Anglers fishing along the Atlantic Coast might choose to fish from the surf, jetties, piers, inlets, bridges, or by boat. The wide variety of saltwater fishing locations along the Atlantic Coast allows anglers of any age, sex or physical condition a chance to enjoy the sport.
Pier Fishing
Pier fishing can vary from the simple tackle to a few very complicated rigs. Beginners will feel very much at ease and many piers have a family atmosphere and lots of people willing to help each other learn. Calling ahead to commercial piers is one way to prepare. Anglers can also check regional websites for pier fishing reports and tips.
Common items to bring might include a cooler, ice, drinks, snacks, sunblock, insect repellent, knife, bait, rags, pliers, rod and reels, tackle, and a camera. It’s a good idea to create a list of items needed and pack them beforehand. You will also want to consider how you will transport all this gear onto the pier.
Surf fishing
Surf fishing is popular from Maine to Florida and in some areas of the Gulf Coast. Depending on the region, anglers may face rocky coasts, large waves and cold water or white sandy beaches with little or no wave action.
Depending on the season, location and species targeted, anglers may fish with one or several types of cut baits, live baits or with artificial lures. Surf anglers use long rods and spinning or conventional reels and often carry sand spikes to hold the rods and a cooler on wheels called a surf buggy.
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing is a good choice for many anglers. Inshore fishing can be done from small open boats and in some cases even from kayaks or other small craft. Inshore fishing varies depending on location, with anglers using bait, artificials or both techniques.
Deep Sea Fishing
Deep Sea or Offshore fishing is an exciting sport. Anglers fish for tuna, marlin, swordfish, mahi mahi, wahoo, sharks and other pelagic species. Depending on the species and location, anglers may troll, chum, chunk, jig, bottom fish, fly fish or use other techniques for these fish. Offshore fishing is sometimesdone from small boats, but many anglers prefer to hop on larger boats, often equipped with twin engines. In either case, the dangerous nature of offshore fishing demands that boats are equipped with an arsenal of safety gear.
Charter Boats
Charter boats are popular options in most saltwater fishing areas. A good local charter boat will provide anglers with a safe, enjoyable experience. Charter boats are typically larger than private boats and can usually accommodate 6 or more anglers.
Head Boats
Head boats are another good option for many anglers. Unlike charter boats, head boats carry large groups, sometimes over 50 anglers! Head boats have many advantages, including lower costs, shared resources and an atmosphere that makes it easy to learn new techniques from other anglers. The down side of head boats is that anglers have more competition and are much more likely to get tangled or feel crowded while fishing.
Catching Live Bait For Saltwater Fishing
Popular bait catching equipment includes cast nets, sabiki rigs, seines, dip nets, minnow and fish traps and umbrella nets. These options allow anglers to catch live bait such as shrimp, crabs, squid, silversides, glass minnows, mummichugs, spot, pinfish, pigfish, ballyhoo, herring, shad, eels and other small fish suitable a live baits or to store or use immediately as fresh baits.
The author is an outdoor enthusiast, web designer and owner of several outdoor websites including Fresh Seafood, Commercial Fishing and Chesapeake Bay.