| Salt water fishing is a topic as big as the sea. It | | | | structure or area of depth change. |
| can run the gamut from angling for smaller | | | | One mistake that I have seen many fishermen |
| inshore species like speckled trout, flounder and | | | | make is to try and send their bait as far as |
| redfish, to an offshore adventure in search of | | | | possible with every cast. At times this does pay |
| pelagic giants like bluefin tuna and blue marlin. Since | | | | off, but many times there are plenty of fish to |
| the inshore species are more accessible to | | | | be caught within a few yards of the sand, right in |
| anglers, here are a few tips to help in the search | | | | the foam. It is best to fish with multiple rods and |
| for a good catch. And just to narrow down the | | | | cast various distances from shore until the fish |
| field even more, the tips given here will be geared | | | | are found. |
| more toward the beginning surf fisherman. | | | | Expensive, oversized tackle is not a necessity. |
| However, these salt water fishing tips will put any | | | | Any decent quality rod and reels combination in |
| beginner on the path to becoming a pro. | | | | medium to medium-heavy is perfectly acceptable. |
| First, in order to catch a fish the bait has to be | | | | A simple bottom fishing rig of two or three drop |
| placed where the fish lives and feeds. This may | | | | lines tipped with size six hooks, and with enough |
| be as simple as tossing a baited hook into the | | | | weight to keep the rig on the bottom attached to |
| surf, which will often produce great results. But | | | | the terminal end, will catch most species that live |
| not all fishing spots are created equally. Any given | | | | in the surf. Always remember that if you want to |
| stretch of beach will have certain areas that hold | | | | catch large numbers of fish you can catch a big |
| more fish than others. It is best if the angler can | | | | fish on a small hook. But you can't catch a small |
| invest the time to survey the area he plans to | | | | fish on a big hook. |
| fish at low tide, as this condition often reveals | | | | For the beginner, it is best to fish with natural bait. |
| subtle dips in the bottom, deeper holes, sandbars, | | | | This means practically anything that the fish in |
| and other structures that will hold fish. | | | | your area might be feeding on. Small pieces of |
| If it is not possible to survey the beach at low | | | | shelled shrimp, worms, the meat from clams, |
| tide before fishing, at least take a few minutes to | | | | small pieces of squid, and cut fish are just a few |
| study the patterns of the incoming surf before | | | | of the best baits. |
| you cast your rod. Waves that break far from | | | | The best time of year for saltwater fishing is the |
| the water's edge usually mean shallow water, and | | | | time that you can do it. Except in the coldest |
| at times waves may be seen breaking on a | | | | months of winter you can usually find something |
| sandbar many yards from shore. In contrast, if | | | | to catch. There's only one sure way to be |
| the surf rushes in and the waves break closer in | | | | successful as a fisherman, and that's to get out |
| one area than in another it usually means that the | | | | there and wet a hook. The only sure way to fail |
| area is deeper than its surroundings. It is | | | | is to never try. So get out there and give it a try, |
| important to pay close attention since fish usually | | | | you never know what you might catch. |
| congregate around some type of underwater | | | | |