View Full Version : Surfcasting defined....


Back Beach
12-19-2007, 10:38 AM
Obviously, there are a lot of ways to catch fish that are within close proximity of the shoreline. Unfortunately, true surf casting gets a bad name when results from the use of certain techniques get branded as “surfcasting.” Nothing wrong with skishing or pulling your boat within casting range of shore (I’ve done it) and literally catching fish from the surf. Buuuuuuuuuuuuut, when I see a skisher, boater, or kayaker represent their catch as “surf caught” I immediately brand them as phony, liar, or clueless.:behead:
The question is where does “true surfcasting” end and “everything else” begin?

The Dad Fisherman
12-19-2007, 10:48 AM
The definition we use at the club for the tournaments to designate a surf caught fish is that it needs to be Hooked, fought, and landed while standing on ground.

I would think the same would hold true for boat caught....Hooked, Fought and landed while in a boat.

If you hook up while in a yak and then hop out to fight it on a sandbar or in shallow water the only thing it counts for is a Nice Fish....that is for tournaments though

fishbones
12-19-2007, 10:49 AM
I consider myself to be surfcasting when I'm fishing from shore or wading. I consider myself boat fishing whenever I am fishing from the boat, even if I am in very close to shore. Also, I use only plugs or eels, so I'm casting and retrieving. Are the bucket brigade condsidered surfcasters? It's still fishing the surf from shore. I guess that's another part of the discussion.

Flaptail
12-19-2007, 11:08 AM
Well, in my humble opinion, you need "surf" to make it surfcasting and sand sliding and eroding from under your feet with the wash trying to suck you back down the shingle in white water up to your chest while at the same moment your heaving a bait ( read:plug, rigged eel, live eel, metal, or jig)that must be manipulated in some fashion by your hands which are wrapped around a rod 9 to 10-1/2 feet long.

Where knowing that one wrong move will have you tumbling ass over tea kettle in a cauldron of salt and sand and did I mention it was pitch dark?

Then you look up just in time to see the 7th wave about to break all feathery on top against the starlite, of course in a nano second the stars are gone and you instinctively double over cause here comes that monster cold green heartless wave and you find yourself parralel to the sand digging your rod butt in as the last hope and hope your surf belt is snugged up tight.

And on the other hand you have:

I do a lot of fishing Cuttyhunk style as well and standing on a rock while your corkers have a tenous hold on the slime and bubble weed encrusted rounded top of that boulder and all the while trying and holding your balance by the slimmest of margins where even the task of casting can cause you to loose that erzast balance point and it's dark plus your keeping an eye on that dark shape coming towrd you which turns out to be a roller twice the size of the ones already trying to rip you off that slimy rock and you know you going to go over, no doubt about it now. So it hits and you bail off the rock and ride it hoping for some semblance of sure footing in the ink dark swirling water. Of course you had to walk over oval shaped irregular stones for a half a mile to get to this spot where you slipped and fell twice doing that and you occasionally see the sparks from your corkers grinding against the dry rocks further up the shore.

That could be surfcasting too don't you think?

riverrat2
12-19-2007, 11:59 AM
Skishing as in fishing while swimming, no. Using a wetsuit to get out to rocks that are unreachable with waders, yes.

Bishop169
12-19-2007, 12:28 PM
Skishing as in fishing while swimming, no. Using a wetsuit to get out to rocks that are unreachable with waders, yes.
http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/fishing/article/0,13199,478950,00.html


A good articale on skishing

Gunpowder
12-19-2007, 12:50 PM
when my feet are touching land of any sort, i consider it to be surfcasting. otherwise, i think it hard to define it as anything else.

Back Beach
12-19-2007, 12:52 PM
If it's cold outside, snow on the ground, and threads like this, then it is winter ;) :topic:



:lurk:


It's just beginning Karl.
By April 1 it will be all out war.:rocketem:
Soooooooooo, what's your take on this?

piemma
12-19-2007, 01:37 PM
It's just beginning Karl.
By April 1 it will be all out war.:rocketem:
Soooooooooo, what's your take on this?

the wars will start sooner than you want, Mike. #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& and Clammer have been AWOL.

thortum
12-19-2007, 03:22 PM
Seems like a simple question and answer. Surfacing casting means casting while standing in or at the surf. See how easy that was? :fishslap:

Mike P
12-19-2007, 03:22 PM
We had a very lively, uh, "discussion" about this very topic back in our internet formative years, on the old WMI Wild West Show :rotf3:

I wonder whatever happened to Lughead the Dog :bl2:

numbskull
12-19-2007, 06:48 PM
"True surfcasting" ends, and "everything else begins" when you start buying eels. From there it is just a short step to boats, bunker, and sex with animals. Your wife will leave you, your children shun you, you'll lose your job, your house, your dignity, and one sad day, standing alone on a garbage littered beach, the cold fall wind tearing at your tattered lice infested jacket and freezing the snot dripping over the sores on your face, while a scrawny eel hangs lifeless from your nicotine stained, feces encrusted hand you'll think................



















"I wonder who my Yankees play tonight?"

BassDawg
12-19-2007, 07:45 PM
WOW!!

that is sum funny-arsed sheet, Numbskull :claps: :claps:.

i am laughing my cohones off, right now. so this is what i have to look forward to?

it's all good except for the "feces encrusted hand" part :jester: :jester:.

riverrat2
12-19-2007, 10:32 PM
I would rather have feces encrusted hands that painted fingernails

Skitterpop
12-19-2007, 11:25 PM
Well, in my humble opinion, you need "surf" to make it surfcasting and sand sliding and eroding from under your feet with the wash trying to suck you back down the shingle in white water up to your chest while at the same moment your heaving a bait ( read:plug, rigged eel, live eel, metal, or jig)that must be manipulated in some fashion by your hands which are wrapped around a rod 9 to 10-1/2 feet long.

Where knowing that one wrong move will have you tumbling ass over tea kettle in a cauldron of salt and sand and did I mention it was pitch dark?

Then you look up just in time to see the 7th wave about to break all feathery on top against the starlite, of course in a nano second the stars are gone and you instinctively double over cause here comes that monster cold green heartless wave and you find yourself parralel to the sand digging your rod butt in as the last hope and hope your surf belt is snugged up tight.

And on the other hand you have:

I do a lot of fishing Cuttyhunk style as well and standing on a rock while your corkers have a tenous hold on the slime and bubble weed encrusted rounded top of that boulder and all the while trying and holding your balance by the slimmest of margins where even the task of casting can cause you to loose that erzast balance point and it's dark plus your keeping an eye on that dark shape coming towrd you which turns out to be a roller twice the size of the ones already trying to rip you off that slimy rock and you know you going to go over, no doubt about it now. So it hits and you bail off the rock and ride it hoping for some semblance of sure footing in the ink dark swirling water. Of course you had to walk over oval shaped irregular stones for a half a mile to get to this spot where you slipped and fell twice doing that and you occasionally see the sparks from your corkers grinding against the dry rocks further up the shore.

That could be surfcasting too don't you think?


I love it when you talk dirty....nice words Steve.

I would think skishing would/should be included even though you are not always with feet planted.

BassDawg
12-20-2007, 04:34 AM
I love it when you talk dirty....nice words Steve.

I would think skishing would/should be included even though you are not always with feet planted.

Right on, Skitts :wavey:

this, imho, would have to be the one allowable exception to the terra firma part of the equation. doan get me wrong, i think it takes a very "special" kinda LUNATIC to decide to Skish, but they are casting and they are in the surf..................ergo, surfcasting ~to the nth degree :usd: :usd:.

as for the wetsuiting element to this thang that we do, by the '09 season i plan to be fully neopreened-up and swimming to the best of the reefs and islands that NE has to offer. there are just TOO many times that i've looked out there and seen some unbelievably feeshy water and conditions that cannot be reached from the perch that i've secured by korkers and waders alone. besides, i actually believe that wetsuiting it would be safer and more enjoyable when them rogues and nor'easters rear their ugly and inevitable heads.

VERY expensive; but most rewarding, I hope ~since the NPT contingent seems to swear by this element of our sport :heybaby: :heybaby:.

DZ
12-20-2007, 07:43 AM
I think many mistake "surf fishing" for "surf casting". Two very different methods IMO. Going to sit on some bait for some blues/bass, scup, tog, whatever - surf fishing. Going to cast plugs, eels, whatever - surf casting. If you're going surf casting - you need to be casting repeatedly.

DZ

JohnR
12-20-2007, 08:16 AM
Well, in my humble opinion, you need "surf" to make it surfcasting and sand sliding and eroding from under your feet with the wash trying to suck you back down the shingle in white water up to your chest while at the same moment your heaving a bait ( read:plug, rigged eel, live eel, metal, or jig)that must be manipulated in some fashion by your hands which are wrapped around a rod 9 to 10-1/2 feet long.

Where knowing that one wrong move will have you tumbling ass over tea kettle in a cauldron of salt and sand and did I mention it was pitch dark?

Then you look up just in time to see the 7th wave about to break all feathery on top against the starlite, of course in a nano second the stars are gone and you instinctively double over cause here comes that monster cold green heartless wave and you find yourself parralel to the sand digging your rod butt in as the last hope and hope your surf belt is snugged up tight.

And on the other hand you have:

I do a lot of fishing Cuttyhunk style as well and standing on a rock while your corkers have a tenous hold on the slime and bubble weed encrusted rounded top of that boulder and all the while trying and holding your balance by the slimmest of margins where even the task of casting can cause you to loose that erzast balance point and it's dark plus your keeping an eye on that dark shape coming towrd you which turns out to be a roller twice the size of the ones already trying to rip you off that slimy rock and you know you going to go over, no doubt about it now. So it hits and you bail off the rock and ride it hoping for some semblance of sure footing in the ink dark swirling water. Of course you had to walk over oval shaped irregular stones for a half a mile to get to this spot where you slipped and fell twice doing that and you occasionally see the sparks from your corkers grinding against the dry rocks further up the shore.

That could be surfcasting too don't you think?

So I didn't get it - is the "sand" a necessary part of the equation or not? Or do the theivenous rock hoppers get a little love too? Otherwise it might be called SandCasting :love:

Surfcasting: done by the individual, usually in an upright position, with feet mostly in contact with terra and even sometimes firma, along the perimeter separating the salt body of water with the shoreline of land. Often this zone between sea and land will have the surf built up.

When I am fishing a marsh, a riverbank, the generally protected insides of a bay, I consider that shorefishing, not surfcasting

HESH2
12-20-2007, 08:56 AM
pretty much agree with john r except for fishing tidal rivers.standing in chest deep in river water fishing a rip during tidal flush for bass and blues to me is surf fishing.granted not on a sandy beach or rock pile,but not standing on shore fishing either.in some cases at the mouth of these rivers your on sand casting into the surf where river meets larger body of water.HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL.

fishaholic18
12-20-2007, 08:59 AM
Surfcasting=not fishing from a boat. Simple

Back Beach
12-20-2007, 09:35 AM
Surfcasting=not fishing from a boat. Simple

Pretty close to what I'm asking, but I'm shooting for people's representation of what a "shore caught" fish would be. In other words, where is the line between a true shore catch and all others. I think Dad Fisherman already answered it best though. Surf casting and surf fishing are the same thing to me(shore fishing).
You need to hook, fight and land from terra firma.

Flaptail
12-20-2007, 09:36 AM
So I didn't get it - is the "sand" a necessary part of the equation or not? Or do the theivenous rock hoppers get a little love too? Otherwise it might be called SandCasting :love:

Surfcasting: done by the individual, usually in an upright position, with feet mostly in contact with terra and even sometimes firma, along the perimeter separating the salt body of water with the shoreline of land. Often this zone between sea and land will have the surf built up.

When I am fishing a marsh, a riverbank, the generally protected insides of a bay, I consider that shorefishing, not surfcasting

Yes, the rock hoppers get a little love and actually I am being way more "christian" in my description of surfcasting than Numby, he won't let a live eel be included as a method of the same. I won't use them but still see them as a viable methodolgy.

Does that make me gray in Numby's black or white world?

numbskull
12-20-2007, 09:58 AM
Yes, the rock hoppers get a little love and actually I am being way more "christian" in my description of surfcasting than Numby, he won't let a live eel be included as a method of the same. I won't use them but still see them as a viable methodolgy.

Does that make me gray in Numby's black or white world?

It was a JOKE, Steve. Please don't read more into it than that.:doh:

Gunpowder
12-20-2007, 10:58 AM
ohhh jeez here it comes....

:nailem: :nailem: :nailem: :liquify: :liquify: :rocketem: :rocketem: :rocketem:


:jump:

NIGHT STRIKES
12-20-2007, 11:06 AM
Surf fishing is the sport of catching fish standing on the shoreline or wading in the surf. This may include casting from sandy and rocky beaches, rock jetties, fishing piers or any other shoreline location. With few exceptions, surf fishing is done in saltwater. Equipment"Make no mistake about it, surf fishing can be expensive... But you don't have to buy everything at once. Until you are sold on fishing the surf, there is no point in spending money that a couple of cold, wet, fishless nights might make you wish you had invested in a nice warm golf cart." -- (Fallon.29)


The basic premise of most surf fishing is to cast a bait or lure as far out into the water as possible. To facilitate this, basic surf fishing is done with a long 7’-12’ fishing pole with a large spinning or conventional spool fishing reel. It is important to keep in mind that all gear will be used in the harsh saltwater environment, subject to the corrosive effects of salt air, salt water and the destructive effects of sand on reels and other equipment. In addition to rod and reel, the surf fisherman requires an assortment of hooks, swivels, lines, and leaders (“Terminal Tackle”), tailored to the type of rod and reel they are using and the size and species of fish they are targeting.

In addition to terminal tackle, surf fisherman carry artificial baits and lures, casting and retrieving them to entice a bite from the target species. There are hundreds of different lures effective for surf fishing. Most can be purchased from local bait and tackle shops, online tackle retailers, at fishing tackle expositions or specialized surf fishing catalogs like The Surfcaster. Most surf fishermen utilize a “surf bag” to carry a selection of lures with them into the surf allowing easy switching from lure to lure until an effective lure is found, saving trips back to the beach or vehicle to change equipment.

In addition to the basic equipment, there are several other items that that surf fisherman (surfcasters) utilize to improve comfort, convenience and effectiveness. Among these are waders, used to wade out into the surf to gain distance from shore when casting the bait. In addition to extra casting distance, waders provide improved footing, protection for feet and legs from sharp bottom objects and stinging/biting fish and crustaceans, and protection from cold water temperatures. In areas where the bottom consists of slippery rocks or when fishing from mossy and slimy rock jetties, Cleated boots or cleated sandals (Korkers) are utilized to improve footing and enhance safety.

Much surf fishing is done at night, in the dark to coincide with the nocturnal feeding habits of many target species. Many surf fishermen add items such as flashlights, headlamps, light sticks and other gear to facilitate night fishing. DangersAs with any water sport care must be taken to participate safely in this sport. Much surf fishing is done in rough whitewater surf conditions. Powerful waves and strong undertows can cause serious injury or death if proper attention is not paid to safety.

Areas fished should be scouted in low tide conditions to note sudden drop offs or dangerous conditions hidden at high tides. Any fisherman with waders should wear a wader belt to keep waders from filling with water in the event one falls in the surf. The aforementioned cleats should be worn anywhere there are slippery rocks or shells underfoot. PFD's (personal flotation devices) should be considered especially when fishing alone in big surf or on jetties. In that most lures and hooks feature razor sharp points, care must be taken not to hook ones self or others when casting. In the event that one accidentally hooks oneself or someone else, it is a good idea to carry a quality cutting pliers capable of cutting the hooks you are fishing with. SpeciesA wide array of species is targetable from surf and shore. Chief among these for most surf fisherman is the Striped Bass. This species is available from shore and can range in weight from a few lbs to the world record of 78.5 lb lbs. Fish in the 30 to 40 lb. range are fairly common, especially on the northeast US coast. Other species targeted include Bluefish, Redfish (Red Drum) Tautog (Blackfish), Flounder (Fluke), Weakfish (Sea Trout), Bonita and Albacore Tuna, Black Drum, Pompano, Spanish mackerel, Snook, Tarpon and numerous others.

Back Beach
12-20-2007, 11:52 AM
Well, in my humble opinion, you need "surf" to make it surfcasting and sand sliding and eroding from under your feet with the wash trying to suck you back down the shingle in white water up to your chest while at the same moment your heaving a bait ( read:plug, rigged eel, live eel, metal, or jig)that must be manipulated in some fashion by your hands which are wrapped around a rod 9 to 10-1/2 feet long.


Ok Flap,

So what you are saying here is if we were fishing, say, Race Pt. with a 25KT southwest breeze, balls deep in the "surf", and skipping plugs over the tops of the waves we're surf fishing. Let's say the "surf" fishing sucks and we decide to head around to the back with eels. There's no real "surf" now, because the sou'west has flattened out the water. As I reach my feces encrusted hand into the eel bag, Numbskull suddenly appears from the dunes stark naked:yak: with an animal under each arm and shouts out, "What the %$%$%$%$ are you guys doing?"
What's your answer going to be? :laugha:

Saltheart
12-20-2007, 12:09 PM
Shore and boat. that's what i would distinguish. If you are in a boat , it can't be called surf fishing. If you are not in a boat , its shore fishing and may or may not be surf fishing to those who want to bother their brains about such things.

numbskull
12-20-2007, 12:24 PM
Ok Flap,

As I reach my feces encrusted hand into the eel bag, Numbskull suddenly appears from the dunes stark naked:yak: with an animal under each arm and shouts out, "What the %$%$%$%$ are you guys doing?"


Obviously I need an eel for lubrication, that fcking smelly jelly we put on plugs just doesn't do the job.

fishaholic18
12-20-2007, 12:34 PM
Must be winter there...:lurk::lurk::lurk::laughs:

Flaptail
12-20-2007, 02:09 PM
At 25 sw at the Race the wind would be on your port quarter and still producing "surf" but go just around to 2nd rip and then you would be in the calm, no surf stuff.

Then you would be bait fishing with a live eel or more correctly shore fishing.:uhuh:Everryone knows the true surfcasting (w/plugs) doesn't happen until you get south of High head in Truro anyway! RP is a lee shore most times!

Numby, I know it was a joke, so wasn't mine!

Back Beach
12-20-2007, 02:52 PM
At 25 sw at the Race the wind would be on your port quarter and still producing "surf" but go just around to 2nd rip and then you would be in the calm, no surf stuff.

Then you would be bait fishing with a live eel or more correctly shore fishing.:uhuh:Everryone knows the true surfcasting (w/plugs) doesn't happen until you get south of High head in Truro anyway! RP is a lee shore most times

If it was a NE wind though, you'd be surf fishing the back and shore fishing the race.:uhuh:
Its also possible you could be surf fishing the race one minute and shore fishing it shortly after.
The really serious question is though, would the fish count?

On another note, if you were fishing cutty from the rocks in a wetsuit and a fish struck your offering while you were simultaneously being lifted off your rock by a rogue wave, would you be surf casting or skishing?

The Dad Fisherman
12-20-2007, 03:38 PM
On another note, if you were fishing cutty from the rocks in a wetsuit and a fish struck your offering while you were simultaneously being lifted off your rock by a rogue wave, would you be surf casting or skishing?

You'd be crapping your your wetsuit

Rockport24
12-20-2007, 05:25 PM
that article was awesome, I want to go skishing now!
I guess a van stall would be standard equipment though and I don't gots one!

Flaptail
12-20-2007, 05:35 PM
If it was a NE wind though, you'd be surf fishing the back and shore fishing the race.:uhuh:
Its also possible you could be surf fishing the race one minute and shore fishing it shortly after.
The really serious question is though, would the fish count?

On another note, if you were fishing cutty from the rocks in a wetsuit and a fish struck your offering while you were simultaneously being lifted off your rock by a rogue wave, would you be surf casting or skishing?

Body surfing as you aren't wearing flippers!

Jenn
12-20-2007, 06:09 PM
Oh my! my head hurts now....


Surf fishing definatelty requires that your feet are on some sort of land be it sand or rock. If your in a boat you are BOAT FISHING....duh!!!!
:rollem:

Slipknot
12-20-2007, 07:35 PM
surf fishing ends when you step on a boat or sit on a yak

boat fishing ends when you step off your boat or get off your yak

now don't be confusing and cast from a boat and fight a fish from shore, that is some kind of hybrid fishing to be discussed in another thread at some point this winter at a later date to be determined.

RickBomba
12-20-2007, 09:06 PM
Mikey's gonna be mighty mad at you for that one, Bruce.
Good thing he doesn't get to the computer much.
I call what I do, "shore fishing."
Sometimes rocks, sometimes dry, sometimes beach.
Sometimes sandeel mustachio.
Sometimes crab claw pipe, with the rope around my head.
Sometimes I walk a long way, sometimes I just putt around Cutty getting into trouble.
Sometimes I save somebody else from trouble out there, sometimes they save me.
Usually I'm pretty happy just walking around, daytime or night.
Lots of times my friends are there.....
That's the only thing that really makes me happy.
I'd list all of you, but that would take too long.
Most often, what anybody else would deem "surfcasting" is what I do.
Caveat is that most of my friends call what I do, "Deep Sea Fishing."
It's certainly not that.
I call it "FUN."
OK that's Richard G. Bombardier Jr's definition of my sport.
I'm out.
Rick

RickBomba
12-20-2007, 09:10 PM
And Bruce,
What we do from the yak is what Mikey's termed "kayaksting."
I sure as hell don't call it surfcasting, though.
I kind of call it cheating.
Catches fish, though.
Keep them damn seals away!
Lata,
Rick

RickBomba
12-20-2007, 09:12 PM
Oh, and while I'm at it.
Give my Merry Xmas to all the Mays (especially Danny).
Love Ya Big Dog,
Rick
OK you get the Xtra Special Merry Xmas, too.
(my new job will let me be down with you guys almost every weekend this summer!)

Slipknot
12-22-2007, 09:35 PM
hey RICK! Merry Christmas to you too :D

Dan got a chuckle outta that

Ya Mickey can be mad about that reply but kayaksting is cheating.
He can cast a pencil out further than antbody but when tossing 8 and bait, nobody can reach the drop-off so I guess ya have to cheat.
How about a remote control boat to deliver the bait?


Tell Mikey I said Hi
we love the Bomba's too :D

Jackbass
11-27-2009, 12:19 PM
I consider Skishing to be in the same class as surf casting. Surfcasting is fishing from anywhere but a floating reef. Using your body and equipment only. To imply it is somehow cheating is just sour grapes. You don't know me from a hole in the wall, but trying to fight a fish in it's element is a whole lot more difficult than having terra firma under your korkers to provide you with leverage. Just my 2 cents

piemma
11-27-2009, 12:33 PM
I consider Skishing to be in the same class as surf casting. Surfcasting is fishing from anywhere but a floating reef. Using your body and equipment only. To imply it is somehow cheating is just sour grapes. You don't know me from a hole in the wall, but trying to fight a fish in it's element is a whole lot more difficult than having terra firma under your korkers to provide you with leverage. Just my 2 cents

Your 2 cents would be worth a lot more if this thread had not died over 2 years ago. Look at the date of the last post.

gone fishin
11-27-2009, 02:23 PM
Flap is still with us ! I enjoyed re-reading this thread....Thanks for all Flap.

BuckTail BILL
11-27-2009, 08:14 PM
What about kite fishing that's done from the sand
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

luds
11-27-2009, 09:48 PM
Your 2 cents would be worth a lot more if this thread had not died over 2 years ago. Look at the date of the last post.

New rule. You can't post your opinion in old threads. Mods, please add that to the list. :smash:

RickBomba
11-27-2009, 09:57 PM
Yup,
What Mike said is true...but then again, it was fun to re-read the post. I still feel the same way, but the seals are worse!!!
Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!
Miss Ya Steve!
Rick

JohnR
11-28-2009, 09:33 AM
Your 2 cents would be worth a lot more if this thread had not died over 2 years ago. Look at the date of the last post.

Lighten Up Francis :rotf2:

Good thread - funny reading it again.