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