Reading the surf

Reading the Beach

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In spring most anglers get excited. It’s a new year, the weather is turning and fish are migrating into the area. Bluefish, big drum and many other species are being caught on our southern beaches. One question I always get is how to read the beach and find the fish. Well here is my take.

Finding the best place to actually deploy when going surf fishing is one of the major challenges for both the new angler or the most experienced surf fishing tournament participant.

Early season anglers just typically pick a spot and take their chances. So how does the angler find a good spot to fish on the beach within their zone?

The successful key when surf fishing is to look for the signs. They are easily spotted if you know where and what to look for. It is important to keep in mind that obvious first appearance signs can and do change by the hour or by the tide phase. So a consistent review of conditions is imperative for success.

When hitting the beach for the first time, anglers should focus on the entire picture. Look at everything but mainly focus on the surf zone. Specifically, evaluating sand formations and waves is a good place to start.

Flat sand beaches can indicate shallow water. On the beach where the sand tapers from a flat surface into the water will indicate a gradual slope. This area will be shallow for some distance and typically does not hold many fish.

Some sand formations that include cusps or small hills could indicate a greater slope and deeper water. The deeper water close to shore is better at holding fish. This is where the angler should concentrate their efforts.

Wave actions will also give out specific signs. Normally waves form offshore and travel a good distance without breaking and then break right in the surf. This is a sign that the bottom has a gradual slope for most of the wave set.

The best condition is when the waves start offshore, break on the bar, taper off with a foamy appearance and then re-form to again break near the shore. This is an indication of a slough where the deep water begins after the foam begins to form again. Sloughs form before a sandbar and after at a steep sloping beach  These sloughs are where most of the fish will be found. If the wave breaks and seas remain flat or foamy, move to the right or left until you find the right conditions.

Just a review, a slough is a channel of moving water that flows parallel to the beach and provides a highway for fish to find food and protection from other prey. This is the best place to focus your attention.

The final sign to look for is a rip current. A rip current is a rapid outflow channel or river of water. This happens when the waves push too much water onto the beach and there needs to be a way for the excess  water to flow back out to sea. Rip currents are easy to spot. Just look for the rapid outflow of current. These are usually lacking much surface foam.

So, when looking for the best place to fish on the surf, focus on the far and near sloughs, deeper water channels and rip currents.

Remember most fish are within 10 feet of where you stand. So keep your eyes open, fish your bait close and never oversize your gear.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony

Structure – Helping Hand

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Warm weather fishing can be tough. And anglers can always use a little help especially in summer. So let’s talk about structure again. So what does having structure have to do with being successful?  Plenty!!

An angler can significantly improve their catch rate if they are able to recognize the presence of structure and how to use it to their advantage. This knowledge along with several other scouting skill sets can give both the novice and experienced angler that competitive edge.

Structure can be defined as anything having an unusual characteristic found either horizontally under water or standing vertically in the water column. Many structures are created by nature or man-made. They are either installed to support another structure or stand alone.

Regardless of the type of structures, they can also be found at various locations and water depths.  Either way, structure can be beneficial for both anglers and most saltwater species.

Examples of vertical structure could be pilings, bulkheads, tree stumps, root systems or jetties that extend at or just above the surface. Horizontal structures may be submerged or just below the surface and may include depressions, holes, drop-offs, ledges, rocks, tree roots or sunken logs. The most common horizontal structure are small holes or depressions and the change where sand bottom meets a grass flat.

Regardless of the type, structures provide safety and good food sources for many species. The fish’s ability to move around this formation provides their ability to avoid another predator and feed. Also, many small bait fish and a variety of crustaceans will stay close to the structure, adding to the larger species’ food source. Basically, it’s a smorgasbord or buffet for most marine creatures.

When fishing a vertical structure, the angler should focus on the leeward side. Fish typically remain in the calm leeward side waiting for a bait fish or other species to pass by.  When fishing a horizontal structure such as a depression or grass flat, let your bait pass as close to the change or structure as possible, modifying your speed and lure action as you the retrieve.

As a general rule, when fishing structures, anglers should mimic the action of a bait fish or crustacean. They must provide a natural retrieve. Bait or lure presentation is extremely important as not to spook or chase the fish out of that zone. The bait or lure should be retrieved slowly both in the current and static areas. Then repeated.

Proficient anglers have the ability to use various retrieval or twitching actions that cause the fish to either sense anger, fear or instill their interest to attack.  But it is imperative that the action must be natural and lifelike.

Some structures are easily located but others are not.  Vertical structures are obvious – they stick out of the water. Horizontal ones must be discovered. I have found one way to locate a bottom structure is to take either a bank sinker or a lead jig head with the hook removed attached to a break-away light test leader and cast out in various locations. Feeling any resistance during the retrieve can reveal uneven bottoms or the submerged structure. Repeat this action, sometimes approaching it at an angle to verify the condition or structure. The anglers ability to recognize and use this structure is the easiest way for anglers to improve their catch rate.

And although it’s an important part of finding fish, its only one tool in the angler’s catch box. The ability to recognize structure and use it to catch fish can be a game changer.

Until Next Time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony

Knowing Tides Does Matter

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Tides have a major influence on whether you catch fish or not. It’s the tides that help create the ideal conditions for fish to feed. And if the angler is present during these times, their chances of catching something improve dramatically.

As a rule, most anglers prefer to fish on the high or low tides. And frequently, anglers will also monitor sun and moon phases, but it’s the tides that brings them out.  It’s the specific part of these tides that make all the difference.

Let’s take a closer look at why you too should consider following the tides.

Ocean tides occur up to four times per twenty-four hour period – two high and two low. The tide phases are influenced by a number of conditions but mostly by the moon.  Frequently, we hear that it’s best to fish on the exact full or new moon or on the top of the high or the bottom low tide because in theory that’s when the bite is on.This is only partially correct. Let’s take a closer look at how the tides affect the bite.

But first, a little background. When the high and low tide are at their peaks, the water is slack and not moving unless there is outside influence such as wind. And second, when the tide is between the high and low stage, a significant water movement can occur between the two tide phases.

Now, let’s break down one side of a tide. At the highest phase of high tide the water is slack. As the tide begins to fall, water starts to move toward the low tide phase. As the level continues to fall, this tide or water begins to pick up speed until it reaches a certain point, at which time the water begins to slow again to a slack phase.  Then the process starts again, but in reverse.

So let’s do an example to help find the best time to fish. Let’s start with an example of high tide at 6:00 am  low tide at 12:00 noon. The tide is slack at 6:00 and with gravitational influence the water level or tide begins to fall. As the tide continues to fall, it will pick up speed typically at around 7:30 and continue to increase flow or speed until 10:30. At this point the tide begins to lose its force and between 10:30 and 12:00 noon, the tide slows and finally is slack again.

As you can see in this example, the fastest moving water and the best time to fish is approximately 1-1/2 hours after high tide. Other times work too, but for increased success, focus on the ebb tide, especially around inlets and sloughs.

Remember, there are many other conditions that can influence the bite. Water movement is just one. Monitoring water temperature, seasonal migration and barometer can also improve your success.

But reviewing the tide phase should always be part of your fishing trip preparation.

So the next time you pick up a local tide chart – do some homework and you might just catch some more fish.

Until next time – Tight lines – Capt. Tony