Trout fishing in surf

Whether you are in Orange Beach, Destin or Grand Isle go to the local baitshop and ask them.

Might be better off fishing elmers island

Use a float basket not a stringer.

I took an older tackle tray. Drilled some holes on either end and ran a small cord through it so I could sling it over my shoulder and carry a few extra baits. The same tray also has a ruler molded on top for measuring fish. You can mark the 12 inch line with a sharpie though.

Walk through the first trough onto the first sandbar. Walk parallel with the beach. While walking you can cast out to the second trough, in front of you on the first sand bar, and back to the first trough. Keep moving and varying your casts.

Look for imperfections along the beach and drains. When the tide is falling if you look carefully you can spot areas where water is funneling away from the beach at one spot. The fish will gather around these areas.

Look for schools of mullet and cast into or around them. Trout will often use the mullet for cover and school with them.

Pink and chartreuse are usually the best colors for summer beach baits. If the water is clearer than normal then switch to a more natural color. I use only hard body swim baits when surf fishing. My favorite is the suspending Mirrodine in the above colors.

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I got a got a plastic wash tub, drilled some holes in it, and put pool noodles on it so it would float

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You got a pic of this? Description seems self-explanatory, but I'd like to see how you fashioned that.

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I also wear Ray-Guards.

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Had a ray swim right over my feet off of Elmers about 2 weeks ago. Scared the shite out of me
I immediately went invest in a pair of these as soon as I got home.

I've never called it a doughnut. It's a double Styrofoam float ring with the laundry bag.

I use a very long rope leader to keep The basket a long way away from me. Approximately 20 feet. Easy to get off if needed. In my experience stringers are far more likely to attract a shark. I am not so sure about your float tub. I would have to see it. Sounds to cumbersome.

Also by using two styrofoam floats zip tied to each other it doubles as an emergency life preserver. It can easily keep a grown man afloat. Never know when you are someone else could get pulled out by a riptide.

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Trout fishing in surf
Goood advice in both posts. Run and gun. 5 casts and no fish, move 50 yards and try again. With any surf fishing endeavors, look for water that is "different" than surrounding water

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I've always felt like when fishing the surf, especially with a moving tide, the fish will move faster than you can. Unless you're going to move miles at a time, it's just more efficient to stay put and keep chunking until the fish move through again.

Do-nets and floating baskets are tough with any kind of wave action. I usually just string fish and when there is a lull, take them to the ice chest. Yeah, sometimes you'll have to pay the tax man (sharks) but it beats getting dragged around by a basket, imo.

Noisy topwaters, 52 series mirrolures, and soft plastics should do fine.

The mirrolures can be a bitch to unhook from fish if there is any kind of wave action. Always be aware of the next set of waves approaching, especially when you are changing lures or messing with fish. I wouldn't use your best reel, either, because it's probably going to get wet.

Was in GI past week. Fished the surf on Elmers Island. Got nothing anywhere until the birds started diving. Chased the birds. 70 specs between 3 people within 90 min.

I have a buddy that posts here, that insists that he has to go as far out as possible to start the day.