Surf Fishing

Gold Beach Surf Fishing

One of the favorite past-times for Gold Beach is fishing – whether ocean or river.  But what you don’t hear about as often, is surf fishing.

What is surf fishing?
Surf fishing is the sport of catching fish standing on the shoreline or wading in the surf – generally in a salt-water environment. A general term, surf fishing may or may not include casting a lure or bait, and refers to all types of shore fishing – from sandy and rocky beaches, rock jetties, or even fishing piers.

Where can I surf fish?

  • Nesika Beach is a renowned location to fish for redtail surfperch.
  • The entrance of the Rogue River and the Estuary are excellent locations to fish for redtail surfperch.
  • South Beach Park provides the angler with easy beach access to Gold Beach and is an excellent location to fish for redtail surfperch.
  • Hunter Creek has an excellent reputation for redtail surfperch. Chinook salmon, usually the four year old fish, return to the Hunter Creek from late October peaking in November into December. The catch rate averages 40 fish per year.
  • Cape Sebastian offers visitors an incredible panoramic view of the Oregon Coast at the end of a 2 mile long hike. Cape Sebastian is named for Sebastian Viscaino who in 1603 named the cape after himself. The fishing for shallow water rockfish, sea trout, perch, cabezon and lingcod from the rocky shore ranges from fair to excellent.
  • Meyers Beach is accessible from the view points located at mile marker 336.5, 337.1 and 337.3. This section of the beach is an excellent place to fish for redtail surfperch.
  • Pistol River Beach as well as Meyer’s Beach is one of the most popular beach locations used for wind surfing competition that draws wind surfers from all over the world. Have your camera ready and lots of film available to capture the exciting moments on film.
  • Pistol River State Wayside Beach is located between Crook Point and Cape Sebastain. The beach north and south of the Pistol River is and excellent location to fish for redtail surfperch. Chinook salmon, usually the four year old fish, return to the Pistol River from late October peaking in November into December. Striped seaperch are the dominate perch species caught along the rocky shore from Crook Point to the California Border. The fishing for shallow water rockfish, i.e. grass, brown, copper, black or blue rockfish, sea trout, perch, cabezon and lingcod from Crook Point to the north jetty of the Chetco River Estuary varies from fair to excellent depending on the weather and time of year.
  • Macklyn Cove and Chetco Cove in Brookings is renowned for excellent fishing for striped seaperch and shallow water rockfish.. Access Mill Beach and the tide pools by turning west onto Center St. park at the end of the street follow the trail down to the beach. Refer to the Oregon Sport Fishing Regulation restricting the taking of shellfish or marine invertebrates within the Brooking Research Reserve.
  • McVey Beach is located just north of the Winchuck River. Turn west from Highway 101, at Don and Bob’s Auto Repair, onto Oceanview Drive. Turn left at the beach access road with the white cable post. The fishing for redtail surfperch is excellent.

Many thanks to William Lackner for this valuable information –www.clamdigging.info