Any Tips Or Advice For Fishing With Bass Tackle In The Gulf Of Mexico?

[Fish Ogre]

I am heading to Florida on September 29th and will be staying on St George island. I plan on fishing the surf on the gulf side in the mornings and will also spend a few days fishing the bay out of a kayak.

I plan on only fishing with artificial lures.

I will be getting my tackle together this week. What should I take with me?

I would appreciate suggestions for lures and or techniques.

Thanks

[jpb2187]

I would personally stick to the bay. Spoons will catch you all species of fish... Specks, reds, mackerel. WTD and wake baits are good, and swim baits are also good. Again, I think a spoon is your best bet - I'd be throwing a gold one.

[podum]

Don't use anything with a bronze hook. 30 mins in the salt will ruin it and cost you fish. 1/4 oz jig heads with steel hooks plus all manner of plastics and gulp would be my choice.

[Flysmallie]

I myself would stay in the Gulf. I love fishing the Gulf side early and late. You never know what you are going to catch. Can't go wrong with a spoon. You can cast it a mile and everything out there will eat it.

Just make sure you don't step on a ray while watching for the sharks. Had a black tip come up and check me out while fishing earlier this summer. It got within 10 feet before turning away.

[Fish Ogre]

The only spoons that I own are small daredevils. I assume that you guys are referring to the heavy slab type spoons. Is there a specific type, size or brand you would recommend?

Guys, I don't have to choose between the gulf or the bay. I will be staying in a house on the beach for eleven days. I can do both everyday if I feel inclined.

[Flysmallie]

I was using 1/2oz and 3/4oz Johnson Sprites.

Use a steel leader or braid or you will lose a bunch.

[jpb2187]

I'm the bay you can get away with 1/8 or even 1/4 oz spoons all the way up to a 1/2 oz. I just meant that I prefer the bay to the gulf.

[Hog Wally]

I was just down at Same place and I used a crappie pole with a swimming spoon on 4 lb test so I could cast it a country mile. I caught a ton of fish The cheap pepper spoons worked too. Bring a bunch of them. Wade out far then cast even farther. Burn just under the surface Oh my goodness it was fun.

[dembones]

I went there and waded out in the surf until it knocked me backwards. Then threw a yozuri popper with my spinning rod .....it was cool. Caught a few but missed a bunch. One small tarpon that was really awesome.

[Fish Ogre]

Thanks for the help guys.

My bags are packed and I have all of your suggestions covered.

We leave Monday night. Wish me luck.