Beyond the Jetties: An Introduction to Nearshore Fishing
You’ve mastered the inshore flats and caught your share of redfish and trout. But you can see the open ocean just beyond the inlet, and you’re wondering, “What’s out there?” Welcome to the world of nearshore fishing. This is the exciting middle ground of saltwater angling—a place of underwater mountains, sunken ships, and bigger, stronger fish. It requires more planning and heavier gear, but the rewards are well worth it.
What is Nearshore Fishing? (And How It Differs from Inshore)
Nearshore fishing typically takes place in the open ocean, from just past the surf zone out to several miles from shore—generally as long as you can still see land. The key difference from inshore fishing is that you are no longer in protected waters. You are exposed to the weather and the waves. The other major difference is that instead of focusing on shorelines and flats, you are almost always fishing over specific underwater **structure**.
Finding the Fish: The Importance of Nearshore Structure
In the seemingly endless ocean, fish congregate around structure for the same reasons they do in a lake: food and shelter. Finding this structure is the key to nearshore success. A good marine GPS with a chartplotter and a fish finder is your best friend here.
Natural Reefs and Live Bottom
These are areas of rock, coral, or hard bottom that rise up from the seafloor. They attract baitfish and crustaceans, which in turn attract the bigger predators you’re looking for. Your chartplotter will often have these areas marked.
Artificial Reefs and Wrecks
Coastal states have programs that intentionally sink materials—from old ships and subway cars to concrete culverts—to create new habitats for fish. These man-made reefs and wrecks become fish magnets and are some of the most productive fishing spots you can find.
Gearing Up for Nearshore Fishing: Heavier Tackle Required
This is where you’ll need to beef up your gear. The fish are bigger, and they are often hooked deep below the boat, requiring serious power to lift. While the principles in our main gear guide still apply, you’ll need to size up.
- Rods: Conventional or heavy spinning rods in the 20-40 lb class are standard. They need a strong backbone.
- Reels: Larger spinning reels (5000-8000 size) or conventional reels are a must. They need to hold several hundred yards of heavy line and have a strong, smooth drag.
- Line: 30-50 lb braided line is the standard choice, usually with a heavy fluorocarbon leader.
Common Nearshore Species to Target
The variety of fish you can catch nearshore is incredible. Some of the most common targets include:
- Snapper: Species like Red Snapper and Mangrove Snapper are prized for their hard fight and delicious taste.
- Grouper: Powerful bottom-dwellers that will test your strength and tackle.
- King Mackerel (Kingfish): Blazing-fast predators that are famous for their line-screaming runs.
- Cobia: Curious and powerful fish that often hang around buoys and wrecks.
Basic Nearshore Tactics: Bottom Fishing and Trolling
The two most common ways to fish nearshore structure are simple and effective.
- Bottom Fishing: This involves anchoring or spot-locking your boat “up-current” of a wreck or reef and dropping baited hooks down to the structure. Live or cut bait is the top choice here.
- Trolling: This involves slowly driving your boat around and over structure while pulling lures like large plugs or spoons behind the boat at a set depth. This is a great way to catch schooling fish like King Mackerel.
A Note on Safety and Seamanship
Never take the open ocean lightly. The most important tool for nearshore fishing is a healthy respect for the weather. Always check the marine forecast before you even think about leaving the dock. Ensure your boat has all the necessary safety gear, and always file a float plan. No fish is worth risking your life for.
Nearshore fishing is the exciting middle ground between the calm bays and the deep blue sea we explore in our Beginner’s Guide to Saltwater Fishing.
-Captain Sal
