North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands boasts 45 miles of pristine and spacious coastline, making it the perfect place for novice anglers, and even first-time fishermen, to enjoy the most relaxing of fishing methods – surf fishing. Continue reading our collection of surf fishing tips to make your day on the beach a successful one.

Know What’s Biting

Before heading out to the water and casting a line, it helps to know what’s biting this time of year. Fall weather is here which means spot, red drum, bluefish, whiting, speckled trout, and pompano are all active in the surf. Finding flounder on the end of your line is also possible, but keep an eye on regulations. Flounder season is currently closed in North Carolina. Find the full list of recreational size and bag limits for North Carolina waters here.

Fishing activity tends to slow in the wintertime as water temperatures fall, although the Brunswick Islands is lucky to see good fishing all year round. Speckled trout, whiting, red drum, and blue fish will still be around. Come spring, pufferfish will arrive.

Bring the Right Gear

Identifying and deciding on the right kind of rod, reel, and rig can be daunting for first-time fishermen. Thankfully, our local experts have a few tips and tricks to take the stress out of your set-up.

• Rods: The Ocean Isle Fishing Center recommends a 10-to-12-foot rod for surf fishermen. Any smaller and you may find it difficult to cast your line out beyond the breakers.

Another thing to consider is your rod’s weight rating, also known as lure rating, which is typically printed on the fishing rod. A rod’s lure rating is an indication of how capable the rod is of casting a particular weight, something we’ll cover a little later. For beginners, Oak Island fishing expert, Captain Ian Sands recommends a weight/lure rating that can handle 4 to 6 ounces.

• Reels: Thanks to their relative ease of use, availability, and lower cost, a spinning reel is the recommendation for most novice fishermen.

Much like considering the weight rating of a particular rod, when it comes to reels, an angler should consider the appropriate reel size. Reel sizes are 4-digit numbers that often appear in the reel’s model number. Captain Sands recommends a top range medium sized reel, typically numbered around 5000. According to Sands, a smaller reel, with a rating below 3500, may not be able to handle reeling in a fish in rougher surf conditions.

Another thing to consider is what kind of line to fit on your newly selected reel. The folks at the Ocean Isle Fishing Center recommend sticking to a 10-to-20-pound line. Of course, opinions may vary. Captain Sands for example recommends a 30-pound line.

• Rigging: A 2-hook drop rig is the recommendation by the Ocean Isle Fishing Center for most surf fishermen. This setup is common which means you’ll often find these rigs available premade wherever fishing supplies are sold, including at the various ocean piers in the Brunswick Islands.

The kind of hook at the end of your rig also matters. Try a circle hook that isn’t too big. Captain Sands recommends a #1 a #1/0 sized hook.

Finally, remember your rod’s weight/lure rating? That number matters when it comes to selecting the weight you need to attach to your newly selected 2- drop rig. Typically, a pyramid weight anywhere between 2 to 4 oz is recommended. Calmer conditions require less weight, so a 2 oz weight should do the trick. Whereas a heavier 4 oz weight is needed in rougher conditions to prevent your rig from washing back in the surf. A 3 oz pyramid weight is a happy medium.

• Other Equipment: Coastal fishing in North Carolina requires a license issued by the state’s Division of Marine Fisheries. Find more information on obtaining a fishing license at www.deq.nc.gov. If you’re hoping to make a meal of the fish you catch, some additional pieces of equipment come in handy. Bring a bucket or cooler to store your newly caught fish. While you wait for your first bite, a bucket also serves as a comfortable stool. Of course, you can only take home the fish that meet state size requirements, so a fishing ruler is a helpful tool.

Still unsure? No worries! A quick online search will uncover the bait and tackle shops nearest you stocked and staffed with experienced locals who can get you started with the right equipment and knowledge in no time. The knowledgeable staff at one of our ocean piers can also send you on your way with some helpful tips and tricks. While our piers do offer equipment rentals, the Sunset Beach Pier is the only one that allows equipment rented from its shop to be taken off the pier.

Now you’re all rigged up, but not quite ready. It’s time to discuss the bait you’ll be using to catch your first fish.

Good, Better, and Best Bait

It’s hard to go wrong with a piece of fresh shrimp on the end of your line, and a little goes a long way. You can find fresh and even live bait at many seafood markets and tackle shops in our area, but we recommend calling ahead to ensure they have what you’re searching for.

Looking for more bait insight? Ask a local. The folks at Ocean Isle Fishing Center are happy to help. In addition to a piece of shrimp or quid, they recommend adding some Fishbites, a scented artificial bait in the bloodworm flavor to help attract fish.

Where to Fish

When deciding where in the water to cast your line, remember that not all spots in the surf are equal. At high tide the surf is higher on the beach, meaning you don’t need to cast as far. Aim for the deeper holes and troughs where bait fish like to hide, indicated by areas in the water before and after the breaking waves where the water is shallowest. As the tide recedes, these holes and troughs become too shallow for fish, meaning you’ll have to cast your line further to reach deeper waters.

When to Fish

Often fishing is best a couple hours before high tide as the current brings feeding fish closer to shore. For the exact timing of the tides, see our tide chart here. Low light or overcast conditions are also considered some of the best times to fish. The lack of light means fish experience reduced visibility and are more inclined to feed closer to shore. That makes them more likely to take the bait waiting on the end of your hook. Once you’ve got a bite, reel em’ in!

Hooked on Fishing?

With your newest surf fishing knowledge, we hope you feel excited and prepared to head out to the beach!  For more information on fishing in the Brunswick Islands please visit https://www.ncbrunswick.com/things-to-do/fishing/.