Winter is setting in, the fishing is slowing down. The gear has been cleaned and stowed away. OK, so there is that one eight and half foot medium heavy rod kept at the ready in case there’s word the speckled trout are biting or better yet there’s been a day or two warm up and the slot sized puppy drum there offering a bite or two. I digress. Winter is a good time to read (and re-read) the books that inspired, influenced and even defined the respect and love I have for the sport of Surf Fishing. Before you could ask Siri or “Google” an obscure fact, you had to reach for a book with the answers you sought. On our Facebook page Surf Fishing North Carolina (https://www.facebook.com/groups/Surffishingnorthcarolina/), members ask numerous questions in the hope of finding an easy, straightforward answer. Sometimes, it is easy, other times the poor seeker of knowledge must go through the proverbial Hero’s Journey to find the answer they seek. I will always encourage the Surf Fishing North Carolina members to ask questions of the group, however, do yourself a favor and invest a little time and money in reading up on our sport from the available books on the market. Here’s a short list of books I have read and re-read on the subject of surf fishing (and fishing in general). They have served me well and certainly contributed to the number of fish I have landed while surf fishing the waters of North Carolina.
Coastal Fishing in the Carolinas: From Surf, Pier, and Jetty
The definitive book on fishing the Carolina coast. Old and dated, yet the timeless nuggets found within will help you land more fish.
Sure you can watch Youtube videos on surfcasting, but back in the day, this was the THE BOOK on the subject and Ron Arra was the champion. Tommy Farmer – time to write a book!
Rigging Up Right to Catch More Salt Water Fish
A lot of information, in a small concise package. Keep it in your tackle box. I wish it was printed on waterproof paper.
Everyone has a favorite lure for the surf. This book will help you fish those lures better and may inspire you to try a lure you’ve never used before.
Intermedia Outdoors Sport Fish of The Atlantic Book
Great book with pictures in full color. Detailed info on ranges, habitats, game and table quality.
Before you could google the information, there were books like this with encyclopedic data on obscure subjects.
Surfcaster’s Quest: Seeking Stripers, Blues, and Solitude at the Edge of the Surging Sea
Not about Surf Fishing North Carolina, yet no other book captures the almost religious nature of our sport. If you surf fish, read this.
The Southern Surfcaster:: Saltwater Strategies for the Carolina Beaches & Beyond
I just read this book. Worthwhile book to add to your collection, especially if you are new to the sport or even consider yourself a surf fisherman at an intermediate level.
This and other list appear on the Surf Fishing North Carolina Amazon Storefront.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/surffishingnorthcarolina
Surf Fishing North Carolina 