Knots to ya

[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]It seems that up to this point you are buying tackle to be prepared for the most hostile surf conditions and the largest surf fish you are ever likely to encounter.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]A better approach is to first decide on where you want to go surf fishing...and learn about the species and conditions you are likely to encounter.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I have fished the surf/shoreline all along the west coast of the US, several places along the Gulf of Mexico, down in Mexico along the Sea of Cortez, on both coasts of Florida, and a few spots along the Atlantic coast. With only a few exceptions, any tackle heavier than 15 to 20# ratings was an overkill situation. In many of those areas you can catch lots of fish on the equivalent of freshwater bass gear...and in some places ultralight spinning works fine on the species at hand.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Having long heavy rods capable of chunking big sinkers a hundred yards offshore can be helpful in some places. And if you are fishing for big striped bass...or sharks...stout tackle is great. But I really think that unless you are targeting big fish in heavy surf you are bringing guns to a knife fight.
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