Surf fishing along the Atlantic coast of Central Florida, particularly around areas like Sebastian Inlet and Daytona Beach offers a wide variety of fish species and fishing experiences. Following is a detailed look at what you can expect in terms of fish available, surf conditions, equipment, bait, rigs and more.
Fish Species to Catch...
- Red Drum (Redfish): One of the most sought-after species, especially around Sebastian Inlet. They are known for their fighting ability and can be caught year-round.
- Snook: Common in the summer months around Sebastian Inlet; these fish are prized for their challenging catch and delicious taste.
- Pompano: Especially popular in Daytona Beach, these fish are often targeted during their migration in the spring and fall. They can be found all up and down the coast depending on their migration pattern.
- Whiting: common in the surf and good eating
- Black Drum: Larger specimens are often found, they put up a good fight. Mostly caught off Sebastian inlet jetty or piers.
- Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel: These aggressive fish are frequently caught and are known for their speed and ferocity.
Best Surf Conditions:
- Tides: Moving water is your friend in surf fishing. The best times to fish are usually around the changing tides — from incoming tide up to high tide and then the outgoing tide. The water movement during these times can bring fish closer to shore as the surf churns up more food.
- Water Clarity: Clearer water can lead to better fishing conditions, especially for sight predators like snook and pompano. However, some species, like red drum, may be more active in murkier waters, especially if they are feeding near the bottom.
- Weather and Wind: A light to moderate onshore wind can be ideal. It stirs up the surf and can bring baitfish closer to shore, which in turn attracts predator fish. However, too strong a wind can make surf fishing difficult and dangerous.
- Season: The time of year can greatly affect your success. Spring and fall are generally the best seasons for surf fishing in Central Florida, as many species migrate along the coast during these times.
Equipment/Gear:
- Rod and reel - A long surf rod, typically between 9 and 12 feet, paired with a spinning reel (size - 4000 or 5000 is common) suitable for saltwater, will allow you to cast beyond the breaking waves where fish often feed. Shorter rods will work as well, sometimes the surf breaks and troughs where fish feed are closer to shore.
- Terminal tackle: Spool your reels with up to 30# braid (20# braid is common). Fluorocarbon or mono leaders set up with surf rig (see info and diagrams below). Have some jigs, silver spoons and stickbaits available.
- surf spikes - to hold your rod and keep your line above the breaking surf. You can buy them or make your own out of PVC pipe. They should reach above the sand 4-5' and be well anchored.
- Surf (sand) carts: Since we can often drive on the beach or drive nearby, these are not essential. May be more useful for pier and bridge fishing where you have to lug your gear longer distances.
- A heavy beach chair with umbrella or separate sand umbrella to rest and keep out of sun in between bites.
- Cooler with ice: to keep your drinks, bait and fish.
- Usual accessories: wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, sun screen, pliers, sharp knife and whatever else makes you feel comfortable
Bait:
Always check with nearby bait shops to see what fish are biting and what they are biting on (be prepared to buy some recommended bait from them). Also, get information on tides and surf conditions - preferably before you go. Maintain a good relationship with the bait shops and fishermen.
Fish Bites: This bait has become one of the most popular and effective baits in the surf. It comes in different colors and flavors. Google it for choices and descriptions. You should have a pair of scissors to cut it as it has a mesh membrane to keep it together and is hard to cut. It can be used by itself or as an add on to shrimp or cut bait or even sand fleas.
Sand Fleas: Live ones are probably the best bait for several species in the surf. You can buy them, rake them up with a sand flea rake or shovel them up. They can be bought as artificials in different colors and flavors (Gulp! makes some good ones).
Live and cut bait: You can buy at bait shops, catch your own live ones or cut up some trash fish you catch.
Artificials: Have some silver spoons of various weights. Jigs of various sizes with feathers or plastics. Stickbaits of various sizes up to about 6". A couple of topwater baits like water poppers or spooks. If bluefish are around, you may need some wire leaders.
Always check with nearby bait shops to see what fish are biting and what they are biting on (be prepared to buy some recommended bait from them). Also, get information on tides and surf conditions - preferably before you go. Maintain a good relationship with the bait shops and fishermen.
Fish Bites: This bait has become one of the most popular and effective baits in the surf. It comes in different colors and flavors. Google it for choices and descriptions. You should have a pair of scissors to cut it as it has a mesh membrane to keep it together and is hard to cut. It can be used by itself or as an add on to shrimp or cut bait or even sand fleas.
Sand Fleas: Live ones are probably the best bait for several species in the surf. You can buy them, rake them up with a sand flea rake or shovel them up. They can be bought as artificials in different colors and flavors (Gulp! makes some good ones).
Live and cut bait: You can buy at bait shops, catch your own live ones or cut up some trash fish you catch.
Artificials: Have some silver spoons of various weights. Jigs of various sizes with feathers or plastics. Stickbaits of various sizes up to about 6". A couple of topwater baits like water poppers or spooks. If bluefish are around, you may need some wire leaders.
Trips:
Our club's intention is to organize surf fishing trips for 4-6 people and arrange carpools, sharing of equipment and obtain lodging for a one night stay near the fishing destination. We will provide an estimate of the cost but the goal is to keep well under $100. If we can accommodate more fishermen to go on the same trip, we will. You do not have to stay overnight. We may try to hire a guide to at least get us started at the best locations and with the most up to date fish reports. You will pay only for the services you use.
The club will try to post dates for future possible outings. This may be limited for numerous reasons like weather unpredictability, fish reports, securing lodging, etc. We will make contact by email with all those who have expressed a desire to surf fish with details of any proposed trip. If you haven't already gotten on our email list for surf fishing, CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Our club's intention is to organize surf fishing trips for 4-6 people and arrange carpools, sharing of equipment and obtain lodging for a one night stay near the fishing destination. We will provide an estimate of the cost but the goal is to keep well under $100. If we can accommodate more fishermen to go on the same trip, we will. You do not have to stay overnight. We may try to hire a guide to at least get us started at the best locations and with the most up to date fish reports. You will pay only for the services you use.
The club will try to post dates for future possible outings. This may be limited for numerous reasons like weather unpredictability, fish reports, securing lodging, etc. We will make contact by email with all those who have expressed a desire to surf fish with details of any proposed trip. If you haven't already gotten on our email list for surf fishing, CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Information and useful diagrams:
A surf bait rig is generally comprised of a hook or hooks, leader material (either monofilament or fluorocarbon) swivel to attach the main fishing line, a snap swivel to attach a sinker, and in some cases, attractor beads or buoyant floats. To the terminal end is a sinker, the style and weight of which is chosen with rod size, surf conditions and casting distance needs in mind.
A surf bait rig is generally comprised of a hook or hooks, leader material (either monofilament or fluorocarbon) swivel to attach the main fishing line, a snap swivel to attach a sinker, and in some cases, attractor beads or buoyant floats. To the terminal end is a sinker, the style and weight of which is chosen with rod size, surf conditions and casting distance needs in mind.
Dropper rigs allow the use of 2 or 3 baited hooks which can sometimes result in double hookups on schooling fish such as pompano. This style of rig presents more baits at various depths, increasing the odds of hooking a fish. When a strike is missed, an angler can depend on a second bait for a following bite, instead of automatically reeling in to re-bait a hook.
Dropper rigs allow the use of 2 or 3 baited hooks which can sometimes result in double hookups on schooling fish such as pompano. This style of rig presents more baits at various depths, increasing the odds of hooking a fish. When a strike is missed, an angler can depend on a second bait for a following bite, instead of automatically reeling in to re-bait a hook.
This is a typical Pompano/whiting rig used in the surf. You can make your own or you can buy them pre tied (without sinker) for $2-$3 each. Beads and floats can be bought in different colors and sizes. The float is important as it keeps the bait up in the breaking surf just as natural bait would be. You can also buy them with wire rigs if there are toothy critters around.
There are several other rigs used in the surf. You can find examples by CLICKING HERE
When the surf or current is strong, a "sputnik" sinker is used - It will dig into the sand and has more holding power. There are several other sinkers that have special uses. You can see them with the images of different surf rigs on the page linked above.
When the surf or current is strong, a "sputnik" sinker is used - It will dig into the sand and has more holding power. There are several other sinkers that have special uses. You can see them with the images of different surf rigs on the page linked above.
Here are some baits commonly used: Fishbites in many colors and flavors. Gulp sand fleas in different colors and flavors. Banana jigs in different colors and you can add feathers, hair, sand fleas, cut bait, shrimp, etc. The metal lures are mostly for bluefish, mackerel and other schooling fish swimming by.
You can buy surf spikes for under $10 or make your own. Here's a couple of examples.
Here are some examples of sand and bridge carts. Sand carts need bigger, balloon type wheels to go on the sand. Bridge carts don't need the bigger tires. You can buy them or make your own - there are numerous DIY plans on the internet.
