I don’t know too much about the surf fishing but I have been here for 4 months and have learned a lot. I’ve even bought some really nice surf rods from members of the website. My question is , will surf fishing be worth it December and January? If so what baits are best for the winter months. Any info or suggestions will be appreciated.
In the winter it just slows back a lot and you don’t have to worry about bait stealers as much. I try to catch live or use extremely fresh bait. When the water gets to the lower temps December-February and fishing gets to slow, I will go fresh water fishing. I fish for crappie and blue cats because the bite is good in the winter and then from February to April the shad/heron run happens and its really fun, the Santee Cooper water system has some world class freshwater fishing.
I always say the best part of surf fishing is that even if youre not catching fish, you get to relax on the beach. Nothing beats sitting on the beach fishing in the cold months and not being able to see another person in any direction
1860 G3 DLX
Carp Crusade Bowfishing
Early December might still produce but into January I’d put up the surf gear for awhile. Winter surf fishing is pretty uneventful. I’m not a fan and I usually hang it up until March.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
What about on the piers might try folly after thanksgiving
Sheepshead are currently biting well on folly if that is your
target destination
All very interesting observations?..Experiences?
Late December.
January.
Febuary, with the chest waders on.
Early March. Yep, the chest waders.
The only true SLOW month is March, when the surf temp is the lowest. But the Stingrays don’t seem to mind the cold water. Kinda odd for Rays? As far as bait? For me, fresh shrimp always, ocassionally Mullet or other fish bait. My advise…JUST GO!!! And I’m with Skewer, better fishin’ than sittin’ home watchin’ some silly ESPN thing or other mind numbing show.
So go for it. You won’t catch anything if you don’t try.
Kingfish,
You’ll do well on the piers this time of year. Go get some fiddler crabs and fish areas that have lots of growth on them. The sheepshead bite is very good right now.
Capt. R. Killin
“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W
</font id=“red”>Late December, barefoot, one word, HARD-CORE, go get um Mr. Parker 
quote:
Originally posted by runbabyrun</font id=“red”>Late December, barefoot, one word, HARD-CORE, go get um Mr. Parker
The water temp doesn’t get uncomfortable for me till about mid January. You can still have pretty nice weather in December. Most days I’ll have the sweat pants on though.
Yea back in the day when I was a young man and used to surf they used to call me " ICE-BURG" because I’d go out in the winter without a wet suit, couldnt afford one, they should have called me Grape-Ape, I would turn purple, and god forbid you stump your toe . No way I could handle that now.Back to fishing, the solunar rating is 4 star for wed and thurs, unfortunately ne 10-15 is an issue and if you look at dec 11 they call it seasons best, I wonder if the reds will still be thick at that point.
Bare feet in the winter surf is no problem because after a couple minutes your feet get numb ; so, no worry…
I can’t be on the beach with shoes on, just feels wrong. And you are spot on Pete, if you can, Tuesday-Wednesday are predicted to be good “catching” days. With mid day low tides, you can fish it falling and rising all day. 9:00AM-3:00PM should be the best window for catching.
…if you go and get skunked…not my fault. [:I]
I agree on the shoe thing haha. If I wear anything it will be my vibrams (yes the funny shoes with individual toes haha). Still wear shorts for the most part
But I’ll be in a warm jacket/layers.
DP I think you’re forgetting one fish that you caught in March… Little outside the norm but ummmm its nice haha.