New equipment for surf anglers

**Jer** · 03-08-2008 01:27 AM

New equipment for surf anglers

By JOHN GEISER • March 7, 2008

Surf fishermen are getting that urge with the shot of warm weather that pushed through this week.

John Bushell Jr. of Betty and Nick's Bait and Tackle, Seaside Park, said a few beach fishermen have been trying, but most have been simply getting their gear ready.

He did have the first weigh-in of the season come in Saturday when Dominic Talerico of Beachwood brought in a 23 1/2-pound bass. He reported catching and releasing three other bass.

"The Berkeley show over the weekend was the best ever," Bushell said. "We had over 1,200 people, and there was a lot of interest."

Bushell said two new 10-foot Tica rods drew a lot of attention as did the Penn introduction of the Sargus reel, a mill that sells for $75 and he says is as tight as a Van Staal.

"Shimano upgraded this year, too," he said. "The Stradic looks different and is lighter and stronger."

The new Tica rods that beach fishermen were picking up were the Surge, an upgrade of the original Tica, and the Dolphin. The Surge has better material — spun graphite — than the regular model.

The blue Dolphin rod contrasts with the Surge's red over black, and is built with Fuji guides and reel seat and a hook holder.

"They'll handle eight ounces with no problem," Bushell said. "With a Penn 65033M reel or an old Daiwa BG60 or a Shimano Speros 8000 you can get an outfit for under $200."

Most surf fishermen today are spooling braid on their reels with Power Pro and Suffix being popular choices among those who frequent Betty and Nick's.

"More and more are going to Suffix," Bushell said. "It's come down in price, and it's smoother, nicer than Power Pro."

He recommends 65-pound test braid, which is comparable in diameter to 16-pound test monofilament. If mono is still the preference, then he would suggest 17- or 20-pound test.

"If you're going to use monofilament with a longer rod — say an 11-footer with a Penn 750 — then go with 20- or 25-pound test," he added.

Clams are the popular choice for bait, and Bushell says the high-low or Pompano rig continues to be the most popular with Island Beach and Seaside Park anglers.

"Most clam ballers use a 6/0 hook or up with a whole clam," he said. "Those who fish with half a clam usually use a 4/0 or 5/0 hook. My father (the late John Bushell Sr.) fished with a 10/0 Gamakatsu Octopus bait-holder hook."

Bushell said surf fishermen preferring conventional tackle could not go wrong with a 10- or 11-foot Tsunami rod, which sells for around $80. The Tica 10-foot conventional is the same blank as the spinner, but with conventional guides.

"You could choose a Penn 525 Mag with magnetic braking," he said. "It sells for about $150, and is super smooth. The Penn 975 CS — a gold reel with an open frame and no level-wind another good choice."

Bushell advises filling the reel with 50-pound braid, which has a diameter of 12-pound test, or using 15- or 20-pound monofilament.

There is not an awesome amount of new tackle being offered by manufacturers this year, but Bushell said he has stocked some promising introductions.

"Vision Hooks and Tackle has come out with a new surf eel with a built-in head like the Tsunami or Storm, but looks like a sand eel and measures eight inches long," Bushell explained.

"It comes in three colors — blue, sand eel green and silver with a black back," he added.

**Bayclub Carl** · 03-17-2008 06:13 PM

Jer, can you suggest a good make of waders?

**Jer** · 03-17-2008 06:25 PM

Bayclub Carl, that article was written by John Geiser (Asbury Park Press) so I can't help. If you start a thread asking about waders I think someone will post a good make of waders. Some experienced surf anglers are members of the site.