The surging turbulence where ocean waves careen into the shallows creates rich hunting areas for game fish such as calico bass, redfish, roosterfish, striped bass and tarpon. Despite the dangers, boating anglers have found methods to get close and pull fish from under the menacing waves and foam. I talked to a few veteran anglers to glean six principles for fishing successfully and safely near the pounding surf.1. If in Doubt, Stay OutStay away from the breaking waves when conditions are too gnarly. “If the swells are big, I steer clear of shore rocks,” says Capt. Benny Florentino, a guide and tournament angler who regularly braves Pacific swells in pursuit of calico bass ranging up to 9 pounds in the rocky shallows off Southern California. Capt. Greg Hildreth, who guides guests to big redfish and tarpon amid the wave-swept ...![Saltwater fish often hunt where the surge meets the shore.]()
