Surf Fishing for Stripers: Timing, Techniques & Tips

If you find that the waves and current are too strong and carry your weight back to shore, you will need to keep adding weight until it stays on the bottom and doesn’t move. Once it finally hits the bottom and stays, slowly backup with your bail open, gradually releasing line from your fingers but keeping it taut so that the line doesn’t catch in the waves. Close the bail and put the rod in your sand spike, then gradually reel in the line until it is tight and creates a bend in your rod. Fish are heavily attracted by the scent of your bait, so give it time for the fish to find it, but be ready because sometimes it can happen very quickly. It’s often the case that larger fish will take longer wait times, while smaller fish take shorter wait times. Specialty rigs such as the Bottom Rig and Pompano Rigs are also very popular for smaller surf species.

Matthew Isbell, renowned coastal surf guide and successful video blogger is better known as the Bama Beach Bum. In a recent interview he stated that Fishbites is essential for beginning as well as experienced surf cast anglers. If you live in the greater Portland area, there are a number of places…

In fact, you may have a range of different size surf fishing rods. Don’t be surprised if you hit up a popular surf fishing area and see some anglers with massive setups. It’s not unheard of for anglers to have three, four, even five different rigs set up. A wide array of species can be targeted from surf and shore, including sharks.

Surf fishing

These are aluminum spikes that you can drive into the sand. One end is sharpened and the other has a padded cradle to hold your rod. Once they’re secure deep underground, you can rest your rod on the padded end of the spike.

I prefer a number 2 or 3 size swivel, but one that is rated up to at least 100lbs. Some of the cheap swivels you can buy do not have weight ratings, and I do not want to think about how much force it would take to pull one of them apart. After the swivel I normally attach 3 or 4 inches of 80 – 150lb test mono, depending on hook size and type of fishing. Typically with hooks 6/0 or smaller I will use 80lb mono. With 8/0’s or bigger, it’s typically 100lb or 150lb mono.

Ocracoke Island Lighthouse

Common methods include surf fishing, casting, and snagging . The North Gulf Coast beaches in the Cordova and Yakutat area are relatively flat, with waves breaking too far from shore for productive surf fishing. However, some good salmon fishing can be had near river mouths during the runs. The old adage of 10% of the water holding 90% of the fish holds true in the surf zone too. Especially in mid-winter when colder water temperatures slow the metabolism of our native fish.

If air and water temperatures are comfortable, many anglers simply wear shorts and sandals and get wet. In cooler waters, however, you will be more comfortable in good quality hip boots that keep your feet and legs dry. Chest waders can be comfortable if it’s cold and rainy, but aren’t usually necessary. Pier fishing is popular in coastal North Carolina simply because it is so plentiful, and can have so many big rewards. Surf fishing in North Carolina is naturally affected by the weather. Different species can be abundant or non-existent depending on so many natural factors, such as the season, the weather, the tides, and the inherent shape of the shoreline itself.

Don’t go the lazy route and lean your rod against your chair or a cooler. Even a slight pull can knock it right over into the sand at that point. And you’ve got the potential for sand and water to be caught up in your reel. And of course if a fish takes hold, your entire rig is just going to get pulled out to sea.