Surf Fishing

Surf Fishing Basics

Surf fishing is the practice of fishing from the surf, which necessarily means it is done on ocean shorelines and in saltwater. Surf fishing is often considered more challenging than most forms of freshwater fishing, because of the potential for harsher and more unpredictable environments on the ocean shore. It is also more difficult because with surf fishing the fisherman is bound to the shallow surf, as opposed to boat fishing where the fisherman can go right out to where the fish are.

Surf Fishing Equipment

Successful surf fishing calls for some heavier-duty equipment than does freshwater fishing. Fish around the shoreline tend to keep beyond the surf itself, and so the surf fisherman will want to cast his line as far out into the water as he can. Therefore, heavy-set surf fishing rods with lengths of over 10 feet are commonly used in surf fishing. The heavy build of these rods is important as it gives the rod more casting power and supports the heavier lead weights that are needed to carry a line far from the shore. The fish one can catch at sea can be quite large, further necessitating the use of heavy equipment. A device called a sand spike can be planted in the ground to provide an elevated rest for one’s surf fishing rod, away from the beach sand. Putting a fishing rod directly on sandy turf can ruin the mechanics of a fishing reel when sand gets into it.

Surf Fishing Tips

A surf fisherman should also be aware of the corrosive effects of saltwater and the shoreline’s salty air on one’s equipment. Rinsing one’s fishing rod and reel after an episode of surf fishing will help to counter the corrosive effects of salt. A generously large amount of fishing line is obviously helpful as well. Extra reels of line should be kept on hand, as ocean fish can be particularly capable of breaking one’s fishing line.

Since walking through surf can entail having to set foot on rough or even sharp underwater surfaces, many surf fishermen wear protective footgear such as wading boots to protect the feet and legs. Portable light sources are also useful as the best surf fishing results are to be had during nighttime hours. Some of the most common types of fish one can catch while surf fishing include the Striped Bass, Spanish Mackerel, Albacore Tuna, and Bluefish.