Surf fishing becomes more rewarding when done at the right time of day.
Fish are sensitive creatures. As a result, they only approach the shoreline and feed when they feel safe and comfortable to do so. That’s why you shouldn’t expect the same catch count any time you go fishing.
The surf and weather conditions fluctuate from one hour to the next, and so does the appetite (and abundance) of fish.
So what time of day is best for surf fishing?
That’s what this article will focus on.
Today, we will talk about which hours yield the most surf fishing rewards and all the factors to consider when planning the timing of your trips.
So bring a cup of coffee, and let’s dive in.
A quick answer
In general, fish feel more comfortable nearshore when there is enough cover (security) and food supply in the surf zone. Therefore, the best time of day for surf fishing is when the time, weather, and surf conditions provide fish with the cover and food they need to survive. This includes a couple of hours around high tide, as well as dawn, dusk, nighttime, and during overcast conditions.
Tide matters
The 2 hours around high tide are known to be the best time of the day for beach fishing. During these 2 hours, the water is both deep and moving, and these are the optimal feeding conditions for most species of fish.
For example, if high tide occurs at 1:10 am, then the best time to fish the surf would be between 11:10 am and 13:10 am as this is the time when the water is moving at its highest and deepest levels.
With this in mind, be aware that 1:10 am may be the least productive moment since this is the time of slack tide when the water reaches the peak and remains stable for a while before starting to fall again.
Saltwater fish don’t like still water and they rarely feed unless the water is moving. As a result, you should expect fewer bites at peak high tide even if the water is at its deepest levels.
The 2 hours around low tide can be productive too because of the moving waters. However, the problem with low tide is that the water can be too shallow to hold fish, which reduces the odds of getting bites.
We have discussed everything you need to know about tides and surf fishing in this article. I invite you to give it a look.
Incoming or outgoing tide?
Incoming tide, commencing after low tide and concluding after high tide, is considered by many experienced surf anglers as the best time window for surf fishing.
Fishing during low tide may yield modest results due to a shallow surf, but as the water level rises, more fish approach the shore, increasing the chances of a successful catch.
Moreover, starting at low tide allows for experimentation with bait, rig, and location, providing more room for error and opportunities for improvement.
In contrast, beginning at high tide may lead to missed catches as adjustments are made during the most productive hours.
According to a survey of 313 surf anglers, 72.62% reported the incoming tide as the most fruitful for bites, while only 27.38% favored the outgoing tide.
With this being said, it’s also worth noting that the initial hours of an outgoing tide can yield significant catches.
The outgoing tide acts as a natural conveyor belt, attracting larger predatory fish by sweeping baitfish and other food sources from the swash zone.
Therefore, staying a couple of hours after high tide ensures that your bait meets hungry, large fish as they approach.
Nighttime
It is known that surf fishing is more rewarding at night than during the day.
This is because darkness provides cover for small baitfish to leave the shelter and search for food with a lower risk of getting spotted by predators.
Opportunistically, predatory fish take advantage of this and approach to hunt.
They also use low light conditions as a cover to surprise and deceive unwary prey.
So it’s safe to say that nighttime kind of activates the whole food chain.
First the small guys feel comfortable to leave the cover and search for food, and then the bigger ones follow up to compete on the easy-to-catch prey.
Another reason the night is a prolific time for surf fishing is that it’s the time when the sun has the least impact on the water surface.
This cools down the water and therefore encourages fish to approach and stay in the shallows without worrying about the sun’s heat hitting their back.
In addition to that, remember that there is usually more noise during the day than at night. This is believed to scare the fish and push them out of the casting range in search of more peace and safety.
At night however, there are fewer beach users, which makes the beach quieter and thus more peaceful to most marine life forms.
This encourages more fish to approach the shoreline and stay within fishermen’s reach.
In our surf fishing survey, we asked fishermen why they believe surf fishing is more rewarding at night, and 37% of respondents said that it’s because fish feel more comfortable approaching the shore and 29% believed fish feed more at night because it’s easier to catch prey.
Read more about why you should try surf fishing at night.
Dawn and dusk
Dawn (early morning) and dusk (late evening) are also excellent times for surf fishing. Why? Well, firstly because they are also low light hours and therefore imply all the advantages of night fishing.
Also, dawn and dusk are pattern breakers and bring changes that activate and stimulate the food chain.
On the one hand, dawn is the time when darkness starts to disappear and light gradually emerges on the water surface.
This provides better visibility for sight-feeding fish (which are quite numerous), enabling them to hunt and feed after a long period of darkness and poor visibility.
Dusk, on the other hand, is when the water begins to cool down after a long day of solar heat.
Here, the fish become active again as they try to make up for the hours when it was too warm for them to feed in the shallows.
In summary, you should expect your bite-per-cast ratio to peak around dawn and dusk.
Fish experience a positive change during these hours and they respond with more bites.
Overcast hours
A good time to plan your surf fishing trips is during overcast hours.
Overcast conditions are advantageous for surf fishing due to several factors.
During cloudy weather, the sky acts as a natural diffuser, softening the intensity of sunlight. This results in a more appealing environment for fish, encouraging them to venture closer to the shoreline.
Moreover, the reduced visibility from cloud cover provides a sense of security for fish, making them feel more comfortable in shallower waters. This increased comfort level prompts them to approach the surf zone.
Additionally, the typically murky water in overcast conditions plays a dual role. On one hand, it conceals your fishing gear, making it less spooky to the fish. On the other hand, the reduced visibility also attracts larger predators, as their prey finds it challenging to spot them in the murky waters.
To wrap up, let’s conclude with the following image that summarises the key elements defining the best time of day for surf fishing.
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