Fishing in the Summer Surf

Surf fishing can be one of the more leisurely techniques to target some inshore fish species. Fishing from shore is a great option for tourist visitors or Lowcountry residents without access to a boat. A popular sentiment goes, if you’re lucky enough to be at the beach, then you’re lucky enough. Why not add surfcasting to this scenario for a chance at catching species like pompano, red drum, whiting, and sharks. 

Shark caught in the surf zone at Seabrook Island 

Surf fishing requires specialized equipment and requires an entirely separate array of gear for one’s tackle box. You still use bait on a hook in search of a strike, but your rod, reel, tackle, and implements are all different. The most essential tool for this trade is the surf spike, which is a rod holder to get your fishing outfit upright, and ready for a bite. The fishing rod could be 6 or 7 feet if that is all you have, but I suggest moving up to 10 to 12 foot rods. These long rods are usually two-piece construction, and the added length allows your fishing line to stay above the breaking waves next to the beach. 

Getting your rods, cooler, and tackle box from your vehicle to the surf’s edge requires an extra pair of hands, or perhaps making two trips. Obtaining a wheeled surf cart solves this dilemma and these fishing carts are all the rage these days, popular with both pier fisherman and surf fishermen. A cart can be custom made to fit your specific desires, or a more generic model can be purchased at your local tackle shop. 

To read this article in the the newspaper click on Colletonian. 

To view past blog entries on surf fishing click Edisto Island or Bull's Island or South Island.