Can you Surf Fish in Winter? The Complete Answer

For surf anglers, winter is quite a difficult season.

Cold weather can be too off-putting to go outside and even with warm clothes and proper gear, surf fishing doesn’t seem to bring as much fun and comfort as the other times of the year.

In simple words, winter is when the urge for surf fishing is there, but not the ideal conditions to go for it.

But should we be demotivated to surf fish in winter? Is it really so bad that it’s not worth packing our gear and heading to the beach?

That’s what we will answer today.

In this article, we are going to discuss what is wrong with surf fishing in winter. Why shouldn’t you be demotivated to cast bait in the winter? And how do you effectively surf fish in cold weather?

So without further words, let’s dive in.

Surf fishing is generally not the best season for surf fishing. The water temperature becomes too low and, therefore, uncomfortable for most fish in winter, which reduces the bite. That said, targeting cold species such as tautog, surfperch, and mackerel can be a good way to succeed in winter. Also, moving to the southeast coast of the United States should improve your catch rate as it is the warmest region in the winter.

What’s wrong with winter fishing?

The main problem with surf fishing in winter is the low temperature. Not only for us humans, but also for the fish.

We have discussed in a previous article that every fish species only feels comfortable in a water temperature interval.

You take it out of that range and the fish will get stressed, stop eating, and start looking for other areas with better heat.

Here is a good list of the average preferred water temp for most fish species we catch in the surf:

As you can see, each species of fish prefers a different water temperature. If you want to catch any fish from the above list, the best time to chase it is when the surf heat matches the preferred temp of that fish.

Now take a second look at the table above and try to identify the most repeated, overlapped temperature range.

In other words, try to find the temperature range in which most fish on the list feel comfortable or at least can thrive and survive.

Too lazy? I have done the job for you and it’s the 60-75°F interval. You don’t trust me? Fine, do your homework 😀

Now, what’s wrong with the 60-75 °F range and winter?

Well, simply put, the water temperature in winter is usually lower than that range.

Want To Gear Up Properly for Surf Fishing?
Get our Ultimate Checklist For Surf Fishing and Join Thousands Already Benefiting from Our Newsletter.

Subscribe Now

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

Built with ConvertKit

Experienced surf anglers know this without taking any measurements and the figures at seatemperature.org are proof that their hunch is correct.

The following table shows the average monthly water temperature in different states of the United States. They also show the months when the average heat falls in the range of 60-75°F (green), above the 75°F mark (orange), or below 60°F degree (blue).

Take a deep look, then let’s discuss.

As you can see, the water temperature in December, January, February, and March is usually under the 60°F mark. Yes, there are a few regions (meanly on the southeastern coast) where the heat stays above 60°F, but in general, winter brings low temperatures to our oceans.

What we can also observe is that the further we move north, the chillier the winter gets and, as a result, the harder it is to surf fish in winter.

The thing here is that you still have some chances within the 50-60°F interval, but below that, I wouldn’t expect much.

Very few species thrive in waters below 50°F. Most fish start to stress at 50-55°F and thus either become lethargic and their appetite wanes, or move elsewhere (out of your casting area) in search of warmer waters.

That’s the problem with winter fishing. There will be fewer fish in the surf to receive your bait, and those who are there will be too lazy to take it.

Where do fish go in winter?

As we said, they migrate to another area with warmer waters.

In general, they move seawards and inhabit deeper structures or migrate south towards Florida and the Gulf.

The goal behind this migration is to find a climate that provides favorable water heat or underwater structures with better heat-retention capabilities.

Muddy terrains and grass flats are known to retain heat more effectively than sand. Also, rocky areas contain more microorganisms and tiny life forms, which provide fish with a better food supply that they can access without consuming too much energy, an essential element in cold waters.

This explains why fish leave sandy beaches in winter and go deeper in search of mixed seabeds with better waters.

As a rule of thumb, the further north one goes, the greater the migration to expect.

In other words, the difference in fish stock between summer and winter is greater in New Jersey than in South Carolina, for example.

Read the previous sentence once again.

So can you surf fish in winter?

So is it still worth it? I mean, you say the water gets too cold for the fish in the winter. Does that mean I can’t fish the surf in the winter and it’s not worth it?

No, I wouldn’t say that, but I also recommend managing your expectations.

If spring or fall are your references of success, then it’s better to lower your expectations and wait for fewer rewards.

If instead, you are just looking for a good fishing time and a few memorable fights, then it is quite safe to say that winter is still a good time for surf fishing.

Yes, there are a few things to consider in order to maximize your chances (we’ll talk about that in a few moments), but overall, you shouldn’t be demotivated to visit the beach in winter.

The first thing to remember here is that there are a few species that tolerate very low temperatures.

Surfperch, sea bream, porgy fish, and blackfish (tautog) can all thrive in waters below 50°F. So if your fishing area is suitable habitat for these species and offers them other favorable conditions, then you have a good chance to land some, even in a chilly winter.

On a larger scale, there are some shark species, albacore tuna, and mackerel that comfortably tolerate cold water. Winter surf fishing can therefore turn into a good deal of heavy catches and sizable trophies.

Just pick a good location and use the right gear/bait for your conditions and objectives.

Yes, in winter most species won’t be there to receive your offer but know that there are probably other good fish lurking somewhere and ready to strike at any moment.

On top of that, it’s important to mention that the numbers we discussed in the previous table are just monthly averages. In reality, the actual water temperature can be lower or higher depending on the year, climate, and many other factors.

So, if you are lucky, and depending on where you live, it is possible to encounter a few days in winter with relatively warm waters.

Heading to the beach on those days should therefore give you a good fishing time. Not as good as fall or spring, but good enough to return home satisfied.

Also be aware that some places can have warm waters all year round and therefore offer good surf fishing conditions, even in winter.

In Florida, for example, the seawater is nearly 70°F in January, February, March, and December.

Winter is therefore a prime time for surf fishing in Florida. In fact, It’s summer that should worry you there since we exceed the optimal range (60-75°F) from June all the way to September.

The idea that I want to communicate here is that winter is not always a bad time for surf fishing. If it does not bring any results in your area, try if possible to move elsewhere on weekends or holidays and experiment with different climates and regions.

Here is a promise

This ebook will answer all your questions about surf fishing and spare you 2 to 3 years of experimentation, research, and trial and error.
Upon absorbing the content in this book, you'll be reeling in fish off the beach like a seasoned pro with years of experience.

More Details

Other reasons to surf fish in winter

There are many others reasons to consider surf fishing in winter.

Empty beach

First of all, the beach is usually empty in the winter.

No swimmers or surfers to worry about when casting, no beach walkers to hit your line when going under your rod, and no noise to scare off the fish.

Just you and your gear. It’s an excellent opportunity to relax and enjoy nature peacefully and stop worrying about a bunch of things that often happen on a crowded beach.

Low competition

Competition is also low during winter.

I mean, If you are here reading about winter surf fishing and you want to know whether it’s worth it, know that many surf anglers are having the same question and, just like you, hesitate to pack their gear.

Without forgetting of course that the cold weather of winter can make even the most passionate of surf fishing favor the blanket over the sea.

So, if you manage to overcome your laziness and decide to surf fish in winter, you will surely enjoy lower competition and hence more fish to compete on your baits.

No Sunburns

The weather can be quite cold and uncomfortable in winter. But, with the right setup and clothing, it’s likely that you’ll enjoy it more than the hot summer days.

Simply put, exposure to the sun during winter is less likely to cause you problems or prevent you from fishing effectively.

You also don’t have to worry about applying sunscreen every now and then, and forgetting to wear sunglasses shouldn’t be a problem for you.

Conversely, the scorching sun of summer or spring can severely dehydrate you and cause you painful headaches and sunburns. Not to mention the high exposure to UV rays which can cause many health problems and chronic conditions.

Surf fishing in summer or spring must therefore be practiced with great care to reduce exposure to the sun, which represents an additional effort compared to winter.

How to proceed in cold weather?

Ok, we have answered this question in great detail in a previous article, but here are the main points to take home:

Location is key

As we said, moving to another state with a warmer winter can drastically improve your scores.

This is the first thing to look for, especially if you are in the northern part of the country where the water temp averages 40-45°F in winter.

The fishing location is also important. Look for mixed seabeds with a bit of grass, sand, mud, and a few rock boulders. Such structures retain heat more effectively and therefore can concentrate a lot of fish.

Clear muddy/sandy terrains are also good. In general, the smaller the sand sediments, the better the heat retention. This should stay in your mind when picking a beach for surf fishing.

In summer, opt for beaches with big rocky sediments because they cool down the water. In winter choose a sandy beach with tiny particles because they are warmer for the fish.

Choose the right tackle

Nothing special here, but your tackle should help you try different spots in the surf zone.

In other words, you need to be able to perform decent casts and try remote areas if the nearby zones bring nothing.

A combo of a long 10-12ft pole with a 5000-6000 reel should do the job.

If you can maneuver a heavier combo go, for it.

Surfperch and bream are the common catches in winter. However, mackerel, tuna, and sharks, if available in your region, can occasionally hit your bait.

That’s why I always favor heavy gear in winter. It simply gives the leverage and control to handle every situation.

Use a smelly bait

The appetite and feeding activity of fish decreases in winter. Your offering should therefore be appealing and appetizing for the best chances.

The scent of fish is what you should target here. Meaning, the more smells and oils your bait releases in the water, the more fish it will attract.

That’s why I believe cut bait is the better option in winter.

I mean, live bait is always rewarding, but in winter, a smelly chunk of dead bait may pay better dividends.

Pilchard, shrimp, mackerel, and mullet are all good candidates for this.

Artificial bait is unlikely to be as effective as natural bait in chilly waters, but if you are into that, don’t hesitate to thread a strip of squid or shrimp into the hooks of your lure.

Keep your bait moving

In winter, picking a good bait is important, but if you plan to just throw it in the waves and wait, then you may wait for a long time before something interesting happens.

As we said, fish become slow and lethargic in cold waters. And with their low appetite, they prefer to hold still in warm pockets rather than wasting energy looking for food.

As a result, your role is to keep the bait moving on the seabed and try to cover as much ground as possible.

This way, you increase your chances of running past a fish while it is there ambushing prey.

One way to achieve that is to cast the bait and then slowly pick up the line with a few rod jerks along the way.

Once you reach the shoreline, check if the bait is still fresh, renew it if needed, and re-cast.

Another way to cover more ground when surf fishing is to use a fish finder rig or Carolina rig. These two setups allow the bait to float and spin freely in the water which helps to expose the bait in different zones at the same cast.

Keep the leader long (at least 3ft) and use adequate casting weight so the currents cannot drift your offer out of the strike zone.

And of course, don’t forget to try different spots in the surf zone. If one place brings nothing for 15 minutes, change it and never look back.

Warm clothing

You can’t be productive in the winter if your body is not warm enough. That’s why you should put some effort into picking good layers of clothes that will keep your body dry and comfortable for the entire trip.

I invite you to read this article where we discussed 9 effective ways to stay warm when surf fishing in the winter.

Some recommended surf fishing gear(*)

Note (*): If you make a purchase through links from this website, we may get a small share of the sale from Amazon or other similar affiliate programs.