Introducing myself

[umingmaq]

Hello everyone,

I'm from Madison, WI and my wife just accepted a job at UT Austin, although it's a little ways from the salt, I'm pumped about Surf and Bay fishing down there in the Lone Star State. I just returned from a two week trip to Florida, where I surf fished for Blues, Whiting, Jack Crevalle and some Blue Runners around Melbourne, Sabastian, Cape Canaveral, etc.

Just thought I'd introduce myself to all of you and let you know that my wife says I'm spending too much time looking for fishing stuff and not enough time looking for a job...oh well. I told her since I'm giving up my awesome job here in Madison for her to follow her dream, I'm thinking I might just fish for a few years instead of working. We'll see how long I get away with that.

There's just so much new gear to buy. I've got to get my Toyota Land Cruiser ready to be a real Texas beach buggy (HiLift jack, sand anchor, floaty tires, big PVC roof rod tube, On board air, etc.). Then I need more surf rods, I only have a 9 footer now, so I need at least two 12's and maybe even a Saltiga Ballistic Surf 13'3". I've been hinting at a Van Staal or the new Penn Torque spinner, but my wife just scowls whenever I talk about a $700 reel. I'm sure you guys feel my pain.

I'm excited about moving down and spending time at the beach and estuaries down there coming up in September. Until then I hope you'll keep the fishing reports coming, so I can learn as much as possible before I get there. I do have a few questions for anyone who might have the time:

Do you guys ever get Bluefish down your way?
What's the best tackle shop in Austin?
I notice there aren't many fishing reports in the winter, does the fishing slow way down in the winter?
Do any of you make the trek to fish any of the Mexican surf just south of the Border?
How close are the oil rigs for fishing? Within kayaking distance?

Thanks for having this forum, hope you guys don't mind a newbie from Wisconsin moving on down. It's a good thing Texas has such great salt water fishing, I almost wanted to cry when I learned that my wife got a job where there is not a single natural trout stream in the whole state, jeez, I guess those big old bull reds I keep seeing pictures of on this forum might just have to do.

Thanks for your time, look forward to learning and sharing here.

Matt

[Wannabefishin]

Welcome aboard, Matt. I know you are glad to be in God's Country and looking forward to some fantastic fishing. This is certainly a great site to find all the info you need. You can do searches on just about any topic and get tons of info here.
As far as your gear goes, there's no need to spend $700 on a reel for these fish. Gotta go with your wife on that one. Most of us use Penn or Daiwa reels that seldom go above $200. Most are under $100. The Saltiga and Avet reels are probably top of the line for most on this site. I personally use the venerable Penn Jigmasters for most of my fishing. I go with Penn 4/0 & 6/0 Senators for shark fishing. "Real" sharkers go 9/0 - 12/0. I just hate those slow gear ratios (too lazy).
Before you buy a 13' rod, try a 10-footer. Most of mine are 10' with one 12' and an 11'9". I find that 10' does the job 90% of the time. If seaweed is a problem, the 12' rods are a bit better (keeping the line higher helps avoid some seaweed).
Most of us use 25-30# mono on our reels. For sharks: 50-80# mono & braid.
Depending on your endurance, there are a few rigs that can be kayaked to, but you don't need to be out there unless you have experience. Too many things can go wrong, even for experienced yakkers. But if you can do it, there are fish to be had at the rigs.
Read the tutorial for beginners. It will tell you almost everything you need to know for this area. Then, try to meet up with a few members who can introduce you to some good places to fish.
Good luck and let us know when you get out and snag a few nice fish.

[Double-D Extreme]

Well from an ex-FIP to a Cheesehead, welcome to the board. I certainly miss the spring steelie run on the Root River.

Wb is right about the reels and stuff we use down here. My most expensive surf reel is my Pro Gear 561 and it was only $120 off of ebay. It is a great place to pick up reels, rods and other stuff. Just from my experience, don't go out and buy a buttload of rods and reels and stuff. Start small (couple of rod/reel setups) and see what it is you like. Then go from there. As you develop your own style, then add equipment here and there to get where you wanna go. Just my 2 cents. September ought to be hoppin when you get down here.

Daryl

[oscar@CBF]

Looking for fishing stuff IS a full time job.

Welcome aboard.

[tank8677]

welcome to TX and the board.

[TomCat]

Maybe you can show us how to ice fish?

Oh yea, welcome to Surf-Masters.

[4X4FOREVER]

Welcome to forum,,,Now about phat $700. reel.$thats alot of bling, just to drag around in the salt and sand.
If I could sale all my surf fishing gear and start over, my first stop would be bass pro shop and mate up a ocean master 12 footer (model OM12SCM) with a daiwa sealineX 40sha reel. Spool up with some 30 pound mono and you will be able to beach 99 percent of what you can cast to.

[LandShark]

Welcome to Texas, I am sure what ever size fish your after you can find it here. Just may have to go out a ways to get in them. I have to agree with whats being said so far on your reel choice. If your after those Bull Reds you won't need that rig. If you want to chase some mako now you may need to kick it up a noth and then if your going to run lines out you will want to up your spool size and drag system. Or you may want to go and do a little shark fishing out of your yak if you got one you like to go out on. There are people here that can and will help you and fish with you on just about any notice you can give them. So good luck keep safe and cya on the sand sometime.
Ron

[umingmaq]

Thanks for all the thoughtful and welcoming comments guys. It's funny you all mention the Penn Saltiga reel, that's exactly what I have on my 9' Tica MH spinner (5000) and I'm looking at the 8000 for a 12' rod. Good tips and I look forward to seeing some of you on the beach.

Matt

[Krash]

Welcome to Surf Masters.
If you work it right you can find some good deals on eBay.

[CobraKiller02]

Welcome to the site!

[bargegod]

welcome aboard

[umingmaq]

Thanks for all the welcomes guys. I meant to say Penn Sargus, not Saltiga. I have a Sargus 5000 and after one trip to Florida in January, and fishing every single high tide for 9 days straight, I've been pretty happy with it. We'll see how it holds up when I start with some serious fishing down in Texas. Here's a pic of a small Bluefish I caught in Florida in January at Bonsteel Park near Sebastian Inlet.

I just snuck a 6 weight Sage Xi2 fly rod past the missus, found it at Kittery Trading Post on super closeout wholesale price. It should be a great rod for Reds and Trout in the estuaries. I think I've made up my mind on a Tica 12' for my second surf rod. Found it at Hatteras Outfitters for $109 for their 12 foot 2 piece 4-10oz Heavy. My wife and I are travelling to Austin this weekend to meet her future co-workers and I might bring the 6 weight to go for some Bass around Austin. Probably won't make it to the coast this time, my wife expects me to be job searching.

Thanks again guys, hope the pic comes out OK. Don't make fun of my attire it was freakin' cold in Florida that week.

Matt

Bluefish & Me.jpg (34.22 KiB) Viewed 508 times

[oscar@CBF]

A 6wt is a bit light bucause of the winds down here but it will do. Most 6's don't have a fighting butt. I use a 7wt most of the time.
The city park in Round rock used to be a great place to flyfish.
Cabelas is located in Buda. Don't forget to check out their bargan cave.
Maybe you can look for a job in Buda?

[BurnedThumbBum]

Welcome aboard! I agree with 4x4forever. To start out (just like me) I have two Ocean Master casting ten foot surf rods. They come from Bass Pro Shops and are a great value, durable and function very well. As far as reels there are numerous possibilities. I have a Daiwa Sealine x50SHA spooled with 30 lb big game and two Abu Garica Big Game 10000i's spooled with 30 lb Big Game mono. The Daiwa has yet to see saltwater but has hurled lead into the field behind my house. I have no doubt it will serve me well.

There's definietly no need to spend $700 on a reel. You could buy several brand new high quality rod and reel set ups for less than that price. I actually bought too many set ups for living 400 miles from saltwater. I love adding to my collection and knowing quality but reasonable equipment will last me many many years. Good luck! These great men on this site can answer any question you could ever think of! Tight Lines and look forward to seeing some future fishing reports!