NCsaltaire

The Perfect Spot If You Know What to Look For

October 16, 2011 at 7:43 pm Leave a comment

There are many ways to locate a perfect surf fishing spot. The old saying is, “you should fish where the fish are”. But without being facetious, that is not always easy. You can always call a local tackle shop or pier.  They can only give you what other people have called in or what “has or is” happening at their location.

My plans don’t always allow me to fish at any optimum time or place. So I go when I can. My favorite spot is the surf. There are so many opportunities there. But you must know where there is a possibility of fish. Blind casting is fun but not very productive.

My first observation when surf fishing is to study the wave action and the beach configuration. I look for a steep drop off at the water line and the rip current. A good indication of a steep spot off is a gravel /shell pile.

Typically fish will be found in the sloughs. A slough is a channel of deeper water between the beach and the sand bar. The sloughs during incoming tides create a “river” of water traveling parallel with the beach. At the weak point in the bar, the water rushes out to sea. This is the rip current.

You should try to fish in this “river” just north or south of this rip. In this picture, you can see the beginning of a rip current being formed.

So next time you plan a trip on the surf, look for that tail tale sign. Now that’s where the fish are. Take it from me, this is where I have been most successful.

Until next time,

Tightlines

Entry filed under: Home, Places. Tags: beach, beach weather, cape hatteras, duck, family fishing, Kill Devil Hills, outer banks, salt water fishing, tackle box.