Welcome
Welcome to the "Surfcasting Without Surf" Webpage.
Located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, we rarely use surfcasting gear as a drive to Padre Island and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico are more than a daytrip allows.
Back in the Spring of 2007, North Texas received large amounts of rainfall that filled area lakes and reservoirs. In Lake Texoma's case, water overflowed its bank and flowed over the spillway. What followed was outstanding fishing for Striped Bass at Texoma's tailrace, also locally known as Denison Dam.
To fish the tailrace, surfcasting gear was critical to success enabling long casts that could reach the fish and providing the strength needed to power in fish in a strong current.
Thinking "out of the box", we decided not to wait for another year like 2007 before using our surfcasting gear again.
So, we have "dusted off" our surfcasting gear, started to fish the area lakes, and hope to provide useful information to others that are interested.
We appreciate your support and would like to welcome you to our site.
Good Luck and Good Fishing!
Located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, we rarely use surfcasting gear as a drive to Padre Island and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico are more than a daytrip allows.
Back in the Spring of 2007, North Texas received large amounts of rainfall that filled area lakes and reservoirs. In Lake Texoma's case, water overflowed its bank and flowed over the spillway. What followed was outstanding fishing for Striped Bass at Texoma's tailrace, also locally known as Denison Dam.
To fish the tailrace, surfcasting gear was critical to success enabling long casts that could reach the fish and providing the strength needed to power in fish in a strong current.
Thinking "out of the box", we decided not to wait for another year like 2007 before using our surfcasting gear again.
So, we have "dusted off" our surfcasting gear, started to fish the area lakes, and hope to provide useful information to others that are interested.
We appreciate your support and would like to welcome you to our site.
Good Luck and Good Fishing!
October 17, 2009 Video Clip
Trolling the Point
Decided to take the Jon Boat to the local lake (Lake Lavon). Launched at the same park that we were catching White Bass from the shore on Surfcasting Gear.
Trolled a Rattletrap on a flatline just off the point and hooked one keeper size White Bass. Caught well past the shore where they were schooling earlier this year.
Trolled a Rattletrap on a flatline just off the point and hooked one keeper size White Bass. Caught well past the shore where they were schooling earlier this year.
Surfcasting Reels
Fishing Reels
The majority of our Field Team prefers baitcasting reels for surfcasting. There are a few who prefer spinning reels over baitcasting reels. And, one Field Team member prefers a sidecasting reel. Regardless, use what works best for you. Bottomline: You need to be able to cast with it consistently.
Ambassadeur 6500C3 and Ambassadeur 5000C
Daiwa Millionaire 3RM and Newell 209M Reel.
Penn 720 SS Spinning Reel and Alvey Sidecast Reel (Australian)
Ambassadeur 6500C3 and Ambassadeur 5000C
Daiwa Millionaire 3RM and Newell 209M Reel.
Penn 720 SS Spinning Reel and Alvey Sidecast Reel (Australian)
Surfcasting Rods
Fishing Rods
Like fishing reels, the same is true for fishing rod preferences of our Field Team. Popular brands include Daiwa, Lamiglass, Bass Pro, Cabela, and Academy "Specials". There is one Field Team member who uses a Japanese import brought back from an overseas tour when he was in the service. It is thin and has sections that slide into one another for ease of transport.
Regardless of brand, choose a fishing rod for surfcasting based on length and fit. The Field Team uses fishing rods ranging from 10' to 12' and prefers a long handle section and a narrow diameter where the rod is held when retrieving. The length allows for powercasts for distance and the long/narrow handle makes for easier retrieve.
Bottomline: Select a rod that can cast a heavy weight for distance (2oz to 4oz weights) and does not tire you when casting and retrieving jigs for hours at a time.
Note: If using bait instead of lures, then choose a fishing rod that can powercast heavy weights (2oz to 4oz) for distance.
Regardless of brand, choose a fishing rod for surfcasting based on length and fit. The Field Team uses fishing rods ranging from 10' to 12' and prefers a long handle section and a narrow diameter where the rod is held when retrieving. The length allows for powercasts for distance and the long/narrow handle makes for easier retrieve.
Bottomline: Select a rod that can cast a heavy weight for distance (2oz to 4oz weights) and does not tire you when casting and retrieving jigs for hours at a time.
Note: If using bait instead of lures, then choose a fishing rod that can powercast heavy weights (2oz to 4oz) for distance.
Surfcasting Rigs
Fishing Rigs
The team primarily uses two fishing rigs: Weighted Bobber Fishing Rigs and Bait Fishing Rigs.
The Weighted Bobber Fishing Rig is used when fishing with lures such as Jigs and Rattle-Traps. A weighted bobber is tied directly to the shock leader, and then another line is tied from the bobber to the lure.
A variation of the Weighted Bobber Fishing Rig adds a swivel weight to the bobber using split rings. The team prefers this rig when casting Crappie Jigs to schooling White Bass breaking on the water's surface.
Don't be alarmed when the bobber sinks when you stop retrieving. The bobber's purpose is to keep the jig in the upper part of the water column and allow for a longer presentation to the schooling fish.
Variation of the Weigthed Bobber Fishing Rig
When fishing tailraces, the Weighted Bobber Fishing Rig is the norm. But, when conditions call for a long cast to fish that are located mid -depth or lower in the water column, then remove the bobber and replace it with a Swivel Sinker - a sinker shaped like a torpedo with swivels attached.
The Bait Fishing Rig is used, as you might guess, when fishing with bait. Although ready-made fishing rigs are available, we prefer to tie our own as snags and breakoffs will happen. Making our own does not hurt the pocketbook as much. For more details, watch the YouTube Video titled posted in the Surfcasting Casting Videos section below or click-on the link.
Remember to keep experimenting when the fish become lockjawed. Also, locate structure and read the current conditions. Birds hovering above the water's surface and frantic baitfish are a good sign. Just be prepared to cast for distance, so practice, practice, practice....
The Weighted Bobber Fishing Rig is used when fishing with lures such as Jigs and Rattle-Traps. A weighted bobber is tied directly to the shock leader, and then another line is tied from the bobber to the lure.
A variation of the Weighted Bobber Fishing Rig adds a swivel weight to the bobber using split rings. The team prefers this rig when casting Crappie Jigs to schooling White Bass breaking on the water's surface.
Don't be alarmed when the bobber sinks when you stop retrieving. The bobber's purpose is to keep the jig in the upper part of the water column and allow for a longer presentation to the schooling fish.
Variation of the Weigthed Bobber Fishing Rig
When fishing tailraces, the Weighted Bobber Fishing Rig is the norm. But, when conditions call for a long cast to fish that are located mid -depth or lower in the water column, then remove the bobber and replace it with a Swivel Sinker - a sinker shaped like a torpedo with swivels attached.
The Bait Fishing Rig is used, as you might guess, when fishing with bait. Although ready-made fishing rigs are available, we prefer to tie our own as snags and breakoffs will happen. Making our own does not hurt the pocketbook as much. For more details, watch the YouTube Video titled posted in the Surfcasting Casting Videos section below or click-on the link.
Remember to keep experimenting when the fish become lockjawed. Also, locate structure and read the current conditions. Birds hovering above the water's surface and frantic baitfish are a good sign. Just be prepared to cast for distance, so practice, practice, practice....
More Fishing Rigs
Quick Change Weighted Bobber/Sinker Fishing Rig
Here is a fishing rig that the Field Team uses when fishing Denison Dam's Tailrace.
It comes in handy when the action shifts from the surface to the bottom and back to the surface again, allowing quick change from float to sinker and vice versa.
The fishing rig uses a large Snap Swivel. The main line and the leader are tied to the upper ring of the Snap Swivel. A float or sinker is then attached as needed. See picture.
FYI: The weighted bobber in the picture is a 1-3/8oz "Launcher" made by Flexcoat. A favorite among the Field Team.
Surfcasting Outfit
Old Rod and Reel
Surfcasting outfit that uses a collapsible fishing rod bought in Japan 15 years ago and an Ambassadeur 5000 reel bought 20 years ago. When extended, rod measures 10 feet in length.
Combo worked well on a trip to the local lake. Caught 40+ White Bass working the shallows off a point. Small fish but still fun to catch!
Posted: August 22, 2009.
Surfcasting Casting Videos
YouTube Videos
Recommended video demos posted on YouTube that provide useful information on casting techniques.
cast over 300ft pendulum surf casting part 1
cast over 300ft pendulum surf casting part2
pendulum surf casting cast over 300 feet part3
cast over 300ft pendulum surf casting part 4
surf casting demonstration
Surfcasting Alvey 6500 GRC
curated content from YouTube
Recommended Links
- City Of Allen Fishing Weblog
- Weblog that our Field Team uses to post fishing reports on local community lakes and ponds.
- COAF 2009 Fishing Leader Board
- Partner Squidoo Lens for posting top 3 Bass, Catfish, and Bluegill caught by area fishermen in the cities of Allen, Plano, Frisco, and Mckinney. All Texas cities located just north of Dallas.
- Texas Rainbow Trout Fishing - Community Lakes
- Partner Squidoo Lens about Trout fishing in community lakes and ponds in the area. Popular site during the Winter Trout Stocking Season.
- Texas Rainbow Trout Fishing - Top 5 Lures and Baits for Community Lakes
- Partner Squidoo Lens about top 5 lures and baits used for Texas Rainbow Trout fishing in the community lakes and ponds stocked by the TPWD.
- Jerry's Movie Review
- Partner Squidoo Lens for posting movie reviews from the standpoint of a first-date movie/rental recommendations.
- DFW Fishing News
- Weblog that provides fishing news and information in the DFW Metroplex area.
- Fishing Denison Dam's Tailrace
- Article about fishing Denison Dam's tailrace located on the Red River and the Texas-Oklahoma border.
- Denison Dam's Tailrace Fishing: Top Lures and Baits for Striped Bass
- Partner Squidoo Lens about top lures and baits used for Striped Bass fishing at Denison Dam's tailrace.
COAF Fishing Leader Board - Cafepress
Another way to recognize your skill in fishing the community lakes and ponds. Check it out when you get a chance!
Supporting Cafepress Site to our COAF Fishing Leader Board.
Supporting Cafepress Site to our COAF Fishing Leader Board.
COAF Field Team's Motto - Value T-shirt
Our Field Team's Motto - Good Luck and Good Fishing!
Value T-Shirt
COAF Field Team's Motto - Golf Shirt
Our Field Team Motto - Good Luck and Good Fishing!
Golf Shirt
COAF Fishing Leader Board - BASS
Be an honorary COAF Field Team Member for landing Bass meeting the minimum requirements set for 2009!
Sticker (Rectangle)
COAF Fishing Leader Board - CATFISH
Be an honorary COAF Field Team Member for landing Catfish meeting the minimum requirements set for 2009.
Sticker (Bumper)
COAF Fishing Leader Board - BLUEGILL/SUNFISH
Be an honorary COAF Field Team Member for landing Bluegill or Sunfish meeting the minimum requirements set for 2009.
Sticker (Oval)
Amazon Products
Baitcasting Reels
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C3 Baitcast Round Reel (3 Ball-Bearing, Gear Ratio 5.3:1, Capacity 14/245)
Amazon Price: $98.13 (as of 11/10/2009) 
Abu Garcia® 7000I Baitcast Reel
Amazon Price: $131.55 (as of 11/10/2009)
by fshng84
Fshng84 is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing! To support this habit, Fshng84 provides posts on a weblog to update readers on fishing in the area.... (more)
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