Beginner's Guide to Surf Fishing

What is Surf Fishing?

Surf fishing is the act of casting a fishing line from the shoreline into the surf to catch fish that live in the coastal waters. This type of fishing requires specific gear and techniques to be successful.

Essential Gear for Surf Fishing

To get started with surf fishing, you'll need the following gear:

• Rod and Reel: A medium to heavy-action surf fishing rod between 8-12 feet long is ideal for casting long distances. Pair it with a spinning or conventional reel that can handle saltwater conditions.

• Fishing Line: Use a strong, abrasion-resistant monofilament or braided fishing line between 15-30 lbs depending on the amount of weight that you want to cast and type of fish you're targeting.

• Bait and Lures: Natural baits such as shrimp, squid, sand fleas, or cut bait work well. Artificial lures like spoons, poppers, and soft plastics can also be effective when bait is visibly swimming, and predators are blowing up on the bait.  

• Weights and Rigs: The Sinker Guy's Sputnik sinkers help keep your bait locked in place in the moving surf. The fish-finder rig and pompano rig are popular choices for surf fishing and readily available at bait shops like Amelia Island Bait and Tackle.

• Hooks and Terminal Tackle: Choose hooks between size 2 to 4/0 depending on the target species. Snap swivels and quick change clips are great swapping rigs quickly and reducing the need to tie pesky knots on the beach.

• Other Gear: A tackle bag, sand spike (rod holder), sand flea rake, and a bait bucket are useful accessories.

If you're not ready to commit to buying a bunch of expensive gear that is ok! Amelia Island Surf Fishing Charter offers surf fishing gear rental.  Everything you need to try out surf fishing is included in a rental including a pack Fishbites synthetic bait! 

Once you are geared up you are ready to hit the beach! 

Best Locations for Surf Fishing

Finding a good spot is crucial for surf fishing success. Amelia Island offers many different locations to surf fish. Look for:

• Troughs and Sandbars: Fish often feed in the deeper troughs between sandbars.

• Jetties and Piers: These structures attract baitfish and predatory fish.

• Inlets and River Mouths: These areas often have strong currents that bring in fish.

• Rip Currents: These moving water channels pull bait out and fish ambush that bait near the deeper troughs and sandbars.

If you try a spot to fish and aren't successful right away, that's ok! There are plenty of areas along the beaches that will attract fish.  pack up and head up or down the beach 50-100 yards to the next "fishy" looking spot. 

Techniques for Surf Fishing

• Casting Distance: The ability to cast beyond the breaking waves is important but not always essential. Often times there is a deeper trough between you and the first sandbar depending on the tide when you are fishing.  

• Reading the Water: Observe wave patterns to find deeper holes, find runouts, bird activity, and baitfish movements to identify where fish are feeding.

• Reeling in the Fish: Keep steady pressure and avoid jerky movements to prevent losing your catch.  When your catch gets close to the shore use the waves to help you push your fish into you, do not fight and force it through the "wash"

Make sure you check the local regulations and have the proper fishing license and also be aware of length and bag limits for different species.  There are a ton of really tasty edible fish in the surf, but you want to make sure you're following all the appropriate rules and regs. If you have any more questions about getting started with surf fishing or you're ready to give it a shot get in touch with AMELIA ISLAND SURF FISHING CHARTER and rent some gear to try it out or book a charter and let me teach you how I do it!