Surf Fishing Newb

[DarkShadow]

For the first time in a decade, I have picked up my ocean enhancement stamp for 2021, so I'm preparing for rusting hooks, 4 ounce pyramid sinkers, sand in my crotch, and avoiding stepping on a sting ray in the surf.

So, my sole experience fishing the surf was going out and chucking a Kastmaster and hooking something big, then that fish wrapping up around my friend's legs as he was d!cking around in the surf and breaking me off, then spending 2 days getting the sand out of...well everything.

So, my experience is somewhat limited.

What My Plan Is:

I don't plan on getting any other gear specifically for this. So that the salt and sand effs it up? No thanks. The Conquests and Aldebarans will stay at home, and I'll be using some oldies but goodies, like my ole Chronarch 100s. I figure I throw 10# FC and I should be ok?

I also will use an old Stradic and put 6# for my 'lighter' outfit.

I have about two dozens of these things collecting dust so I'm sure they might catch me something in the surf?



I also have about 3 metric tons worth of small Big Hammer swimbaits in all sorts of colors and sizes. Im sure they'll get looked at?

Also plan on throwing small grubs (motor oil, etc) and apparently, I may pick up some Gulp Sandworms, as they are well recommended. Can I fish these on a drop shot rig? Or a Carolina rig? Straight up on a jig head?

What about locations? What the heck do I look for? Since I will drive 4 hours for a day trip to fly fish, I can head north or south to get away from the crowds, because there is no way in hell that I'll be fishing Santa Monica in the summer. I'd be more liable catching some kid swimming than an actual fish. But am I looking at more rockier areas? Sandy areas?

Any other tips that may come in handy?