Surf Fishing Is an Excellent Way to Spend a Winter Day
By Mike Marsh

The southeastern region of North Carolina is famous for the quality of its beaches. All beaches have public walk-in access where anglers can fish, but only a few have driving access.

Beaches that allow winter beach driving include Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, otherwise known as “The South End” of Pleasure Island and Freeman Park, which is also called the “The North End” and is operated and maintained by Carolina Beach.

On Pleasure Island, the state park and Town of Carolina Beach require daily or annual fees for driving on the beach. The same is true of Topsail Beach, which only opens its southern beach area for driving in the winter, unlike the other two beaches that are open year-round. Information about beach driving and fees are available from www.ncparks.gov, www.carolinabeach.gov. www.topsailbeach.org. (Information about the fishing in these areas is also in Mike’s book, Fishing North Carolina).

The surf is a great place for catching speckled trout, red drum, whiting, sharks, and many other winter species. All it takes is a four-wheel drive vehicle and a surf rod to get in on the action. A PVC rod holder to stab into the sand is another piece of equipment that comes in handy during a surf fishing trip. Baits for surf fishing include frozen shrimp and mole crabs, salted mullet, and fresh squid or menhaden. Anytime a small fish is landed, strips can be cut from its sides and used as bait. However, it is illegal to mutilate game fish that have a size limit, so cut baits cannot be made from flounder, red drum and other game species.

Driving on the beach takes a minimum of skill, with the main prerequisite letting some air out of the tires leaving approximately 20 PSI of tire pressure. Having a small, 12-volt operated compressor to re-inflate the tires is a good idea, but is not mandatory because a drive to the nearest filling station will accomplish the same thing.

All driving beaches have posted areas for entry and exit, as well as signs showing the prohibited driving areas. Fort Fisher has large signs at the entrance with regulations posted, which include a ban on any alcoholic beverages inside the state park.
           
The advantages of surf fishing are many. The angler can take along an ice chest for sodas and water and another to bring home his catch. On cold, windy days, warming up is as easy as climbing back into the vehicle and turning on the heater.

Driving along a beach at low tide reveals anomalies that hold fish when the high tide returns. Anglers should be on the lookout for drop-offs, shelly or clay covered bottoms, deep holes, sandbars and sloughs. Another good way to find a fishing spot is by watching other fishermen. Several vehicles parked near one another can show where the fish are biting. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, wader-clad anglers may be reeling in multiple catches of red drum or trout whenever a school swims by, so it pays to pay close attention to any concentration of vehicles.

And, for more in-depth fishing information:

Mike Marsh’s New Book, “Fishing North Carolina,” ($26.60 ppd.) along with “Inshore Angler – Coastal Carolina’s Small Boat Fishing Guide” ($26.20 ppd.) and “Offshore Angler - Carolina’s Mackerel Boat Fishing Guide” ($22.25 ppd.), are available by check or M.O. to Mike Marsh, 1502 Ebb Dr., Wilmington, NC 28409. Visit www.mikemarshoutdoors.com for credit card orders and more hunting and fishing information.