Surf Fishing for Striper (or Rock bass)

[hooch hound]

Originally from Jersey, I've been getting the itch to head to the coast for some surf fishing, SC or GA. I don't think you guys have many striper down here of the surf (please tell me i'm wrong1)? I'd like to find a good beach that i can drive up on with a camp fire and a few beers and do some great surf fishing off of with a few of my buddies, just don't know where to start.

Pompano and whiting are the most popular fish off the surf that i've heard of this far south, however if any one could reply with a post or PM to point me in the right direction it would be MUCH APPRECIATED- trying to plan a trip.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[flyg]

I don't know a lot about the GA coast from just a few visits, but I've spent some time at the SC coast. Unlikely you find an oceanfront location you can drive to and start a fire during this time of year. During sea turtle nesting, most resort islands, parks, city beaches etc. will not permit it. There are a number of parks, eg. Hunting Island and Edisto in SC that allow camping along the beach. At both of those, no alcohol is allowed. With a kayak and charts and tide tables, nearly anything is possible.

You're correct, there isn't any summertime striper fishery from the beaches there that I know of. Stripers run into big coastal rivers in SC and GA and there are spring fisheries for them there. The redfish (red drum, channel bass, spot tail) is a good option to pursue--but there are a lot of other options. Whiting can be ridiculously abundant at times. Blacktip and bonnet head sharks can be pretty common as well. I personally think a 4-5' bonnet head is a great game fish. Tides are extreme, 6-9 ft vertical change. Fish in knee-deep water just outside the shore breakers on an incoming tide using fresh cut mullet or live finger mullet. Target beaches near an inlet. For reds and whiting, the main mistake tourists make is just casting wayyyyy out. Best fishing is often (not always) right up on the beach. Just some ideas.

G

[Counslrman]

Brian,
I don't know if they are running on the East coast right now, but my best bait for pompano has been live sand fleas dug out of the surf holes they make. You see a little hole bubbling in the surf, take a sand rake or long skinny-bladed shovel, and dig them up. Small live shrimp work well also. Whiting have alway6s responded to dime-sized pieces of shrimp if you are bait fishing. If you are slinging flies, try something that is tied to resemble a sand flea or small shrimp. My kids have caught bunches of pomps and whiting in the Gulf using fleas they dug or shrimp pieces with spinning gear.

Tight lines!
Jimmy