Surf Fishing, rod holders or not

[col_aus]

the only time i use them is baiting up and changing rigs to keep the sand out,
i had a very close call whilest fishing for jews one night using a bait runner type real which i had out of gear in a holder and something grabed it and headed for the horizon.i was about 3 meters away from it when the line spering off the real looped and wrapped around the real in turn launching about 400 bucks worth of gear towards the water.luckily the fish dropped the bait and the outfit lives another day but from that night on i just cant push my luck

cheers col

[Kiktz]

I have to say that I hold.
Find that keeping your attention on the fish your catch rate
is a lil higher. To many times I have been slammed

[Dug]

I take a PVG holder to put the rod in when I am changing hooks or gear but not when the line is in the water.

[The_Walrus]

I also use a PVC holder when changing rigs or having a coffe break.

Like the idea with the lumo stick for night fishing.

Luc

[Da-Jew-Man]

Alway hold the rod.
Taken years to perfect the art of standing,holding rod, having a kip and still fishng.
You guys who use holders will miss many fish.
Next it will be holders,deckchairs,an esky and ??????
Surfishing is a about concentration and being ready for the " big take".

[Da-Jew-Man]

Also in the surf you need to be fishing in the correct spot. This necessitates casting in that spot and /or working the bait into the " fish" area.With sweeps and waves etc leaving the rod in a holder is really limiting your chances to catch fish.
Dare I say that catching a fish using a rod holder is a fluke.

[SURF_SNIPER]

Dare I say that catching a fish using a rod holder is a fluke.

[chisel]

Drew has the runs on the board here and is clear evidence that holders can work.
I never use them for surf fishing myself - I'd think it would be quite difficult to keep bait in the right spot and some tension on the line especially with a holder. I might give it a go next time if the conditions and gutter are good.

[SURF_SNIPER]

Its good to see every one's oppinions

keep em coming

[nonibbles]

I use the PVC tube but only for baiting up/rerigging or sitting the rod in when moving the buckets and stuff away from the water as the tide does its bit. Missed too many fish to use it full time. Come to think of it I rarely use the rod holders on the boat either when I'm fishing.

[chiefsimo]

No, only fish with 1 rod at a time as i tend to find when i am buggering around with 2 rods, i am missing out on concentrating on the rod in hand!

Plus, I like to fish lighter in the surf to maximise movement in the gutter, so it takes a bit more effort to keep the rig in the right area of the gutter!

Rod holders are essential though if u have no vehicle, to put your rod in and keep your alvey out of the sand when mucking around changing the bait water, re-rigging etc etc

[fritzy]

Drew,
can you run through some of your opinions. Do you feel that the holders greatly improve your catch rate?? Also, do you tend to fish with a light rod and ave a heavy jew/tailor rod out the back?? Finally any methods for not loosing rods and reels to big fish, am always a bit scared when using holders that this will happen. Had a big fish take off in the boat with rod in holder - line gave way despite low drag setting but still scared gear will go walkabout.
Very interesting topic, would be great to hear a few more of your thoughts - a true surf fishing guru eh 8) 8)
Cheers Fritzy

[spindles]

Next time you are at the beach check the holes, gutters and learn to read the beach and where each species of fish congregate. then with right rig, right bait, right time, right place, you will find that you will never have time to have two rods at the same time. spindles.

[SURF_SNIPER]

Fritzy. 90% of all my fish are caught using rod holders. I find it is very easy to fish for different species at one time. I use a combination of light rods such as synder 4136's and heavy rods composite's up to 15.5 feet long.

I find that a long PVC tube holder ( 50-60mm tube is great ) approx 1100mm long is ideal in the surf. i drill a hole approx 30mm in diameter about 300mm up from the bottom of the point. this i find aids in digging in the rod holder and keeps it dug in. im yet to lose a rod in the surf. saying this you must still keep an eye on them and i would move them up the beach as the tide comes in about every 40min or so.

I wrap reflective tape on the tops of them as then i can check if ive left any rods behind on the beach before moving gutters at night. a quick flash up the beach with a head lamp soon spots them.

i have found that by using rod holders that i have greatly improved my catch rate of quality fish. sometimes I think working a bait will intice smaller fish to attack the line where a big cautious fish is lurking in the back ground. by anchoring a bait in a selected area where i belive a large fish would occupy or pass through and leting the fish find the bait has proven more succesful for me.

sometimes if the sweep is extremly strong i will fish holding the rod and walk the bait along the beach.

I set my drags on the alveys lightly so that the fish can take plenty of line under pressure while i make my way to the rod holder.

I place my holders and rods near verticle when fishing as this aids the line being kept higher then the waves and sweep. even in bad conditions 20knt winds etc. i still use holders , just space them out more.

it is rare to find a gutter where the action is hot, non stop and they are all quality fish. this mainly happens with smaller bream, dart and chopper tailor. I try not to fish where this is happening beacuse all you will catch are these average fish all night long. I will promptly move locations and wait "fish less " until the fewer, quality fish enter the gutter and are caught. I may only get 2-3 quality fish per drain and then move again. This suits the use of rod holders as using rods in holders can be a pain in the arse when invade by small fish in plage porportions.

Has been an interesting thread

Drew

[fritzy]

Awesome mate,
thanks for the tips. I am wondering - do you ever hold a line?? Or just sit back and watch the rods in the holders?? I think you have just converted me to fishing with two rods!! But i will keep one in my hand, i love the feel of bites in the surf!! Just magic when something picks you up!!!
Cheers Fritzy