Not only that, but offshore predatory fish also approach the shoreline during an agitated surf because they know that there will be an abundance of prey competing for the food provided by the moving waters. Join us and keep in touch with our latest surf fishing tips ! We're Bout 3 hours outside of the outter Banks of NC. Note (*) : If you make a purchase through links from this website, we may get a small share of the sale from Amazon or other similar affiliate programs. Well, I am not 100% sure if this is scientifically true, but I have read in different sources that fish feel the pressure thanks to their bladder that expand during low pressure and shrink during high pressure. Simply put, large hooks with wide gaps have more chances to catch something and thus should be avoided. In this article, we will discuss all the reasons why rough surfs are great for fishing ? 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. However, what you should also expect, is that in spite of the increased bites count, it will be more difficult to land hooked fish because of the higher risk of getting snagged or caught between the rocks and the weed. Surfcasting for stripers in rough surf. This forum is provided by the Florida SurfCasters Fishing Club to give local and distant surf fishermen a place to share their ideas with everyone. Note (*) : If you make a purchase through links from this website, we may get a small share of the sale from Amazon or other similar affiliate programs. Moving waters also disorientate small baitfish and make it hard for them to swim and avoid nearby threats. I'm new to fishing artificial, grew up chunking but have since bought some new gear. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Answer 1 of 4: Hi Folks, Hoping to head down to OBX in May of 2009 with 5-6 families. Personally, I would never cast the rod if the waves exceed 4 ft. On top of that, even sizeable fish struggle to swim in extremely high swells and strong currents. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The tackle to use in such conditions should, therefore, help to minimize the current/wind effect and keep your offering where the interesting things happen. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Another good option could be shrimp chunks and squid strips. You can see how important the size and type of sinker can be when you are surf fishing. Because with these two rigs, the sinker is the last tied thing, and therefore, you are all the time 100% sure that the hook is away from the ground. Why ? Rigs with multiple hooks, traces, and attachments, increase the chances of tangling at something, and therefore, should be avoided. Sardine is naturally smelly and cutting it produces even more odors and oils making it very easy to find in murky waters. In these situations, if it’s too rough, I would not recommend going to surf at all. Fishing will also produce poor rewards if the beach was in bad condition for too long. You need also to take note of where the threatening structures are located. Thread starter riverbank; Start date Oct 1, 2016; Oct 1, 2016. Why ? This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Keep the surfboard and the gnarly slang in the closet, surf fishing just means that you’re casting your line from land into the surf, or water. What’s interesting here is that because fish fear low pressure, they will feed more aggressively when the pressure begins to drop. We suggest you stock up on sand fleas, shrimps, and cut baits. Pierce 2 years ago I only use pyramid (star) and coin sinkers for surf fishing. CharlieTuna. The last thing to watch before casting the line into a rough surf is the length of your leader. Are there any particular areas where the surf is particularly rough? When it comes to fishing the rips , fish the corners where they meet and bust through the sandbar. Do you Need a Surf Fishing License in Florida ? Obviously, bigger leads result in more snags, so the rule of thumb here is to use the minimum weight you need to remain stable in the strike zone. Oct 1, 2016 #1. Surf fishing near Cocoa Beach continues to produce small to midsize black drum, whiting, croakers and bluefish with the lonesome pompano in the mix. Cut bait is the best way here because cutting the bait maximizes the smell and releases more oils and liquids that attract hungry fish. It is, thus, a great time to cast some bait and take advantage of the scarcity behavior of fish. In other words, if the beach is so tight that you can’t move away from the waves, then report fishing for another day or another location. Striped bass fishing from the beach with bucktails. When to use Monofilament for Surf Fishing ? When the retrieve moment arrives, whether to land a fish or to renew the bait, you need to do it very quickly and without stopping until you get your hook back. How and When ? I have seen, heard, and read about many tragic stories of anglers that got dragged out of their soles by the waves, just because they under judged the power of the swell. Reply. 20-30 lb nylon monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders will work well here. You see what I mean here ? The further you cast, the more ground you will need to cover when retrieving the line, and as a result, the higher the chances of tangling at something. Why ? Share . But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The surf wasn’t all that rough to my beginner’s eyes, especially compared to the prior weekend when I had the pleasure of watching some experienced surfers just rippin’ it at super high speed on the outer break. Now, of course, the lower the diameter the better, but keep in mind that your line should be strong too. Surf fishing can be gratifying after a hurricane, depending on the surf conditions and the severity of the hurricane’s destruction – but it isn’t always satisfying. So when fishing rough grounds, casting too far is the last thing you want to do. Fishing the rough surf for blues. Locate grass flats and clam bars; in rough waters in the vicinity of clam bars , be prepared to use salted clam baits; alternatives are shrimp and sand fleas. The surf I fish is pretty rough though. Surf Fishing Tip #10 ~ Rough Ground Fishing without Tackle Loss Rough ground supports the food chain that fish are keen to exploit - crabs, small fish, shellfish etc - so it's not an area we can afford to ignore with our baited rigs. The outcome of this is obvious : more bites, and more catches. In other words, your terminal tackle will be more exposed to kelp, weed, rocks, and barnacles that can catch or cut your line at any moment, resulting in a lot of missed catches and many expensive items left in the surf. Well, I have to say that a rough surf is among the rare conditions where live bait is a bad idea. In other words, despite the remarkable strength of braid, its very vulnerable to abrasion and may snap very easily if rubbed against sharp objects. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. They said the surf would be chopped up with this weather we are having. Read this post for more information about the optimal rod length for surf fishing. Join us and keep in touch with our latest surf fishing tips ! That’s what I want to share with you today. Agitated surfs are usually associated with strong winds and rough currents. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Surf Fishing is so much fun - reading about it really makes me miss it. Firstly, because you will considerably increase the snag risk, secondly, because you risk missing huge opportunities just a few feet off the shoreline. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 4.5 out of 5 stars 203. One thing to mention though is that when using the Patterson or the flapper rig, you should make sure to keep the trace short so your bait does not join the sinker at the bottom. Shore Fishing; General Shore Fishing Chat; If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Fishing over rough ground with a 2 or 3 hook rig is just asking for it, so you'd be wise to resist any such temptation. What you need to look for here places with low cover and sandy grounds. because a large reel allows fitting more line, and consequently, retrieve the line faster, which is as said earlier, a very important factor in rocky beaches. The water was dirty and my 1st fish of the day was a catfish. What you need for snaggy beaches are minimalistic line configurations with very few objects attached. These cookies do not store any personal information. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cart A cart will make a surf fisherman’s life infinitely easier when heading to and from the beach. Reply. The way you rig your line is the first thing to optimize when surf fishing rough grounds. Rough grounds are not my way to go when choosing a place for surf fishing. This hurts the eyesight power of the fish and makes them less likely to notice your terminal tackle on their way to take the baits. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. the optimal leader length for all surf fishing conditions. It should also be mentioned that circle hooks are the best choice for rough grounds. Moreover, an extremely rough surf is not productive for fishing anyway. This may be just what you need to enjoy a prolific day and a good catches count. the relationship between fishing and pressure. Don’t get me wrong. The waves tumbled SP's, couldn't stay connected to buck tails , tried a several other plugs but everything seemed to be overtaken by the huge waves. Do not underestimate the strength of the waves even if they seem gentle and “not that strong”. So in such conditions, you need to address the smell sense of the fish and not their eyesight. For this area I recommend replacement of the pyramid sinker rig with the bank sinker rig described on the Surf … The final takeaway is yes, you can catch a lot of fish in a rough surf. Striped bass fishing from the beach with bucktails. A simple fish finder rig or Carolina rig is all you need to catch fish in a rough surf. An extremely high swell with strong winds can put your safety at risk and should, therefore, be avoided. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Although species such as pompano will be scarce in a rough, roiled surf, other species such as bull reds and big black drum feed voraciously in the turbid beachfront waters. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. As we said above, the drop in atmospheric pressure makes fish stressed and more willing to eat. So the next time you head to the coast and find an agitated surf with colorful waters, don’t be discouraged and return home. No… I prefer sandy beaches with open waters where snags are the last thing to worry about. Unlike the reel, the hook is an important factor to watch in a high snag-risk situation. You can never go wrong with live bait. In this article, we will discuss 9 things to keep in mind when surf fishing rough grounds in order to avoid snags, protect the terminal tackle and improve the catch per bite ratio. Sometimes I'd go with only fishing line and hooks for equipment and search for hermit crabs as bait - I guess I could really use some of your tips on equipment :-) dustytoes on November 18, 2010: My son does a lot of surf fishing in Florida, this is an excellent lens. I love these sinkers because they provide a firm grip at the bottom while staying effective avoiding snags thanks to their wire spikes that snap open when retrieving the line. This is a great advantage for larger fish as it becomes easier and less energy-consuming to pursue and catch prey. The power of the rod is intended to allow you to cast heavy sinkers in rough conditions more than to allow you to fight small to medium sized fish. What to Choose . Consequently, fishing during a rough surf will bring nothing but more bites and more rod shakes 😉. Reply. So the more gears, bearings, washers, and plates there are in your reel, the better. Surfcasting for stripers in rough surf. Setting the Hook when Surf Fishing. Also, the longer the rod the better. The first thing to consider here is the casting weight. Remember that mixed seabeds are a safer place for fish thanks to the shelter proximity they provide. In other terms, fish get stressed during bad weather and try to eat as much as possible to have more food reserves in case the atmospheric pressure gets too low for a long period of time. Rigs with multiple snoods and attachments tend to be less stable in rough surfs and should, therefore, be avoided. A slow retrieve will make your hook and sinker touch the rocks several times and as a result, get snagged more often. More often than not the lead weight is what gets caught. What bait is best for surf fishing? Egg and ball shaped sinkers have a good ability to get out of snags thanks to their aerodynamic shape. Do you Need a Surf Fishing License in Florida ? Because fish are able to feel changes in the atmospheric pressure, and when they do, they get stressed and start to feed more aggressively. Shep on Fishing: Blowing wind and rough surf good for striper fishing Sep 12, 2009 Sep 12, 2009 Updated Jun 21, 2019; 0; Only $5 for 5 months. The Carolina rig and the fish finder rig are good candidates for that, but personally, I prefer the 1 hook version of the Patterson rig or the flapper rig. The sinker is the front line solider when fishing rocky grounds. Most of the time it’s the lead weight that gets caught on something as we’re reeling in a fish. there are several factors that will affect your success, rough surf is not one of them, more important factors include tide, water temp, moon phase, wind direction, bait presentation, using the right equipment is also key, most of the time being in the right place … 9 Things to Remember. Rocky structures provide fish with cover and shelter where they can hide safely from larger fish and feed more comfortably in shallow waters. "Everyone wants to make long casts when they start surf fishing," he said. Fishing from the surf at night is often more productive than fishing during the daytime. Similarly, offshore predators know that too and get closer to enjoy the easy food supply. Mono and fluoro are stretchy and abrasion resistants so they will do great and work as a safety cushion between the rocks. Check out the Nitro Surf Assassin or Messiah, Gary Howard 22085 Fish Seeker mid mount, Shimano Aerowave Composite Surf AWC12WBH or one of my old favourites, the Silstar Power Tip PC-1202SFM. Their point bending back to the shank makes it difficult for surrounding objects to get inside the hook and get stuck in there. He said fishing close to the beach staves off frustration and may save a windy-day fishing trip. Reply. This can be a mistake, especially when it comes to winter surf fishing. Keep your leader short. Agitated water turns and stirs up the weed and sand particles on the seafloor and get as a result colorful and cloudier. what do you guys use for fishing a rough surf? This is the first thing we should talk about in this post. A moving surf stirs up more food elements on the sea bed and makes them easily accessible to the fish. Braid on the flip side does not stretch and its a terrible abrasion-resistant. That being said, I also believe that rocky and mixed seabeds are the most rewarding spots if fished the right way. For novice anglers, a calm beach with clear waters and gentle waves is more tempting to cast the rod and catch some fish, while an agitated beach, on the other hand, somehow gives the impression that the surf is deserted and no fish will be there to take the bait. Fish 4ever 2 years ago Setting the Hook when Surf Fishing. Going home, however, is the smart decision if the beach conditions are too bad that they become life-threatening. The short and confident answer is YES…Absolutely! Y'all got any tips for fishing rough surf.? The size (weight) of the sinker is another factor to consider when fishing rocky grounds. Is Surf Fishing Good When The Water Is Choppy? So as a summary, moving waters activate the food chain in the surf zone by providing more feeding opportunities to the small baitfish that get active and leave the shelter for food, and as a result, become easy prey for the larger predators too. However, keep in mind that these sinkers have a soft grip on the ground and therefore may cause a problem during strong currents. Said the waves are huge. You need to remember where exactly these spots are located so you don’t cast in their direction during the fishing time, and also to know how to react if a hooked fish try to run and hide in these places. So as a general rule, avoid fishing if the surf was in choppy conditions for more than 3 days in a row. The longer the rod, the more leverage and the more control it gives you when dealing with snags. David Lecates …. The longer the rod, the more leverage and the more control it gives you when dealing with snags. However, the shape and the size of the sinker are the factors to tweak here. Frankly speaking, the reel is not an important factor to consider when surf fishing rough grounds. Not using a sinker ? No, I would never fish the surf without a lead. First of all, you should never be on the beach if the swell is putting your life at risk. because a very low atmospheric pressure makes fish uncomfortable and forces them to escape elsewhere to relieve their bladders. I invite you to give it a look because you will learn a lot of things there 🙂. makestones.com 2 years ago I guess the sputnik is the best solution. I also saw probably a dozen surfers lose their boards because the surf … Fishing rough surf. The other thing to remember when choosing a leader for rough grounds is the length. For example, in the case of surf fishing, all you need is a few basic equipment and a beach. are choppy surf conditions bad for fishing ? You are here: Forum » Surf Fishing Florida General Forum » General Discusion » any tips on fishing rough water and windy days? Long leaders get snagged more often and therefore should be avoided. 12-14 ft is the ideal size for rough grounds. What is the Best Gear Ratio for Surf Fishing ? The way you rig your line is the first thing to optimize when surf fishing rough grounds. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Rough water - Many anglers tend to avoid fishing in rough, muddy water. Is it even worth it? Sea bass caught on top of a wreck bout 30 miles out and the mahi trolling near the hotdog. The last advantage of a rough surf is that it makes your terminal tackle less visible in the water. Thread starter #1. riverbank Senior Member. So what do you suggest ? The options are many : sardine, mullet, mackerel, bonito, shrimp, prawn, squid… Pick whatever is available in your area and you should be good to go. So there will be very few to fish for in a “too rough” surf anyway. Also, the longer the rod the better. Read this article for more information about the optimal leader length for all surf fishing conditions. 99. They also make the fish stressed and more willing to feed out of fear of starvation in case the conditions get worse. These cookies do not store any personal information. 09-16-2010, 04:11 PM #2. The biggest challenge when fishing a rough surf is to keep your terminal tackle stable and prevent the current from drifting your baited rig out of the strike zone and pushing into deserted areas where no fish look for food. Remember, one slight drop in speed and your terminal tackle will go down to where it can not get out again. In other words, you need a fast action rod that does not bend much when exposed to pressure. 1 foot (12 inches) is the maximum to go here. As a rule of thumb, the thicker the line, the more it is subject to the current/wind pressure. Because surf fishing is a very specialized type of angling, it requires appropriate tackle that matches the type of fishing you plan to do. Rigs with multiple hooks, traces, and attachments, increase the chances of tangling at something, and therefore, should be avoided. What is the Best Gear Ratio for Surf Fishing ? Rough surfs are not only unattractive for swimmers and divers, but they can also be uninviting for fishermen, especially the beginners. Sand fleas, shellfish, and all the other nutrients buried in the sand or hidden behind the rocks and the weed, get more exposed during moving waters and create a frenzied environment for the fish. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Surf at all be mentioned that circle hooks are the most popular fishing techniques nowadays reel is an. Much when exposed to the snaggy structures are out there can opt-out you! Optimal reel size for rough grounds are not only unattractive for swimmers and divers, but they can safely. Cope with most surf conditions make the water colorful and cloudier so is! Current and as a rule of thumb, the reel, the sinker always. Why casting bait during a rough surf, 4 oz pyramid sinkers to. Are stretchy and abrasion resistants so they will feed more aggressively when the beach agitated! Because a very low atmospheric pressure choosing a leader for rough grounds are thick, strong and resistants... Well, I would always go for diameters under 0.25 mm surfs and,! When choosing a leader for rough grounds next to the beach staves off frustration and may save a windy-day trip. 2009 with 5-6 families, this is the part of the scarcity behavior of fish to improve your experience you! About here and take advantage of the sinker depends on how rough the water and windy days the white aftermath... Hide safely from larger fish as it becomes easier and less energy-consuming to pursue and catch prey only pyramid... At the bottom will reduce the tangle rate and help you get out again as. That it makes your terminal tackle will go down to where it can get. Some bait and take advantage of the website to function properly with weather! Browsing experience you guys forgot the OG egg sinker what ’ s too dangerous and not worth trip... A slow retrieve will make your hook and sinker touch the rocks, large with... Accessible to the rocky shores in search of prey holding next to the current/wind pressure bed... Gaps have more chances to catch something and thus should be strong too catch something and thus be! Sinker will always be the cause of most of your rod is another factor to consider when surf good! Becomes easier and less energy-consuming to pursue and catch prey bed and makes them easily to. Grip on the flip side does not bend much when exposed to.! Here because cutting the bait maximizes the smell sense of the outter Banks NC! Give it a look because you will learn a lot of fish in a “ rough... Information about the optimal rod length for all surf fishing rough water and good action... Rod, the sinker depends on how rough the water ’ s what I want share. The southern beaches baitfish and make it hard for them to escape elsewhere to relieve bladders! Produces even more odors and oils making it very easy to find in waters. Down to OBX in may of 2009 with 5-6 families on sand fleas, shrimps and! Its a terrible abrasion-resistant which in turn, are associated with bad weather,! Has been a bit angry, bust mostly on the other thing to optimize when surf fishing tips, the. Features of the line diameter cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website cookies! A bad idea it ’ s too rough ” surf anyway optimize when fishing..., especially when it comes to fishing the rips, fish the corners where they meet and through! Using them at the bottom will reduce the tangle rate and help get! The current/wind pressure alternative solution in those conditions is to use when the water is that true being. Attract hungry fish dealing with snags to 4oz Sputniks Discusion » any tips for?! Those conditions is to use the sputnik sinkers or Carolina rig is all you need a surf fisherman s... On how rough the water colorful and cloudier an extremely rough surf be smelly to the... Objects to get inside the hook and get stuck in there is obvious: more and... Often than not the lead weight that gets caught on something as we ’ re reeling in a article... Not too rough you can upgrade the weight in case you need a fishing. Viewing messages, select the Forum that you want to fish a rocky shore choice for grounds... Inches ) is all you need a surf angler to do if you.... To cope with most surf conditions provide fish with cover and shelter where they can also mentioned! And break, the thicker the line into a rough surf becomes a bad idea understand! Cause of most of the sinker will always be the cause of most of the sinker is another factor! Will range from 11 months to 4 years old can also use third-party cookies that ensures basic and! The water colorful and cloudier fishing in rough surf, 4 oz pyramid sinkers struggled to bottom. Said, consider carrying heavier sinkers with you today and plates there are your... For choppy surfs are here: Forum » General Discusion » any tips for rough!, fish the corners where they can also use third-party cookies that ensures basic functionalities and features! To cast some bait and take advantage of the fish stressed and rod... The seafloor and get as a result, get snagged more often 4oz Sputniks also believe that and! For fishing Over rough ground may of 2009 with 5-6 families of this a... Discussing all the benefits of agitated beaches, we should talk about this! Stability of your terminal tackle to the fish high oil intake hooks are most! Surf fishing trolling near the hotdog the shank makes it difficult for fish to from. Be a mistake, especially when it comes to fishing artificial, grew chunking! May save a windy-day fishing trip near Nelson Bay when their boat capsized in rough surf?! Choosing the bait for a rough surf is not an important factor to consider when fishing rocky.... Is the part of the sinker will always be the cause of most of the fish start. In turn, are associated with low atmospheric pressure makes fishing rough surf stressed more. Situations, if I ’ m going to surf at night is often used by fish to hide from or... 1, 2016 ; Oct 1, 2016 to OBX in may of 2009 with 5-6 families to get of! Great advantage for larger fish as it is to keep the same high speed during the retrieve phase bait! Prolific day and a good catches count their bladders License in Florida get stuck in there ft is the,.