Surfcasting - Jones Beach
October 5, 1998
(Please be patient, there are some great surfcasting photos downloading)
Long Island has some of the best white, sand beaches in the world by far...and Jones Beach is one of the nicest. I grew up five minutes from Jones, but never appreciated it as much as I do now. I have become addicted to surf fishing there and for the past few weeks have been producing fish, mostly at Field 6.
I've gotten to know most of the holes and all the sand bars. I've learned how to read the beach after Mother Nature passes through with a big storm. It's like remodeling your house...you have to say "OK, now where is everything?"
I met many surf rats and I mean SURF RATS...any opportunity they get, they are out there. There's no crowding and no clock ticking away with these guys. Surfcasting is soul food. Over the last few years, Jones Beach has become more productive...I can only speak for myself.
I've caught anywhere from six to thirty fish, fishing with my good friend Barry...who will drown himself to get out to where the fish are. The fish have been running in the 20's and 30's, but I smell the mama cows are just in reach for October. Suprises this year have been the come back of kingfish and another good run of weakfish. We're into October now...this is my favorite time of all. A reminder... you need a night permit to fish after sunset, which you can easily get at the Main Mall at Field 4. West End 2, which is more of a walk, has been very productive, the last week of September with Albies showing their presence.
This week the larger fish are just beginning to show their presence. Everyone knows I have been using sandworms with fluoro carbon, 30 pound test leader and have been producing fish up to thirty pounds...but mostly in the high tens and twenties. Big bass will go after sandworms off the sandbars...I've proven this point over and over in the last month. If you don't believe me, call up Causeway and see how many flats I've gone through! Also, Tobay Beach has been producing bass over 20 pounds with a good run of blues and weakfish on tins. Stripers have been hitting well on fresh bunker.
When surfcasting I will use anything that the fish are hitting to produce some good fun. Plugs, cripple herring...heck if they were biting alley cats I'd bring a bag down. Gamakatsu hooks always...I always have faith in my hook ups when I use them. Those hooks are leathal...they'll go threw a 2x4 like butter...not good for hands though. This week I highly recommend Field 6 and West End 2 for surfcasting. See you there!
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