Surfcasting Mistakes

[JakeF]

Ouch!

[Dudley1910]

[quote=merrillizer;43497]#6. Carelessness while Rockhounding.

#7. Underestimating/disrespecting the power of nature.

- I agree! Never underestimate the power of nature (e.g. water or weather). I have nearly lost a friend while surf fishing in Hatteras, N.C. when he got carried out to sea in a rip current. His temperature did not even register on the coast guard's eqipment when they finally rescued him from the sea some 2 hrs and 1.5 miles out later.

-Tackle-wise, I would say to keep it simple. I have over complicated lots of rigging only to find out that I caught the same amount of fish (if not more) on simpler set-ups that cost a quarter of the $.

[workhorse]

Most common rookie mistake I noticed, besides safety stuff, is a poor catch and release of a fish. Especially a larger fish that needs to be handled properly. Catch Photograph release, sometimes turns into catch, toy with, drag onto the rocks, wait for buddy to grab camera out of car, photograph and toss back into the shallows.

These days, enough people try to release fish, which is good, but if you get a good fish, you don't need to loosen your drag to extend the fight. Get her in, dehook in the shallows, and sure.... snap a pic, but run em thru the water til the fin goes up and send her back on her way.

[JakeF]

Originally Posted by workhorse

Most common rookie mistake I noticed, besides safety stuff, is a poor catch and release of a fish. Especially a larger fish that needs to be handled properly. Catch Photograph release, sometimes turns into catch, toy with, drag onto the rocks, wait for buddy to grab camera out of car, photograph and toss back into the shallows.

These days, enough people try to release fish, which is good, but if you get a good fish, you don't need to loosen your drag to extend the fight. Get her in, dehook in the shallows, and sure.... snap a pic, but run em thru the water til the fin goes up and send her back on her way.

THIS!!! Read it folks....