Holgate/Forsythe Refuge Questions

[SurfNewbie]

Hi all -

I am new to surf fishing, and new to the site.  I have lived in Barnegat for 30+ years and have always gone out on a party boats a few times a year.  I am tired of gettign skunked and want to move onto surf fishing...I have been enjoying the boards and learning quite a bit.  Here are my questions:

I will mostly fish LBI, and have always heard about driving out into the refuge.  I have a Yukon, but it is the model with all wheel drive, not a selectable four wheel...will this work?  As a "beginner" is it worth investing in the permit or would it be better to start from the "normal" beach.

I am in the process of getting ym gear together (an expensive proposition when first starting).  What would you reccomend as must haves? i.e. 10' rod, x amount of test, braided, mono, etc...

I plan on really taking it up as my leisure activity, and I dotn play golf so I can invest some money, but the $1,000 reels on Bass Pro Shops seem overkill.  Any reccomendations would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!
Sean

[SurfJockey]

Not sure about the refuge down there but I'm sure someone else will chime in on that. 

11' or 12' rod for deadsticking bait, and a 9' for plugging and throwing metals.  40 lb. braid is a good choice for your reels.  You definitely don't need to drop $1000 on a reel to start off.  You can find a nice Shimano Baitrunner or a Penn reel for just over a hundred bucks that will last you a long time if you take care of it. 

Welcome aboard and good luck out there.

[SurfJockey]

Here's a link with some info on the refuge down there posted by Paul.

http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=2419.0

[ped579]

Hi Sean, and welcome aboard. 

Here is some info on fishing the refuge.

HOLGATE Unit: Edwin Forsythe Wildlife Refuge

    * Dates of operation: Closed from April 1 thru August 31 to vehicles and pedestrians for nesting Piping Plovers.
    * Permit fee: $50
    * Permit obtained from: Police station at 68th Street and Long Beach Island Blvd. 24 hrs. /day, 7 days/week.
    * Beach access points: McKinley Avenue at end of boulevard
    * Special Comments: The beach front is open to pedestrians and four-wheel-drive vehicles for such wildlife-oriented activities as wildlife observation, photography, nature study, and fishing. Bayside mudflats may remain closed until later September to protect migrating shorebirds. (Drivers must possess a valid Long Beach Township beach buggy permit for the vehicle they are driving.) It is recommended that vehicles use the intertidal zone when possible. Its harder packed sands provide better traction than the loose sands of the beach. Occasionally some areas of Holgate's beach may not be accessible to vehicles due to ongoing, naturally occurring variations in beach width, or because of excessively high tides. Drivers must use caution, and not enter closed areas. Link to Holgate usage guidelines.
    * Parking lots available at: McKinley Avenue at the end of the boulevard

Not sure if your vehicle will be allowed on the beach you will have to check with the municipality as they all have different views.


As for equipment I would suggest something like a 9' Tica rod and a Penn 560 Slammer with 30 or 40# braid.  One good place down there to start looking for prices would be the Fisherman's Headquarters.  This equipment will last a long time and it is quite light so you can fish longer if you don't dead stick.  I would recommend you put on a longer leader as for a first timer using braid that stuff cuts into hands very quickly, be careful.

I hope this helps.

Happy Catching

Paul

[Hotrod]

Welcome Sean

[SurfNewbie]

Thanks for the replys...I am excited to really get back into things.  I used to do a lot of freshwater and off shore fishing...time and equipment got away from me though.  Surf fishing looks to be the most enjoyable.  I see the information about the dune buggy permit process.  I was just wondering if my vehicle could make it out there.  I know i have plenty of clearance, and power, but not too sure about the AWD as compared to a selectable 4x4. I am not sure why they didn't just put 4x4 in...i think it has to do with the smoother suspension system

[ped579]

With a lot of AWD vehicles the percentage of power is put to different set of wheels.  For instance 60% to the back wheels and 40% to the front wheels and in some vehicles if the wheels start to slip the power is exchanged.

Where asw with 4X4 the power is the same to all 4 wheels.  I do not believe IBSP will allow an AWD veh to go on the beach.  You would have to check with each individual entity.