Surf Fishing In Strong Current: How To Have Success

There are a few things you can’t predict when it comes to checking the conditions for surf fishing. Current is one of those, and it’s a big one. Have you ever showed up to your favorite fishing spot and the current was just too strong to keep your bait in the water? Today, we’re going to give you some tips on how to go surf fishing in strong current.

Can You Surf Fish in Strong Current?

Yes, you can absolutely go surf fishing in strong current. Some styles and methods will be more productive, however. And, different tactics, weights and rigs can be used to increase your success when surf fishing in heavy currents.

What Is Current?

The “current” is just a term used to address the direction of waterflow at the beach. It’s created by a combination of swell direction and structures and a given beach. Structure will create channels and pathways of the “least resistance” and the water to flow (and follow).

In the image below, the blue arrow indicates a hole of deeper sand and therefore water. The red sqiggly line marks the edge of a reef (which is part of the reason for the hole formation. From this hole, a slight indent or trough has formed on the left side where the red arrows are creating a path.

The red arrow path is the “path of least resistance”. This forms what is called a rip current. While a rip current isn’t exactly the same thing as a general current, it’s the same idea – moving water in one direction.

Is Current Good or Bad for Surf Fishing?

Current can be good or bad for surf fishing. Generally, a minor current that switches directions throughout a session and doesn’t move your bait very quickly is preferred. When a current is too strong, it sweeps your bait left or right and you can’t keep your bait in the water. In that case, a strong current is typically bad for surf fishing.

How To Surf Fish in Strong Current

There are a few tips, tactics, and gear alterations that can help when fishing the beach in strong current. These include changing your rig and your weight, walking with your bait to keep it out there, and keeping good tension without reeling.

Tips to Manage Strong Current While Surf Fishing

The first thing you should do if you feel the current is too strong is to walk with your bait. This method is generally for a style of surf fishing where you’re using the following gear and surf fishing with a Carolina Rig.

• Rod: Okuma Celilo (8’6″ MA)
• Reel: Penn Battle II or III 4000 series
• Mainline: 15-pound monofilament
• Carolina Rig (descriptive article/video):
  • Leader Line: 15-pound fluorocarbon
  • Swivels: 15-19mm barrel swivels
  • Hooks: size #2 or #4 owner mosquito hooks
  • Weights: 1-oz egg weight
  • Beads: 8mm fishing beads

Walk With Your Bait

When you cast out, cast against the current. For example, if the current is pulling from the left to the right, cast to the left and let it drift until it’s straight ahead on you. All while keeping good tension, begin walking to the right as quickly as your bait is moving in an effort to stay straight with your bait.

This tactic prolongs soak duration and allows your bait to be found and gobbled up by your target fish.

Cast Against The Current

In a slightly less powerful current, you can simply work the “10 to 2” method. Where you cast against the current, and let it drift from 10 to 2, reel in and re-cast.

By doing this, you can stay in a smaller area. This method works best in mild-to-medium currents, but is also best when you really like the way a small area looks.

Best Weight for Surf Fishing in Strong Current

If the current is too strong to walk at a slow pace and keep up with your bait, it might be time to change your weight. The best weights to use when surf fishing in a heavy current are the pyramid weight, and the sputnik sinker (or breakaway weight).

Best Rig for Surf Fishing in Strong Current

Often times, changing your weight or sinker requires that you change your surf fishing rig. For a complete list of the best rigs for surf fishing, head over to my article on that.

The best rigs for fishing in a heavy current depend on your target. If fishing for species like corbina, croaker, whiting, surfperch, etc., the fish finder rig is the best rig for surf fishing in heavy current.

If you’re surf fishing for sharks, you’ll stick with the rig I’ve outline in the past, It’s a classic 3-way with a sputnik sinker.

• Rod: Fiblink Moonsniper (12 or 13 feet)
• Reel: Penn Battle 8000 (II or III)
• Main Line: 50-pound braid
• Topshot: 100-pound nylon coated mono
• Leaders: Shark Leaders
• Weights: 8-ounce pyramid or 6-ounce sputnik

What Are The Best Conditions for Surf Fishing?

The best conditions for surf fishing are on the mellower side for everything. Low surf, low swell, low winds, medium-to-low current, and appropriate water temps and air temps for the season are best. For a complete run-down on the best tides and conditions for surf fishing, check out my article linked there.

Do Waves and Swell Affect Surf Fishing?

Waves are a similar condition set to current when it comes to surf fishing. The lower the better… typically. To learn more about how waves and swell affect surf fishing, check out the article linked in the image below.