MAIZEandBLUE09]

Of the 3 big party restaurants, the best. Hated the chairs though. Hightops are not for eating dinner.

Pineapple Willie's let's everyone in. And some they shouldn't have (show everything swimsuits). Great waitress but not doing that again.

Sharkies was OK but great entertainment with their karaoke.

I saw a dicks last resort and haven't been to one in 30 years. Gonna do that tonight, maybe. More than anything I don't want to go to a seafood joint. I am not big into seafood.

You see the F35’s flying around this morning? So fucking cool