is this a silly idea? (surf fishing in Florida)

My first experience in surf casting was with a light 6' rod that I had been
using for trout/brook fishing and spin-casting for bass. I got tangled up
with the other guys and made a mess...

The next day I bought a frozen Mackerel and was determined to learn how to
fish for stripers. 45 mins. later I walked away from the rocks with a 26 or
27" striper that doubled my poe over when I was fighting him. Even if he had
broken the pole and pulled me in it would have been a TON of fun. I
personally have come to hate the braided line.. but if you like it, great.

If you can get a baited hook in the water and reel in a fish.... what you
have is great I say! If anyone scoffs at your rod and set-up, they really
aren't much in the way of sportsmen. i have seen kids with $8.00 Walmart
poles catch more than the guy with the $300.00 reel /rod. I don't think the
fish look up out of the water to see the pricetag on your reel.

My first striper cost me $4.00 of 12-15LB monofilament, .25 cent 1 Oz.
sinker and a .15 cent hook. (still have the line and the hook i think).
Don't sweat it.. just go give it a try.

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Everything from fishing to Freaks
www.sprattoo.com
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wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi,

I am a complete beginner in fishing and my only experience so far was
fishing in the Mosqito Lagoon in East Central Florida, close to Cape
Canaveral. Using a 6 foot rod, a braided line (20lbs equivalent), a
metal leader (also 20lbs) with a swivel and a snap (I know, this is a
newbie's sin, but it allows me to changes lures easily) and a Jonhson's
Silver Minnow (which is actually golden) I caught speckled sea trouts.

I am thinking of trying to catch some fish in the surf off the closest
beach. All the fishermen here use very large fighing poles and live
bait so I wonder, is my idea of using a small 6 foot rod with my
braided line and my Johnson spoon really silly, or might I still catch
something?

(I do not have the money for another rod, nor do I feel comfortable
changing my line, but I would gladly use another lure if advised to do
so).

Any advice/comments would be very much appreciated!

Kind regards,

TN