Surf Fishing Tips - Reading The Beach - The View From The Beach

It's been a while. I made this video to clear up some of the confusion on tidal stages and how they affect reading water on the open beach. Hopefully it'll help you dial it in.

[@garychester1942]

07-18. I moved to Fl 8 Months ago and just now started catching good fish. I am glad I found this video! There's a lot more to it than I ever suspected but I am "hooked" for life. Love knowing the why behind what I'm seeing. Many thanks.

[@richtroxler]

Hi Gary. Sorry for the late reply. Been on a 7 day a week work binge. Fishing is a life long learning experience so enjoy the process. Savor the successes, learn from mistakes, fishing is really nothing more than solving riddles and the key to success, in anything really, is knowledge. I spent decades fishing Fire Island. Fish on and stay safe.

[@pgreenx]

I don’t really surf fish much but I enjoy watching these vids.

[@richtroxler]

Thanks pg. Personally, I can't watch them. My own voice puts me to sleep LOL.

[@Rick_Aloha_All_Day]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Always appreciate these well-detailed videos. Hope to use this information here in Hawaii. Mahalo again!

[@richtroxler]

I would love to live in Hawaii. I hope you have a great season!

[@richjudy2887]

A wonderful refresher of beach knowledge. I look forward to delving deeper with your insightful offerings. 40+ years ago I was a Pacific waterman....now an active spectator.

[@richtroxler]

Thanks for sharing! Unfortunately, was out of commission again for a while, so for now I'm just trying to get caught up on responding to everyone and trying to finish up on some new content and other stuff. Thanks for hanging in there with me and I'll get this thing going again.

[@martuni1539]

Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge. Tight lines 🎣

[@richtroxler]

Thanks for watching Martin.

[@PhongMike]

Best analysis from the professor... Thank you... Many youtubers must learn from you

[@richtroxler]

Unfortunately, was out of commission again for a while, so for now I'm just trying to get caught up on responding to everyone and trying to finish up on some new content and other stuff. Thanks for hanging in there with me and I'll get this thing going again.

[@johnpurser2798]

Thanks Rich. I've been hoping you'd post some more videos. I hope your winter is going well and spring comes soon.

[@richtroxler]

Thanks John. Getting anxious for winter to be over. It's hanging on a little too long this year. Have a good spring.

[@michaelberry7248]

Just found your channel recently. Great stuff Man. I'm pretty plugged into my natural surroundings, but I've learned a lot from your videos. Thank you.

[@richtroxler]

Thanks for watching Michael. I appreciate the kind words.

[@willmartin4477]

Great video. Thank you Rich Trox.

[@richtroxler]

Thanks Will.

[@VexxJam]

Exceptional work 🙌 ...to the point, with no time wasted and packed with a wealth of knowledge. Thank you, plz keep them coming, I've learned quite a bit from your videos.

[@richtroxler]

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for the kind words Darth and thanks for watching.

[@davidsoden493]

That was a fantastic video (learning module!). Thank you for putting that together. I have not watched the first episodes you reference yet but they are now a must. It all made sense and was presented very clearly. Thank you. Dave

[@richtroxler]

You are most welcome Dave and thanks for watching. Watching the other vids is probably a good idea as this video was meant as an adjunct to them. I was trying to focus more on what the best conditions are for making observations, not necessarily what those observations should be (the stuff in the other videos).

[@davidsoden493]

Thank you Sir. All other videos watched and given a like. I live in Ireland and fish mainly on the south west coast. Beach structure, (sand, water mainly) are a constant and your lesson works wherever. I wish we had slob strippers in Irish water but hey it’s not always about catching fish. But thanks again and I look forward to your next episode.

[@WethePeopleMK]

Thanks Rich...great video! glad to see another one

[@richtroxler]

Thanks Michael and thank you for watching. I'm working on a few more before the season gets going down here.

[@pedroferreira4134]

Nice! Very clear explanation, no big promises. And it makes sense! Thank you Richtroxler.

[@richtroxler]

Unfortunately, was out of commission again for a while, so for now I'm just trying to get caught up on responding to everyone and trying to finish up on some new content and other stuff. Thanks for hanging in there with me and I'll get this thing going again.

[@wildman8601]

Great videos rich thanks will be looking forward to using your tips on the beach this year

[@richtroxler]

I apologize for the late reply, I had some personal business to attend to. Thanks for watching. I hope it helps you get on some fish.

[@FishGum]

You PROVIDED exactly what I want to get better at doing!!! That’s reading the SURF! Very nice presentation! I leave infinity likes!

[@richtroxler]

Thanks for watching Fish!

[@johnsao3921]

Great information Mr Rich. Thank you sir 🙏 you’re the best.

[@richtroxler]

Thank you John.

[@seymourlebowitz7802]

I always learn something new when I watch your videos...

[@richtroxler]

I'm glad you find them useful. Thanks for watching.

[@seymourlebowitz7802]

@@richtroxler Many times I would watch your video many times so I don't miss anything ..Thanks Sy

[@Desert_Muley]

Just found your channel. I have fished lakes and rivers all my life but just recently moved to the coast. And will be mainly surf fishing. What you say about structure and fish makes sense and is pretty much typical of most any fishing, fresh or salt water. I never thought of the beach floor having structure other than rocks. I will definatley use your info to target the fish. Thanks. I have liked and subscribed.

[@richtroxler]

Hi Sal and thanks for subscribing. I've been a little slow with new videos lately but will try and get cracking on it again. Have a good season and thanks for watching.

[@philrobinson5557]

Thanks for all your great videos. I started working at a beach in So. Cal and I wanted to know more about fishing. So I stumbled across this very wise man. I studied your vids and I must say this man "KNOW'S HIS S..T lol" I took over the shore fishing program and ended it's 7 year drought of not catching a single fish. Thanks Rich now I do KNOW there are fish in L.A. waters.

[@richtroxler]

Congrats Phil. I'm glad you found my videos useful. Thank you for the kind words, they are appreciated.

[@thomashill3457]

Good to see you back

[@richtroxler]

Good to be back, and settled in at last.

[@larrymlynch9608]

Thanks for the tutorials. Good job!!!

[@richtroxler]

Sorry for the late reply.. Thanks for watching.

[@magikbites]

Another fantastic video on beach reading. Your series have been a great learning tool for me and allowed me to become a better angler. One still outstanding doubt I have is how underwater hard structure like boulders and large rocks or rocky bottoms, affect the decision on where and when to fish. Maybe one day you can address some of my questions. Until then, thank you for all the knowledge you have made available for beginning anglers like me. The critical aspect of choosing the right location to fish is not easily available as other much discussed topics like rods, reels and lures.

[@richtroxler]

Hi Pedro. Sorry for the late reply, was away for a couple weeks. There are some generalities about large rocks, like fish will lay behind them down current, but most decisions will have to be based on what your local species prefer. Some fish like rocky bottoms, some like sand bottoms, most relate to some sort of structure or bottom contour, either to hide or feed from, and sometimes just because it's there. There is no one fish behavior rule, but in general predator fish like to use their environment as a feeding advantage and prey fish try to avoid being eaten, and then work it backwards from there. Thanks for watching.

[@shumardi1]

Another great video.

[@richtroxler]

Thanks again.

[@joescarpadventures]

Just getting started learning about surf fishing. Your videos are very helpful--thanks!

[@richtroxler]

Hi Joe. Very sorry for the late reply. I had a health issue that dragged on for a while but I'm back now. I love catching carp. You have a nice channel. I subbed you. Looking forward to checking out your vids!

[@joescarpadventures]

@@richtroxler Thanks! Just fished Lake Trashmore yesterday, and it was hot as Hades! Not sure enduring that heat was worth the 8 and 10 pound carp I banked (and a hand-lined 4 lb. largemouth!)...

[@richtroxler]

I didn't realize Lake Trashmore had carp and bass. I'll have to check it out. Is this the actual man-made lake or the one off to the side?

[@joescarpadventures]

@@richtroxler Both lakes have carp. Trashmore also has bass, channel cats, white cats, bullheads, and panfish. Lake Windsor, which connects to Thalia Creek, also has puppy drum and speckled trout. I've only fished Trashmore.

[@richtroxler]

Wow, thanks for the info. The carp should be close to spawning now. I didn't know Trashmore had so many varieties in it. I'm also curious about the pups and specs in Lake Windsor. I wonder if I can put my kayak in there.

[@MaluHunterFishing]

Fabulous video. Love my surf fishing in Australia.

[@richtroxler]

Hi Malu. Very sorry for the late reply. I had a health issue that dragged on for a while but I'm back now. Thanks for the kind words. Never been down under but it's on my bucket list. If I could afford it, I'd move there tomorrow. Thanks for watching!

[@MaluHunterFishing]

😍

[@Auqua]

I always learn something valuable from your videos, Rich. It did not occur to me that sometimes the waves can be giving a false signal about the bottom contour. Thanks for the education.

[@richtroxler]

Hi SDAG. Yeah, that was an area I wanted to clear so that my other videos would make a little more sense. When conditions are right, what you see starts making sense and the bottom contour jumps out at you. But when the conditions aren't right, then nothing makes sense lol. It all just looks like a washing machine lol. Thanks for watching!

[@Auqua]

When I went back and reviewed your earlier videos, I saw that you had mentioned these concepts, but I had missed their significance at the time. This latest video does an excellent job of describing in detail a very important part of reading water. Thanks again for going back and focusing closely on the factors that affect wave formation and action.

[@richtroxler]

Sorry for the late reply, was away for a couple weeks. Reading water is like many things in that the devil is in the details lol.

[@dharlow5810]

Good to see a new post!!

[@richtroxler]

Yeah, it had been a while. I had a lot going on. Thanks for watching.

[@mrwolf1859]

Rich is back!! Good to see you on stream friend. How’s everything on you end of the US? Hope all is well best wishes in life and of course fishing, keep killin’em and stay safe out there.

[@richtroxler]

Hi Wolf. Between moving twice in 6 months and work, I've been pretty busy lol. Was way overdue for a new video. I'm settled in now and have my studio set back up, so that makes me happy. Need to write some new music also lol. Hope all is well with you and yours!

[@jimgalloway3207]

Thanx Rich I love your videos- maybe now Jersey Striper won't be giggling at me from the water.

[@richtroxler]

Hi Jim. Stripers are giggling at everybody now because their numbers are down so low, but that's another story. You pick you spots and times as best you can and go with it. Thanks for watching and have a good season. Stay safe.

[@madmac1398]

THANK YOU MUST WATCH YOUR WHOLE SERIES ON THIS

[@richtroxler]

I hope it helps you up your game.

[@rangaroo6385]

Thank you so much from Australia !

[@richtroxler]

Hi Ranga. You are most welcome from the US. I would love to fish there one day. I watch the videos of those guys fishing the rocks. Looks like a blast. Stay well and thanks for watching.

[@mikey.1205]

Such a cool video

[@richtroxler]

Thanks. Unfortunately, was out of commission again for a while, so for now I'm just trying to get caught up on responding to everyone and trying to finish up on some new content and other stuff. Thanks for hanging in there with me and I'll get this thing going again.

[@IxoraNera]

great video

[@richtroxler]

Thanks. I hope you find it useful. Thanks for watching and have a pleasant holiday season.

[@STINKINGLOWLIFE]

This videos are gold

[@richtroxler]

Thank you sir!

[@frankcienciala3328]

Probably the best explanation I have ever seen. Thanks. Question: how does changed in barometric pressure affect fishing?

[@richtroxler]

Hi Frank. I think the general consensus is this, and nobody can speak to fish to know for sure, but fish have very highly tuned sensory organs, so a drop in barometric pressure usually means a storm. This can mean several things to different fish species. Rough water might provide a feeding advantage initially for some species. For others it may signal that water conditions will get crappy and hard to forage, so they better eat now, etc. It's their world and they are very sensitive to it, so it's our job as fisher-persons to figure out what changes in barometric pressure does to the feeding habits of the species we fish for. Thanks for watching!

[@davebeard4987]

Thank You Sir................. for your time and Info!!!!!!

[@richtroxler]

You are welcome Dave, and thank you for watching.

[@scotts7572]

Nice info Rich...

[@richtroxler]

Thank you Scott.

[@scotts7572]

@@richtroxler I have been looking on here for your email or how to directly message you, and I can't figure it out...

[@LaurieandBillRetired]

Thank you professor! I appreciate the high quality of information and your excellent presentation skills.

[@richtroxler]

And I appreciate your kind words. Thank you. Sorry for the late reply.

[@briansetal493]

A very good video thanks a lot

[@richtroxler]

Hi Brian. Very sorry for the late reply. I had a health issue that dragged on for a while but I'm back now. Thanks for the kind words and you are very welcome. Thank you for watching!

[@briansetal493]

@@richtroxler yes your welcome amd sorry to hear the you have a health issue

[@CowboyPescador]

Good video !

[@richtroxler]

Thanks Cowboy, and thanks for watching.

[@flahornet132]

Perfectly explained

[@richtroxler]

I'm glad it was understandable. I'm never sure if the stuff in my head translates to video lol. Thanks for watching.

[@steveschwier4782]

I been wondering when you would release a new video. I really like your videos. Thanks.

[@richtroxler]

Yeah, I've had a pretty hectic last 6 months but I'm settled in now. Back to making videos, writing music, and pretty soon FISHING! Thanks for watching.

[@steveschwier4782]

@@richtroxler I'm glad your back. You have made me a better fisherman. Thanks.

[@albertorozco3652]

Great video please don't stop making then 😀. I have a question how can I read a pier? . Like you mentioned before I don't want to be that person. Who just cast their rod and wait. I would like to have the odds to cath a fish on my side. What do you recommend me to do when I fish on a pier? Again thank you for your videos. If you ever make a book I'll be the first to buy. 😁

[@richtroxler]

I really don't fish piers, but water is water and fish are fish, so here's what I would do if I started fishing them. I'd learn what species are likely to be around and do they orient themselves, or relate to the pier pilings. Some fish like Tautog and Sheepshead stick very close to objects in the water, be it pilings, sea walls, etc. Mostly I would watch the regulars to see what they do and how they catch their fish. Lastly, I would try to make the connection of what it is they do and why they are successful. A pier occupies a very small stretch of beach, so reading water is not really that useful there, because you have a very limited range of water to fish. From the little I've seen, most crowd the end of the pier, which is typically the deepest water. Where I live (in Virginia) there are quite a few ocean and bay piers, but the competition on many of them is pretty fierce lol, so I avoid them. I prefer night time and some open space to work with.

[@albertorozco3652]

@@richtroxler Thank you for the response will star doing that. Special trying to surf at night. The other day I went to beach with my family. I spoke to one of the lifeguards and he was nice to let me know a regular spot good to surf fish.

[@leej3515]

Hello rich love your videos been fishing many years and after watching your videos I see I'm still learning I have a question I have a beach I fish often I have caught fish but after watching you videos I think it may be a dead beach my question is if I take a video of this beach can you direct me whether you think it's dead or not ......thank you

[@richtroxler]

If I understand you, you said you caught fish from this beach, yes? If so, it wouldn't be a dead beach. What do your logs say on when and what conditions you caught fish. It most probably is related to when fish and bait are in the area and what conditions or time of year brought them there. Most every beach has times of the year when fish migrate in and out or by, and they also have times when nothing much is happening. If you have a way of posting a link to your video, I'd be happy to take a look.

[@faisalrafique6107]

Great as usual! Kindly help us with some internet tools like you did with bing maps which unfortunately is no more available plus working the bucktails in bays! How to best work bucktail in bays and shallows/ flats

[@richtroxler]

Bucktails in bays, an interesting suggestion. I'll give it some though. Thanks for watching.

[@faisalrafique6107]

@@richtroxler indeed appreciated and wonder if you could make references to shallow beaches also in the same presentation thanks

[@refaiabdeen5943]

Cheers Mate!

[@richtroxler]

Cheers Refai and thanks for watching and the sub!

[@ryanloughney8366]

love it!

[@richtroxler]

Thank you Ryan.

[@hamidgaber3957]

Thanks a lot indeed sir.

[@richtroxler]

Most welcome, thank you for watching.

[@asherhoenders7379]

Nice video

[@richtroxler]

Thanks, and thanks for watching. Tight lines.

[@chrisg2282]

Great video. I felt like I went to school. Lol

[@richtroxler]

I learn something every time I fish. It's a life long learning process, enjoy the ride. Thanks for watching and have a pleasant holiday season.

[@VizagFish]

Wonderful sir I need to meet u to learn more

[@richtroxler]

Unfortunately, was out of commission again for a while, so for now I'm just trying to get caught up on responding to everyone and trying to finish up on some new content and other stuff. Thanks for hanging in there with me and I'll get this thing going again.

[@VizagFish]

@@richtroxler have a great day sir

[@hqco3rdmedbattalionfmfpac953]

Smart stuff

[@richtroxler]

Thanks for watching and thank you for your service sir. Stay safe.

[@martingray8350]

I am no closer to understanding. 😂😂

[@richtroxler]

Hi Martin. Sorry I couldn't help ;-) but thank you for watching.

[@crappie72]

the christmas light show at the west end was great, all cars turned there lights off, yes long islanders do turn there headlights off

[@richtroxler]

Not sure of your point, but OK, if you say so.

[@crappie72]

eastern long island has amazing fishing, last years fall run was the best in ten years

[@richtroxler]

I guess you don't get out much. I still have a whole lot of friends on LI and none of them would describe the fishing there as "amazing" lol. No offense intended.

[@Luke-do1ek]

richtroxler prob telling you that cause they don’t want you on their 50 pounders they’re hitting right now ! Lol

[@72pif]

can you tell best wind direction for surfish southeast coast ?

[@richtroxler]

If you're talking SE of the US, then I would say that those fishing for Redfish like an onshore breeze, or one from the NE. But as always, it would really depend on the specific area you are fishing, the time of year, the bait present, and the species you are fishing for. There is no universal "best" wind for any place. Wind is a subset condition.

[@itsnotme3882]

Thanks

[@richtroxler]

Unfortunately, was out of commission again for a while, so for now I'm just trying to get caught up on responding to everyone and trying to finish up on some new content and other stuff. Thanks for hanging in there with me and I'll get this thing going again.

[@IIrandhandleII]

Offshore wind does NOT cause a wave to break prematurely, it's the opposite effect.

[@richtroxler]

I apologize for the late reply, I had some personal business to attend to. A wind blowing from shore toward the ocean (offshore) holds water (current) up and can initially cause waves to break based on the wind pressure (not bottom contour) but eventually an offshore wind will knock the surf down. I wasn't talking about long term effects, I'm talking about optimal conditions for reading water based on bottom contour. Thanks for watching.

[@tylerwalker8286]

That was a science class

[@richtroxler]

I apologize for the late reply, I had some personal business to attend to. Knowledge is better than luck, at least in my book. Thanks for watching.

[@supercluburi2010]

👍👍👍

[@richtroxler]

This comment just popped up in my feed under "not responded". Apparently it's from 3 years ago. I'm not sure what happened but please accept my most sincere apologies for not responding to your post. I try to respond to everybody who posts on my channel, so a belated thank you for watching my video.

[@defmud80]

Well I'm walking down to the beach to fish now with new eyes

[@richtroxler]

And I'm hoping this will help you get dialed in. It's a piece of the puzzle that is fishing, but an important piece at that. thanks for watching.

[@krimokisah3345]

think you for vidéo i m from Algérie north africa i speak arabic ans i telle you السلام عليكم و رحمة الله

[@richtroxler]

And thank you for watching Krimo.

[@kalunvinka]

this guy should be a professor at Harvard

[@richtroxler]

Unfortunately, was out of commission again for a while, so for now I'm just trying to get caught up on responding to everyone and trying to finish up on some new content and other stuff. Thanks for hanging in there with me and I'll get this thing going again.

[@MinhTran-ut8xk]

came for fishing tips, left with course of oceanography

[@richtroxler]

My next video will have both, lots of fishing tips.

[@errolflyne4630]

episode 151 is about fish eggs and birth season, be patient. :) just kidding master.

[@richtroxler]

LOL, Well there is something to be said for mole crabs when they have that bright orange sponge on them. Stripers love them. Cut open the belly of a striper I caught on a bottle plug right at the lip and it was stuffed with them. I have no idea why it even hit the bottle plug lol. Be well and stay safe.

[@acrobaticfish]

You writing a book? You should.

[@richtroxler]

I might if I ever get the time. I've written plenty of articles, short stories, both fiction and non-fiction, but haven't tackled a book yet. Maybe when the day comes that I can no longer walk the beach or paddle the kayak. I don't like to think about that lol. Thanks for watching.

[@user-gn4uj5do1y]

有木有盆友帮忙翻译下视频？🙏

[@richtroxler]

:-)

[@mikeamatrudi4466]

I love your channel Rick. But have to say as a fisherman and surfer. Use judgement if people are surfing a sand bar that runs into a hole. More than likely when the good wave comes. Your line will be in a bad spot. Happy fishing, see you in the water.

[@richtroxler]

Hi Mike. No doubt about it. I probably should have been clearer. What I meant is if you want to know what a hole looks like watch the surfers. They ride the edge of the point and hole and then paddle out in the hole. I didn't mean people should fish there and should have stated that. I give surfers a wide berth but because I do most of my fishing at night, it's usually not an issue for me lol. Thanks for watching. If you haven't already done so, don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss anything. Stay safe through these trying times.

[@phillippardo5712]

Great video! Just be careful with the "water seeks it's own level" phrase. Globe deniers (flat earthers) would have a field day with that. I prefer the phrase that water is equipotential surface. It simply conforms to whatever forces are acting on it. But then again, globe deniers don't understand the difference between level and flat either. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@richtroxler]

LOL. Unfortunately, was out of commission again for a while, so for now I'm just trying to get caught up on responding to everyone and trying to finish up on some new content and other stuff. Thanks for hanging in there with me and I'll get this thing going again.

[@SaltPursuit]

Nice video! good stuff. When your not fishing give a look at my channel. Tight lines.

[@richtroxler]

This comment just popped up in my feed under "not responded". Apparently it's from 4 years ago. I'm not sure what happened but please accept my most sincere apologies for not responding to your post. I try to respond to everybody who posts on my channel, so a belated thank you for watching my video.

[@Doctoranthetardis]

5:15 Water seeking it's level is shit flat earth's always talk about

[@richtroxler]

And your point is,...

[@Doctoranthetardis]

@@richtroxler its funny

[@richtroxler]

LOL, OK I get it now.