Ocean Surf & Coastal Shore

Surf and coastal shore fishing can be done right from the edge of the ocean, from man-made structures like jetties and breakwaters or from a boat. Some surf anglers actually wade right into the pounding ocean waves.

You can hook a large variety of fish from the surf and coastal shores. Striped Bass are the most common. Ranging in weight from a few pounds to almost one hundred pounds. Fish in the 30–40 pound range are fairly common, especially on the northeast U.S. coast. Other surf fishing species include bluefish, redfish (red drum) tautog (blackfish), flounder (fluke), cod, pollack, weakfish (sea trout), bonita and albacore tuna, black drum, pompano, permit, tarpon Spanish mackerel, snook.

Surf and coastal shore fishing is challenging. There's very little structure to attract fish. So surf and shore fisherman must be able to read the waves, look for color changes in the water, monitor water temperature and understand migration patterns.

Shore Points

Points of land that extend into the surf or are on coastal waters are good places to fish. They usually have rougher edges, which means they have more vegetation and hold drift food better than the flat beach. Fishing from a point also gives shore anglers easier access to deeper water and therefore bigger fish.

 

 

Merging Water

Wherever two bodies of water meet is a great place to fish. Food in the form of crabs, shrimp and minnows flow through the mouths of ponds, creeks, rivers and into coastal waters, especially at low tide. Game fish will gather at the mouths of merging water because they don't want to go into the shallow water of ponds and creeks.

 

Weed Beds

Good anglers see different colors in the ocean. And they learn to spot weed beds and rock piles with weeds and other creatures attached to them. Smaller fish feed on the weeds and attract the fish you're after. You'll want to fish around the edges for the best results.

 

 

Floating Foam and Debris

Foam from crashing waves follows along with the currents. As it moves, it collects debris and small marine critters. Little fish are attracted to the critters and big fish are attracted to the little fish. Sometimes these floating lines of junk are big enough to provide shade for larger game fish. Fish them.

 

 

Deep Shore Water

Currents can run along the shore and form pockets of deeper water. And deeper water usually appears more green or blue than normal. Bigger fish will move into these shallows to stay cool. You might get something bigger than you expected.

 

 

Bait fish Patches

Surf and shore fishing takes a good eye. If you can spot a school of bait fish, then you might be able to catch bigger fish that are following them. But hurry, game fish strike fast and leave.

 

 

Salt Water and Tides

Tides raise and lower the water level approximately two times per day and affect where fish are located and how they feed. The timing of a high or low tide changes daily and is also different for each coastal area.

A shallow area that might hold fish and be a very good spot to fish during a high tide, might be a bare mud bank during low tide conditions. And a slough (a slight depression in the bottom) that might be perfect for bottom feeding fish during a low tide situation, might be too deep and difficult to fish on a high tide.

Running tides (rising or falling) are best since they cause bait to move and promote active feeding among coastal fish. Changing tides, time of day and location are also important when you're fishing in brackish water—coastal water that's a mix of salt water and fresh water and contains a mix of saltwater and freshwater fish. Brackish water is found in most tidal creeks and rivers along all coasts and is highly affected by tidal movements.

In general, the best fishing is almost always on a rising or falling tide—not the dead low or dead high when there is little or no water movement.

Colliding Waves

Underwater currents can collide near points, inlets or other natural or man-made structure. Where these currents meet, food will collect and sink. The food will attract bait fish and then game fish. Don't look for crashing waves. Look for something a little calmer.

 

Jetties and Breakwaters

Waves crash up against jetties and breakwaters, and then drop to the bottom. Where they drop, a hole takes shape. Since the hole is deeper than the ocean floor, it attracts small shellfish and bait fish looking for calmer water and a place to hide. But they can't hide from the bigger fish with bigger brains. Man-made structures like jetties and breakwaters also give shore anglers better access to deeper waters.

 

Cliffs

Pretty much like jetties and breakwaters. If you can get to a cliff, fish below it or around it.

 

 

 

Roily Water

Roily water is anywhere where currents work against jagged or eroded shorelines, such that the water becomes muddy or sediment filled. Turbulent, agitated or swirling water not only stirs up sediment but food as well, and such waters can be productive for finding fish. Try to fish around the edges of these areas.

Rip Tides

Water that flows in and around points, sandbars and rocks tries to find the quickest way out. And it forms a faster-moving river of water through the obstacles. Look for the change in speed and color. These deeper 'rivers' will attract larger fish.

Night Fishing

At night, the tide comes in and creates deeper water, attracting fish that wouldn't normally eat near shore. Plus, all the beachcombers have stumbled out of the water, picked up their blankets and gone home. Now it's just you and those stupid fish.

Breakers

The calmer waters between the place where big waves crash and calm water starts are called breakers. The crashing waves create a sort of trench in the shore. Food settles in the trench, bait fish come for the food. And game fish come for the bait fish. So it's a good place to fish.