How I surf fish

This post is for all you novices who aren't really sure how to fish from a shore line. Next time you visit the beach, try this technique and you might find yourself reeling in more fish than anyone else around you.

I took this approach by taking a mix of trout fishing using live bait and bay fishing (from a boat) techniques.

What you'll need:
3-way fishing swivel
Saltwater rod
Size 1 saltwater hooks
3 oz saltwater sinker
squid bait

First, cut the squid bait in a trapezoid shape similar to the way you see it below:

The trick is to cut the squid about 4" - 5" long, about 1/2" - 1" wide at one side and down to 1/4" - 1/2" on the other side.


Next, set up your rig as follows:

Note: the line from the swivel to the sinker should be between 8" - 18", and the line from the swivel to the hook should be between 12" - 18".

This rig works because when the sinker settles to the ground, the current will make the bait flap around in the water above the ground. I use a similar rig in freshwater areas like rivers and streams where the current is stronger than usual (like after rain).

When you bait the hook, you want to make sure that you put the thicker end of the cut squid through the hook. Put two pieces of squid on the hook!!!! Most fishermen put only one squid on the hook, but putting two pieces will make the fish more curious because the bait is presented differently. Plus, putting two pieces on the hook makes the bait look more realistic under water. Note: hooking on two wax worms in trout streams is just as effective, especially during the hot summer when the fish don't want to bite and near the opening day of trout season. But in trout waters, it's best to use a small treble hook. Last time I went trout fishing, I caught a 2 1/2 lb. trout near Tunkhannock, PA (most legal size trout are too small to weigh) using 2 wax worms on one hook.

When fishing the surf on the beach, I usually try to cast about 20 yards out and leave just enough slack for the line to settle. Count to 60 (slowly) and reel in a little bit of line (this best works by tipping the rod up and reeling in slack). Count to 20 (slowly) and reel in a little more line again. By the third or fourth time around if you have no bites, recast. Last time I used this rig, I caught 4 legal size flounder off the coast of Cape May in less than 30 minutes.