Big surf advice?

[cheferson]

Whats the best way to fish eels in big surf? I was out last night and had a hard time keeping the eel out for very long, kept getting washed in with the waves.The sets were very close together too, one after another. I have some lead weights with rubber that you can put on the line i was gonna try too. Also is there any lures that excel in these conditions? Anything else you guys can school me on concerning these conditions would be appreciated.

[t.orlando]

try the rubber-cores or a sinking needle

[chipwood]

I find when the surf is as big as the place I fished last night, the fishing sucks. Too much weed around and just too nasty. The day before when the sea is building is best. I'm sure guys get fish when the water is like that but I've been skunked too many times for me to get excited. Last nights water was just too huge and the places it was'nt that big, it was real dirty. I'm sure the fish were biting somewhere last night though. As for eels in that water, I use plugs. If I used eels last night, the cast would have been minimal, but sometimes in that water they're at your feet.

[cheferson]

Any advice on how to avoid getting the needles hung up, as they get washed back in?

[spence]

Best bet may be to fish somewhere else

-spence

[cheferson]

So too much surf and whitewater is no bueno?

[RIJIMMY]

I like a heavy surf and it can really stimulate some great fishing.
I dont alter my methods much but I do not like eels in a heavy surf.
On the beach, I like jigs, swimmers and other plugs. Many times the fish are VERY close to shore.
Keep plugging Chef, its all trial and error.

[Krispy]

just find the right weight needle, like a Habs 3oz or or Beachmaster. Otherwise try throwing jigs or a bottle swimmer.
Casting on quarter will also help keep your plugs from getting stuffed.

My best suggestion would be an eelskin jig or a rigged eel on a heavy squid
Also on swimming plugs, keep your line tight at all times to prevent them from tumbling in the surf. Once it starts tumbling its over

[Nebe]

Chef when its nasty I throw large casting swimmers... gibs and superstrike make them, I prefer the superstrike. if you dont know what a casting swimer is, it looks like a retarded polaris popper.

Also, darters will be o.k. if your fishing over a soft bottom. they tend ot dig so you might get hung up.

Last night was a tad bit rough for my liking.

[Krispy]

I dont think you could use darters in the surf Chef is talking about. Youd be reeling to fast to keep up with the surf, theyd come back at your before you know it

[chipwood]

Bucktails. Big surf is good but surf on steroids, for me, is not good. Fish it and find out. With the big surf you can't get the needle to swim right. It happened to me last night . It just kept swinging over and my line was all chafed up. Bucktails.

[cheferson]

Its super rocky where im fishing. SO i should use bucktails, bottle swimmers, big 3 oz needles? No eels? How about a danny? How would i fish a bucktail in big surf,? slow and steady retrieve? I have a 3oz olive and blurple hab's, just nervous about getting them hung up, already lost 2 2 ozer's

[chipwood]

vary the speeds. Just like a needle.

[Nebe]

True Krispy, they would tumble wouldnt they.

Chef a danny would be out of the question

[rwilhelm]

Storms work well in rough surf.

[Krispy]

It just kept swinging over and my line was all chafed up

Sounds like your needle was to light. Reading over yesterdays weather report, I wouldnt have been a good night for the likes of a Gibbs needle or that type, youd need something heavier. Needles do have the perfect profile for these types of conditions though

[cheferson]

Just got back from the spizot, surf is still pretty massive! My old roommate and i are gonna hit it up tonight with all the above and eels , ill let you know how i make out.

[cheferson]

What color storms for night? Ive only used the pearl during the day.

[rwilhelm]

Chef pearl works at night too!

[chris L]

large needlefish 3 oz and up

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally posted by cheferson
What color storms for night? Ive only used the pearl during the day.

Take a couple of the Pearl ones and color them w/ a black sharpie. They look blurple when your done and the color stays.

Tried them a couple of times at night and got a few schoolies w/ them....but that was also real early in the season

[basswipe]

Last nights big surf worked for me in a huge way.And I wasn't fishing out front...far from it.If I knew anything about fishing eels I
would've got into fish bigger than the 38" I got.Plus 2 more about
5-6"s shorter.

I was throwing the old reliable Blurple Bomber.The only needles I own currently are a white and a pink/white that drew not even a look.I've only started fishing needles this year and need to expand my collection.I wonder how a Blurple needle woulda worked lastnight?

[tlapinski]

Originally posted by cheferson
Whats the best way to fish eels in big surf? I was out last night and had a hard time keeping the eel out for very long, kept getting washed in with the waves.The sets were very close together too, one after another. I have some lead weights with rubber that you can put on the line i was gonna try too. Also is there any lures that excel in these conditions? Anything else you guys can school me on concerning these conditions would be appreciated.

try the search feature as this was covered not too long ago.

[Joe]

Time your casts to present to last wave of the incoming breakers. Even big waves come in sets - if you present to the last wave of the set you take advantage of the backwash of the previous waves.
The backwash feels like you are retrieving against a current - it enables you to go super slow with the eels.
Most people just cast blind and their offering gets all bounced around in the wash....
Timing the cast can make a big difference when the surfs up

I love the smell of big water in the morning

[cheferson]

Thanks

[Tattoo]

There are only a few times that the water is to big for my liking.

Big water = big plugs.

Gibbs GS3's - remove the middle hook and put on two 4/0 VMC's.

Needlefish - the bigger the better. If you can find one made out of lead rather than wood that would be perfect. Look on the black market for some modified HABS Night and Gale editions.

Darters - 3oz and up. If the surf is coming right at you forget it, but you can swing them in the sets if you position yourself right.

Bucktails - if you dont have a bucktail in your bag you shouldn't be fishing the surf.

Diving swimmers - Only one comany makes them now (Gibbs) and they...well we wont go there. Find some old Lupo's, Pickney's, Captain Andy's or slice the head of your favorite danny. These are not 5 dollar palstic lures, so be prepare to cough up some dough. People are known to hoard them.

Eels, find some big eels and shove some lead down his throat. The hook through the bottom jaw and out one eye will keep the lead in and prevents hangups. Lead slugs form the back of old plugs work well.

When the surf is big, think of what the baitfish will be doing. They will be getting washed away when the wave receeds and pushed in when the wave breaks foward. Time your casts and selcet your placements and you can catch.

[chipwood]

Trust me I had a big needle on. Well over 3oz and I could'nt do much. Hour before it got dark to about a half hour after, it was fine. As the tide came up it was ridiculous.

[cheferson]

[cheferson]

WHat are these habs night and gale editions i keep hearing about? Anyone know where to find lead needles?

[Nebe]

some of the nicest whitewater I've come across this year tonight- Bass rolling all over the place at dust, and I couldnt get them to bite Big tails slapping, backs rolling.... aye kayumba
If only I brought my black redgills.... that woulda done it fo sho