An 8- or 9-weight rod and a good saltwater reel that holds 150 yards of 20-pound-test backing and has a smooth drag work fine. A 91/2- to 10-foot rod makes it easier to keep the fly line above cresting waves during your presentation and retrieve. The ability to do this cannot be overstated. Many saltwater anglers also prefer the longer rods to avoid snagging the dunes on their backcasts. Most casts will be less than 50 feet (too short to need a stripping basket) and you should only present the fly to sighted fish.

Full-sinking and clear intermediate (slow-sinking) lines are best because they sink below the surface water movement, allowing more precise presentations. This benefit outweighs the difficulties of picking these lines up for quick recasts. Sinking-tips and intermediate wet-tips are tempting choices, but they don't allow the controlled presentations that are possible with a fully submerged line.

Leaders with 8- to 12-pound-test tippets are strong enough to take large stripers, and they don't hamper the action of the fly. Stripers in sight-fishing situations intensely scrutinize the action of the fly, so I recommend a clear fly line and a 9-foot leader. With opaque fly lines, I use 12-foot leaders to avoid spooking fish with the line.

Effective flies include pink swimming crabs, and various Clouser style minnows and shrimp.

Finally, wading warm, sandy beaches all day does not require special footgear. This is minimalist sport at its finest. Put on a drab-colored bathing suit, polarized sunglasses, and a pair of old sneakers, and relax as you stalk fish from the beach and enjoy the challenge of sight fishing the surf.