6 Tips for Surf Fishing by an Expert (5 Mins Read)

If you are a beginner fisherman, then you must have a few tips for surf fishing up your sleeve to be successful in your early fishing trips. I know how frustrating this activity might seem to you right now; this is because it is a super slow process, especially if you don’t know what to do. But remember, perseverance is key where fishing is concerned.

You must be consistent in your learning and try to make improvements by learning from your mistakes. Being a professional fisherman, I could hand out a few reviews that have helped me throughout my career. So, if you are interested in learning firsthand from a professional, I suggest you keep reading down below.

Tips For Surf Fishing

1. Streamline Your Gear

Having the right kind of fishing reel will do wonders for you. It is a matter of opinion what kind of fishing reel you prefer when going surf fishing; however, I believe spinning reels are the best and most reliable option. In fact, even the absolute beginners can use a spinning reel for fish surfing because it is super easy to operate and handle.

The reason why I believe spinning reel is better for fish surfing is that these reels are impenetrable to salt water. Hence, the chances of your reel getting damaged due to salty water are minimal. Other than that, these reels have a stout drag system, which means you will get a more serious drag and a better fighting performance.

Now, speaking about fishing rods, you get a wide range of rod-size choices to choose from when it comes to fish surfing. You may select the size that feels the most comfortable to you. However, if you are a beginner and don’t have much idea about what will be most suitable, then you might want to start with a ten to twelve-foot rod.

2. Take A Scouting Trip

Your fishing trip would be more successful if you select a spot that is deep enough and rich enough in fish supplies. So, to judge all that and to find the best site for yourself, it is imperative that you take a scouting trip along the beach first and locate an ideal spot.

High tide areas are simply vacant of fish because the high tides disperse those slimy creatures. Other than that, rocky, hard areas with lots of shellfish beds are ideal fishing spots. 

This is because smaller fish inhabit such habitats, and the bigger fish that prey on them simply follow the smaller fish. Hence, these spots are ideal for catching big fish.

3. Fish Early Or Fish Late

Other than the gear and the spots, it is imperative that you consider the time of your fishing trip as well. Fish, being live creatures, have a sense of survival, which tells them that the early morning and late afternoon hours are better times to come nearer to the beach. In the broad daylight, they simply avoid getting near the beach.

This is the reason why professional fishers always fish at dawn or dusk. You will never see a seasoned fisherman on the beach during the daytime.

4. Rigging Live Bait

Rigging live bait is a guaranteed technique to increase your fish catch. This is because the wiggling bait is bound to attract a bigger fish much too quickly compared to a deal or lifeless bait. A live bait spikes the predatory instincts in the bigger fish, and hence, they get attracted towards the bait more quickly.

Furthermore, there are a few fish that only prey on live prey. So, if you want to catch those fishes, you’d better find yourself a live bait.

However, let me tell you in advance the two challenges you will face with live baits. The first challenge is to find them.

Not many people like to purchase live bait. Hence, you will have to explore the markets to get your hands on them.

Secondly, keeping them alive while you bait the line is super hard. You must be careful enough to rig only those parts of the bait that will not kill them, for example, the nose or top fin. Plus, you will have to accomplish that all the while the bait wriggles in your hands.

Besides that, live bait is also a lot more expensive than dead bait. So, you will have to decide whether the expense would be worth it.

5. Soft Bait Pull

If you are running on a tight budget and can’t afford to get live bait, then you might as well want to shift to soft bait. These baits are less expensive than live bait and perform equally well in the waters. These soft baits are scented to attract fish towards themselves.

However, it would be best if you did your own research before getting yourself a packet of soft baits. This is because there are many different kinds of soft baits available in the market, varying in color, texture, and scent.

So, you will have to search for which kind of soft bait your local fish prefers. You may ask the local shop owner for advice or other fellow fishermen about it. All in all, this process should be relatively easy on you since the local shops will only be selling the soft baits that people regularly buy.

6. Persistence Is The Key

Fishing requires a great deal of patience and persistence. So, don’t expect to be perfect on your first try. It will take time for you to master the fishing techniques.

You might also feel bored because the process is super slow, but once you start getting a taste of it, you will realize that it is an exciting activity. I suggest you take time to understand all the tips I mentioned above and master each and every one.

Always show up early for fishing and do proper research on the area on every fishing trip. You can just do your scanning on your first trip and then make that spot your regular go-to fishing scene. That would drive the fish away from that area, and you will experience a declining fish catch on every proceeding trip.

You might as well want to take binoculars with you if you want to have an upper hand with your area scouting. And when you finally cast your line, wait patiently for the fish to come to you.

FAQs

What kind of bait should I use for surf fishing?

You may use any kind of bait readily available to you for fish surfing; however, live bait is always the best option. It is comparatively more expensive and difficult to find, but it is absolutely worth the trouble.

Why is timing so crucial in fishing?

The reason why timing is so crucial in fishing is because fish usually come closer to the beaches during the darker hours. This is the reason why the beaches are always empty of fish during the broad daylight.

The Bottom Line

So, if you are a beginner, surfing might not excite you a lot since it requires a lot of time and effort to be successful. However, once you get the hang of it and master the tips and techniques, you will enjoy this activity much more. Besides, it will still have some valuable traits in you, such as patience, resilience, persistence, and keen observation.

To sum up this entire discussion, I would like to briefly point out the tips that you must keep in mind if you want to have a successful fishing trip. First, you must equip yourselves with the right type and size of gear. Secondly, you must adequately scan the beach for low-tide areas before cutting the line because these are the best spots for catching fish. Here you can get the best tides for surf fishing.

Thirdly, you should prefer finding live bait rather than dead ones because they stand a better chance of attracting bigger fish. However, if you cannot find out how to afford live bait, you might as well use soft bait. And finally, the best time for surf fishing is either dawn or dusk.