Techniques -- Fishing a Needlefish - sinking or floating

[nitestrikes]

What HOB said. A shallow beach makes it difficult to fish anything that sinks. Even a plug that dives too deep can be an issue. Fishing a beach like that I would either downsize the plugs, or if fishing a metal lip or something modify the eye to control the depth. As for the sinkers they are great for inlets, rivers, or points like demo or the front of shinnecock. Also some bridges on the back side of RM with fast current they are great for tossing out and letting the current do the work as you slowly retrieve. If you have places like that where you fish give them a try. Otherwise I would go with something lighter.

[surfrob]

makes sense... really it's what I've taken to, if I ever use them at all.

However, I've thought about using some sort of "hook guard", putting a single siwash with something to help prevent it from digging in, and still using a sinking version when I *know* sand eels are
in.

[Monty]

makes sense... really it's what I've taken to, if I ever use them at all.

However, I've thought about using some sort of "hook guard", putting a single siwash with something to help prevent it from digging in, and still using a sinking version when I *know* sand eels are
in.

How about a slower sinking needle like a Choopy.
On the "flat" beaches do you have any rips?

[surfstix1963]

I've done good with the floaters too in the early morning, the kit called sYbiL needle 2.5 oz. better known as the P-Town floater painted black works well.I either fog some gold or a pearl olive color along the sides.

[surfrob]

A slow sink might work.

As to rips, there are some at the inlets, not many within casting distance anywhere in the area though.

[Monty]

2017, I am going to fish bigger plugs more often.
Picked up these and cannot wait to fish them (have a couple places in mind to fish them in certain conditions).
4 oz, sink about 1 foot /4 seconds.