| One of the toughest problems confronting the | | | | fact, even if a few fish are being caught at the |
| novice in surf fishing is the one of locating the fish | | | | time you can still increase your chances by trying |
| that venture inshore to feed. As the beginner | | | | a different location where there is less |
| glances up and down the miles of beach, he is | | | | competition. |
| likely to scratch his head and wonder where he | | | | Surf fish such as striped bass, bluefish, channel |
| should cast his lure or bait. To him, one section of | | | | bass, weak-fish and others often move fast. |
| breaking waves and water looks very much like | | | | They may be present and active in a certain area |
| any other, and he finds it difficult to choose the | | | | and then, in a matter of minutes, disappear. So |
| best spot for fishing. | | | | when these species are moving in large schools |
| Unfortunately for the newcomer, however, the | | | | and actively feeding on smaller bait fish, the best |
| ability to choose the best fishing spots in the surf | | | | way to locate them is to look for birds, especially |
| takes time to acquire. Through years of trial and | | | | gulls and terns, diving and wheeling over the |
| error the seasoned surf anglers have learned | | | | water. This usually indicates that larger game fish |
| which spots are the most productive and which | | | | down below are driving the bait fish to the |
| ones to ignore. But the beginner may spend hours | | | | surface. |
| fishing a barren spot. What to do about it? | | | | When the birds are within casting distance, it's |
| You can obtain information on the hot surf-fishing | | | | always a good idea to cast a metal squid or |
| spots from friends and fishing-tackle dealers. If | | | | surface plug into the commotion. If there are big |
| you have a surf-fishing buddy make a mutual | | | | fish feeding, the chances are good that you will |
| agreement to keep each other informed when | | | | get a strike. But even if the birds are outside of |
| and where you catch fish in the surf. Or drop | | | | casting range or merely sitting on the water, it |
| around to the local fishing-tackle store and talk to | | | | pays to keep an eye on them. |
| either the owner or surf anglers who have been | | | | If the bait fish move in to shore, the birds and |
| out fishing. | | | | game fish will follow and you'll often be able to |
| Many surf anglers come into the local store to | | | | reach them. On many occasions, I've spent many |
| weigh a big fish or buy a lure or line. The dealer | | | | hours during the day watching gulls and terns |
| gets a good idea of the spots that are producing | | | | wheeling and diving too far offshore to reach with |
| fish and is glad to pass this information on to his | | | | a cast. However, toward dusk, the bait fish often |
| customers. | | | | headed inshore and then there would be fast |
| The beginning surf fisherman often has a favorite | | | | action as the bigger fish followed them right up to |
| way of locating the best fishing spots. He goes | | | | the beach. |
| down to the beach and looks for other anglers. If | | | | Sometimes you don't see any birds working, but |
| he sees a line of surf anglers he joins them in the | | | | you will either see small bait fish skipping or leaping |
| belief that they are fishing the best spot. This | | | | out of the water or you will see a big fish slap |
| may or may not be true. | | | | the water with its tail or swirl as it chases a |
| If the anglers are catching fish or have caught | | | | smaller fish. In either case it's an indication that |
| fish at that spot recently then it's a good idea to | | | | fish are present and feeding. Then it's up to you |
| join them. But if no fish are being caught you | | | | to find the lure that they want. |
| may be wasting your time fishing there. You can | | | | It can be fun fishing in the surf, and following |
| often do better by finding a less crowded spot. In | | | | these guidelines, it can be rewarding too! |