In Pursuit of Giants: How to Get Started Surf Fishing

Surf fishing is one of the most electrifying ways to spend a summer day, or even a few hours after work. The crash of the waves, the sand under your feet, and knowing that your next trophy could be lying only feet away. If you have never experienced the thrill, it is time to change that. Let us help you get started.

• Why the Surf?
• Surf Fishing Gear
• Where to Fish
• When to Fish
• Bait vs. Artificial Lures
• Regulations
• Access

Why the Surf?

Oceans cover over 70% of the world’s surface; our shorelines offer instant access to that unexplored world. No boat needed, no property to purchase, and, thanks to the enormous amount of public property, no permission either.

Beyond access, there is the question of what you can catch. Basically, almost anything that swims. Of course, there are species that never leave the deepest parts of the ocean and are rarely seen by humans, but many fish species spend at least some of their lives within casting distance from shore. This means surf anglers have the chance to catch them. Giant striped bass, speeding bluefish, and even palm-sized squid are all available.

All you need to get started is basic gear, a place to fish, and a rudimentary understanding of where the fish may be waiting. In time, we will cover each point in detail. Let's get started.

Surf Fishing Gear

At first glance, you might be tempted to use your freshwater gear to try your hand in the surf. After all, you already have everything you need to catch fish; now you are only targeting different species, right? Not really.

In terms of size and strength, you would be okay with smaller species such as flounder, bluefish, etc. If you normally target muskies or catfish, you could compete when it comes to striped bass or similarly sized gamefish. But there are two things you will not be prepared for: the conditions and elements.

When surf fishing, you will face wind, rain, extreme temperatures, and changing water conditions that could test any gear. Add to this two of the most destructive elements known to anglers: salt and sand. Although your freshwater gear may land a few fish, it will not let you fish when & where you need to and will likely fail before the end of your first season.

What you need is gear specifically designed to withstand the rigors of fishing in an environment that destroys everything it encounters. Gear that is designed to prevent corrosion. Gear that will not be eaten away by abrasive sand. Gear that will not dry out and disintegrate in the hot sun.

The Rod

Look for a rod between 9 and 12 feet in length. The longer length will allow you to cast past the breaking waves and keep the line out of the surf as it surges in and out from the beach. Longer rods are available, and more experienced anglers will sometimes use rods more than 13 feet in length. However, as a beginner, you likely won't have the skill to benefit from this type of equipment.

Based on personal experience, I also like to have a smaller inshore rod & reel available, especially if I am soaking bait in the surf. This smaller, lighter setup lets me target smaller gamefish or bait close to shore while waiting for something to pick up the bait.

The Reel

The reel you select is critical, as it is the most likely piece to fail due to exposure. Look for reels that are 100% sealed to protect internal gears and bearings, corrosion-resistant, and easy to disassemble for cleaning & lubricating. Surf fishing is almost exclusively done with spinning reels, as large baitcasters do not provide the distance needed.

In terms of size, most anglers will select a reel in the 3000-6000 range, depending on species being targeted. Make sure it can hold at least 150-200 yards of main line.

The Line

Due to its thin diameter and long-casting distance, braided line is the favorite among surf anglers. For most species, 20-30-pound braid will meet your needs. Adding a 3- to 5-foot fluorocarbon or monofilament leader, also 20-30-pound, will protect against the shock of heavy strikes, abrasion from sand, and nicks from sharp teeth.

Terminal Tackle

Three pieces of tackle all surf anglers need are sinkers, hooks, and swivels. Sinkers are necessary to keep your bait from drifting to the next continent, and needs will vary depending upon water conditions, so having an assortment of pyramid or sputnik sinkers between 2-6 ounces is important. I prefer circle hooks, and some jurisdictions require them when fishing with bait, although other designs work as well. Like sinkers, you will need an assortment of sizes between 1/0 & 4/0. Swivels help prevent line twists and allow you to add leaders or rigs to your main line easily. I prefer to have an assortment of sizes available, all designed for saltwater, and include both standard swivels and those paired with a clip for easy attachment.

Accessories You Will Be Glad You Have

One key to surf fishing is learning what you can do without. Because this type of fishing often means moving between locations and carrying gear for long distances or extended periods, you need to limit weight carefully. The challenge is balancing what you need with what you want. In addition to the must-have gear that you cannot fish without, there are additional accessories that, over time, you will find are worth their weight in gold.

• Sand Spike: PVC or metal pipes that can be pushed into the sand as a rod holder, protecting your gear from sand and water.
• Sun Protection: Quality polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, and protective clothing will make long days at the beach and next to the water much more enjoyable. In the long run, they will also protect your health.
• Waders or water shoes: Your gear is not the only thing that needs protection, so do your feet. Walking on the beach and into the surf will expose you to sharp shells, rocks, hidden stingrays, and anything else that eventually washes up on the shore. Waders will also protect you from lower water temperatures when fishing during the early or late seasons.
• Gear Transportation: Getting rods, reels, tackle, bait, and associated equipment from your car to the fishing spot will take more than two hands. Options include tackle bags, tackle backpacks, and carts. Your choice will depend on how much you want to spend, how far you'll travel, and how much gear you will be transporting.

Where to Fish

Just like you fish a lake, river, or stream, it is key to locate the fish before you have any chance of catching them. Unlike those locations, the shoreline is immense – thousands of miles of area. So, how do you know where to cast your bait or lure? How do you know where fish might be holding?

Luckily, the beach & surf provide clues: areas you will learn to identify that attract or hold fish.

Troughs & Gutters

These are channels or depressed areas that run parallel to the beach, separating it from sandbars. Fish use these areas to hide from predators, seek out baitfish, wait for changes in the tide, and simply move about. They are like aquatic highways. Depending on the distance to the sandbar, these troughs and gutters can be mere feet from the beach or past the breaking waves. You can identify these areas by looking for changes in water color, wave patterns, and surface conditions. It also helps to examine potential areas at different tide levels to learn how the water reacts.

Rip Currents

Rip currents are excellent targets, as the stronger current dredges the areas, potentially pulling baitfish and other food out to deeper water. You can visually identify these areas as breaks in the incoming waves, with a different water color due to corresponding changes in depth. Be extremely careful when fishing in these areas and avoid wading into them. Rip currents are known to be extremely powerful and have led to many avoidable drownings.

Ambush Points

No matter what type of fishing you are doing, or where you are doing it from, ambush points are always worth investigating. Jetties, points, inlets, and structures such as piers always hold potential as they break wave patterns, create eddies, and provide protection for smaller fish. This, in turn, makes them equally attractive to predators looking for an easy meal.

When to Fish

Surf anglers need to consider two categories when considering when to fish: time of day and time of year.

Time of Day

Unlike freshwater fishing, the best time of day to fish is not driven as much by sunlight as it is by surf conditions, namely tide phase. Changes in the tide cause changes in surf conditions, depth of the water, where fish will be located, and whether you will be able to reach them from shore. Under ideal conditions, the best time to surf fish is during an incoming high tide. This is when fish move into flooded troughs, baitfish are pushed towards the beach, and predators can reach areas that are too shallow at other times.

There are times when low tide is also an excellent time to fish, especially when the areas you wish to reach are inaccessible when the water is deeper. Low tide is a perfect time to reach offshore troughs, just the other side of a distant sandbar, or around jetties that are otherwise underwater. Keep in mind that these areas will flood quickly when the tide changes direction. Watch for changing conditions and move to shore well in advance to avoid getting trapped.

In most cases slack tide, the time when either high or low tide has reached its peak, is the least productive time to fish. This is because there is little to no current moving baitfish so feeding activity slows.

As far as time of day, it is like freshwater fishing, if the tide corresponds. Two hours on either side of dawn or dusk and overnight are periods when predators are most active. If tidal conditions are right, these predators will chase baitfish into the troughs, sit near rip currents, or cruise ambush points in search of a meal.

Time of Year

Surf fishing is possible year-round, but there are times that are better than others. Obviously, the exact times depend on where you are fishing. In the Southern United States, for example, Florida, some of the best fishing can occur when northern waters have nearly shut down. However, most shore areas follow a general pattern.

As spring approaches and water begins to warm, a growing number of baitfish move toward the shallows, followed closely by predators. Many of the larger fish are eager to feed after a sparse winter; others are preparing for the upcoming spawn. This means that both live bait and lures will be attacked aggressively.

This pattern will repeat in fall, a time when many anglers believe fishing peaks. As temperatures decrease, millions of baitfish will flood the shallows as they migrate south. Large predators, many of which spent the summer in deeper offshore waters escaping the heat, will follow the baitfish into the surf, often within feet of the beach. A bonus is that although temperatures are still comfortable, most breach crowds have vacated, making it far easier to access and fish in some great areas.

As I said earlier, fishing is possible year-round. However, during the heat of summer and the coldest months of winter, much of the surf turns off as larger fish retreat to more temperate, deeper waters offshore. Although fish are still around, and some species thrive in these conditions, this is when the time of day comes into play. You need to hit the surf when water temperatures are optimal due to the sun.

Bait vs. Artificial Lures

Whether to use bait or artificial lures depends largely on what is available. Sometimes natural bait is costly or hard to find, making artificials the best option. Bait, whether cut or live, also requires additional care, so there are times when artificial lures are easier. However, when all else is equal, the choice comes down to what you are targeting and how.

Regulations

New anglers may believe the open ocean is a free-for-all when it comes to fishing; nothing could be farther from the truth. Fishing regulations are based on conserving vulnerable species, and saltwater species are no different. Surf fishing is still subject to many of the same regulations as freshwater fishing, including seasons, sizes, and creel limits. These regulations can change by season or location. Of course, they are often different from one state to another.

One area that often differs from freshwater is the need for a license. Many states do not require a license per se for saltwater fishing. However, many states, especially those in the Northeast, require a saltwater permit. In some cases, these permits are free and only require registration. The information is then used to determine the potential impact that recreational fishing has on the local resources. In other states, a fee applies to the recreational permit because local resources are allocated to saltwater species.

Check with the local natural resource agency about regulations and permitting requirements before fishing in a new area and before each season.

Access

As stated earlier, access is one reason surf fishing is so popular. However, a growing misconception exists about accessing surf fishing. The ocean is a public resource and, outside limited circumstances, is open to the public for recreational use. Many anglers believe that this allows unlimited access to any beach at any time. This is hardly ever the case.

In many states, access is limited to the area between the waterline and the high tide mark. How you access that area differs greatly. Some states will allow access from anywhere you have a legal right to be. This means you cannot walk through someone else’s property to get to the surf, but you can enter from a public point and, if possible, walk the surf line as far as possible. Other states have designated access points, sometimes in the middle of a neighborhood or through otherwise private property, that anglers may use to access the public portions of any shoreline. If you do not stray from the path, you are not trespassing.

Again, it is important to check local regulations before walking onto any property or beach without specific permission. Even states with liberal access regulations may have restrictions on the time of year, time of day etc.