Fly fishing from beach

[Bob Richey]

My wife and I are taking a short vacation to Rehobeth Beach in mid-September.  I thought I'd bring along my fly rods and give a shot at fishing the surf.  I've never fished salt water before.  My idea is to wade out to maybe knee high and chuck some streamers at any structure like piers or jetties and strip it back.  Is that doable?  Should I be thinking about a sinking line?  Obviously, I'm clueless, I'd appreciate any advice on technique, flies and equipment.  Thanks.

[TurbineBlade]

I have limited experience, but have read a lot about surf fishing with fly tackle.  Personally, I'd bring a floater and stripping basket which allows you to mend and actually control your fly in the water.  Full sink lines had me dragging up sand and were totally ineffective in the shallow beaches I fished. 

The experienced will tell you (that piers/jetties are great, of course) but also to try to go at low tide and observe bowls and sandbars and stuff, and then return to fish later since you'll know where the fish will likely be. 

The fish you want to catch use currents to concentrate bait fish to feed -- if you find rip currents and troughs, you'll find fish. I'm not great at reading the surf, but I can usually spot rip currents just looking for foam moving away from the beach and it's not hard to spot sandbars as waves break over them.  Rips often punch a hole in the sandbar, so you can watch areas where the incoming waves are "uneven" and sometimes find 'em.

Gene

On Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 10:15:03 AM UTC-4, Bob Richey wrote:

[TurbineBlade]

BTW -- you can catch fish (even big fish) literally in the "wash" I think it's called.  It's just the backwash area where waves breaking the beach fall back under, usually "foot-deep" right there.  You don't need to wade way out and try to chuck stuff into the incoming waves -- it's better to wade out a little and make casts parallel to the beach, sort of swinging your fly toward the bank using mends, not unlike fishing wet flies for trout/steelhead.  A floating line would seem to beat everything else for this, at least to me. 

Gene

[Jeffrey Silvan]

Sinking - or at least intermediate - lines typically help in surf fishing to avoid getting washed around in the waves. Your strategy can work for sure, but also look for areas of current seams if there's an inlet somewhere. You'll also want to bring some topwater poppers along in case you find a pod of fish running along the shore chasing bait.

On Tue, Aug 25, 2015 at 10:15 AM, Bob Richey <bob.r...@gmail.com> wrote:

My wife and I are taking a short vacation to Rehobeth Beach in mid-September.  I thought I'd bring along my fly rods and give a shot at fishing the surf.  I've never fished salt water before.  My idea is to wade out to maybe knee high and chuck some streamers at any structure like piers or jetties and strip it back.  Is that doable?  Should I be thinking about a sinking line?  Obviously, I'm clueless, I'd appreciate any advice on technique, flies and equipment.  Thanks.

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[Bob Richey]

Thanks all, good stuff.  For topwater poppers, just regular bass chuggers?

[John Bilotta]

Agree and as Gene mentioned I would bring some kind of a stripping basket.

John

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[TurbineBlade]

I hear you Jeff, and I've heard that from a lot of experienced surf people so there must be something to it.  What I don't understand, is how wave action doesn't push the sinkers (or intermediates) all around just like a floater.  It seems like what is going on with the surface is also going to happen under the surface, and once a sinker sinks you no longer have any control.

Note that I have 2 nice intermediates I would like to put to use, but just haven't pieced together what the benefit may be. 

Gene

On Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 11:04:52 AM UTC-4, Bob Richey wrote:

[Jeffrey Silvan]

Gene - typically, there are three current zones in the ocean water column - surface, subsurface, and bottom currents. So in the open ocean, you might have current on the surface pushing east, but 15 feet down, you might have current pushing north. This same thing happens in the surf closer to shore, although the zones of current change a bit as you get shallower. It also depends on where you're fishing in the surf zone and the general bottom structure. But in general, the surface currents are typically pretty narrow - generally created by wind and the excess momentum of water "falling" off the waves. This will push around your line a lot more than if it is running 6-12 inches below the surface. You'll still definitely get some push if you're actually fishing the breakers, but getting off the wind and surface currents make a huge difference in line control.

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[Sam Clemens]

Try the Indian River Inlet jetties. Tons of fish getting pushed/feeding through there. 

On Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 11:32:16 AM UTC-4, Jeff Silvan wrote:

Gene - typically, there are three current zones in the ocean water column - surface, subsurface, and bottom currents. So in the open ocean, you might have current on the surface pushing east, but 15 feet down, you might have current pushing north. This same thing happens in the surf closer to shore, although the zones of current change a bit as you get shallower. It also depends on where you're fishing in the surf zone and the general bottom structure. But in general, the surface currents are typically pretty narrow - generally created by wind and the excess momentum of water "falling" off the waves. This will push around your line a lot more than if it is running 6-12 inches below the surface. You'll still definitely get some push if you're actually fishing the breakers, but getting off the wind and surface currents make a huge difference in line control.

On Tue, Aug 25, 2015 at 11:09 AM, TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com> wrote:

I hear you Jeff, and I've heard that from a lot of experienced surf people so there must be something to it.  What I don't understand, is how wave action doesn't push the sinkers (or intermediates) all around just like a floater.  It seems like what is going on with the surface is also going to happen under the surface, and once a sinker sinks you no longer have any control.

Note that I have 2 nice intermediates I would like to put to use, but just haven't pieced together what the benefit may be. 

Gene

On Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 11:04:52 AM UTC-4, Bob Richey wrote:

Thanks all, good stuff.  For topwater poppers, just regular bass chuggers?

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[TurbineBlade]

Thanks Jeff -- I appreciate the detailed response!  I'm sure it's obvious that I'm not a surf guy, but I think I'd try to be if I lived closer to the ocean.  I'll have to pick up a spool and work with that intermediate at some point for the advantages you've pointed out.   

Sorry for the hijacking Bob, though maybe it's helpful? 

Gene

On Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 11:32:16 AM UTC-4, Jeff Silvan wrote:

Gene - typically, there are three current zones in the ocean water column - surface, subsurface, and bottom currents. So in the open ocean, you might have current on the surface pushing east, but 15 feet down, you might have current pushing north. This same thing happens in the surf closer to shore, although the zones of current change a bit as you get shallower. It also depends on where you're fishing in the surf zone and the general bottom structure. But in general, the surface currents are typically pretty narrow - generally created by wind and the excess momentum of water "falling" off the waves. This will push around your line a lot more than if it is running 6-12 inches below the surface. You'll still definitely get some push if you're actually fishing the breakers, but getting off the wind and surface currents make a huge difference in line control.

On Tue, Aug 25, 2015 at 11:09 AM, TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com> wrote:

I hear you Jeff, and I've heard that from a lot of experienced surf people so there must be something to it.  What I don't understand, is how wave action doesn't push the sinkers (or intermediates) all around just like a floater.  It seems like what is going on with the surface is also going to happen under the surface, and once a sinker sinks you no longer have any control.

Note that I have 2 nice intermediates I would like to put to use, but just haven't pieced together what the benefit may be. 

Gene

On Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 11:04:52 AM UTC-4, Bob Richey wrote:

Thanks all, good stuff.  For topwater poppers, just regular bass chuggers?

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[Nedak]

Bob-

I have a place in Rehoboth and fish it all the time.  For those of you who have seen my posts, carp fishing in Silver Lake...

1-bring 5 wt to fish for giant enormous carp in Silver Lake.  Fish near the park at the far west side of Silver Lake.  https://www.google.com/maps/search/silver+lake+park+delaware+rehoboth/@38.7093509,-75.0881457,17.22z
2-fishing in the surf has been really really slow.  I have thrown every kind of bait known, live, bloodworms, cut bait and have not caught anything.  My buddies tell me that the bite in the surf is off this year because of the cold winter.
3-fishing from the surf in Rehoboth is typically tough because the slope of the beach to the water.  There is a pretty drastic drop to the beach so when you backcast, you hit the sand.  Unless you spey cast, it can be tough to get any distance.  Rehoboth typically fishes ok with bait but you will be working hard blind casting to find random fish in the surf.
4-all the suggestions on intermediate/sinking line are accurate but Rehoboth has a pretty bad beach break-meaning the waves crash right at your feet and you don't really wade out in the surf to fly fish.  If decide to fish the surf, definitely bring stripping basket.  The waves will tangle the fly line around your feet.
5-if you are interested in wading, I suggest 2 places:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B041%2729.9%22N+75%C2%B004%2738.3%22W/@38.6916374,-75.0771721,3a,75y,268.63h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s0AjGVJtXbaBqUZjvR-SU7g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D0AjGVJtXbaBqUZjvR-SU7g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D100%26h%3D80%26yaw%3D268.24188%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0
In Rehoboth Bay I fished at dusk into swirls that were chasing bait to the surface and got a 18in striper.  The water was super shallow and I was using a 7wt, with about a 7 ft sink tip, tan over white clouser with no leaded eyes.   Stripping basket not really needed in Rehoboth Bay.  You can also blind cast for croakers.  The goto fly is a sandcrab imitation.  Sparse tan and white with a little bit of flash, tied with orange thread.  That style requires a sinking line typically because you are dragging along the bottom to imitate a sand crab and croakers have a subterminal mouth.
https://books.google.com/books?id=09SA7lO-DJwC&pg=PA61&lpg=PA61&dq=mouth+of+a+croaker+fish&source=bl&ots=rdDAxWNvGT&sig=X1Gk1lbJcdDsXuGhJ7xlqfT-7Pw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CE4Q6AEwCmoVChMIsJjS_9fExwIVwm8-Ch0hoAXe#v=onepage&q=mouth%20of%20a%20croaker%20fish&f=false

I am lazy and just use floating line with a heavy fly and wait for it to sink.  Again Rehoboth Bay is really shallow allow over.

6-my buddy says that stripers are located in and around Burton Island on the north side of the jetty.  Typically a kayak or boat will be needed to get out there.  He says fish the cuts on the seams during a rising tide. 

38.691640, -75.077310

38°41'29.9"N 75°04'38.3"

7-if you have kayak, you can also fish the cape may/lewes ferry wall.  https://www.google.com/maps/place/38%C2%B047%2704.9%22N+75%C2%B007%2717.2%22W/@38.784689,-75.121459,717m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0  Full sink line and cast close to the rocks.   I did it the other day but got nothing.  Full sink line required.

8-I rarely fish the indian river inlet.  Lots of people and tough casting conditions on a fly rod.  If you bait/lure fish IRI, be prepared to lose lots of tackle.  The rocks capture everything.

8-

or fishing near the old Lewes Fishing Pier that is shutdown for repairs.  http://www.destateparks.com/park/cape-henlopen/fishing-center.asp  You can wet wade around the pier and cast floating line in there because there is not much depth.  I have not tried that yet but plan to this week. 

[Nedak]

Edit- the second place to wet wade was cut off.

The fly guys fish in Lewes near the fishing pier that has been closed for repairs.  You can enter the park and fish near the pilings.  They say fish it at a higher tide because its pretty shallow in there.  Presuming it hasn't got as much pressure since the pier is closed.

You can private message me for more information if you like. 

Good luck.

[TurbineBlade]

I know that lake -- we put in kayaks at that public park (the surrounding neighborhoods all indicate the general "stay out" signage for parking, but the street by the park seems okay).  There are some huge carp in there, but we didn't catch any.  I confirmed their existence with canned corn. 

I don't go there much since our friend moved out of Rehoboth, but I got the impression that no one fishes in that lake. 

Gene

[Nedak]

https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!topic/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/ZGeZADwovFk

On Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 1:02:46 PM UTC-4, Nedak wrote:

[Bob Richey]

Thanks Nedak! That is some great feedback.

On Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 12:59:13 PM UTC-4, Nedak wrote:

[Marek Rich]

I have a place in Bethany and fish the Indian River Inlet when time permits. Much like any tidal water, timing the tides to sun-up/sun-down is always suggested. Fishing the ocean side jetty requires a bit of work, as some of the larger rocks, especially the further out you go, can get pretty slippery. I fished my 7wt with a sinking tip and was able to get into several nice sized stripers – most of them landed close to the rocks. I fished a duel rig with two clouser minnows, one larger in the front and a smaller in the rear some 14-18” below, and was successful with both. I even had one double hook-up that was pretty freaky. Please pay particular attention to where you fish and the nearest point of water access, as trying to jump rocks, get down to the water and land the fish isn’t for the faint of heart.

 

As mentioned below, it can get crowded and a striping basket is a must. The absolute best location is the very end of the jetty. Depending on wind and the direction of the surf, the ocean will “sweep” over an old extension of the jetty that is mostly submersed below the ocean surface. This was by far the most productive place to fish, as many of the large fish hang the wash picking off bait fish that roll over in the surf.

 

For an incoming tide, I like the southern side of the inlet.

 

Personal message me if you want additional info.  

 

Marek

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[Brendan]

Fished there last week and got nothing in the surf. short/hard break makes for run up and walk back casting. 

Silver lake is good for golden bass and some largemouth barring any large saltwater injections. kind of a kids fishing place more than anything you'd want to seriously attack.   

Indian River Inlet area is best bet for saltwater but can get crowded. Also you can fish the shallows anywhere along rehoboth bay, go during low tide to spot the channels, then come back for the incoming and quick strip minnow patterns for small (1-2.5lb) blues and schoolie stripers. thoroughly rinse yourself and your gear afterwards and check the water quality reports before wet wading, there are often extremely high levels of bacteria in the summer warranting a 'no contact' warning.  and be careful if you try putting a boat in on Rehoboth Bay, some incredible tidal currents and storms/wind can pop up quicker than a radar app updates. 

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