Sunrise vs Sunset: Which Is Better For Surf Fishing?

Is surf fishing better in the morning or evening. The time of day you choose can significantly impact your success. With many factors to consider, the decision isn’t always easy to make. Should you head out in the morning or evening for surf fishing? Let’s explore the advantages of each.

Benefits of Sunrise Surf Fishing

Fishing the morning offers many benefits when compared to surf fishing the evening. Below, we’ll list a few reasons surf fishing in the morning can be more favorable than the evening.

Calm Waters and Less Wind

Early mornings often bring calmer waters and lighter winds. These conditions make it easier to cast and control your bait. Fish are also more likely to be near the shore, taking advantage of the calm waters. For more on the best conditions for surf fishing, read the linked article.

Milder Tides In The Summertime

If you think you know everything about tides, think again. I’ve been fishing the surf for ten years now and still, every now and again, I learn something new. One valuable piece of info I’ve come to learn over the years is that the morning tides in the summertime will almost always be mellower swings than in the evenings.

A tidal cycle usually has two high tides per day and two low tides per day. In the wintertime, the morning tides reach those really high tides and the afternoons/evenings showcase those super low tides. That switches in the summertime and when kelp and current are in the mix with larger swell, a milder tide can make surf fishing so much easier.

This is one many of you may have questions about so please feel free to drop your questions in the comments.

Better Visibility For Sight Casting

On the west coast at least, the sun will be behind you, offering better visibility into the water. This can help when you’re sight casting for corbina and spotfin croaker.

Overcast = Longer Bite Window

Overcast skies are most likely to occur in the morning and something about the combination of morning bites and overcast skies can make for a great and prolonged bite window. Whether fish feel more coverage, camouflage, and/or confident in morning/overcast conditions or something completely separate from that, I’ve noticed the morning bite can last reliably longer than an evening bite.

Fewer Crowds

Beating the crowds is another significant benefit of sunrise surf fishing. The morning hours provide more space to find the perfect spot and you’ll get a much needed break from society.

Benefits of Sunset Surf Fishing

While surf fishing in the morning has it’s benefits, the question of whether you should fish the morning or evening for surf fishing isn’t exactly an easy one to answer. Below, we’ll list a few reasons evening surf fishing can be more favorable than morning surf fishing.

Sunset Feeding Frenzy

No matter how slow an evening session may be, sunset always provides hope for an incredible finish to the day. Many species of fish often feed vigorously as the light fades, preparing for the night. This can lead to higher catch rates during sunset.

Here in So Cal, yellowfin croaker and spotfin croaker are known to bite like crazy during the final 45 minutes of daylight.

Availability of Bait

Depending on where you’re fishing and what species you’re targeting, availability of bait can change not only with the tides, but with the time of day. Now, sand crabs are pretty easy to find during the summer months, but they are significantly more plentiful on the shoreline during the evening to sunset hours.

Fewer Anglers

During the early mornings, you fight fewer crowds, but there are generally more anglers to share the water with. The evenings typically mean fewer anglers to fight and more swimmers and surfers to share the water with.

Choose your battle and get familiar with your local beaches and you might be able to figure out the spots where you can avoid both crowds at both times of day.

Personal Preferences

Ultimately, the best time for surf fishing can come down to personal preference and location. Consider factors like your schedule, comfort, the tides, and previous experiences. Experimenting with both times can help you discover what works best for you.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to fish at sunrise or sunset, both times offer unique advantages. Calm waters and longer feeding periods make mornings a good choice, while the sunset bite can give the evening slot the highest potential. By understanding the benefits of each, you can use your own personal preferences to decide whether you should fish the morning or evening when it comes to surf fishing.