surf fishing great lakes – striper set up?
- This topic has 25 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated Dec 8, 2007 at 8:44 pm by
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http://www.talkflyfishing.com/index.php?showtopic=10984&hl=
Hey guys, i was reading this article about surf fishing in the great lakes and it says the rod/reel/line setups are basically the same as the guys that fish stripers on the east coast.
This is the set up that I will be using 8110 Z-axis with a Nautilus 12 with a 400 gr. Skagit and various tips including T-14. I also have a Bauer loaded up with with a type 6 Rio Outbound in a 10wt. Also a stripping basket for line control. As for locations definitly areas around river mouths. Also warm water discharges would be great spots.
Eric,
There’s no one size that fits all. I’m on the East Coast. In the spring I use an 8-weight, in the fall when stripers are bigger, a 9-weight.
(Using a fly rod I tend to catch smaller stripers. Some anglers even go with a 7-weight)
I also use shooting heads, usually a floating and a sinking. I never cast weighted flies – too many problems; when it’s windy you can easily hook yourself, or break your rod tip if a weighted fly hits it. I use Cortland running line. (It’s low memory.) There are two ways to put a loop connector on. The easiest is to use one of those slide-on braided connectors, but they make it a bit harder to change heads. With 30-foot shooting heads most anglers go up two weights.
Shooting heads, as you can see, can be a bit of pain. To me the best thing about them is the money I save on extra spools. (Besides, I don’t like having to carry extra weight.)
You’ll also need a stripping basket. I like the Orvis.
Randy
For surf fishing, unless you have very quick dropoffs, you’re probably going to want an intermediate line – a faster sinking line will have you dragging the bottom.
This is something I just got into this year and boy am I glad I did! There really is something special about fighting these fish with nothing to confine them.
If you are comfortable casting 60+ feet while standing up to your knees in water and good with a double haul, then a 9′ or 10′ #8 is all you will need to get the job done. Floating lines, such as the Clouser coldwater will be of the most use in this application.
Shooting heads really take the work out of the repetitive casting that is sometimes necessary, and I have been very happy with Rio’s line of shooting heads. Add a two-hander into the mix and throwing a Clouser 100’+ time and time again won’t be a problem.
My standard sink tips I have cut back to 13′ for the T-14 I have it in 11′ , 9′, and 5′. I’m going to get some T-11 when it comes out and have them as long as 20′ tips. I would definitely use the two-hander. For a stripping basket just make one yourself. Get a small rubbermaid bin, about 3 gallons should do. Get some zip ties and some bungie cord. Drill a series of hole in the bottom of the bin and insert the zip ties so that the tag end sticks up in side the bin. Cut them to various lengths and angles and smooth them down. Next take put some holes in the side of the bin so you take the bungie cord and use it as a belt. Then you have a stripping basket.
Lots of good advice being thrown your way.
For me I like to keep it simple. My striper rod is a Loomis 9’ 9wt. I like fishing SA Intermediate line but have also mixed in the floating line for the obvious fall blitz situations. Remember when fishing a sinking line to keep the leader short. Mine almost never get longer than 6’ and usually are around 5’.
Great advice on the un-weighted flies. I took a 4/0 Clouser with lead eyes off the back of my head this summer off a jetty on Cape Cod. (20 knot winds and a terrible cast are not a good formula for safety) I can assure you it was not pleasant. My only issue is that I don’t like fishing the real aggressive sinking lines which forces me to fish flies with at least a little weight.
Stripping basket is a must…as has been stated. A real pain but does help tremendously.
Eric,
I must be totally out of touch. What are you surf fishing for? The only surf fishing I have heard of with a fly rod is carp. It is supposed to be a lot of fun but I wonder if your talking something else?
Bob
Bob,
Recently, people have been getting more into chasing Great Lakes salmon, steelhead, and browns (or really anything else) with fly rods in the surf – using tactics similar to those used on the East Coast for strippers.
Warm water discharges are also a good bet. Glad my dad is a manager at US Steel in Gary. I plan to introduce myself to some browns over my break ;D
Okay, I found a nice place to try. Large warm water outlet, sandy beach both sides, no piers, access and parking. Now, when do I go? Is this a summer thing? Or do I go in May or September when steelhead or salmon are getting river horny?
If this is a summer thing I could go bare legged like I do in Naples. Just beach boots. If it’s May, I might have to dig out my neoprenes. I haven’t been this excited in a while. Help!
Bob
It really depends if there is bait there or not. Its really hit or miss timing wise. I would head there now looking for browns and steelhead though. With the cold temps bait should be in shallow warmer water.
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