Reading the Surf and Beach at IBSP

[HummerBeachBuggy]

I am only 28 years old and a newbie here but I have been surf fishing for many years. I am not a pro by any means but have been lucky enough to catch a few nice fish here and there but have always had trouble reading the beach and the surf, does anyone know of any good articles or can give me any advice on tring to find "fishy" spots in the park. I know the basics but would love to hear any advice from you guys that could help me out this new year.

[Tacklebox Joe]

Read this thread by PED (Paul)

http://njsaltwaterfisherman.com/forums/index.php?topic=3964.0

[On A Mission Fishing]

I would suggest go on a scouting mission at low tide. Mark the deep holes and cuts, and see what it looks like then. Then come back to your marks at high tide and just watch the water for like 30 min., watch how the waves move or break over the shallow and deep water you marked at low tide. You will be able to see the difference over a little time.

[gagedylan]

that's exactly what me and a friend are doing this spring on LBI. We are going to start at the north end, and work our way down at low tide. It may take a couple of trips, but we would like to find some new "hotspots". I know they are there, the so called "sharpies" know them.

[ChrisL]

As far as IBSP, there are a few tried and true spots that consistently produce, but the key word is few.
Since the park is 10 miles of sand with no hard structure, the sand moves around and changes every storm.  Even without a storm, things change often. 
With some info, like the above post, and time on the sand, you'll be able to read the water pretty good.
 

[ped579]

Like Chris mentioned the beach has a tendency to move around a lot especially after a good storm.  But if you know what to look for and have the basics down your time searching should be rewarded with a nice fish on the end of the line.

I like to move a lot so knowing the telltale signs is a big plus.  By knowing the signs and realizing the structure under the waves you are more aware of how to fish that section of the beach.

For instance if you see the waves breaking on the outer bar with a break in the middle there is a depression in the bar that is big enough to allow fish to swim through to a sheltered section called a slough or trough whichever you like to call it.  Depending on the tide you will either be fishing the inside on an incoming tide or the outer sections on an outgoing tide.

But the best teacher in the world is called practice.  You have to get out there and fish the beach hard.  Once you realize where all the holes are your scouting will become a thing of the past or in my experience the scouting I do now will tell me what to use for bait.  For instance, watch the birds and try to make out what type of fish they are picking up or if the beach has sections where there are shells, either clams or mussels make sure to use them.  Especially if the Bass are around.

I hope this helps

Happy Catching

Paul

 

[Noworries2009]

I would suggest go on a scouting mission at low tide. Mark the deep holes and cuts, and see what it looks like then. Then come back to your marks at high tide and just watch the water for like 30 min., watch how the waves move or break over the shallow and deep water you marked at low tide. You will be able to see the difference over a little time.

[Noworries2009]

Time on the beach is all I can add to that cause the conditions are always changing.The holes and bars move around with shifting sands due to winds/storms.