Fish in the surf are like fish everywhere, they like structure from which to ambush their prey. We want to place our baits in these spots. Learning how to read the shape of the beach and action of the waves to identify the structure of the bottom is how you go about finding the most productive surf fishing spots.
Structure in the surf generally consists of a shore break, deeper water called a slough between the outer sand bar and the inner shore break, the outer sand bar and and rip currents (sometimes called out-sucks). Each of these structures cause specific water and wave action we can use to identify them. There will always be some structure, even if it’s subtle.
Shore Break
The shore break is the wave breaking on the beach immediately in front of you. Many bait fish come in just behind the shore break to feed on sand fleas, crabs and other bait being washed back into the ocean. Even though it’s shallow, large game fish often come to the shore break to feed on those bait fish, or help themselves to the bounty of crustaceans being tossed around in the surf. It is very easy to cast over this area and miss a great opportunity. Casting into the face of the wave will often put your bait in just the right pot
Slough
The slough or trough, is deeper water between the outer sand bar and the shore break. Look for the swell reforming in the slough. The water may be smooth or broken up with white water left over from the break on the outer bar. This area serves as highway for game fish moving along the shore in search of food. Larger fish will often haunt the deepest middle part of the slough or the bottom nearest the outer bar.
Outer Sand Bar
The outer sand bar is a ridge of sand up to several hundred feet from shore over which the swell will initially break. It marks the outer edge of the slough. Breaking waves or a mushy crest will identify the bar. Placing baits on the outer sand bar and letting them fall over the inside or outside edge is a great tactic for targeting large game fish. The outside of the outer sand bar can attract larger sharks and sometime a pelagic fish. In many circumstances you will need a long cast to reach it so make sure to work on your distance casting so you don’t miss out.
Out-suck/Rip
The Out-suck is a concentrated channel of water washing back into the surf. This structure is created by a cut or groove in the beach perpendicular to the ocean. The cut collects the water deposited by the shore break and channels it through to the end of the current, called the head. You will see a lip or trailing portion of the shore break wave over the cut and often disturbed surface water tracing the outline of the current. Out-sucks can run from shore all the way through the outer bar or they can end in the slough as shown here. Placing your bait at the head of the current is one the most productive surf fishing tactics.
When you’re searching the beach for structure consider using the following tactics
- Survey the beach at low tide. The lower water levels will often expose the structure
- Spend some time watching the surf for indications of structure
- Move, sometimes moving ten yards up or down the beach will put you on structure you hadn’t noticed
- Keep bait at multiple distances to find which structure the fish are working
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