I have been looking for a hobby for some time. I live close to the Assateague Island National Seashore. I think I may want to try surf fishing since it would combine my love of using my Jeep (they have about 13 miles of drivable seashore right on the Atlantic ocean) and my love for the ocean. Does anybody have any experience with this? I know I will need gear, rods,a rod carrier for the Jeep etc. Where can I find this stuff? Is Bass Pro Shops a good source? I live very close to one, but since I'm not exactly an outdoorsman, I have never been in there. I think this could get expensive

 

Okay first off are you a fisherman? If yes the next question is do you have a heavy action rod like for catfish? If yes then I say using the same rod and rig give it a try in the surf with a piece of shrimp. You don't need a mile long cast just behind the breakers will do.
Now if you want to get serious you will need a minimum 12foot rod with corrosion resistant reels and heavy leads to throw big baits out for things like sharks and bigger fish. It can get expensive but you can get a decent set up at the local Wal-Mart cheaper as long as you take good care of it. Keep in mind salt and sand are the enemy and sand can be avoided for the most part. Salt will invade everything so be sure to rinse everything after a trip and oil reels often.
There are books in the local library on surf fishing so check a couple out and read up. I have one called surf fishing in the carolinas and it is a good one to start with.
Like I said start small and as cheap as possible but stay away from those all in one combos that usually have a tackle pack with them as they are not worth the plastic that wraps the tackle.

 

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Not to differ with your opinion but the Bass Pro near me (Myrtle Beach) specializes in offshore and surf fishing. Their selection of freshwater leaves a bit to be desired in compairson to other Bass Pros and the catalog. I also suggest that any new fisherman be it salt, fresh or whatever start small and inexpensive and work up because they are not even sure they will like it. There is a lot to be said for top quality gear and spending hundreds if not a thousand or more on a quality set up is not unheard of however just starting out is not the time to make that investment.

 

Good point, that is the same thing I tell people that are new to jeeping. Start with a stock jeep and see if you like it before you start spending cash on somethhing you might not like. It pretty much goes for fishing, hunting, or anything else in my opinion.

 

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BPS, Wal-Mart, and many other big chains taylor their stock to the area somewhat. I have seen Wal-Marts in the mountians with a decent selection of flyfishing gear and those near the beach/ocean with serious offshore tackle. The same can be said of Bass Pro. I too believe the cheap-o's should be left where they sit (thus my warning about those combos with tackle and such included) however the local W/M here (not to mention BP) has a decent selection of 10'-15' surf sticks that range from $60-$100 and then you get a reel around the same price and you have a decent set up. I will say there is a lot to be said for precision matched tackle that can run in the thousands however most folks neither want nor need the performance such an outfit can give. BTW I am talking with one of those taking a pound or so in terminal tackle and casting a football field or more. I know guys who do it on an almost daily basis but you don't need to to catch fish.

 

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I would love to own a Bamboo rod however I also have a need to eat and sleep with a roof over my head. Nothing I own is as expensive as stuff can get but I do (for the most part) have quality gear even for the kids. I do have a couple bargin type setups for loaners but I am not paying as much for say one of my kid's friends to use. Flyfishing is a sport all to it's own when you start talking expense though. My fat fingers are not coordinated enough to tie flies so I have to purchase them. Sometimes I feel like I just handed over my wallet to a mugger when I get done restocking a flybox. I do get a lot of more inexpensive flys online which catch fish but the quality is not as good and they tend not to last long. I do a lot of bream and bass fishing and they can tear up a fly in short order.

 

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