Best Spots for Surf Fishing Along the East Coast

2017-05-08T11:33:00-05:00

The open air, the beautiful waves and, of course, the big catch: these are all part of what makes surf fishing so exhilarating. There’s nothing quite like standing on the shore, casting in your line as far as you can and then fighting the sea to land the big one. Whether you’re hoping to snag a striped bass, a bluefish, a flounder, an albacore tuna, or any other species, surf fishing is always a good time. If you want to experience some of the best surf fishing available, you’ve got to head to the East Coast and try your luck. There are literally hundreds of locations to try, but the following are some of the best East Coast fishing spots to cast in your line when you want to reel in the big one while surf fishing on East Coast shores.

Hilton Head, South Carolina – It doesn’t matter what kind of fish you’re trying to land, including mahi mahi, snapper, kingfish and even shark. The fishing experience at Hilton Head is always spectacular.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts – What East Coast fishing trip would be complete without a stop in Cape Cod? You won’t run out of beautiful scenery, open waters and plenty of game to catch. From sea bass, cod, bluefish, tuna, and many more, this is a great place to experience surf fishing.

Montauk, New York – You can find some of the best saltwater fishing on the East Coast in Montauk, which is why it’s known as the largest commercial fishing location in all of New York.

Charleston, South Carolina – Just a couple hours away from Hilton Head you’ll find another great surf fishing spot on the shores of South Carolina. Charleston offers fishing from both on and off the shore, with plenty of open spaces and lots of available game.

Chesapeake Bay – Covering 64,000 square miles, this famous bay offers so many places to cast from, including several different states in the region.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – This is a perfect spot if you’re taking the whole family but not everyone is into fishing. There are all kinds of things do here, and of course the fishing is excellent, too.

How to Carry All That Surf Fishing Equipment

No matter where you decide to go for your East Coast surf fishing trip, you will need a good way to haul all your gear and equipment, including your fishing pole, your tackle, and your bait or lure. And as any experienced fishing enthusiast will tell you, one pole is never enough, so you'll need a Hitch Fishing Rod Rack. Plus, don’t forget about waders, jackets, and any other extra equipment and accessories that you’ll need to make your fishing trip go smoother. Not to be forgotten is a net to help haul your catch and a cooler to keep it fresh on the drive home. Speaking of the drive, you need a place to store all that gear, and unless you like your vehicle smelling like fish, you’re going to want to keep it all outside. That’s where the StowAway Cargo Carrier with SwingAway Hitch Frame comes in handy.

Keep the Fish Smell Outside

With the StowAway Cargo Carrier you can conveniently store all your gear, accessories, extra clothing and even the cooler holding your catch, outside of your vehicle. It will all be safely tucked away inside your weatherproof Cargo Carrier securely hitched to the back of your vehicle. You’ll be able to keep the fish smell outside where it belongs. So, if you’re looking for the perfect way to haul and store your fishing gear before your next surf fishing trip to the East Coast, purchase a StowAway Cargo Carrier today.

Front Mount vs. Rear Mount Surf Rod Racks – Pro’s and Con’s

2017-05-05T12:43:00-05:00

When you’re headed out to do some surf fishing, chances are you’re going to need the right cargo rack to haul all your gear, especially your poles. One of the most popular methods for experienced fishing enthusiasts is to use a surf rod rack to get their equipment to and from their chosen destination. There are all kinds of racks to choose from, including roof mount racks, front mount racks, and rear mount racks. Roof mount racks are usually a hassle to work with so if you have fishing gear to haul, a front mount or rear mount rack is typically the better choice. That being said, is one better than the other? Let’s take a closer look.

Front Mount Racks

There are many front mount surf rod racks to choose from but they all essentially offer the same features.

Pros – one of the pros of a front mount surf rod rack is that it's easy to use when driving on the beach. You can pull up to the perfect spot, cast your line set your rod up and sit in your vehicle to watch for any bites. Another pro is that you can easily keep an eye on your gear from the driver seat.

Cons – on the other hand, there are a few cons, including the fact that they are not good for transporting rods while driving on the road, especially at freeway and highway speeds. The wind can damage your gear, including snapping your rods in half. Road debris that gets kicked back from other vehicles can also damage them. Overall, your rods just aren’t as safe in the front of your vehicle as they are in the back.

Rear Mount Racks

There are some pros and cons to rear mount surf rod racks, as well.

Pros – the best thing about using a rear mount surf rod rack is that your gear, especially your poles, are much safer when you travel. They won’t snap in the wind or get hit by flying road debris. They also won’t interfere with your view or be a distraction while you drive.

Cons – the main downside to a rear mount surf rod rack is that you don’t have access to the back of your vehicle. However, if you combine your rack with a StowAway SwingAway Hitch Frame, you can eliminate this problem, too. That means you can safely store your gear in the back but still fish from the comfort of your vehicle.

Which Is Right for You?

The bottom line when you’re looking for a surf rod rack is you have to weigh all the pros and cons of both options and determine which one is right for you. Ultimately, if you want the convenience and safety of carrying your equipment in the back of your vehicle while still being able to easily access your trunk then mounting your StowAway Surf Fishing Rod Rack to a StowAway SwingAway Hitch Frame is your best bet. You not only get the benefit of a sturdy rack that can safely hold up to six fishing poles, but you also get a heavy-duty cargo rack designed to hold up to 200 lbs. with a 2-inch hitch. It easily pivots away from your trunk, allowing you access to the back of your vehicle and you don’t have to worry about having anything in the front of your vehicle blocking your view or getting damaged by road debris or wind. If you want to make hauling your surf fishing gear much easier, purchase your StowAway Surf Fishing Rod Rack today.