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What is Board Fishing?
"Man on fish", "Soul fishing", "Tow-Ride" ...all these terms and more apply to board fishing. Board fishing is
simply fishing off a surfboard and having a blast doing it. It is something that surfers who fish have known all
along. Board fishing allows easy access to near shore fishing without having to have a kayak or boat. It is
an easy way to get the next meal when camping or at the beach, bay lake or any waterway. There is nothing
more rewarding than paddling out to a bait boil, tossing a lure in the water and catching fish that you are
going to grill on the BBQ.
"Man on fish", "Soul fishing", "Tow-Ride" ...all these terms and more apply to board fishing. Board fishing is
simply fishing off a surfboard and having a blast doing it. It is something that surfers who fish have known all
along. Board fishing allows easy access to near shore fishing without having to have a kayak or boat. It is
an easy way to get the next meal when camping or at the beach, bay lake or any waterway. There is nothing
more rewarding than paddling out to a bait boil, tossing a lure in the water and catching fish that you are
going to grill on the BBQ.
Why Board Fishing?
For surfers it is a natural way to get out beyond the surf to catch fish for the barbecue or next meal. What else
is there to do when the surf is flat? Board fishing is not limited to surfers or the beach. Just get the right
board and enjoy being out on just about any waterway, lake or bay. A surfboard, old windsurfer or other
watercraft lends itself to going fishing, getting to otherwise hard to fish places, and to be able to move around
easily.
For surfers it is a natural way to get out beyond the surf to catch fish for the barbecue or next meal. What else
is there to do when the surf is flat? Board fishing is not limited to surfers or the beach. Just get the right
board and enjoy being out on just about any waterway, lake or bay. A surfboard, old windsurfer or other
watercraft lends itself to going fishing, getting to otherwise hard to fish places, and to be able to move around
easily.
Types of Boards and Size:
Generally, you should use any type of water board (surfboard, longboard, or sail board ) that is 9ft or longer
and that will float your torso out of the water. In general hese rules of thumb should apply :
A 150lb person would use a 9ft board. Add 6" in board length for every additional 25 lbs.
These are relative examples as flotation varies across boards. These examples will work for a standard
width and thickness' of most surfboards.. Avoid extremely thin or narrow surfboards as these are more
difficult to paddle and balance on.
Generally, you should use any type of water board (surfboard, longboard, or sail board ) that is 9ft or longer
and that will float your torso out of the water. In general hese rules of thumb should apply :
A 150lb person would use a 9ft board. Add 6" in board length for every additional 25 lbs.
These are relative examples as flotation varies across boards. These examples will work for a standard
width and thickness' of most surfboards.. Avoid extremely thin or narrow surfboards as these are more
difficult to paddle and balance on.
Where to Place Fishing Box:
The BoardFisher fishing box should be placed aprox. 12 inches from the nose
tip of the surfboard. This positioning should be adjusted to accommodate the
fisherman and to allow for easy access to the fishing equipment while sitting
and head room while paddling in the prone position.
The BoardFisher fishing box should be placed aprox. 12 inches from the nose
tip of the surfboard. This positioning should be adjusted to accommodate the
fisherman and to allow for easy access to the fishing equipment while sitting
and head room while paddling in the prone position.
Paddling Techniques:
Prone paddling is recommended. Knee paddling should not be used when a fishing box or any object
is on the nose of the surfboard. This is because the head movement will cause the head to hit the
object while paddling.
Prone paddling is recommended. Knee paddling should not be used when a fishing box or any object
is on the nose of the surfboard. This is because the head movement will cause the head to hit the
object while paddling.
Safety:
Use life jackets and safety flotation devices.
Wear wet suits in cold conditions and when required.
Do not fish in areas to be avoided as listed in the "What to avoid" section of Tips_Tricks.
Do not knee paddle when any hard object is placed on the nose of the surfboard.
Always carry pliers to remove hook from fishes mouth.
While board fishing, never catch waves. Your board fishing gear will get lost!
Use life jackets and safety flotation devices.
Wear wet suits in cold conditions and when required.
Do not fish in areas to be avoided as listed in the "What to avoid" section of Tips_Tricks.
Do not knee paddle when any hard object is placed on the nose of the surfboard.
Always carry pliers to remove hook from fishes mouth.
While board fishing, never catch waves. Your board fishing gear will get lost!
Where to Fish:
The simple answer to this is "fish wherever there are fish!". We prefer to fish in the early morning, when the
bite is on and the winds are calm. We have friends who fish the bays, and who swear by certain jetty
formations. We prefer to fish the near shore kelp beds, where bait fish are plentiful, and we never know
what's biting. Many days are multi-species days, with halibut, barracuda, yellowtail, calico bass, sand bass
and sheepshead, white seabass, making up the bulk of our catch.
The simple answer to this is "fish wherever there are fish!". We prefer to fish in the early morning, when the
bite is on and the winds are calm. We have friends who fish the bays, and who swear by certain jetty
formations. We prefer to fish the near shore kelp beds, where bait fish are plentiful, and we never know
what's biting. Many days are multi-species days, with halibut, barracuda, yellowtail, calico bass, sand bass
and sheepshead, white seabass, making up the bulk of our catch.
What to avoid !!
Make sure you stay in conditions that are appropriate for your skill as a waterman. Rough days, or days when
the swell is running are not the best days for most folks to be out on the ocean in a small personal watercraft.
Please learn your local conditions before going out, learning about underwater obstructions, reefs, rip-tides
and other hazards. Prior to going out, we recommend scouting a location and talking to local surfers or
others who know how the local water conditions change in various conditions.
Avoid being hit by breaking waves. This can cause injury and will almost certainly result in a loss of
equipment (fishing poles, lures etc.) Recognize the wind conditions and how the water will change as the
wind changes throughout the day. Pay Attention!
Make sure you stay in conditions that are appropriate for your skill as a waterman. Rough days, or days when
the swell is running are not the best days for most folks to be out on the ocean in a small personal watercraft.
Please learn your local conditions before going out, learning about underwater obstructions, reefs, rip-tides
and other hazards. Prior to going out, we recommend scouting a location and talking to local surfers or
others who know how the local water conditions change in various conditions.
Avoid being hit by breaking waves. This can cause injury and will almost certainly result in a loss of
equipment (fishing poles, lures etc.) Recognize the wind conditions and how the water will change as the
wind changes throughout the day. Pay Attention!
Fishing pole and Reel:
Use what you like to fish with! It is always fun to go with a light rod, 6-8 lb test to
make bait, and then go after the trophy fish. I find a simple spinning rod combo
to be the best equipment for most days. I also use a open-reel for trolling,
setting the clicker and towing a 3/4oz Kroc as one of my guaranteed ways to
catch a nice fish. You will want to make sure that you are comfortable with the
equipment and that you keep it well-oiled and cleaned. Someday our sport will
have waterproof/sandproof reels, but I have not found an affordable setup yet.
I typically fish with 15lb test, but I have lost some monster fish due to the
lightweight tackle .
Use what you like to fish with! It is always fun to go with a light rod, 6-8 lb test to
make bait, and then go after the trophy fish. I find a simple spinning rod combo
to be the best equipment for most days. I also use a open-reel for trolling,
setting the clicker and towing a 3/4oz Kroc as one of my guaranteed ways to
catch a nice fish. You will want to make sure that you are comfortable with the
equipment and that you keep it well-oiled and cleaned. Someday our sport will
have waterproof/sandproof reels, but I have not found an affordable setup yet.
I typically fish with 15lb test, but I have lost some monster fish due to the
lightweight tackle .
Lures and Bait
I like to use what produces in the bays and surf line. Here in Southern California, you will generally be going
after calico bass, sand bass, halibut, mackerel, bonita, croakers... these all take small to medium plastics. Try
to match the plastics to the bait fish that are around and pay attention to color combos. It is fun to figure these
out and in what conditions they work. Generally, the clear/greens seem to work great, they look like grunion and
smelt, the reds/orange combos work good in murkier waters. Also, I like to use the ones that look like
anchovies. Flashing lures also work great for all these fish.
If you are going after your larger game fish then ask the experts that you know, there are a lot of personal
preferences here from soft plastics, rapalas, bone jigs, to free-lining bait. Another option is to "make bait", this
works well for large fish. Check out the video to see how to "make bait". All these work from the surfboard but
they take experience, with luck you could easily end up with a yellowtail or white sea bass in the 15 - 30 lb range!
If you're going to use bait, muscles, clams, shrimps, anchovies, strip bait they all are excellent producers.
These baits generally are for going after rock fish, bass, perch, croakers. Use hooks around size 4.
Landing the fish
Okay, here's where it gets fun. If you've hooked up with a 2 - 3lb fish, you will have no problems landing the fish ..
as long as you don't fall off your board!!. I sometimes have a glove in my tackle bag that I use for fish with lots of
teeth.
When fishing for larger fish (yellowtail, Halibut, white seabass) I will bring a net out with me. This helps me land
the fish with minimal fuss and damage to the fish and I always have some pliers in my tackle bag to help with
hooks.
Have fun fishing!
I like to use what produces in the bays and surf line. Here in Southern California, you will generally be going
after calico bass, sand bass, halibut, mackerel, bonita, croakers... these all take small to medium plastics. Try
to match the plastics to the bait fish that are around and pay attention to color combos. It is fun to figure these
out and in what conditions they work. Generally, the clear/greens seem to work great, they look like grunion and
smelt, the reds/orange combos work good in murkier waters. Also, I like to use the ones that look like
anchovies. Flashing lures also work great for all these fish.
If you are going after your larger game fish then ask the experts that you know, there are a lot of personal
preferences here from soft plastics, rapalas, bone jigs, to free-lining bait. Another option is to "make bait", this
works well for large fish. Check out the video to see how to "make bait". All these work from the surfboard but
they take experience, with luck you could easily end up with a yellowtail or white sea bass in the 15 - 30 lb range!
If you're going to use bait, muscles, clams, shrimps, anchovies, strip bait they all are excellent producers.
These baits generally are for going after rock fish, bass, perch, croakers. Use hooks around size 4.
Landing the fish
Okay, here's where it gets fun. If you've hooked up with a 2 - 3lb fish, you will have no problems landing the fish ..
as long as you don't fall off your board!!. I sometimes have a glove in my tackle bag that I use for fish with lots of
teeth.
When fishing for larger fish (yellowtail, Halibut, white seabass) I will bring a net out with me. This helps me land
the fish with minimal fuss and damage to the fish and I always have some pliers in my tackle bag to help with
hooks.
Have fun fishing!
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