by Mac Pike

Created on: June 24, 2009   Last Updated: September 26, 2010

While not impossible, I think it unlikely that the average individual who has never touched a rod or reel in his or her life is going to wake up one morning and shout to the world: "Today I become a surf fisherman!"

More probably the beginner already has some sort of fishing experience under the belt. They have dropped a worm into a creek, or trolled a lake, or scooted a weedless plug through stump clogged waters at some point in their angling evolution. There is a certain familiarity with basic equipment and techniques, all that is left is a desire to adapt these skills to the delightful if frustrating sport of surf fishing. This is not as easy as it sounds.

One might get by with a muskie rig for a little while, (read: until laughed off the beach by the veterans) but most freshwater rigs are woefully inadequate to the task, and exposure to saltwater conditions will ruin most freshwater tackle in very short time. This brings us to what I feel is the most essential element of learning to learn the art of surf fishing, and that is a mentor.

Yes, it's as simple and as basic that. To learn to fish in the surf in the shortest possible time, to catch fish and enjoy yourself while you are doing it, you need to tag along with someone with experience. And, this is where the time you put in looking for bass on the bayou is going to stand you in good stead. You are already a member of the fishing community and therefore you know someone, (or you know someone who knows someone) who already knows their way around a bluefish run.

Call this person up! Tell him or her of your interest, ask for some tips and offer to buy either the bait or the beer or both. You will be surprised how pleased we grizzled veterans will be to share our skills and initiate a newbie. We won't turn the free bait and beer down either, by the way.

A mentor is the single most important dot on your learning curve, and acquiring one is the key step in your beginning development as an accomplished, successful surf fisherman. There are however a few additional suggestions that may prove beneficial.

One of these is simple; do not run out and buy a surf fishing outfit first thing, at least not an expensive one. You are not "there" yet, and whatever you buy initially is almost guaranteed to be the wrong gear and therefore ultimately disappointing. Since you are almost certain to be disappointed, you would be well advised to be disappointed inexpensively. Resist the urge to buy the longest, strongest rod.

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