I am planning my yearly vacation to Port Aransas, and I am really interested in trying the (new to me) sport of fly fishing in the surf. When I say new to me, I mean I have only used a fly rod one time to catch bluegill. I am needing help concerning;

Pole (size/weight)
Line (amount/weight)
Reel
types of flys
Best Practices

I would appreciate any sort of help/information
Thank You,

I'm pretty new to fly fishing as well as you. I have only used a fly rod once also, so I could not tell you any of the practices. As for everything else I have done a lot of studying. So I will start with the pole. The size that you would probably want to get is going to be a 9 foot, now for the weight of the rod would be either a 7 or an 8 weight rod. Now the line is really the most important part you need to learn about for any type of fishing. So this line thing is actually pretty simple, all that you need to know is to match the line weight to the weight of the rod. As for the reel you will need a larger arbor on you reel. as for the types of flies I have not got any flies yet, But I have watched and studied about them and most people actually throw streamers at reds and trout.

You might not take my advice, that is ok I'm just trying to help.

Thanks,
Chase

Check your mailbox from time to time. Wink Wink!

generally speaking an 8wt with a 15ft intermediate tip will be the best rig for fishing the surf. general flies like clousers, deceivers and seaducers in red white, chart/white, grey white, all white and tan white. the only time i would fish a floating line would be if i am fishing a popper.

with that being said if you get into a large school of lady fish then a 5 or 6 wt with small white/chart clousers will kill them, a 7 or 8wt is good for trout and slot reds. if there are a big jacks or bull reds in the area you will want at least a 9 or 10wt.

fishing the surf is a lot different than fishing a local pod for bluegill so keep expectations realistic. there is going to be quite a learning curve so don't get to frustrated.

LOL is there another way to do it I cannot PM because I'm underage!

Thank You all for the help!!

LOL..yeah I know. I meant the real mailbox on the road. You might be getting a delivery from BBT.

See my post, it has some helpful stuff.

OK, I'm embarrassed. I do not know what BBT means. could you tell me?

Bass Bustin Texan. LOL!

wait you need my address. I am not getting this LOL.

Well at least I know what BBT means LOL!

I'd go with an 8 or 9 wt. You'll need a large arbor reel with about 200 yds of backing just in case you get into some jacks. I prefer fluoro for leader and tippet.

Clousers in bright colors, or any other large streamers. Make sure they are saltwater hooks. In the surf you are pretty much blind casting as far as you can and stripping as fast as you can. If you get in a bay or near some structure you can also try crab or shrimp patterns, but clousers will work there too.

You and your brother got a couple TFF shirts and stickers a few weeks ago from 1Shot, I got the address from him.

I pulled out some flies last night, so it will go in the mail today.

Wow the TFF has some really nice people. Thanks BBT!

When I started surf fly fishing 25 years ago, everybody said that you had to have a 9 by 9 (9X9), i.e. a 9 foot 9 weight and a heavy duty reel... So, I purchased the expensive rod and reel...

After a few years, I shifted to a 6 wt. outfitted with an inexpensive, freshwater reel. The reel, I picked up on my local IFFF club's "trade table" for $5.00. It is just an older, clicker-reel, with no drag to speak of, but it worked fine for many, many years.

Yes, even though I rinsed that reel carefully after each day's use (or at least most days - HA!), the foot of the reel quickly developed a bit of rust... So what! It was a five dollar reel!

I've caught a ton of specks, ladyfish, reds, and a few flounder on that 6 wt.rod/reel. I still have them, but I've moved to a 7 wt.and a better reels...

Yes, you may hang a big jack while surf fishing (in many years of surf fishing, I never have), but even if you do, the chances are that a big jack will "spool" whatever reel you have, fancy or cheap, as you stand in the water! So, don't let that be the reason that you spend all your savings on a "high-end reel" and think that you have to "endure" a big rod.

Additionally, you also stated that you were "young", and therefore you probably lack the stature (or desire) to throw a heavy 9 wt. for very long. (Neither of my sons liked casting a 9 wt. and still don't!)

I'm only 5' 6", and I can assure you that I much prefer spending the day casting a 6 or 7 wt. as opposed to workin' one of my 9's for few hours in the surf!

Besides, you should match your equipment with your quarry, and as such, specks and ladyfish are a whole lot more FUN on a 6 or 7 wt. rod! Besides, they use 6's and 7'e for steel head and salmon... So, why cast a 9 wt. for 10-18" specks?