Of course, fishing from the shore will depend to a great degree, on where you are fishing and what you are hoping to catch, but the following basics will help you in a wide variety of locations and assist you in developing saltwater shore fishing strategies sure to enhance your surf fishing experience whether you are a novice or a more experienced angler.
One thing you should recognize from the very beginning is that surf fishing, or shore fishing, can be very difficult to master. There are many differentials that factor into the equations such as wind, current, and waves. There are also extraneous factors such as things like debris in the water. Rocks, oyster beds, and floating plant life all factor into your fishing experience when you are surf fishing.
If you are a novice, the first thing you are going to want to do is concentrate on practicing your casts. Begin by casting to the breakline, because most fish really do come up that close to feed on small crabs and such, and as long as you can cast that far, you are going to find fishing action. If you can, begin on a calm day, and practice on a sandy beach to start, so you will not have to deal so much with rocks and kelp and such.
Generally, the best days for shore fishing are days when the tide will reach its peak very early in the mornings, from 6:00 to 7:00 AM. Be sure to bring plenty of tackle, because it is easy to lose yours, particularly when you are a beginner, and be sure you are well aware of any and all game and fish regulations in your area. In most places, you will need a fishing license if you are over the age of 16.
Many people rush out and buy rods and reel specifically designed for surf fishing, but it really is not necessary, particularly if you are just getting started, and you already have some gear available. If you have anywhere from a 7 foot medium action rod to a 12 foot medium action rod, just outfit it with about 15 pound test line, and use it. Many surf fishermen feel that a spinning reel is the only way to go, but it really is up to you. If you are more comfortable with a conventional rod, and that is what you have, just use that. Conventional rods seem to cast farther, but there is an occasional backlash to deal with, so it is basically a trade off and whatever works best for you. You might lose your tackle often, so I suggest that you bring plenty of gear.
You should check with your local Fish and Game Department to find out any regulations in your area. In most places, you are required to have the fishing license.
If you have access to a rodholder, or want to fish in one basic area without moving around a lot, just bring a chair and a sand spike rod holder, and kick back until the action begins. Baitholder hooks really will work well for you.
When shore fishing you can take a small boat out to the coves and other unpopulated areas to reach places where many species are just waiting for a serious angler to come along and entice them. You also have the option of fishing off rocks, piers, docks and the shoreline. This is great for people that do not have access to a boat every time they want to go fishing.
With all the different types of saltwater fish found in the oceans comes a variety of strategies to help you catch the most possible fish every time you go out.
When it comes to being successful a lot of saltwater shore fishing is based on experience and trial and error. However, there are a few strategies that can add to your success and help you improve your skills at saltwater fishing.
Strategies Used for Shore Fishing
One of the biggest problems anglers encounter is not being able to get the bait to where the fish are. Therefore, you need to try different methods until you find one that gets the bait in the middle of fish.
How deep you need to fish will depend on the type of species you are fishing for and the time of year you go fishing.
It is recommended that when using scent bait you change it often even if nothing has hit it. This should be done at least every twenty to thirty minutes. The reason for this is because after bait has been underwater for awhile it looses it smell and appeal preventing you from getting a bite.
When you notice that everyone around you is catching fish but you are not having any luck at all, try changing the size of the bait you are using. It is a good possibility that the bait will either be small or too big for the fish in that area.
When saltwater shore fishing, the retrieval is extremely important. If you reel in the line very slowly you have a good chance of snagging a fish on the way in. This has happened many times in the past.
Don't be afraid to experiment with shiny tackle and beads. Sometimes these will attract the fish faster than anything else you could use and you will never know how successful you can be unless you try.
Avoid populated areas where there are people everywhere. Not only will you be distracted by everyone around you but all the noise discourages the fish from taking the bait.
Early mornings and late evenings are the best times to go shore fishing. This is when the beaches and waters are less crowded and when the fish tend to be the most active when it comes to feeding.
Where to Search for the Saltwater Fish
It is well-known that different species of fish hang out in different areas and depths of the water. It is for this reason where to search for the saltwater fish of your choice will mainly depend on what species you are fishing for.
Still, there are some basic rules that apply that will narrow your search and make it easier for you to know where to begin.