Surf Fishing

Surf Fishing

There's nothing quite like packing up the cooler and the rods and heading down to the beach for a long day of fishing. Thousands of North Carolina visitors flock to the beaches every year, during all four seasons, to get their lines wet and bring home a spectacular catch. With hundreds of miles of shoreline to choose from, it's not hard to find plenty of elbow room to cast out a line or two. Also, with hundreds of species of fish, ranging from a 1-pound sea mullet to a 90-pound red drum, surf fishing off the North Carolina coast can yield a wide variety of tasty results.

Fishing has been around for as long as mankind, and archeologists have found "fish hooks" made out of bones that are 9,000 years old. Along North Carolina's coast, locals have been fishing off the beaches for sustenance for hundreds of years, from the first Native Americans to the English settlers. When it comes to tourism, many North Carolina coastal communities never would have become vacation destinations if it wasn't for the surf fishermen who made long weekend treks out to the coast to do some fishing.

For example, except for the maritime community, Hatteras Island was virtually undiscovered for decades. With no practical way to access the island, the beautiful beaches were relatively undiscovered until the 1930s. During this time, the New Deal brought in public works projects to build up the dunes to create dry paths without ocean overwash to the villages, and a local entrepreneur, Captain Tillet, began a ferry service across Oregon Inlet.

The first tourists to Hatteras Island were the hunters and fishermen of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s who traveled down miles of dirt roads and beach paths just to enjoy some of the best and undiscovered fishing holes in North Carolina. Many argue that if it weren't for these first fishermen, Hatteras Island would not be the popular vacation destination that it is today.

The beaches from the Northern Outer Banks to the Southern Cape Fear region still welcome thousands of surf fishermen every year, in all kinds of weather, and it's easy to see why.

Unlike charter fishing, there is little equipment required, and you can cast from any spot along the coastline. Just find a beach, grab a rod and reel, and cast away. It might be more difficult to fight and land a fish from the shore than it is from a boat, but avid surf fishermen attest that it's all part of the fun.

One of the most "difficult" aspects of surf fishing is finding the right location. There are popular beaches all along the North Carolina coast that are unofficially designated for surf fishing, and these locations attract fishermen from all over the country.

In fact, one of the most popular surf fishing beaches on the East Coast is located on the Outer Banks. Cape Point, a stretch of beach bordering the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton, has attracted generations of surf fishermen because of its unique geographic location and amazing catches. Sticking out 30 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Point jets out into the ocean and separates the North and South facing beaches of the Outer Banks. Just off Cape Point is a series of shifting shoals and sandbars, known as the Diamond Shoals, and these waters are also where two major international currents meet: The Labrador Current and The Gulf Stream. Millions of fish use both of these currents to feed and migrate through different waters.

These conditions combine to bring an assortment of giant game fish to the waters off of this special beach. It's not unusual for fall fishermen to catch 30-pound red drum in the spring or fall; and puppy drum, bluefish and flounder all summer long. Because of its reputation, Cape Point is a very popular beach. If you go and you are new to surf fishing, you may want to initially pick a spot away from the crowd. Sometimes, with so many fishermen, it can be easy to get your line tangled with the line of another angler.

You will also want to make sure you have a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, as Cape Point is two miles from a paved road, and walking with armloads of equipment can be difficult. Follow the signs for the ORV ramp, and lower your air tire pressure to 20 psi before heading out to the sand. There are plenty of gas stations and tackle stores nearby with free air hoses so you can fill your tires back up when you are done driving on the beach.

If you can't make it to Cape Point, don't worry. With hundreds of miles of ocean, virtually any spot on the sand can lead to an amazing catch of the day. Just remember that certain parts of the day can be more fruitful when it comes to landing the big one. Most anglers prefer to fish in the early mornings and evenings. This allows them to avoid surfers and other beachgoers, and more importantly, it's universally known as "feeding time" for a variety of game fish.

Perhaps the best days to go surf fishing are when the high tide peaks in the early morning (between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m.) The break line will not be so far from the shore when high tide peaks.

A shallow area that may hold fish and be a good spot to fish during a high tide might be a bare mud bank during low tide conditions. And a slough (a slight depression in the bottom) that might be perfect for bottom feeding fish during a low tide might be too deep and difficult to fish on a high tide.

Running tides (rising or falling) are best since they cause bait to move and promote active feeding among coastal fish. Changing tides, time of day and location are also important when you are fishing in brackish water, which is coastal water that is a mix of saltwater and freshwater and is home to both saltwater and freshwater fish. Brackish water is found in most tidal creeks and rivers along coasts and is highly affected by tidal movements.

In general, the best fishing is almost always on a rising or falling tide - not dead low or dead high tide when there is little or no water movement.

Determining the best time to fish requires checking on many fishing factors and outdoor conditions. Read the local newspaper and visit with folks at a local tackle shop to get accurate tide information.

Winds and currents can also affect your angling. With high, steady winds come rough and choppy waves, which create strong currents that pull on your line. On windy days, bring heavier weights to help your rig stand up against the currents. You will also want to get familiar with the pull of the ocean if you are casting from the surf. A current can suddenly move your line, as if there was a fish at the end of your hook. Before you start to reel in, wait to see if you feel rapid fire tugs at the end of your line, not slower pulls that may just be a current moving the line.

When you cast out into the ocean, make every effort to avoid seaweed that has a tendency to group together in large bunches along the ocean. Look for large collections of miniscule ripples, or in clearer waters, large sections of water that is brackish and discolored. This can indicate a large mass of seaweed. Granted, small bait fish love to duck in and out of seaweed, to feed and hide, and this attracts the larger species. But if your rig gets caught in seaweed, it can be a hassle to untangle, or worse, break altogether. You should also be cautious along rocky beaches where a rig can get stuck in between rocks and snap. Try to stick to sandy beaches whenever possible.

For beginners, picking a location is the easy part. It is usually a matter of finding the closest or favorite family beach. The tricky part of surf fishing for first timers is figuring out which type of rods and reels to buy. Before breaking out your wallet, consider how often you intend to go surf fishing. If you are only planning on a few occasional fishing trips each year, then an inexpensive rig is perfectly acceptable for you.

A spinning rod is the best type of reel for beach fishermen because it is easy to clean, easy to access the fishing line, and most anglers agree it is easier to cast. Spinning rods usually also provide a longer cast, too. A spinning rod is an open faced reel with a bailer that you can flick back and forth to either hold or release the line to cast. Essentially, you release the line when you cast, and hold it when the pole is sitting in a pole holder or in your hands.

Most of the reputable tackle companies have inexpensive models of spinning rods. Daiwa, one of the biggest, makes a large selection of cheaper rods for the beginning angler on a budget. This equipment, with a graphite rod and reel, is dependable and very low maintenance. The Eliminator tackle is a good place to start, with the cost for a 12-foot Eliminator Spinning rod starting at around $55. A durable rod, the Eliminators will last for quite a few years. They are just heavy enough to cast easily, but still train beginners how to handle the big rigs. If the angler wants to try a conventional rod later, this rod also works fine "upside down," which for conventional rods, is actually top-up.

If all you need is a reel, Daiwa, Shakespeare and Penn are all reliable companies that offer a good selection of reasonably priced gear. While slightly more expensive than the Eliminators at approximately $65, these reels handle well with big surf rods, and are known to last a long time. Most of North Carolina's coastal tackle stores have these reels in stock, and the fishing pros who man the counters can help you pick out the best gear for you.

More and more anglers are also choosing their gear ahead of time by shopping online. Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops are two of the biggest outdoor suppliers with the largest selection. If you plan on surf fishing on a regular basis, you might want to look into these stores for a higher end surf rod and reel. This could easily run about $100 or more, but if you are an avid angler, the cost is worth it versus regularly having to replace a cheaper rod and reel. Remember that surf fishing can be addictive, especially after that first big catch of the day, and the more fish you catch, the less likely you are to think about how much you spent on your gear.

When you need a rod that can hold out for many days of fishing, Daiwa, Shakespeare and Penn offer higher quality models. Look into the Daiwa Sealine X series, a very light but very strong graphite rod that comes in varying lengths and costs. As an example, a 12-foot rod, considered a medium size, can cost around $150.

The Shakespeare Ugly Stik Big Water series is considered to offer some of the strongest rods available, ideal for big fish and big surf. At $70 for an 11-foot rod, these rods are very reasonably priced. For beginners, the only issue can be the weight, which can be a little heavy and hard to manage for even the most experienced fishermen. This does add to the rod's strength, however, and it can pull in just about anything that finds its way to the shore.

When deciding on a good surf spinning reel for surf fishing, consider an alloy model. Aluminum reels are the strongest, and one of the best of these reels are the Penn SS reels. This reel works well with most surf rods and it is known as one of the best performers, as well as being easy to maintain. At $140, it's one of the pricier varieties, but will most likely last as long as you fish.

Another good surf spinning reel is the Daiwa BG series. The BG 60 is a good across the board 20-pound line reel, and offers a somewhat more simple design than the Penn. It has been tested for years and at $85, it is one of the better deals for high quality reels.

Once you have purchased your rod and reel, it is imperative to maintain it so it lasts a long time. Never reel in too quickly, unless absolutely necessary, so the fishing line can properly recoil itself onto the reel. You should also never leave your rod in the sand, where little particles can easily seep into the mechanical parts. Pick up a couple inexpensive pole holders at a local tackle store, and bury them deep into the sand when you go fishing. Many anglers bring a small rubber mallet to pound the pole holder into the sand, so if something large lands while in the rig is in the pole holder, it will stay rigid. This will also let you relax, wander around, and simply enjoy the beach while keeping a cautious eye on the fishing pole for those quick jerky movements, indicating there's something on the end of the line. It is important to not leave your rod and rod holder unattended while your rig is out in the water. If a large enough fish gets on your line and you don't notice it is there, it could pull the rod holder out of the sand and your new fishing rod and reel into the water with it.

Regardless of what type of rig is the best fit for your area, which varies along the entire North Carolina Coast, most tackle shops sell balanced rod and reel combinations in a variety of lengths and weights.

Seasonal conditions can make your rig ideal in certain types of the year, and not quite as good in others, but 8 to 9 feet is a versatile rod length and a good starter for beginners. Overall, look for rods that are not too soft, which can lead to too much deceiving flex in the tip, and can handle up to four ounces of weight to hold a rig on the bottom.

Once your tackle is secure, it is time to figure out what to use for bait. When you are surf fishing on the North Carolina Coast, most of the time natural bait will work perfectly. It is abundant, available at most local bait shops and sometimes, you can find perfect natural bait in your own beachy backyard by using a cast net. The most popular types of natural bait are bloodworms, squid, shrimp or mullet, combined with two hook bottom rigs. These rigs are versatile and good for several species of small fish. They also give you the opportunity to change hook sizes, styles and sinkers easily to suit the species of fish and conditions of the ocean. Some shops sell them with the hooks and sinkers already attached.

"Fireball rigs" are specialized bottom rigs. They may have one or two hooks, with a brightly colored float fixed just in front of the hook. They are good for bluefish, but anything will bite them.

The right type of bait depends on the season, and the type of fish that are frequenting the ocean waters. Check with a local tackle shop before you head out for your day of fishing, and ask their advice on what is biting and what is the best type of bait to use.

The least expensive type of natural bait is the kind you catch yourself, and coastal anglers attest that they often catch more fish with a couple of "sand diggers," or mole crabs, than any other piece of bait. Mole crabs can be found in abundance along the shoreline, right where the waves plunge onto the beach. Pick a spot of wet sand that looks a little lumpy, and start digging. Chances are, you'll spot these little gray and pink crabs just a few inches in the sand.

If you are fishing with your family, keep the kids busy by digging away and looking for extra mole crab bait. Pick out the larger ones, and hook them from the underside up through the top of the shell.

Another great bait that you can typically find in abundance in a soundside canal or salty pond is mullet. Head out to a local deep canal that runs into the sound or ocean, and bring a cast net to scoop up these small fish, that generally run just a few inches long. Cut them up into shiny pieces while they are fresh - the blood of a mullet is a tasty lure for all kinds of big fish, like bluefish, puppy drum, flounder and trout - in fact, just abut anything will nibble on mullet.

Don't have the energy to fish and look for your own bait too? No problem! Many tackle stores sell fresh mullet, as well as other kinds of bait that isn't easy to come by on your own, like small squid and bloodworms. Cut bloodworms into large pieces, or don't cut them at all, and squid usually works best when it is cut into thin, wedge-shaped pieces that imitate a swimming bait fish in the current.

Consider bringing a few artificial lures as well, as sometimes fish will school and actively feed in front of the surf. This has been seen especially often with bluefish, striped bass and Spanish mackerel. This is common in the early morning and late afternoon, which are prime feeding times for most species of game fish. These artificial lures, preferably heavy enough to cast and shiny enough to attract fish, need to be cast out and retrieved on a regular basis to simulate a fleeing bait fish.

Other than the bait, you might also want to bring a knife for cutting, a pair of pliers, a rag and a plastic bucket to keep your live bait.

If you are new to surf fishing, it might be helpful to try a few casts on the sand in a large open area, to ensure that when it is time to cast into the water, you don't lose your rig.

There are different styles of casting, and some experts are able to overhand, starting with their hands well behind their head, down towards their back, and essentially chucking the line hundreds of feet into the water.

The more popular method is the simple, straightforward, conventional cast, which is a combination of having enough force to throw your line well into the ocean water, and finding the right timing for releasing the reel so that is propels the line far enough in the right direction, which is straight out into the ocean.

Once the line is in the water, there are a variety of tasty and trophy fish that might take a nibble. While what you can catch is dependent on the time of year, the currents, and simply what's biting, there are a few North Carolina standard species that are more common than other.

Bluefish are common off the beach almost all year long, except for extremely cold months. These shiny silver fish can get as large as 25 pounds, or 12 inches or more. It is more common to land the smaller varieties, but it is illegal to keep the small bluefish. Check the NC Marine Fisheries website for more information, or pick up a pamphlet at your local tackle store for regulations for all species of fish.

Flounder are flat bottom feeders, and are modeled brown with a few indistinctive spots, with both eyes on top of their heads. The keepers are 14 inches or more, and the larger varieties can resemble big glossy doormats. Flounder can be caught in the spring, summer and fall seasons. Flounder are an especially delicious fish with a delicate taste.

One of the smallest fish you might land and still consider a good catch is the kingfish, or sea mullet. A kingfish might only get as large as two pounds, and is a local favorite when it comes to seafood dinners. An indistinctive fish, kingfish are slender and silvery, with three species that each look just a little different. Kingfish make an appearance off the NorthCarolina Coast in the summer, although some anglers have also caught them in the spring and fall.

Speckled and grey trout can also be caught in the spring, summer and fall, though typically the larger ones are landed in the cooler spring and fall months. True to their names, the grey trout is grey, and the speckled trout is grey with black spots. A good trout can get as large as 7 or 8 pounds. These are true crowd pleasers, as everyone loves the taste of a good grey or speckled trout.

If you are casting near a pier or other structure like a jetty or rocks, you might land a Sheapshead. Sheapshead are somewhat slender fish that are grey with striking black stripes. These fish can get as large as 12 or 13 pounds and are quite tasty. Keep in mind that they feed off the barnacles and small clinging critters that hold onto water-based structures from spring to fall, so to land a Sheapshead you will need to frequent these areas.

Sometimes an angler can be fooled with a wild fight to the shore with a supposed big fish, only to find that they landed a skate, or ray. A skate is a large flat brownish-gray fish in the shark family with two long fins that look like wings and a long tail. Skates are not edible and should be thrown back. To unhook one, roll the skate over on its back and use a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the hook, as they have a barb on their tail that can cause a nasty sting.

If you are on the hunt for big fish, there are two species of excellent game fish (other than the larger schools of bluefish that can occasionally run parallel to the beach) that the coastal waters off North Carolina are known for: red drum and striped bass.

Red drum are adult puppy drum, and they make seasonal runs along the coast in the spring and fall. The drum runs can attract anglers from all over the country, as during this time period it is likely for multiple fishermen to land a big red drum from the beach. Red drum are big red fish with little black spots on their tails. They can weigh as much as 94 pounds, which is the state record catch for a red drum North Carolina. While it is illegal to keep the larger red drums, they still make for a wonderful photo opportunity during their short time out of the water. Many anglers consider mullet or menhaden, cut into bite size chunks, the best bait for red drum.

Striped bass are long and silver with lateral black stripes and make an appearance in the cooler winter months, from Thanksgiving through February. Striped bass can get as large as 40 pounds, and are a tasty way to feed the whole family and then some. Lures work well with striped bass, as do cut bait and live eels.

Regardless of what species of fish you land, if there is an inkling that your catch is particularly larger than the average species, stop by a local tackle store that has a scale to see if you are eligible for a North Carolina Citation. A Citation is basically an award certificate that the state distributes to recognize especially great catches, and the weight for a fish to be eligible varies by each species. You will need to fill out an application for the citation, and you will need a witness. It never hurts to take a few photos too, just to bolster your case (and to show to your friends and family.) If you fit the size requirements for a citation and have completed the application, then you will receive your certificate in the mail a few weeks later, ready to frame to acknowledge your perfect big catch.

A great way to beat the weekend crowds and enjoy a prize fishing spot all to yourself is by night fishing. While most North Carolina beaches do not allow camping on the beach, for the most part, setting up the fishing gear and staying out late is perfectly fine. Check with your local tourism boards, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in North Carolina (or the National Park Service if you are night fishing on a National Seashore) to see if it is permitted in the area at the time you want to fish. Occasionally, a stretch of beach can be closed for night fishermen, particularly in the late summer and early fall when sea turtle nests on the beach are about to hatch and the lights of fishermen can distract them from their scurry to the ocean water.

You may also want to bring a friend, and plenty of lights, particularly on 4-wheel-drive beaches when oncoming trucks might not see you as they drive along the beaches. Remember that coastal nights can be much colder than coastal days, so an extra sweater or jacket might come in handy.

Check the weather before you head out, as it is just as likely that a common coastal thunderstorm will pop up at night as it is during the day. Weather websites, like Weather.com, offer satellite images of any approaching storms, and this will give you a good indication as to what lies ahead weather wise. If a storm does hit, put any metal poles away and head for the safety of the vehicle until it passes. After the storm, you might be in for a pleasant surprise, as the gusty winds that often accompany a thunderstorm have a tendency to drive fish to the coast.

Also before you go night fishing, you should test the batteries in your lights at home first, just to make sure they can hold out for the long haul. Keep spare bulbs, when applicable, and spare batteries on hand in your vehicle. It is nearly impossible to cut up a piece of bait and properly rig a line when the lighting is bad.

Some anglers suggest using lights to attract fish towards the shore. However, this doesn't always work, as the fish that frequent the area might not be used to seeing artificial lights in the area. It is possible that this could scare them off just as likely as it would attract them.

Two lights that may come in handy, are a head lamp and a tip light. A battery operated head lamp is attached to elastic and, like a coal miner's lamp, is worn on your head and gives you a little extra light in front of you for casting and preparing bait.

A tip light is a tiny battery operated lamp that attaches to the top of your fishing pole, so that you can see when the pole is flicking back and forth indicating a bite. This is especially useful if you plan on using pole holders, and letting them do most of the work. Unless they are firmly secured and balanced, be sure to remove the tip lights when casting so they don't fly off into the water or unbalance the tip of your rod and result in a bad cast. Red colored tip lights are generally more economical and provide perfect light for the tip of the pole.

What are the benefits of night fishing? For one thing, you can have a popular stretch of beach that is cluttered by surfers, beachgoers and other fishermen in the daytime, for yourself. For another, there are some big species of fish that primarily feed at night, like drum and sharks. Fishing after dark increases your chances of landing one of these big catches.

Day or night, summer or winter, surf fishing is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to enjoy some of the best fishing that the coast has to offer. With a multitude of different tasty species that vary among all seasons, there is always a great catch lurking somewhere off a North Carolina beach. Remember, even if you come home empty handed, there is nothing like a good tall fish tale to liven up any North Carolina vacation.