[tarheelboy]

What does everybody throw (metal lures) from the surf when you are fishing for reds, blues etc. from the beach? I have been using Hopkins but without wearing my arm out there isn't a whole lot of built in action to the lure. Also, does spoon color matter depending on species? Do reds prefer gold over silver? Bluefish? Pictures would help me a lot. trying to get stocked up for fall which is right around the corner. Thanks.

 

[h2ohhh]

I like a Krokodile. More action but recognize that means more line twist. Swivel recommended. I throw a Hopkins style spoon too though...except I buy the knock off versions from Bass Pro. 1 oz. is my preferred size. In the surf I also suggest a 20 pound short (4-6") wire leader. It's thin enough not to spook fish in the sudsy stuff...even notoriously leady shy Spanish. If you forgo the leader be prepared to lose some expensive spoons on cut offs.

 

[OptiMystic]

I "chuck and wind" in the surf quite a bit, mostly catching smallish blues so grain o' salt applies, but I think speed is more important than wobble. This year I finally got into Spanish and it definitely seemed true with them that if I wasn't cranking fast I did not get a strike. That said, I have used some big generic shoe horn shaped spoons with some success. They do twist the line but they look good doing it.

 

[mjbowhunter]

Kastmasters work well also

 

[BigE818]

1 oz gold Kastmaster......

 

[OptiMystic]

1 oz gold Kastmaster......

Yes, I should have credited Big E with providing me with one of these to catch a Spanish with this year and telling me if I think I am bringing it in too fast, I might be bringing it in fast enough (I think that was you that told me that ).

 

[NCStateFisher]

anybody use johnson minnows for surfcasting? was planning to grab a few for my charleston work trip in 1/2oz to mess around with

 

[ice cream man]

What does everybody throw (metal lures) from the surf when you are fishing for reds, blues etc. from the beach? What size Reds & Blues?

I have been using Hopkins but without wearing my arm out there isn't a whole lot of built in action to the lure.
There are severals ways to work them, a slow retrieve ( rolls it ), hop it up & let it flutter down, or just rip it.

Also, does spoon color matter depending on species? Sometimes, mostly it's the action. Do reds prefer gold over silver? Bluefish? Reds prefer gold, Blues silver, there are always exceptions.

Pictures would help me a lot. trying to get stocked up for fall which is right around the corner. Thanks.

Spoons I throw: Hopkins, Kastmasters, Johnson, Shure & Aqua Dream.
Sizes will vary from 1/2 oz. ( local waters ) to 6 oz. ( Hatteras Bull Reds, Stripers & big Blues )
Will try posting pictures. ...... ICM

 

[wvlheel]

I had good luck with a gold Johnson spoon and a silver stingsilver for drum in the surf at Labor Day.

 

[triggerfin]

I exclusively use the glass minnow lures from shore lure company for blues and spanish (normally 2 oz). I've not found anything that casts as well. Most popular in OBX but Freeman's on the AB causeway sells them.

Despite many attempts and much time on the beach from EI to Buxton, I've never caught a drum in the surf with a spoon nor seen 1 caught that way, although I hear plenty of folks have success with gold spoons, fished slowly to imitate a small crab or other bottom dwelling critter. I've never seen a descriptive write-up here on how best to fish drum w/ spoons - particularly retrieve speed and action. Anyone?

 

[ice cream man]

We do really well with spoons for Reds, (Puppy Drum to upper slot).
Could be the time of year or the fact that we are sight casting.
Not much to fishing them: slow roll ( resembles a bait fish ) or hop with flutter ( acts like a crab )..... ICM

View attachment 65637 View attachment 65636 View attachment 65635 View attachment 65634 View attachment 65633

 

[tarheelboy]

sight casting to drum would be awesome. I wonder how many schools I have seen but didn't know that is what I was looking at. time to hit up google.

 

[h2ohhh]

Anything will hit a spoon. I've seen flounder caught on them by people not retrieving them fast enough for the targeted blues or spanish.....

 

[ice cream man]

sight casting to drum would be awesome. I wonder how many schools I have seen but didn't know that is what I was looking at. time to hit up google.

This what to looks for..... ICM
View attachment 65641 View attachment 65642

 

[Fishman1]

ICM what is your definition of :slow roll” and how is this done?

 

[NCStateFisher]

ICM what is your definition of :slow roll” and how is this done?

slow rolling is referring to a slow retrieve just fast enough to keep the bait off the bottom

 

[tarheelboy]

This what to looks for..... ICM
View attachment 65641 View attachment 65642

ooohhh. ok then. I have seen fish in the wall of the breakers just not that size.