Warren R. Rosko - Surfcasters Guide To Baits Rigs & Lures

I ve been fortunate over a span of many years to know many authors. Some penned treatises such as the one at hand, while others produced literary works of a far greater magnitude. Almost all agreed their works were a collaborative effort, with inputs from far and wide, in varying degrees of magnitude, but each important in its own way.

The very idea for this book was born as I chatted with Peter Burford, whose Burford Books published several of my earlier works. I suspect that to Peter, some of the terminology I was using sounded foreign. Quite honestly, from time to time in earlier conversations I found myself explaining each lure type, bait, or rig so he could fully understand precisely what I was referring to.

Importantly, through these many years Ive been fortunate to have met, fished with, and value as my deep friends many individuals who have developed many of the lures and rigs that have become household words in the surfcasting community. I will forgo acknowledging their contributions here, because youll find them mentioned throughout the text discussing the lures, rigs, and techniques theyve helped develop, and have shared with me. They deserve my eternal gratitude, which I warmly acknowledge.

There are however, hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of surf anglers who have spent time on the beach with me, sharing the things they learned through trial and error. Its what I like about beach people. Theyre fine people, and I gratefully acknowledge all the help theyve provided, which made writing this book pleasurable.

Very importantand Ive acknowledged these two individuals in all of my prior worksare two of my teachers at West Side High in Newark, New Jersey. Miss Rizzolo taught English, and Miss Carpenter taught typing and was our class counselor. Their encouragement and the skills they taught have lasted me a lifetime. To all the parents and grandparents who may be reading this acknowledgment, I encourage you to devote whatever it takes to ensure your children and grandchildren are in the company of fine teachers. With a quality education and family support, theyll enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

To my granddaughter Jennifer Basilio, a sincere thank-you for the fine line drawings she prepared to illustrate this book. Jenny is a graphic-design major completing her senior year at Monmouth University. She regularly fishes with me and understands the detail necessary for her work to be helpful to fellow surfcasters.

June is my wife of 50 years, and while Im acknowledging her last, she rightfully warrants first billing. As teenagers we fished the surf together, and we continue to fish the surf to this day. Shes played a role in everything I do. Many of the photographs that accompany my articles and books are a result of her fine camera handling. She doesnt hesitate to critique my material, either, and hopefully shes made it more readable.

Milt Rosko

Y ou could say that this is the end. Hopefully, having read this far, youll have a new comfort level in distinguishing between a sand lance and a spearing, or a darter plug and a popping plug. I would, however, say that whether youre a newcomer or veteran, this could be a beginning. For included within these pages is a wealth of information that Ive gathered over many years of fishing not only the beaches of the Atlantic, but the Gulf and Pacific as well.

I say a beginning because to this day I continue to expand my knowledge. Im often gathering a tip from another surf angler as to how he fishes a particular lure, or how she regularly scores with a home-tied bait rig.

The tackle, equipment, and techniques used while casting lures and baits are important. Theres no question that the right outfit helps maximize your enjoyment of catching surf species. To me, however, surf fishing is more than just catching.

I still get goose bumps when I think of the day I cast into the rolling breakers, only to observe a seal raise its head from the water, almost questioning why I was there! It wasnt about to leaveI suspect it felt there was a meal in the offingand its whiskered face popped up often.

Another time, in the half-light before dawn on a desolate beach, I vividly recall a fox sitting on the sand behind me, watching my every move. As I walked, he would walk, then sit with his ears erect as he observed me. He, too, was no doubt wondering what I was doing in his domain.

Then there were the countless sunrises. Did you ever stop to realize how few people have seen the sun rise on the ocean? No two sunrises are ever the same. Theyre gorgeous, and I enjoy every one of them.

As a full moon rises above the horizon, it brings light to the night like the sun brings light to the day. Few realize you can literally read a newspaper on those full-moon nights when theres not a cloud in the sky.

The real show often comes on the dark side of the moon. For in the pitch blackness the heavens come alive. There are stars beyond count, shooting stars, comets, and even satellites moving through the heavens.

Youre exposed to natures finest hour as you plod along, casting into the crashing surf, often showered with spray from an onshore wind. Suddenly youre brought back to reality with a heavy strike that practically rips the rod and reel from your grasp. With line screaming from your reel and a firm drag testing your mettle, you come to realize that surf fishing is really one of the most enjoyable, challenging, and contemplative pastimes you can participate in.

Join me out on the beach, and I guarantee youll find it an experience that will bring you many rewarding memories that will last a lifetime.

T he single most important decision youll make to ensure many years of enjoyable surf fishing is selecting a basic rod, reel, and line suitable to the type of casting that you plan to do. This applies to newcomer and veteran anglers alike, for Ive known both to go forth ill equipped for years. Many lose interest, not realizing that in great part they were struggling and not enjoying themselves as a result of poor-quality or unbalanced tackle.

My prime recommendation to you is to seek out a reputable fishing tackle shop close to the area where you plan to do most of your fishing, or at least one familiar with the demands made on the tackle youll be using to seek a variety of surf species. The owners of most of the shops I frequent were surf fishermen first, before getting into the tackle business. They know surf fishing, and they know fishing tackleboth important considerations.

Most of them are more than happy to spend whatever time it takes to help newcomers or veterans select an outfit suited to their style of fishing. Its what makes a happy customer. Many are pleased to take an angler out to the parking lot to try a few casts with an outfit theyre recommending. You can hardly drive past the Fly Shop in Red Bank, New Jersey, without spotting a couple of anglers fly casting on the grass alongside the shop.

Down in Normandy Beach, old pro Ernie Wuesthof can regularly be seen in the parking lot of his shop, where he teaches youngsters how to cast. In fact, he regularly invites novice surf anglers to join him in his beach buggy, where the anglers can try firsthand the outfits Ernie recommends for particular applications.

There are hundreds of shops like this along the coast, and you shouldnt have any trouble finding one where the proprietors chemistry and yours are a match. Certainly Id recommend avoiding the discount stores, where the majority of the clerks dont know the difference between a spinning reel and a fly reel. I cant impress enough that the surf-fishing outfit described in the Sunday newspaper flyer may sound like a bargain, but it may be the worst possible choice for you.