Surf Plugin Help

[jmd41]

Hello everyone,
I need some advise. I usually bait fish, but tonight I was out plugging in Long Branch (across from Rooney's). Now I have a Tsunami Trophy 10' Med/HVY Spinning surf rod, a Penn 650ss with 17lb test. I was using a Atom purple 2oz stripper swiper. Now it may have just not been my night, but I wanted to make sure I'm doing this right. I would cast out and retrieve  at different speeds. If I want to plug for strippers at night and during the day later this month, am I ok here?
Thanks in advance. 

[ped579]

Hi jmd41,

As far as your equipment your OK.  But your retrieve if a little off.  As the name implies popper, what you want to do is cast out let it rest for a few seconds and start your retrieve by jerking the rod and then reeling in about 3 - 4 turns and jerk the rod again.

If you look at the plug it will form a splash or pop on top of the water.  This gives the impression of bait jumping or injured.

The other way of retrieval is to constantly reel in and flip the rod causing the plug to again pop on the surface.  Be ready for a strike at any time.

It is the coolest thing to watch a fish slam into a top water lure.  You almost have to tell your self set the hook and reel.

i hope this helps.

Happy Catching

Paul

[jmd41]

Thanks!!
Now I have a few more questions? Like I see stuff like casting swimmers, pencil poppers, etc.. Should I invest in some of these and in different colors?

[ped579]

If I were you I would get use to using one type of plug first and then move on to a different type.  The old tried and true pencil popper would be a great start, 

In day light try colors of red and white and red and yellow.  Fore night fishing go towards the darker colors like a red and deep purple and red and black.

The pencil popper has been around since dirt was discovered and is probably the most popular rig around off the surf.  I have different sizes but on average mine measure between 6 and 8 inches.

If the fish are in the wash go with the smaller popper and hold on.

Casting swimmers are just an out take of the poppers with a joint factored in.  Then you have the divers by Repala that mimic real fish that are popular as well.  The only thing I don't like about these is the fact that they have small treble hooks that are a pain to take out in the dark.

I hope this helps...

Happy Catching

Paul

[flukenut]

Fish swimming plugs SLOW when you think you are going slow, slow down just keep in contact with the lure . Plastic shads fished from the surf day or night can be deadly and they are easy to learn And like ped579 said light colors during the day dark at night

[jmd41]

  Thanks!!! So how does that shad work? Same thing slow retrieve?

[Capt. Ed]

Hi jmd41,

Let me mess everything up here.

1. I try to match color to the light and color clarity with certain type of plugs. For bombers, I use black or purple at night. They offer contrast and are very effective. The water clarity is not significant at that time.

2. At dusk and dawn, I tend to use more yellows. If the water is off color, even during the day, I use yellow.

3. I am a fan of red/white swimming plugs during high light conditions.

4. I throw metal a lot in the surf. I use fast retrieves with teasers ahead of them.

5. I tend to use HUGE plugs (surface or just under the surface) in the Spring when the big bunker are around.

6. Throwing needlefish has a technique that most people do not know how to do. If you are interested, I wrote an article about it.

7. I love using "popping plugs" this time of the year, especially with blitz conditions. It is an awesome sight to watch them get crushed.

To me, it comes down to if there are fish known to be in an area or you are prospecting. If fishare in the area, slow or fast retreive depending on if you actively see them feeding. There will be times you can actually see them in the waves.

If you are prospecting, I tend to slow retrieve almost all the plugs I use (except metal). When prospecting, I move a lot.

How I learned to surf fish, I got a few bombers and learned to read the beach conditions. I learned that a loop knot is best for presentation. I also learned that 80 lb. test can withstand a Bluefish bite. One other thing to note, Stripers are not as line shy as you would think.

Shads are deadly (especially in pearl) most times of the year.

This could take pages to talk about. I have a small tackle shop at my house with all this stuff and new plug makers send me their stuff to try all the time.

Maybe we can put a short list of must haves to work on (Poppers such as Atom plugs are on that list).

I think your tackle is correct; I like the idea that you are trying different speeds and looking at different types of presentations (lures); I would invest some time in reading the beach at low tide; and I would not be disappointed as this is traditionally not the hot time of year off the beach.

Wow - that is a lot of nothing ...

Capt. Ed

[Capt. Ed]

Hi,

I almost forgot, there are still jetties in Long Branch. Work both sides of them with top water, shads or swimming plugs. Remember that bass are lazy, and tend to sit in protected areas away from current. Some worms or eels thrown in there (artificial or real) are deadly this time of year as well.

Good luck,

Capt. Ed

[jmd41]

  WOW!! That's a lot of info, but I really do appreciate it.  Like I said earlier I have mostly bait fished off the surf.  I have been relatively successful, but this fourm has gotten my attention to plugging.  Sounds fun, challenging, and exciting not to mention I would feel like a real fisherman having to work a little rather than bait up and wait. So I've purchased a Atom 2oz Purple, Atom 2oz Stripper Swiper blue/silver a Gibbs popper 2oz yellow and a Jensen Crippled Herring in 2 and 3oz. I think now, I'm going to have to get shad jigs too. I guess that's a good start? 

[Capt. Ed]

Hi jmd41,

Great start ... if thye go on sale, add a yellow (school bus) and a black bombers. That should round out your aresenal nicely.

This winter at the fishing flea markets, they usually sell that at good discounts.

Good luck ... I love Fall plugging!

Capt. Ed

[ped579]

Good luck jmd41,

It will take time to get use to some od the lures and the search for the right speed but that is half the fun.  BTW now that you have all those lures its time to pack them into a shoulder bag and hike the beach.

This time of year till it gets really cold I like to park the buggy and walk the beach searching for that perfect spot.

Happy Catching

Paul