From Maine to Washington state there are amazing saltwater fishing locations on the U.S. coastlines, where anglers can find everything from surf fishing to backwater fishing to bays and estuaries. Check here all the different saltwater fishing locations available, fishing tips and more.

 

Saltwater Pier & Surf Fishing

Saltwater pier and surf fishing is a great way to start saltwater fishing in a trip with your family and friends. Get expert advice about fishing from surf, piers, jetties, points and more.

 

There are hundreds of public parks and fishing piers located near beaches, boardwalks and ocean shorelines that offer anglers like you the opportunity to cast a line. To get started:

 

①Make sure you have the right saltwater fishing tackle and gear for the conditions and species.

②Determine what fishing techniques you will want to use when you get to your perfect fishing spot.

③For both saltwater pier and surf fishing, check your local tide charts to see if the tide is coming in or out, this will affect the fishes’ feeding patterns.

④Make sure you have your fishing license and know your state fishing regulations.

SALTWATER PIER FISHING

If you are trying to decide between saltwater pier and surf fishing as a beginning angler, try pier fishing first. Fishing from a pier is a great way to get started, as a limited amount of saltwater fishing tackle is required. It is also exciting and diverse because of the range in water depth covered by many of these structures and the range in species you may catch.

 

One of the most important pier fishing tips to remember is safety first since there are usually several anglers casting and reeling in fish within close range to each other. Make sure you are not casting overhead near another angler to ensure no one gets hurt.

 

SUGGESTED SALTWATER FISHING TACKLE FOR PIER FISHING

①6 to 9-foot medium heavy action rod with corrosion resistant spinning reel.

②10 to 15-pound test braid or monofilament fishing line with 20 to 30-pound fluorocarbon leader line.

③2/0 to 4/0 size circle hooks (if you choose larger baits, the larger hook size will work better).

④Assorted pack of sinkers. You may want to buy split-shot and egg sinkers of varying weights, use the heavier sinkers for areas with stronger current.

⑤Lures such as jigs, soft plastic shrimp, spoons and topwater plugs or live bait such as shrimp.

⑥A popping cork or float to keep live baits off of the bottom.

 

SALTWATER PIER FISHING SPOTS

When looking for the best fishing spots along a pier, consider trying the areas below. You may need to try a bit of trial and error if you cannot see below the water if its high tide, or ask another angler who may be fishing there as well.

 

PILINGS

Oysters, barnacles and small marine plants live on the pilings and rocks that can be found near fishing piers. All of these organisms provide food for larger game fish. Pilings and rocks also offer fish cover from the sun or protection from larger, predatory fish. Try live lining a live shrimp rigged on a 2/0 circle hook with a popping cork when fishing from a pier near pilings.

 

SEAWALLS OR BULKHEADS

Most piers are located near seawalls or bulkheads to help keep the ocean from eroding the shorelines, and for anglers these types of structures often mean good pier fishing because there are plenty of hiding places for bait and fish. When fishing seawalls or bulkheads, drop any of the above baits or lures straight down and jig them or bounce them near the base of the structure.

 

SALTWATER SURF FISHING

Saltwater pier and surf fishing are very similar in terms of the species you may catch, but they can be different in terms of space, technique and tackle. Fishing from the beach means you have the ability to move along the shoreline by foot, and can even wade into the water in order to get to the areas where baitfish may be located and the larger fish are feeding. Saltwater species such as redfish, snook, striped bass, pompano, flounder and sea trout are a few examples of fish you may find.

 

Tip：Consider reviewing a topical map to familiarize yourself with what the ocean floor looks like beyond the beach, this will give you a general idea of how to find the best places to drop your line.

 

SUGGESTED SALTWATER FISHING TACKLE FOR SURF FISHING

①7 to 12-foot medium to heavy action rod with a heavy-duty spinning reel that is corrosion resistant

②17 to 20-pound test line with 30 to 40-pound test leader line (can go up to 50-pound leader line if you have a need to increase the weight of the sinkers you are using due to current or wind).

③Lures such as jigs, plugs, soft plastics and metal spoons or live bait such as shrimp or crabs.

④A variety of hooks ranging in size from 1/0 to 10/0, depending on species and size of bait used.

⑤3 to 8-ounce sinkers (use the heavier sinkers when fishing areas with strong current or tidal movement).

⑥Rod holder or sand spike that can hold your rod in place and prevents your reel from coming into contact with the sand.

 

SALTWATER SURF FISHING AREAS

Once you have your saltwater fishing tackle, head to the beach and look for the below areas. If you are not able to locate them visually, consider looking over a topical map, asking a fellow angler or checking the local fishing reports.

 

TROUGHS

Pay attention to where the waves break off of the shore or beach. The area where the waves break is generally where you will find a trough that runs parallel to the beach. It's near these troughs that you will find areas of fast-moving current where the baitfish and crustaceans will most often be found.

 

You can often spot large schools of baitfish near the surface in these areas or see several birds flying overhead. Try using a fish finder rig in these areas for species such as flounder, sea trout, bluefish and pompano.

 

JETTIES AND BREAKWATERS

Look for jetties or rock formations that extend out into the water and influence the current. Jetties are good places to try surf fishing since the rocks situated below the water are usually home to the baitfish and crustaceans that larger fish like to feed on. Waves crash up against jetties and breakwaters, and create holes as the wave recedes and carries sand out with it. Since the hole is deeper than the ocean floor, it attracts small shellfish and baitfish looking for calmer water and a place to hide. These hiding spots create ambush spots for predatory game fish. Man-made structures like jetties and breakwaters also give shore anglers better access to deeper waters.

 

POINTS

Points are natural sand or land formations that protrude out into the ocean and create an area of current where game fish can corral baitfish. The current flowing past a point will create areas of shallow water that borders deep holes. At low tide, you can wade out onto the point and cast beyond the breakers. With the incoming tide, try fishing these holes and bars that may have been exposed during low tide. Be sure to exercise caution when fishing points since swiftly moving currents can push anglers from shallow water into deep water very quickly.

 

Tip：As a general rule, anglers who wade into the surf should always be aware of tidal conditions and take a fishing buddy along whenever possible for safety reasons.

 

INLETS

Inlets are reliable places to find fish because there are two colliding bodies of moving water or current. Inlets are often marked by the presence of other notable fishing features such as jetties, bridges, sandbars, sloughs and deep holes. The combination of structure and convergent water creates an ideal scenario for surf fishing. Look for rips, bars or troughs where game fish will usually be waiting for a meal to drift by in the moving current. The fish tend to be stationary, so it's best to use baits with a Carolina rig , or a jig or plug that will move along with the current to provide a natural presentation to the fish.

 

Always looking for a new fishing challenge? Once you have mastered your saltwater pier and surf fishing skills, it might be a good time to hop aboard a small flats boat and try your luck at backwater or flats fishing.

 

BAITFISH PATCHES

Surf and shore fishing takes a good eye. If you can spot a school of baitfish, then you might be able to catch bigger fish that are following them. But hurry, game fish strike fast and leave. When you locate a school of baitfish, look for the openings or lighter colored circles in the schools of bait. Often times, if a predatory fish is in the midst of a school of baitfish, the bait will try to keep a safe distance on all sides of the larger fish to avoid being eaten. This is what creates the holes in the bait schools. If you cannot locate these holes, cast your bait or lure to the outside edges of the baitfish schools.

 

SCHOOLS

Baitfish and schools of larger fish can swim so close together they actually change the color of the water. Train your eyes to look for these moving patches of color, and you will be rewarded for your efforts. Cast ahead and let your bait float to the school.

 

BIRDS

Birds fly above slow-moving baitfish. Get close and try to figure out if the baitfish are dead or alive. If they’re thrashing around, you should fish shallow. If they’re wounded, fish deeper.

 

DEEP SHORE WATER

Currents can run along the shore and form pockets of deeper water. This deeper water usually appears darker than the surrounding water in the area. Bigger fish will move into these shallows and rest or wait for baitfish to pass by. You might get something bigger than you expected.

 

BREAKERS

The calmer waters between the place where big waves crash and calm water starts are called breakers. The crashing waves create a sort of trench in the shore. Food settles in the trench, bait fish come for the food and game fish come for the baitfish. This provides an ideal location to find fish but anglers must understand that fish that come to feed in these areas will feed very briefly in one location and move on to continue searching for food.

 

COLLIDING WAVES

Underwater currents can collide near points, inlets or other natural or man-made structure. Where these currents meet, food will collect and can be found throughout the water column in concentrated areas. The food will attract baitfish and then game fish. Don’t look for crashing waves. Look for something a little calmer.

 

SALTWATER WEED BEDS

Good anglers see different colors in the ocean, and they learn to spot weed beds and other creatures attached to them. Smaller fish feed on the weeds and attract the fish you’re after. You’ll want to fish around the edges for the best results.

 

SURF AND SHORE

Surf and coastal shore fishing can be done right from the edge of the ocean, from man-made structures like jetties and breakwaters or from a boat. Some surf anglers actually wade right into the waters to cast to fish that may be lurking under the waves.

 

Surf and coastal shore fishing is challenging. There’s very little structure to attract fish. So surf and shore fisherman must be able to read the waves, look for color changes in the water, monitor water temperature and understand migration patterns.

 

SALTWATER AND TIDES

Tides raise and lower the water level approximately two times per day and affect where fish are located and how they feed. The timing of a high or low tide changes daily and is also different for each coastal area.

 

A shallow area that might hold fish and be a very good spot to fish during a high tide will become a bare mud bank during low tide conditions. A slough (a slight depression in the bottom) that might be perfect for bottom feeding fish during a low tide situation might not hold fish on a high tide.

 

Running tides (rising or falling) are best since they cause bait to move and promote active feeding among coastal fish. Changing tides, time of day and location are also important when you’re fishing in brackish water—coastal water that’s a mix of salt water and fresh water and contains a mix of saltwater and freshwater fish. Brackish water is found in most tidal creeks and rivers along all coasts and is highly affected by tidal movements.

 

In general, the best fishing is almost always on a rising or falling tide—not the dead low or dead high, also referred to as "slack tides" when there is little or no tidal current.

 

RIP TIDES

Water that flows in and around points, sandbars and rocks tries to find the quickest way out. This escaping water forms a faster-moving river of water through the obstacles. Look for the change in speed and color as the faster moving water typically picks up and carries mud or sand out with it. These deeper “rivers” will attract predatory fish.

 

FLOATING FOAM AND DEBRIS

Foam from crashing waves follows along with the currents. As it moves, it collects debris and small marine critters. Little fish are attracted to the critters and big fish are attracted to the little fish. Sometimes these floating lines of junk are big enough to provide shade for larger game fish. Fish them.

Backwater & Flats Fishing

Backwater fishing or flats fishing are two terms that are used for the type of fishing that is done from a flats boat or skiff in shallow inshore saltwater areas.

 

Often there is a misconception that you have to go deep-sea fishing to catch trophy saltwater fish, but once you experience the fight of a 100-pound tarpon while fishing in the backwaters or on the flats, you will realize that this is not the case. There are plenty of hard-fighting game fish to be found inshore as long as you do your research, have the right gear and know a few saltwater fishing tips.

 

SUGGESTED FISHING TACKLE FOR BACKWATER AND FLATS FISHING

There are a variety of rods, reels and tackle that can be used for backwater and flats fishing. Here are a few tackle and gear suggestions:

 

①6 to 7-foot medium-action fishing rod with either a spinning or baitcaster reel.

②15-pound test braided line or other light line.

③Approximately 2 to 3 feet of 20 to 30-pound fluorocarbon leader line.

④Hook sizes needed will vary depending on the size of the bait used, so you may want to keep a variety on hand in the 1/0 to 3/0 range.

⑤A variety of lures from gold metal spoons to soft plastic jigs.

Tip：Fly fishing is also a popular method of fishing on the flats in Florida when targeting species like bonefish or tarpon. Fly fishing tackle is quite specialized and is great for intermediate to advanced angler.

 

BACKWATER AND FLATS FISHING SPOTS WHERE YOU CAN FIND FISH

Flats and backwater fishing areas are typically reached by boat. A small flats boat or fishing boat can be used, or even a kayak. If you are an intermediate angler and transitioning from freshwater fishing to saltwater fishing, the backwaters and flats will feel like familiar territory. These areas will often provide hours of action and feature structures that are home to many species, from flounder to spotted seatrout, all within a shallow inshore environment.

 

SALTWATER INLETS

Because of the moving current, saltwater inlets are good places to fish and are typically marked by shallow sand bars or rocks that line deeper channels or sloughs. A couple saltwater fishing tips: keep in mind that you'll need to locate the deeper water in order to find the fish. Predatory game fish will hide from the current behind structure in the shallower areas, while baitfish and prey will often congregate in the deeper water to hide.

 

Two tactics that tend to be effective when fishing saltwater inlets:

 

Drifting：Drift your boat through the deeper water or over and along the shoals while bouncing jigs or bottom rigs.

 

Anchoring：Anchor up and cast soft plastic lures, metal spoons or live baits up current, allowing them to drift down and sweep past the fish.

 

MARSH OR MANGROVE EDGES

Marsh or mangrove edges are another good place to target when flats fishing. At low tide, fish will often scour the borders of the marsh grass or mangrove islands looking for prey. Look for water rushing in or out of a creek or estuary near the marsh or mangrove edges to find fish that are waiting to ambush bait.

 

Position your boat within casting distance of these edges and try a few different techniques. You can work a jig along the bottom, or try topwater fishing by casting out a live shrimp or baitfish rigged with a popping cork, or "walk the dog" using a torpedo-shaped top water plug along the marsh or mangrove edge.

 

OYSTER BARS AND GRASS BEDS

Oyster bars and grass beds are backwater reefs that support the marine food chain; however, fishing these areas can be a challenge since you'll need to avoid snagging your line on rough bottom or getting hung up in the grass. The best fishing techniques to use when backwater fishing around oyster bars or grass beds involve suspending your bait over the rough bottom using a popping cork, top water lure or a jig. Fish will patrol the outside edges of the bars and grass beds looking for prey that wanders too far away from the safety of the reef, so fish the edges and carefully work your boat over the reef.

 

Tip：If you have access to a boat with a trolling motor or push pole that will be an advantage when moving over structure to avoid spooking the fish.

 

CHANNELS

Channels, creeks and rivers will always feature the deepest water and often the best backwater fishing. Not only will predatory game fish patrol these cuts, but bottom dwellers will also congregate in the deeper holes, making channels the ideal places to catch a variety of fish. Larger fish will be looking for prey that ventures out of the deep water, so a jig worked along the edge of the drop or through the deepest parts of the channel will often entice them to bite. Saltwater panfish, such as grunts or croakers, also tend to school up in the deepest sections of the channel and can be targeted by bouncing your bait along the bottom using a top-bottom rig or Carolina rig.

 

CHANNEL ENTRANCES

Anywhere water is forced to move through a smaller opening, currents run faster and dig deeper into the bottom. Fish will be attracted to these places because the water is deeper and the supply of food is more concentrated in the “pinched’ area.

 

TIDAL FLATS

Sand and mud bottom tidal flats are very shallow areas that are typically a few inches to a few feet deep and are sometimes even exposed at lower tides. These flats are commonly found in many estuarine areas and are highly productive for fishing. These areas are protected from wave action and are often comprised of mud or sand transported by tidal channels.

 

POTHOLES

Potholes are areas located within the grass flats that are void of grass, and that have sandy or muddy bottoms. Potholes vary in shape and size by several yards to just a few feet. Potholes are good areas to target when fishing the backwaters and flats because saltwater game fish, such as redfish or sea trout, will often sit near the grassy edges of a pothole waiting for baitfish or crustaceans as they move across the sandy or muddy bottom. One of the best saltwater fishing tips for redfish is to cast a popping cork rigged with a live shrimp or pinfish into one of these open sandy or muddy pothole areas. You'll very likely experience a strike if you're fishing during a running tide.

 

Once you've become accustomed to backwater fishing and flats fishing techniques, you can challenge yourself by developing new skills and taking a deep-sea or offshore fishing trip on the open ocean. Visit the saltwater fishing FAQ section to find more tips on catching saltwater species.

 

Saltwater Bay Fishing

Tidal movements, such as currents and eddies, that flow through bay areas create an active estuary environment that attracts baitfish, crustaceans and many species of sport fish. With some research beforehand on regulations, proper tackle, and places to fish, you'll come home with bay fishing tales worth sharing for years to come.

 

SUGGESTED SALTWATER FISH TACKLE FOR BAY FISHING

Depending on the species being targeted, the area or structure you are fishing, and the size of your baits, a number of different saltwater fishing rigs may be used when bay fishing. Here are some examples:

 

You might use the gear listed below if you are fishing Chesapeake Bay for striped bass.

 

①7-foot heavy action rod with a spinning reel or a baitcaster reel.

②20-pound monofilament line.

③50-pound test fluorocarbon leader.

④Lures such as a white bucktail jig lure to a metal spoon or live bait.

⑤6/0 or 7/0 circle hooks.

If you are fishing the San Francisco Bay during the summer for salmon, the below tackle set up is an option that you can try.

 

①9-foot downrigger trolling rod with a baitcaster reel.

②25-pound test monofilament line.

③30-pound test fluorocarbon leader.

④Bait such as frozen anchovies or herring.

⑤5/0 barbless hooks.

SALTWATER BAY FISHING AREAS/PLACES TO FISH

When looking for places to fish in a saltwater bay, consider trying the areas below. You may need a topographical map, fishfinder or GPS to help you locate.

 

REEFS

When bay fishing, keep in mind that a reef can be defined as any solid structure. This type of structure can be natural, such as a rock outcrop, oyster bed or coral reef. However, it can also be manmade, like a wreck, artificial reef, bridge or jetty. Either way, a reef will improve your chances of catching fish in a bay.

 

If you are fishing around an area of structure, consider the following:

 

①What are the habits of the fish you are targeting? Predatory fish such as striped bass, red drum, amberjack or bluefish will usually circle around the outskirts of the structure looking for baitfish that have wandered away from safety. For predatory species, try dropping your bait or lure into the structure, and then working it back to the boat like an escaping baitfish.

②For saltwater fish species that live deep in the reef such as blackfish, triggerfish and grouper, you’ll need to use a different bay fishing tactic. In these situations, anchor your boat over the structure and then drop baits down to the fish. Once you get a bite and begin fighting a fish near structure, it's important to maintain steady pressure on the line so the fish can’t swim back to the safety of the reef or wreck.

HILLS AND HUMPS

Good places to fish in bays are marked by major variations in depth and bottom contour, these areas are often referred to as hills and humps. Hills and humps are good areas to target because they offer a hiding place for prey and usually increase or redirect the current.

 

A few tips:

①To locate these anomalies in preparation for your trip, find a bathy graphic chart of the area. Once in the general area of the hill or hump, use a fishfinder and a GPS to position your boat over the structure.

②Most situations will require you to drift while dragging baits across the bottom or swimming live baits at various depths. Hills and humps are also good places to troll lures and live baits, or anchor and drop baits down near the bottom.

③Once a fish is hooked, others are likely to be in the same area. For this reason, it's always a good idea to mark a hook-up on your GPS and then drift back over the same spot to see if another is ready to take your bait.

CHANNELS AND HOLES

Depressions in the bottom of a bay, such as channels and holes, are the opposite of hills and humps. However, both changes in bottom work in the same way to attract fish. Holes and channels contain areas where fish can hide, and offer relief from conditions that predators and prey find intolerable.

 

Why fish dwell here:

①If the water temperature rises above the comfort zone for a particular species, the fish can take refuge in deeper water.

②Since freshwater is less dense than saltwater, deeper areas will often hold cleaner water that has a higher salinity level.

③Predatory saltwater fish prefer to patrol the edges of a channel or hole while prey are often found hiding in the deepest sections.

Tip：When fishing these holes, try drifting baits using a rig such as a two-hook bottom rig. Be sure to let out additional line as the depth increases over a depression to keep your bait on the bottom. If trolling through these structures, try dropping your baits in a number of different directions since fish will move depending on the current and food sources.

 

SHALLOWS AND SHOALS

Like holes, hills and channels, shallow shoals are another good bay fishing habitat because of the abundance of bait in these areas. When fishing shallower water, it’s best to look for any variation in the bottom structure in order to find saltwater fish. Shallow water fishing will often improve at night when baitfish and game fish can move onto the saltwater flats without becoming a victim of fish hawks or sea gulls. Depending on the situation, trolling, anchoring or drifting can be effective techniques over the shoals.

 

Tip：Be sure to exercise caution at all times, since changing tides and shallow water can cause your boat to run aground and potentially damage the habitat or become the victim of a breaking wave.

 

CONVERGENCE ZONES

One aspect of fishing bays and estuaries that makes the experience unique is the merging of freshwater and saltwater, which is called a convergence zone. Convergence zones are good places to fish because variations in water salinity levels will attract saltwater fish for feeding and breeding. While the border between these two bodies of water might only appear as a ripple or color change to an angler, the boundaries can act like a concrete wall to a fish. Whether the two bodies of water are different temperatures, currents, colors or degrees of salinity, fish will use them as feeding stations where they can find and round up bait.

 

When bay fishing in a convergence zone, always explore both sides of the break. Trolling is a good way to cover this ground, but you can also find fish by drifting baits or casting towards the break.

 

Tip：When looking for places to fish in a bay, out on the open ocean or in the backwaters, keep in mind that similar concepts can be applied. Remember to monitor the water temperature, structure, bait and current while paying attention to the weather conditions, and you’ll find fish. If the wind happens to pick up and conditions aren't ideal for bay fishing, it might be a better day to fish in sheltered inshore or backwater areas.

 

BAYS

Ocean bays don’t have much freshwater influence. But because they are protected from severe ocean conditions, they become ideal nurseries for many species of baitfish and shell fish, which can draw bigger saltwater fish into the bays to feed.

 

BAYS AND ESTUARIES

If you're fishing in a bay or estuary, you better have a big tackle box. These bodies of water contain a mixture of fresh water and salt water. They also contain a mixture of freshwater and saltwater fish. Bays and estuaries can be fished from shore or from a boat. Estuaries are locations in which the mouth of a river meets the ocean. Estuaries support saltwater fish such as tarpon, snook, redfish and striped bass. Other saltwater fish like shad, herring, salmon and sea-run trout can also be found in estuaries because they need to find saltier or fresher water when it’s time to mate. Freshwater fish like largemouth bass can also survive in the salty waters found in estuaries. Weather can also affect the mix of fish in combined waters. Stormy weather pushes fresh water from the rivers closer to the ocean, causing freshwater to move farther downstream. Dry weather pushes salt water and saltwater fish further upstream into the rivers.

 

NEARSHORE REEFS AND SHOALS

Reefs and shoals provide some of the most productive fishing grounds. In fact, reefs hold a great concentration of biodensity and diversity. The reefs offer shelter to many bait fish that game fish prey on, and this occurs throughout the water column. One can bottom fish, jig, or troll around a reef. All methods attract various fish that inhabit these areas. Chumming the water helps to concentrate the fish and bring them up from the bottom. Depending on your fishing method, you can catch anything from a grouper to a king mackerel.

 

MERGING WATER

Locations where two bodies of water meet provide excellent places to fish. Flow from one body of water converges with flow from another body of water and creates areas of merging water known as rips. Food in the form of crabs, shrimp and minnows flow through these areas of water especially during strong periods of tidal flow. Game fish will gather at these rips because bait from two separate water bodies converge at this single point. A great spot to find these rips is where a bay meets an ocean.

 

Deep-Sea Fishing

Deep-sea or offshore fishing involves fishing out on the open ocean, farther from shore where weather conditions and navigational charts should be carefully evaluated to ensure a safe trip. Learn which variables my affect your fishing experience, best fishing tackle and fishing lures to use. Whether you're on a quest for a 500-pound bluefin tuna off the coast of Maine or a 1,000-pound blue marlin while on vacation in the Florida Keys, a deep-sea fishing trip can provide a real adrenaline rush considering the hard fighting, big game species you are likely to encounter. Deep-sea fishing is best suited for intermediate or advanced anglers if you plan to go without a charter or guide, although new technology in boats, motors, electronics, safety equipment and fishing tackle has made it more accessible than ever before. If you welcome a challenge, get ready to venture out into the deep blue sea!

 

SALTWATER FISHING TACKLE FOR DEEP-SEA FISHING

Due to the number of deep-sea game fish speciesand fishing techniques for catching them, there are many different types of fishing tackle and gear that can be used. Offshore fishing may involve trolling with artificial fishing lures or live baits, jigging with lures or bottom fishing with baits. If you were deep-sea trolling for sailfish, you might use the following tackle and gear as an example:

 

①A 6 to 7-foot medium action offshore fishing rod.

②Heavy or large saltwater-specific baitcaster reel with high line capacity.

③20-pound test monofilament line.

④6 to 10 feet of 40 to 80-pound test monofilament leader.

⑤Live baits such as goggle eyes or threadfin herring.

⑥5/0 to 7/0 sized hooks.

If you would prefer trying your luck at deep-sea bottom fishing for grouper, here is an example tackle set up you can use:

 

①6-foot medium-heavy bottom fishing rod.

②Heavy duty baitcaster reel.

③50-pound test monofilament line.

④80 to 100-pound test monofilament leader line.

⑤Fish finder rig using a 7/0 circle hook and 3 to 16-ounce sinkers.

⑥Cut bait such as squid or grunts.

SALTWATER DEEP-SEA FISHING AREAS/WHERE TO FIND FISH

Once out into the ocean with your necessary fishing tackle, look for the suggested areas below to find fish. To locate some areas you may need a fishfinder, GPS or a nautical map.

 

ROCKS, REEFS AND WRECKS

Rocks, reefs and wrecks are great places to start looking for fish when offshore fishing. These types of structures provide a haven for every species in the food chain and offer a place for fish to hide from the strong ocean currents. When deep-sea fishing near artificial or natural reefs, consider that fish may be living in the structure or patrolling the outer edges as far as 100 yards from the reef. Reef dwelling fish can usually be enticed to bite by sending a vertical jig to the bottom and quickly working it back to the boat.

 

Tip：For reef dwelling species such as blackfish, grouper or snapper, consider anchoring the boat in place with the engines and then drop baits down to the structure. For high-speed predatory fish such as tuna, wahoo and billfish, try fast-trolling fishing lures and slow-troll live baits.

 

TOWERS AND NAVIGATIONAL AIDS

Manmade structures including towers and navigational aids are valuable to both fish and anglers, but for different reasons. Some species seek refuge deep inside the structure while others prefer to patrol the perimeter. In order to best determine where the fish are holding, use a fish finder or recreational sonar. You'll also want to be sure to check into any local regulations that may limit access before fishing a tower or navigational aid.

 

Tip：Troll natural baits or artificial fishing lures around a tower or buoy to get the attention of predatory fish.

 

HILLS AND SEA MOUNTS

Submerged mountain ranges and hills divert the current and create ideal spots for offshore fishing. Sea mounts can provide fish with more favorable water conditions as water temperature, light level or salinity may be out of the range for a particular species at the bottom of the sea mount, but just right at the top. When deep-sea fishing around these structures, always look for variations in the surface conditions such as ripples, rips or tide lines that may indicate changes in water temperature, salinity, clarity or current.

 

Tip：Structures can stretch for miles, so the best fishing tackle for fishing sea mounts and hills is natural or artificial baits. Fish will often hold in the same area on a sea mount or hill, so try trolling; when you hook one fish, mark the spot on the GPS and return to the same spot to find more fish.

 

CANYONS AND THE CONTINENTAL SHELF

The deep canyons, gorges and cliffs that mark the Continental Shelf would put any land-based mountain range to shame and are other good places to look for fish. Locate any variations in current or water temperature that intersect the shelf. When the variations in structure, current and temperature force nutrient-rich water up from the deep to fuel the entire food chain, pelagic sport fish like billfish and wahoo will hunt the upper half of the water column. Giants such as grouper, snapper and halibut linger at the bottom. Birds above and baitfish are generally good indicators of activity, but often the fish will be visibly feeding on the surface.

 

Tip：The best deep-sea fishing techniques involve trolling natural or artificial baits. If bottom fishing, try using fishing lures such as large jigs or heavy-duty rigs to get the baits down deep.

 

KELP FORESTS AND BEDS

Kelp forests occur in temperate and polar coastal oceans around the world but in the United States they are commonly found along the California coastline. Large congregations of kelp plants are referred to as kelp forests whereas smaller patches are known as kelp beds. These underwater forests have an incredibly high density of kelp plants which are a type of rapidly growing brown macroalgae. The forests and beds created by the kelp provides one of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems on the planet. The large stature of each kelp plant creates a very broad, three-dimensional habitat for large fish to hide and seek shelter as well as ambush their prey. When fishing kelp forests, anglers should typically start by free lining live or dead baits from an anchored or drifting boat. If you don’t get any bites by free lining your baits, then you should try to gradually add weight to your rig until you start to get the fish to bite.

 

THE OPEN OCEAN

Fishing in the open ocean is an endeavor that only confident and experienced anglers should attempt. To successfully and safely target pelagic fish species that live in the open ocean, specialized tackle and boats are typically required. The easiest way to experience offshore angling for those anglers who don’t have larger boats is to book a fishing charter.

 

When researching charter boats that you’re thinking of hiring, be sure to ask plenty of questions before booking your trip. Ask about the length of the trip, what species you’ll be targeting, how may people can the boat hold, will the trip be private or open to other customers and anything else you may think of. If you would like to keep any of your catch for dinner, be sure to clarify what the boat’s policy is on fish that are caught. Depending on where you’re booking a charter, some charter crews have a policy of taking fish to local auctions to sell fish that the anglers catch. Always remember that you don’t ever have to keep a fish in order to get it mounted. Exact replicas of fish can be made with only a few pictures.

 

Open ocean fishing takes place all over the country but certain regions require a farther boat ride offshore in order to find good fishing grounds. Eastern states typically require a longer trip out to the fishing grounds (with the exception of Southern Florida) whereas states along the Pacific Ocean have steeper dropoffs and require a much shorter ride to find deeper waters.

 

Open ocean pelagic species of fish include tunas, billfish, dolphin, wahoo and some shark species.

 

ROCKY SEA FLOOR

Out in the open ocean, there is very little structure. Consequently, many game fish congregate around underwater areas of relief or areas that provide shelter. While not as dense and diverse as a reef's ecosystem, the rocky bottom still provides protection for many species of baitfish and plankton. They also allow for places for predators to ambush prey. All of these factors make rocky areas a great place to fish. The best methods for fishing these areas include deep dropping and jigging.

 

COASTAL WATERS

In coastal areas, closer to shore, the ocean bottom may have sections of exposed rock, coral or debris. These areas of uneven bottom provide a great ambush spot for predatory fish as well as crevices for smaller fish to take shelter. Fish live at all depths in coastal water and many stay close to the bottom. Many feed near cover, such as a rock or a coral reef, where they can ambush prey. Other fish roam at all depths of the water column, searching for an easy meal. Most saltwater anglers fish in coastal waters because there are dozens of different fish species there, and these areas are often very easy to access. Many marine fish migrate up and down the coastline seasonally. Smart anglers monitor water temperatures, winds, currents, seasons and tides to determine which species they should target.