Long post ahead. ADD cases should skip ahead.
I'll say it (and it's just my opinion, please don't take offense), since a lot of guys dance around it:
It's harder from the surf. It almost always is. This year it's been a glaring difference for a lot of guys. The boat is just a lot easier. Not there's anything wrong with that. Find pogies, turn on livewell, liveline pogies, catch bass over 20 pounds. I don't mean to diminish that way of fishing, to be sure I've done it a lot this year because it's fun and it works. It should also be said, catching truly large bass (in particular consistently) from the boat is a separate deal, just like it is from shore. But "good" fish from the boat, 20 pounds and above? Not too hard this year, as long as you have a snag hook.
My biggest fish are from the boat this year. I've caught from the shore, and got some good fish, but it's been hard, for me at least.
I'm very fortunate in that I can typically fish anyway I choose. I've got access to a 24 foot top of the line center console sitting in a slip and a couple other smaller boats. Or I can drive to my favorite fishing spots. I enjoy both, do both, appreciate both, etc. I haven't converted recently one way or the other. I could survive without the boat, but I can't live without the surf.
One thing I've learned over the years, is catching fish from the boat is different then catching from shore, even when working what feels to be the exact same water. I've tried to catch fish from shore at night from the same water I was fishing successfully by boat that morning and they simply weren't there or they didn't want any part of what I was doing. I've often called in to friends on shore about fish I though they could get into. They couldn't. It takes a long time to "see" what shore anglers can actually reach. Many times over the years I've discovered something in the boat and immediately couldn't WAIT to try and fish it from shore, only to discover even my best hero cast couldn't reach it, or only nicked the edge of the best structure. This happens more often then most boaters would admit. I've also discovered incredible water that is better fished from shore because I simply couldn't get the boat in close enough.
It's just different. It's easy to have a "the grass is always greener" perspective from the surf. I still often do. As I said, I have a boat to use anytime. I choose to go from the surf a lot of the time. I love it, and I can't picture ever letting it go.
There's no question in my mind though, that if someone told me my life depended on catching a 20+ pounder in the next 2 hours, I'd be racing to the dock, not the shoreline. Fishing from shore is hard. And that's the way it should be. That's what I love about it.
It's been interesting to watch this website evolve. I feel like there used to be much more of a surfcasting element here.
I think the bottom line is to fish in the ways that make you happy.
Hybrid Mode
