Are you thinking of what kind of fish species you can catch at the beach? What type of fish is commonly found on the beaches of Florida, North Carolina and Virginia? Here is complete research on the beach fish species one can most probably catch in the least possible time. Get your fishing combo ready and mark this weekend as fishing day on the calendar this month, because after this reading, you are heading to your first surf fishing journey all armed.
Beach fishing is the most diversified saltwater fishing, whether conducted onshore or offshore. A huge variety of beach fish species are there, benefiting every seasonal to professional angler with the right tackle.
We have selected dream destinations for fishing for any angler where an abundance of fish species are found. Florida, North Carolina and Virginia are America’s three most popular fishing states. If you too belong to these states or have planned to travel, then you must consider the beaches of these states to drop your fishing tackle.
Table of contents
- Fish found on Florida’s beaches
- Fish found on beaches of Carolina
- Fish found on beaches of Virginia
- Best time for beach fishing
- Overview of popular beach fish
- Verdict
Beach fish species in Florida
Snook, tarpon, redfish, spotted seatrout, king mackerel, flounder, black drum, pompano, sheepshead, cobia, blacktip shark, bonnethead shark, jack crevalle, permit, mangrove snapper, lane snapper, mutton snapper, grouper, bluefish, weakfish, ladyfish, blue runner, false albacore, tripletail, gulf kingfish, hardhead catfish, sailfish, wahoo, dolphin and red snapper are some commonly found saltwater species in Florida. These fish are aggressive, jumpy, and fight back with full strength.
Popular beaches in Florida for saltwater fishing
Some of the rich fish habitat beaches in Florida are Miami Beach, Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, West Palm Beach, Siesta Key Beach, Clearwater Beach, Naples Beach, Fort Myres Beach, Samthers Beach, Bahia Honda State Park, and Sombrero Beach.
Beach fish species from North Carolina
There is a wide variety of saltwater fish found in the North Carolina Sea. Some of the popular fish names are red drum, spotted seatrout, flounder, bluefish, black drum, pompano, sheepshead, cobia, striped bass, black sea bass, spadefish, croaker, spot, weakfish, false albacore, bonito, tarpon, blacktip shark, sandbar shark, and king mackerel.
Popular beaches of Carolina for saltwater fishing
Some of the crowded beaches with a variety of fish species awaiting anglers are Cape Hatteras, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Duck Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Emerald Isle, Topsail Beach, Sunset Beach, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, Coligny Beach, Driessen Beach, and Burkes Beach.
Beach fish species of Virginia
Virginia coastal areas offer red drum, striped bass, flounder, bluefish, speckled trout, black drum, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, sheepshead, pompano, cobia, black sea bass, spadefish, spot, weakfish, false albacore, Atlantic bonito, tarpon, sharks, toadfish, pigfish, Atlantic mackerel, butterfish, triggerfish, and croaker. These are easy to hunt offshore and onshore. They are tasty as hell but are aggressive when hooked.
Popular beaches in Virginia for saltwater fishing
For saltwater fishing, both onshore and offshore, Virginia has many popular fishing hotspots, some of which include Virginia Beach, Sandbridge Beach, Chics Beach, Yorktown Beach, Buckroe Beach, Ocean View Beach, Assateague Island, Chincoteague Island, Cape Charles, and Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
Best time for beach fishing
What is the best time to fish at Florida beach?
The beach’s sub-tropical climate and local conditions highly influence the fishing timing at Florida Beach.
In the summer season
June and September are the best time for fishing in the morning, which is around 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. During this specific time, the water is cool which is welcoming for snook, tarpon, and other species like redfish. Meanwhile, you will also find the beach calmer and less crowded.
In the winter season
Just like fishing in the morning is feasible in summer, fishing in the evening is fruitful in winter. The best time to fish in winter in Florida is from 4:00 p.m. to sunset, mainly in November to February. At this time, you can easily find pompano and seatrout near the shore.
What is the best time to fish on Carolina beaches?
In the summer season
If you are on the lookout for striped bass and giant halibut, spring and summer seasons are feasible to find them in abundance. Mark your fishing trip between April to August and the timing should be around 5:00. A.m. to 10:00. A.m.
In the winter season
You will be lucky to find Cobia, surfperch and similar species in bulk during fall and winter, that is from September to March. The best times to head on the beach are between 3:00 p.m. and untill sunset.
What is the best time to fish at the beaches of Virginia?
In the summer season
From May to September, the weather remains hot and during this time, fishing in the morning is the best time. You can catch striped bass and bluefish in clear water from around 6:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m.
In the winter season
For anglers who want to head on to the fishing spots in Virginia, the evening is another popular phase of the day with the water full of speckled trout and red drum. The optimal time to find them is from 4:00 p.m. until sunset from March to May and September to November.
Note: The above-mentioned timings differ from beach to beach in that particular state. These are primary hours feasible to hunt fish, hence always follow maps and local authority websites to check out the hours equivalent to these hours of the day (you may expect a slight difference).
Overview of popular fish
Snook
It’s a prized game fish, highly admirable due to its acrobatic nature. This fish is located in mangroves, estuaries, and seagrass beds. With their sharp sense and wariness, snook attracts mostly live baits. The tastier it is, the more challenging it is to catch.
Tarpon
Tarpon is popular with the name Silver King instead. This fish is glorified in its sparkling silver color and the size of up to 8 feet long. Small fish and crabs are their favorite meals. It is found in the bay, coastal water, and estuaries.
Redfish
It is also known by the name red drum. This fish is another beautiful creature found in bays, tidal areas, and estuaries. A real fighter who tests the angler’s patience and strength to retaliate. They like to eat sandflea, shrimp, and small fish like mullet and pilchard.
Spotted seatrout
This is also known as speckled trout. It has spots at the back and the elongated body makes it attractive too. Seagrass beds and estuaries are their favorite rest points. However, along with fighting nature, they are super fast to run back into the water as well.
Red snapper
Highly sensitive and responsive to the motion of your bait. This fish is sharp-minded and fights back really fast. At the same time, its delicious taste makes this catch worth it too. They live in deep water, under rocky terrains, wrecks, and reefs. So you have to cast your surf fishing rod farther away from the shoreline.
Verdict
Do you want to experience a diverse array of fishing? Head on to Florida, Carolina, and Virginia. These locations are rich in beach fish species, and you are never going to disappoint you. Red drum, flounder, largemouth bass, or name any, the coastlines of these states are full of remarkable and tasty species.
These states have ample opportunities to catch fish of any kind, whether you are a seasonal angler or a professional fisherman. You only need to take care of the right fishing gear and a surf fishing bait compatible with the specific fish you want to catch.