Four top baits for fall surf fishing

Fall is fast approaching and anglers know that it is the perfect time for surf fishing. More game fish and tasty panfish are moving in the surf during the fall than any other time.

For plenty of surf fishing tips check out my surf and pier fishing page on Surf and Salt.

Here are four of the top baits to use when surf fishing in the fall:

Cut shrimp

Cut shrimp is a great all-around choice for surf fishing, but it must be fresh. Buy shrimp from the seafood market that you would eat yourself, don’t rely on previously frozen “bait” shrimp sold in tackle shops and at Wal-Mart. Use small pieces of shrimp not huge globs.

Shrimp on number 4 hooks is a great bait for fall spot, croaker, whiting (sea mullet), black drum, and snapper bluefish. Large, whole dead shrimp can be fished at night in the surf for nice red drum.

Bloodworms

Bloodworms are the classic go-to bait for spot and will catch just about anything else. They are expensive though, especially in the fall, which is why many folks have switched to the artificial Fishbites bloodworms which work just as well and stay on your hook for fish after fish.

If you are fishing for spot, croaker, snapper bluefish, whiting (sea mullet), pompano or any panfish in the surf and want to use bloodworms I’d advise going with the Fishbites artificial Bag O’ Worms version. You’ll save a ton of money. You can even order the Fishbites bloodworms online at my site in my Surf and Salt tackle shop.

Cut mullet

Cut mullet is a great bait for bluefish and red drum. Most other fish will hit it, though it is not a great spot bait. Big speckled trout will occasionally blast a big chunk of cut mullet and, of course, sharks love it. Most any other fish can be cut up and used for bait. Fresh, bloody cut fish of any kind is the best bait for bluefish in the surf.

Live minnows

Although it is a problem keeping live minnows alive while surf fishing they are hands down the best natural surf fishing bait for flounder, and will also catch redfish, speckled trout, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel. You can buy live mud minnows in the store or gather live finger mullet, small pinfish, or pogies (small menhaden) with your cast net.

Fishfinder rigs with egg sinkers and Kahle-style hooks are great for surf fishing live minnows from the beach. Bring the bait back to you in small hops and the fish will take it from there.

For plenty of other free fishing articles check out my blog A Dash of Salty and my website Surf and Salt.