How Do You Read Surf Fishing Beaches?

What should I look for when fishing at the beach?

Beach fishing can be challenging because a lot of areas do not hold or attract fish. What you need to look for is darker, deep-looking water, more commonly known as gutters. These are the parts of the beach where the waves break. You may need to find a high vantage point to locate them though.

Where are the gutters on a surf beach?

The best place to look for a gutter is from an elevated position, such as a cliff, top of a sand dune or a headland. A high vantage point gives you a better overall perspective of the size and formation of any gutters and whereabouts in that gutter might be the best place for you to fish.

What is the best time of day to surf fish?

TIME OF DAY
Specifically, dawn or dusk are generally the best time to go saltwater fishing if the weather and tidal movements are favorable. Remember to reference a saltwater tide chart to see which range of hours during the day will be the best fishing tide times.

Is fishing good in rough surf?

Absolutely! You will be able to catch a lot of fish in a rough surf because choppy surf conditions provide fish with more favorable conditions to leave the shelter, approach the shoreline, and feed within your casting range, making it an ideal time to pack your gear and go fishing.

What is the best tide to surf fish?

High spring tide is the best tide for surf fishing, not only because it produces the highest levels of water, but also because the water takes longer to rise or fall and as a result generates more water movement. Consequently, fish will spend more time eating and looking for food.

How do you know if there is an undertow?

Beachgoers feel like they are being sucked underwater when the wave breaks over their head – this is an undertow. Bathers will be tumbled around roughly, but this return flow only goes a short distance to the next breaking wave. It will not pull you offshore into deep water.

How do you identify a rip current?

How to spot a rip current

1. Deeper and/or darker water.
2. Fewer breaking waves.
3. Sandy coloured water extending beyond the surf zone.
4. Debris or seaweed.
5. Significant water movement.

Do rip currents pull you under?

Myth: Rip currents pull you under water.
In fact, rip currents carry people away from the shore. Rip currents are surface currents, not undertows. An undertow is a short-lived, sub-surface surge of water associated with wave action.

How do you identify a beach gutter?

Gutters and holes are denoted by a lack of breaking waves and appear as darker coloured water indicating an increase in depth compared to surrounding areas. The better gutters will have a clear branch to deeper water, which gives even the largest of predators easy access.

What bait do you use for surf fishing?

Live bait is arguably the most effective type of bait to use for surf fishing (also known as beach fishing). The best types of live bait for surf fishing are sand fleas, shrimp, pinfish and mullet. You’ll learn about each of these, including how to hook them and what types of fish they attract.

What is a gutter ocean?

Gutters are quite simply the darker, deeper looking parts of the beach. The darker the colour the deeper the water. Some gutters form at low tide, others at high tide. Some run right in front of you between the beach and a sand bank, others run from the beach out to sea.

Can I surf fish with a 7 foot rod?

The best rod to surf fish with is the one you have. While you might not be able to throw as heavy of a lure or throw your bait as far, a 6 to 7 foot rod can catch fish from the surf.

How far should you cast When surf fishing?

When surf fishing, the best action is further out. You’ll often need to cast 60-100 yards when fishing from the beach. This is because you typically want to cast beyond the breaking waves, where hungry fish often congregate and feed.

What is the best size hook for surf fishing?

2/0 hooks
2/0 hooks are the best all around hook size for surf fishing. A 2/0 circle hook will catch smaller fish like whiting and pompano but are also big enough to catch bluefish, mackerel, fluke, flounder, redfish, snook and tarpon too.

Is surf fishing better on incoming or outgoing tide?

Fishing the incoming tide through high tide is a good idea because, at low tide (especially during the summertime), sand crabs and other bait-critters might be out of reach from fish as they’re burrowed under dry sand above the water-line.