Best Seasons to Surf Fish

There are tons of factors that have to be taken into consideration when planning your next surf fishing trip. The last thing you want is to head out on your big adventure, only to come back with an empty cooler. Before booking your trip, it’s important to be aware of the best season and time to go.

Like with any other kind of fishing expedition, the first crucial thing to consider is the type of fish you are looking to catch. Once that is done, you can take a look at other factors like the tide, season, and time of day.

Below, we will look at each of these variables and give you a better idea of how to make the right choice as to when you will be heading out on your next fishing adventure!

Best Season

No matter where you are headed or what fish you are looking to reel in, there are two seasons that are best for surf fishing. When planning your trip, make sure to set it up for either spring or fall. This has to do with the fish’s migration patterns and the temperature of the water.

However, just because spring and fall are the best time, it doesn’t mean that trips set up during the winter and summer won’t yield a good result. It is simply that you will have a better chance of a big haul during these two seasons.

Best Time

When it comes to the time of day, you either want to go just before dawn or just before dusk. This will allow you to take advantage of the fish’s natural nocturnal feeding patterns.

This is one of the reasons why fishing during the summer is not the best idea. Often the beaches you will want to fish off of will be inhabited by sunbathers. That means there is no chance of your getting that line in the water easily.

Best Tide

Tides play a big part in surf fishing. Having water that is moving along the surf line makes fishing more enjoyable and fruitful. That is why high tide may be the best time for optimal results. You can use low tide for scouting, and then wait until the high tide rolls in.

This will give you about a two-hour window to get out there and do a little fishing. That is why scouting your locations beforehand is so important if you are looking to enhance your experience.

Best Moon Phase

The moon affects the tides, and therefore plays a role in fish feeding patterns. You will want to find the tide that comes the fastest and that has the most extreme changes when it comes to the intensity and depth of the tide.

These conditions make surf fishing ideal. There are also surf fishers that believe the best time is during a full moon, as there is plenty of light. This draws the fish into a more intense feeding cycle, which means more fish will be around.

Best Weather

Weather will definitely play a part in your decision on when to set up your fishing trip. You want a day that has a nice gentle offshore breeze and a low-pressure front. You do not want a strong wind or a cold front moving in.

For those that notice that there have been some poor weather conditions, they will need to make a few slight adjustments. You will want to put off your trip for a few days until the system clears. This will allow you to find a time when the weather is more beneficial to your fishing goals.

Best Water Temperature

The last thing to consider is the temperature of the water itself. This is part of the reason that spring and fall are so good for surf fishing. Before you make your final plans, you have to really know the fish breed you are looking to fish for.

Each of these unique breeds will be attracted to different temperatures. In general, you want to look for waters that range from 35 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, that is a wide range, because it really depends on the fish species.

For instance, if you are looking to reel in some red snapper, you will look for water temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, if you are hoping to catch some pompano, you will want temperatures from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a lot of factors that have to be measured and weighed when it comes to planning your surf fishing trip. By taking the time to consider these variables, you will be better equipped to choose the perfect season and time of day to enjoy the best results.

These weather and tidal systems may also depend on your specific destination, so make sure to do a little research into the area you are planning to fish in. Knowing the species and the weather patterns of the area you are looking to fish in will make your plan even better.