Are you an avid fisher? Do you enjoy taking walks on the beach or near the water? If you answered yes to both of those questions surf fishing may be an activity that you will enjoy.
So, what exactly is surf fishing? For those who may not know it is when people catch fish from a shoreline or while wading in the water. It does not require a boat or going out in the middle of the water. It can be done from a pier, beach, or even a jetty. A jetty is a long stretch of concrete or stone that extends out into the water to protect the shoreline from erosion.
1. Do Your Research on the Sport
As you should do with any new sport, activity, or hobby you are interested in trying, the first step is to do your research. This step allows you to ensure that you know what you need to about it. Such as equipment, locations, fishing license requirements, and more. No one wants to be caught off guard when they are trying to enjoy themselves while surf fishing.
Doing your research before buying your equipment will save you from buying the wrong type of reel or rod for the activity. One of the most common types of reels for surf fishing is known as a spinning reel. Which is known to be sturdy and hold lines well. Important information to know when looking to purchase a reel as it will hold your rod in the sand.
You can also look and see what locations are most popular for surf fishing in your area. While you can wander around the beaches and piers it can help to have a game plan in mind first. Going in with no game plan is similar to playing a football game with no coach. It’s just not recommended.
2. Invest in Quality Equipment That Will Last
Quality equipment is known to be long-lasting and high-quality. If you know that you enjoy fishing and can see yourself spending time surf fishing over the next few months or years, it’s worth it to invest now.
Items such as reels, lines, lures, and rods are great examples of things to splurge on. After doing your research and seeing the different types of each, you should have a decent idea of what you need and are interested in. The sturdier your lines and lures are the more weight and tension they can bear. Certain reels can catch bigger fish and cast longer distances depending upon the brand and quality of it.
While it is nice to invest in quality equipment, we do want to note that rods or lures from any store will work for surf fishing. You do not need to spend a ton of money to enjoy the activity. The high-quality equipment just tends to be more durable and long-lasting, allowing you to use it longer.
3. Try Out Different Locations and Tides
3. Try Out Different Locations and TidesWhen you are just beginning to surf fish there is no way to know which spots will work out for you or be plentiful. It all comes down to trial and error. This means that you should try different piers, beaches, jetties, and more when starting.
Different areas can have different species and types of fish than others so the location can also impact what you catch. When trying out different locations you can also try them out at different times of the day. Early in the morning or late at night are said to be some of the best times to have luck when fishing.
So, mixing up locations and times can help to find the perfect spot for you. Just remember that there is no guarantee that you will catch fish every time or have the best of luck. Realistically it all comes down to the day and how hungry the fish are, enticing them to come up to the surface.
Looking for a new sinker for surf fishing? Here are the 6 best.
4. Using Proper Bait
Whether you chose to use live bait or soft bait is your prerogative but each one will have its advantages when fishing. Most do tend to prefer live bait, whether it is caught, or store-bought, but soft bait is also effective at imitating live bait.
Live bait includes crabs, mullets, worms, and other small fish. They wiggle, creating movement in the water naturally which draws fish to them. Using this type of bait requires you to rig it a certain way to ensure that it stays alive until a fish is drawn to it.
Ensuring that it is rigged through the nose or even the top of its fin is key to ensuring that it can stay alive. Live bait will only remain alive in the water for a certain amount of time, since it is rigged and wiggling about, so casting the line properly and keeping track of how long it’s underwater is important to catching fish.
Soft bait though is made to imitate fish as if they were alive. They tend to have a scent embedded into them that will attract the fish and make the bait seem as real as possible. This is a good option for anyone who is looking for a more convenient way to find the bait.
Different types of soft bait can imitate different types of fish so that can help you determine the type of bait you are looking for. You also do not need to worry about them passing away or losing their scent while in the water, giving you more time to relax and enjoy fishing in between casting your line.
These are our four favorite tips to help you get reeled into surf fishing in no time. Remember to do thorough research on the topic, find the right equipment that fits your needs, try out different times and locations to find your spot, and test out different types of bait. Surf fishing is different for everyone and finding what works for you can help you begin catching fish in no time.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.