8 Beach Fishing Tips for Beginners

The best part about beginner beach fishing is that anyone can do it! If you’re just starting out and learning how to catch fish, beach fishing is a great way to build your skills and get some catches under your belt. Here are 8 beach fishing tips for beginners that will have you casting in the surf in no time.
 

1. Buy gear second-hand. A fully-outfitted beginner beach fishing setup can cost hundreds of dollars or more. Instead, buy gently-used fishing gear for half the cost so you can try things out and find what you like before investing.
2. Learn a few basic rigs. Your line will break more times than you’d like to believe. Learn a few trusty fishing knots and surf fishing rigs so you can quickly re-tie like a pro.
3. Use a gear hauler. Carrying all that gear from the car to the beach is not a pleasant task. Whether you start with a wagon or buy one of the many carts designed specifically for beach fishing, this tip will help reduce your logistical frustration.
4. Use a bait bucket with aerator. There’s no point in stocking up on live bait if they’re going to belly-up before you reach the beach. Use any bucket you have on-hand and attach an aerator. When it comes to beach fishing tips for beginners, bait is worth gold.
5. Understand the best times to fish. Tides, time of day, weather, season. Environmental factors and fish behavior go hand in hand. The more you understand about these elements, the more success you’ll have when deciding when and where to target fish.
6. Fish bait schools. If you see bait schools cruising in the surf, cast around the edges. Predator fish often lurk near bait schools since that is their source of food.
7. Fish structure, troughs and holes. Fish gather near structure such as jetties and pilings, and in deep troughs. Their behavior revolves around finding food and these areas are where bait tend to hang out. Find the bait, find the hungry fish.
8. Pack for comfort and protection. Discomfort and a sunburn will make for a short day of fishing. Wear sunscreen, beach shoes, polarized sunglasses and pack a raincoat and plenty of water.

Now that you’re armed with beach fishing tips for beginners, get out and hit the surf!