Why do we love surf fishing? For me there is nothing like standing waist high in pounding waves, just me, nature and a fish that has a level playing field. And the marsh, quiet, peaceful and serene until that Bang and the adrenalin is pumping along with the rod. There's a sense of danger. You know one foolish step and you could be swimming with the fish.

So here are some pointers on staying in the dining room instead of becoming the feast.

Surf: This month we’ll give you Surf advice. In March we’ll give you Back Bay and Marsh advice.

1. Waders and Belt: basics (for the newbees )-Don’t allow a fill up.

If you wear waders be sure to wear a strong, tight (and wide if possible) belt. The “army type” (I got mine at the Surf Caster) is good and I’ve tried some of the weight lifting Velcro closure support belts which I also like (Models). Utility is a second reason, not a first. If you get hit by a wave, the most significant danger after that of a knockdown and drag out (into the sea) is that your waders will fill with water making it impossible to swim, float, walk or get the darn things off. The belt stops the water.

One suggestion- If the top of the waders fill with water, your going to have to be an acrobat and stand on your head to get the water out. But there is a trick. Do what ever you must to get to shallow water or out of the water and release the shoulder straps (NOT THE BELT!!!!!). the top part of the waders will drop folding over the tight belt and the trapped water will flush away.

2. Don’t be surprised by your buoyancy.

If you tightened that belt real good and do get knocked down in a few feet of water, expect those air filled wader bottoms and boots to pop up to the surface leaving you precariously under water. Expect it. Use the butt end of your pole as a “cane” to prop your upper body up. Do whatever you must to plant those feet back down on the ground. Don’t panic. You were standing on them a minute before the knockdown. The closer your knees are to your body the more control you’ll have.

3. The butt end of your rod

I don’t encourage anyone to wipe out reels the way I do but I have to say if I’m in a new area, I will feel along the ground for soft sand, holes, bolders, etc with the butt end of the rod…especially at night. Frankly, I think that’s the best argument for a Penn 704/706. You can abuse it like this and at the end of a day (or week) just take it apart, clean it and it’s like new. Fact is a small screwdriver is a reel :) smart thing to carry with you (see in the bag).

4. Fishing Buddies

I was under the Wantaugh bridge fishing on a beautiful day. I bent over to get something and my “tight belt” gave me a kind of self-induced Heimlick. The candy bar and other “energy food” I had eaten came up and I found myself choking, in broad daylight 200 yards from my car. OK, I survived it. But the point is unexpected stuff happens… having a fishing buddy at that moment seemed like a real smart thing to do.

5. Slip Sliding Away

Here’s the drill when walking in unknown or changing surf conditions…especially at night. Slip along with your foot. I like to slide my foot forward to the left and to the right before placing any weight on it. The sea does some pretty strange things to sand. You could easily step in a hole, loose your balance and pray you read items 1, 2 and 3 above. Beware of soft (sucky) sand. You step into it (hopefully with your weight on the other foot) and it feels like your foot is being sucked down in a mush. It’s like quicksand and could sink you to your knees or further. get back fast. Remember...Slip, feel step…slip feel step…like the cha cha. Dark water is deep water (as in drop off). Use your tip end of the rod to see if it’s deep or just a change in the color of the bottom. Beware of sand walls along the beach. They indicate steep slopes that pile the sand into a wall. These slopes are good fishing but can be serious undertow risks.

6. Incoming-Outgoing Tide Awareness

Be aware of the tides, direction (in-out) and range in feet (up-down). Don’t wade out in low water and expect to fish for four hours and have an easy time getting back. On some bars you’ll need a rescue. Wade out only when you know the water will be low enough tomake it easier to get back. AND KNOW YOUR EXIT ROUTE BEFORE YOU ENTER. IT WILL LOOK DIFFERENT AT HIGHER WATER.

7. Cuts are good for fishing Bad for standing.

There is this great cut that forms occasionally at Turtle Cove (Montauk). The waves break right in front of you. The water washes up a steep slope through a channel created by mountains of small rocks to the left and right of the cut and pull all the bait, clams, edibles down this channel as it washes back out before the next wave. Fish in that outgoing food line and you’ll catch. Stand in it and expect that one rougue wave to hit you hard and when that water flushes back out expect to go with it. You cannot imagine the power of water simply running down the slope of the beach back out to sea. I have experienced 200+ lb guys simply swept off their feet. IF IT DOES HAPPEN stick your butt end of the rod and both heels in the ground in front of you. Like a cowboy trying to wrestle a cow to the ground. DON’T let it take you!!!! And get out quick before the next roller comes in. A side note about “Rouge Waves”. They do exist but the concept gives one a false sense of security. As though it will never happen to you. As far as I'm concerned the third wave in every set is a potential ‘Rouge” since it’s usually bigger then the preceding two. Waves get big just before they are a real problem at or above your chest. BE AWARE and if you are not totally competent (any fool can be confident) than stay in knee high water. And finally, NEVER turn your back to the sea!

8. Read “safety first” for a complete list of safety items but a no-brainer is carry a poly bagged cell phone!

Ok, so now that I scared the bejeebers out of you take pride and satisfaction that your not one of those fishermen who sit back in their beach chair waiting for the bell atop their rod to ring.

We participate in a thrilling, exiting, physically and mentally demanding sport. We hunt and catch the most awesome surf fish in the world. It’s our love affair.