Most people have a perception that surf fishing means casting large sinkers and a variety of live and dead baits using a spinning rod. These spinning rods often perceived to be stout and long exceeding 10 feet typically. The fact is a spinning reel spool with 20 to 30 pound test monofilament line has in fact, been the norm. One of the challenges with this is the fatigue that is associated with hours of casting this large raid into rolling waves. The problem is that this type of tackle is often required to get the bait into just the right spot when the surf is high. Surf conditions including rolling and crashing waves against the beach, often require this type of equipment. There are however, situations where this is really too much, and anglers wind up using far more energy than they need. Fortunately, technology comes to the rescue and allows you to assemble a fishing rod and reel combination that is not only lighter, but shorter and easier to cast.

Northeast fishing holes provide a number of opportunities for surf fishing. In most of these areas, the tidal currents are not as excessive and the ways tend to be relatively tame. Interestingly enough, while these areas might not hold very large fish, they often have a number of smaller sized striped bass, bluefish, and the occasional bruiser. These fishing areas are ideal for scale down set of tackle, including the graphite surf rod in a length not exceeding 8 feet. Spinning reels of these rods are typically in the 4000 size range. The best thing about these fishing rods is they provide anglers enough length for distance casting and allow them to use a 1 ounce to a 3 ounce lure.

Braided fishing lines have also made distance casting far easier for the beginner fishermen. This line has made it possible to spool up to 4000 size real with monofilament backing and add an additional 200 yards of 30 pound test braid line. This is mainly because these lines are much smaller in diameter than traditional monofilament. Another advantage is the lower friction against rod guides, which helps increase the distance that you can cast. There was a word of caution for surf casters and that is the braided lines and not as abrasion resistant is monofilament. Surf casters are often found fishing in areas that have rocks and boulder fields and these can cause serious problems when using braided lines. You can mitigate these issues by attaching a long fluorocarbon leader to the braided line. This does help provide some insurance against breakage should a fish head for the rocks.

Children who are fairly new to angling will enjoy this much more and be far less frustrated than if they were trying to learn to handle a 10 or 12 foot surf rod. Not only that, but tackle of this size makes fighting smaller sized fish much more fun and sporting. If a large fish is hooked, the angler will be put into a position of fighting very hard to land him. Few things are far more exciting for the sporting angler.

There is little doubt that large surf rings will always have their place. In fact, many anglers’ fish bait with 5 or 6 ounce sinker's and they are constantly on the lookout for the largest fish in the area. For these anglers, the oversized rigs will always be the best. However, for those who just do not want to lug heavy rigs across the beach, and who prefer fish in the 5 to 20 pound range they can easily scale down, scale back, and sport up.

When you are out saltwater fishing it is important to make sure you have the right supplies. Some of the most popular brands include Shimano Saltwater Reels, Penn Saltwater Reels, and Team Daiwa Reels.