Gearing Up For Surf Fishing Season In The Carolinas

Written by: Ian Rubin

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Time to read 5 min

As the extreme summer heat subsides and the cool fall weather kicks in, anglers of the Lowcountry have two things on their mind: football and bull reds. Dropping water temperatures and an influx of migrating baitfish breathe new life into the surf, offering shore-based anglers some of the best fishing opportunities of the year. From early September through mid-November, the beaches of South Carolina are overrun by big sharks and bull redfish in hot pursuit of mullet journeying south. With these massive fish cruising the shallows, often within 50 yards of dryland, the surf fishing bite can be exceptionally productive. Lucky for you, Toadfish has a comprehensive line of surf fishing equipment that will get you geared up to catch giant fish off the beach!

-30LB Toadfish Braid

-x1 Pre-rigged Hi-Lo Surf Rig

-x1 Pre-rigged Surf Fishing Rig

-5-Pack SaltX 5/0 Circle Hooks

-6-Pack Barrel Swivels (264lb)

-6-Pack EZ Sinker Slides

-30lb Fluoro

Built for the elite angler with the most advanced and durable materials creating a perfect balance of lightweight power and sensitivity. Toadfish designers built these rods from the blank up with a custom Toadfish designed reel seat, salt tough components, and dialed in actions for casting lures or bait fishing. Tangle free guides allow for longer casts, and custom blank tapers to quickly bury a hook, but soft enough to land a variety of species.

Surf Fishing in the Lowcountry - An Overview

a toadfish surf rod sits in a toadfish stowaway surf spike waiting to get a bite

Surf fishing encompasses any fishing adventure from the sand or, as surf anglers say, “off the beach.” It enables anglers to intercept fish as they move up and down the shoreline, aggressively searching for food. With actively feeding fish, easy access, minimal barrier to entry, and the potential to land “the big one,” surf fishing is highly desirable for novice and expert anglers alike. 

Fall Surf Fishing Means One Thing: Big Bull Reds

there is a photo of a guy hooked up to a nice fish off the beach with a toadfish surf combo

In the fall months, many surf anglers set their sights on the “Bull” Red Drum or Redfish. This term describes redfish that fall between that 35” to 55” mark; a size class made up of migratory, breeder-size fish. These bigger redfish patrol the surf and coastal inlets, gorging on bait before migrating to offshore waters for the winter. This annual “run” of bull redfish captures anglers' attention like few other seasonal fisheries. Along the beaches of the Carolinas during these months, you’ll find countless anglers with 10+ foot rods and cut mullet on fish finder rigs, eagerly awaiting the “right” bite. If the redfish are not around, there are many other catchable fish that take advantage of the abundance of bait off the beaches. Numerous species of sharks, including blacktips, spinners, sandbars, sharpnose, and more, along with bluefish, flounder, speckled trout, spot croaker, whiting, and stingrays are commonly found in the surf.

When and Where to Find Fish Off The Beach

there is a picture of a good sized redfish laying in the surf while someone is unhooking it

Your best shot at catching a big bull red off the beach occurs from September through mid-November, with peak fishing in October. Charleston anglers have affectionately nick-named this prime fishing month, “Red October,” highlighting the exceptional red drum fishing during this time. These bull redfish are hungry, but fishing in the right spot is crucial. Their movements during these months are highly patterned, so locating a hotspot where they travel through can lead to consistent catches throughout the season. 

How To Chose Where To Fish On The Beach

a black and white photo shows historic Bayshore drive in the mid 50s with smoke plumes in the background

When selecting a spot on the beach, there are a few key things to look for. Here are some tips and tricks for you to effectively find bull reds this fall:


  • Use online nautical contour maps and Google Maps to look for good contours and “choke points” to your advantage. A choke point is anywhere that stands out along the beach which could be used as an ambush point for bait. Ideally, you want to find areas where the water depth drops off very close to the beach; within casting range. Look for inlets, jetties, piers, or any jagged shoreline that stands out on a map.

  • Once you arrive at a beach there are a few more things to look for when choosing where to set up. Pay attention to the surf, looking for anomalies such as “rips” and “breaks” in the current. These rips and breaks will dictate where the sandbars and troughs are. Troughs and sandbars create highways for baitfish and consequently larger fish following the bait. Remember that baitfish will always follow the path of least resistance. Try fishing both ends of the tide cycle at the spots you find and formulate a pattern for which tides are best for each spot. When fishing inlets, an outgoing tide can be incredibly productive.

  • Another good spot to try is rock jetties on the beaches, they will often hold smaller redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. Sullivan's Island and Folly Beach are some popular spots with rock jetties around Charleston.

Gearing Up For Surf Fishing: What You Need To Land The Big One

a photo shows all the products included in the new Toadfish Surf Bundle

When it comes to surf fishing, Toadfish carries some of the best products on the market. The new Surf Combos and Elite Surf Combos come in a variety of lengths and actions, and, for a limited time only, a purchase of any combo includes $80 worth of surf fishing tackle for free! The 8’8 and 9’6 models are perfect for casting lures and small pieces of bait, while the 10’6 is rated for casting up to four ounces - making it great for bombing heavy sinkers and chunks of cut mullet for sharks and bull reds. Make sure you also grab a few of the new collapsible Stowaway Surf Spikes to create a spread of rods cast at different distances and depths to find exactly where the fish are


To catch smaller fish species, such as whiting, bluefish, and spot that can be used as cut bait, use small pieces of fresh or frozen shrimp, Fishbites, or sand fleas on a High-Low Rig  - included in the Surf Fishing Bundle! For targeting bull reds and sharks use a Fish-Finder Rig with a 4-6 ounce pyramid or Sputnik sinker - all components (except for the weight) are included in the Surf Fishing Bundle as well! Bull reds and sharks will take cut mullet, spot, and whiting, but keep in mind,  the fresher the bait, the better. Use the Stowaway Fillet System to cut your bait into 2” to 4” inch chunks; surprisingly, the bull reds seem to like smaller cut baits - right around that 2” mark - and be sure to match your hook size to your bait size; typically a 6/0 to 8/0 circle hook will do just the trick. Check out our Line Nippers for all your rigging needs!

Good Luck Out There This Fall!

a picture shows a guy rigging up his toadfish surf rod at sunrise as he prepares to start surf fishing

Remember to practice good fish handling techniques, keeping these big breeder fish out of the water only long enough for a quick photo, before carefully releasing them back into the surf. Keep in mind that each one of these 35”+ fish is a crucial piece of future thriving redfish populations. Be sure to let us know how Toadfish is enhancing your Fall Surf Fishing experience and send us photos of your best catches! Tight lines!

Written By Ian Rubin

Edited By Austin King