Of course you should realize that it takes a little bit more than a few of the secret tips known to the guys that have been around for awhile. They’re not really secrets unless you don’t know them but they are essential to getting the kind of results they get.

Surf fishing is unique in many ways to other forms of fishing. Techniques to fish in the surf from the beach requires a different set of skills and knowledge. Once you master the skills and have that knowledge you will be able to improve your results dramatically.

So What Are These Surf Fishing Tips That Are So Essential?

Before I get into some of these tips you should realize that there’s no better way to improve your results than by spending time at the edge of  the surf honing your abilities. All the best tips in the world only become effective as you put in more time.

Each area that you fish will be a little different. You have to become familiar with the unique differences that apply to that spot. The techniques don’t change, only the ones you use and how you apply them.

What You Should Learn Before You Can Be A Successful Surf Angler

• How many sandbars are within reach of your casting distance
• How deep is the water between the sandbars
• Are there any breaks through the sandbars
• What species of fish are in your waters during different times of the year.
• What bait preferences do the fish have where you fish

Let Me Explain Why The Tips Listed Above Important

How many sandbars are within reach of your casting distance?

The water between each sandbar is the area that you will be targeting. Depending on your location and the time of year different species will locate in different sections of water. You may not be using the right techniques or targeting the right sections of water for the fish you seek. Some locations may only have one sandbar within within casting distance. Other locations may have as many as three sandbars within casting distance.

Once you learn to read the water you will be able to determine where the sandbars are and how many are within reach of your casts

How Deep is the water between each sandbar?

The depth of water between the sandbars will give you an idea of the fish species you can expect will locate there. Knowing this will determine the surf rigs, tackle, bait and techniques that you should be using.

Determining the depth of water between the sandbars is a little more difficult to learn. It will come with experience and a little guess work. It does vary of course with the tides. You can make a good educated guess by studying the difference between high and low tide. As I said earlier learning to read the surf is the way to figure things out.

Are there any breaks in the sandbars?

I have to repeat myself here again. If you know how to read the water you will be able to know if there is a break in a sandbar. This is crucial because a break in the sandbar is a hot spot for predator fish to ambush bait. It’s also used as a highway for fish to swim between sandbars.

There are times when the fish will just be stacked up around the break. If you can find a break in a sandbar you are in for some excitement.

What species of fish are in your waters during different times of the year?

Some saltwater fish are migratory and some will be there year round. If you aren’t familiar with the species of fish that are there you are just fishing blind.  Once you have learned which species of fish to expect, you can decide what rig to use, the proper bait and the best techniques to target them.

What bait preferences do the fish have where you fish?

Ok, there certainly are a variety of baits that are known for the species where you fish. That’s fine but you should be observant to the prevalent bait in the water at that particular time. The famous cliche is “match the hatch. In other words if the fish are feeding on mullet you probably don’t want to be fishing with shrimp.

They’re both good baits to use at any given time. If you know what the fish are feeding on then use it. If you’re not sure bring a few different kinds and set out a couple of surf rods with different baits and see what happens.

There you have it. Several surf fishing tips explained to improve your surf fishing experience. The tips I mentioned are just a few of the keys to target and land more fish.

If I peaked your interest sign up for my free introductory surf fishing course or download my surf fishing guide to this exciting sport.

Best Regards,
Randy Meyers

Coleman has a first aid kit that I like a lot. It has pretty much everything you want to treat an injury. What makes this kit so handy is how well it’s packaged in a compact, easy to take along zipper case. It’s designed for use as an outdoor first aid kit.

The handy caribiner gives you the ability to clip it on any convenient location.

Overall Rating:

Total Customer Reviews: (6)

Seller: Amazon

Be prepared for anything -- on the trail, at the campsite, or wherever you go. The Coleman Medium-Sized First Aid Kit includes: 10 mini bandages; 10 3"x3/4" bandages; 1 extra-large bandage; 2 knuckle bandages; 1/2" tape roll; 2 gauze pads; 2 large gauze pads; 10 prep pads; 6 towelettes; tweezers; scissors; and gloves -- all in a carry case with a convenient carabiner, so you can attach it to your other gear.

All the reviews on Amazon speak for themselves. Multitools can be found a lot cheaper but they can’t hold up to the test of time and abuse that the Wave has. I chose the wave over other models produced by Leatherman because the built in selection of tools covers everything I wanted to have on hand for fishing. Even when I’m not fishing it always seems to have something I can use.

Leatherman also stands behind everything they make no questions asked. Once you own one you’ll never want to be without it.

Overall Rating:

Total Customer Reviews: (438)

Seller: Amazon

The Wave multitool's compact folded shape hides a wealth of tools and blades within. The Wave Multitool From Leatherman: Better than Ever The most popular full-size Leatherman tool is now better than ever. Larger knives, stronger pliers, longer wire cutters and all-locking blades make the new Wave an essential piece of equipment for any job or adventure. The pliers have been redesigned to withstand more than double the previous squeezing load, and the new bronze bushing makes one-handed knife access a smooth operation--plus, the one-at-a-time blade selection function means that the tool you[Read More]

Just peel off the backing, wrap the foam around your leader near the hook and pinch it together. Use one or more as needed to keep the bait just out of reach.

You can of course buy ready made surf rigs with floats already on them. Most surf anglers however, like to make their own surf rigs. That’s where the pinch on floats come in handy. You only use them when you need them.

Overall Rating:

Total Customer Reviews: (0)

Seller: Amazon

Pinch on strike indicators. Adhesive back for easy placement and removal; 24 floats per package.

At times even a 5oz. or 6oz. pyramid sinker won’t hold for you. If the surf is that rough your only choice will be to try a sputnik or break away sinker. Most of the time however, you’ll get by with heavier lead.

Pyramid sinkers of course are made heavier than 6oz. but your surf rod might not be rated to sling the beefier weight. Every surf rod has a sweet spot for the weight you use. If you try to go outside that range it won’t cast well at all.

Keep a range of pyramid sinkers on hand within the rating of your surf rod along a couple of sputnik type sinkers and you’ll be prepared for 90% of the surf conditions you’ll be up against.

Pyramid Sinkers 3oz. 3 Pack

Overall Rating:

Total Customer Reviews: (0)

Seller: Amazon

Many predator fish in the surf have nocturnal feeding habits especially under a full moon. They come in closer to the shoreline to feed at night. The bigger fish will be well within within casting distance during this time. Fish the high tide when the big feeders come in for a meal.

If you like to have the beach all to yourself for some killer action, night time fishing is the way to go. The Storm Jig’n eel has such a life like presentation it will get a lot of attention.

Overall Rating:

Total Customer Reviews: (0)

Seller: Amazon

The D.O.A. Shrimp will catch any fish that will strike on a live shrimp. I’m referring to Redfish, Tarpon, Jacks and all the other predator game fish caught surf fishing. If you can catch it on live shrimp you can substitute the D.O.A. shrimp.

Live bait should always be your first choice. However live bait isn’t always available and you always run out when the bite is on.

Fish the D.O.A shrimp on a fishfinder rig. Substitute the pyramid sinker for an egg sinker so it doesn’t bite into the bottom. Work it slowly through the strike zone you are fishing. Give it a twitch now and then to give it a natural action.

For more natural presentation, cut off the tip of the tail and rig the hook from the rear.  Shrimp swim backward not forward the way it comes rigged. Use a Daiichi screw holder hook in a 3/0 or 4/0 size.

Overall Rating:

Total Customer Reviews: (0)

Seller: Amazon

The saltwater environment is harsh. A good surf fishing cart needs to be made with a non corrosive material. Aluminum, PVC or stainless steel are all good choices.

If the beach where you fish doesn’t allow vehicles you’ll want something that holds all your gear and move easily to a new spot to fish. A larger cart will have enough room for you and a friend to get your gear to the water.

Sometimes a big cart can be a little cumbersome. There are some nice two wheel versions too. One size doesn’t fit all. You’ll have to decide for yourself.

The surf fishing cart listed below from Amazon seems to be popular among the surf angler I see at the beach. Be sure to read the description below it has a lot of great features. I have to give it 5 stars.

Overall Rating:

Total Customer Reviews: (0)

Seller: Amazon

Coast locks come with a test strength rating. You can size them to the strength of the leader you plan to use. They’re not that expensive when it comes to loosing a trophy fish.

Overall Rating:

Total Customer Reviews: (0)

Seller: Amazon

Specially designed for maximum strength. Excellent no-twist protection for big game fishing and heavy-duty trolling. One-piece stainless steel wire snap and welded ring are matched to swivel size. Available in black finish.

Tarpon have very hard jaws. Even when using braid it’s hard to get the hook set.

Another advantage of braided line is the ability to spool more line on your reel because the line diameter is a lot smaller than the equivalent test strength in monofiliment. You can easily double the reel capacity when you switch over to PowerPro braid.

Powerpro’s easy spool pack makes it easy to spool a reel without line twist.

Overall Rating:

Total Customer Reviews: (0)

Seller: Amazon

POWERPR IS THE PREMIER MICRO BRAID FISHING LINE. TIE STANDARD KNOWT WITHOUT GLUE, DOES NOT DAMAGE GUIDES,CASTS FARTHER,ABSORBS LESS WATER,DOES NOT BURY ITSELF INTO REEL, SUITABLE FOR SPINNING AND CASTING. LOW STRETCH PROVIDES EXTREEME SENSITIVITY. PHANTOM RED IS THE NEWEST TECHNICAL ADDITION TO THE LINE. RED IS PROVEN TO BE THE FIRST COLOR IN THE SPECTRUM TO WASH OUT AT ROUGHLY 15'OF WATER TO MAKE THE LINE LESS NOTICEABLE TO THE FISH!