Spot burning and surf etiquette

[MakoMike]

O.K. I've heard all the complaints about how the newbies ruin the fishing for the sharpies. So tell me what a newbie should know. What are the do's and don'ts that you love to bitch about? If you can supply me with enough material I'll turn it into an article which I'll try to get published in several local magazines to inform the uninititated.

[spence]

A great idea Mike

-spence

[choggieman]

Excellent idea, and all of us should add to this. I have a bunch of ideas, but for starters- the unwritten rule of surf fishermen. If I take you to a spot I know well and show you the ropes, do not go back with all your buddies and fish without me..... more to come

[choggieman]

Keep you use of your light to a minimum and try to never flash it in the water.

[lurch]

Regarding equipment: You get what you pay for! The 29.99 combo will be broken by the end of the night save your money and buy your self a decent combo. 150$ for a combo is not expensive.

[JohnR]

Show respect. Respect for the fish, respect for the environment, respect for local residents, and respect from your fellow anglers.

Surfasting has a learning curve (or reverse cliff for most - me included). It is a rare individual that lucks across a trophy bass in their first season.

Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth mostly closed.

Walk out with more than you walked in with.

Join a club!!!!!! Joining a good fishing club, be it a Weekapaug, MSBA, RISAA, Newport, CT, Salties, or Gansett. You will learn etiquette better and quicker, have an eye opening to what goes on behind the scenes. Gain comraderie, insight, and might get a couple people to point you in the right direction.

Enjoy fishing for more than just a tight line.

Show respect....

[Arno]

How about some common ones:

Don't keep undersize bass.
Don't litter.
Keep the noise down so as not to disturb local residents.
Don't crowd the next guy. He needs his space too.

more...

[RIJIMMY]

You shouldnt publish an article. Newbies need to work hard to learn what they shouldnt do. They need to earn their strpes, make their mistakes, burn sharpie's spots. Risk death and beatings from true sportsman from saying "Hey, hows it going", "Getting any bites?" "Gee thats a funny looking reel, whats a Van Staal?
All things that make surf fisherman real men.

[chris L]

go freshwater fishing till you learn properly how to fish . just like kids learn on sunnies .

[Fisherwoman]

For all newbies if you want to save time and money, hire a good professional guide who can teach you a lot about how to fish certan spots, give you idea's on how to read the water, what lures to use in what situations and what tackle to buy. Which can save you money and time.

capt.bill