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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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!