Detailed Species Profiles
Each profile includes habitat info, best conditions, recommended tackle, step-by-step techniques, and pro tips from experienced board anglers
Striped Bass
Atlantic & Pacific Coasts — The Premier Board-Fishing Target
Striped bass are arguably the single best species for surfboard anglers on the Atlantic coast. They patrol nearshore structure like jetties, sandbars, and rocky points — all areas easily accessible by board. School-sized stripers (18–28 inches) provide exciting fights without the power to drag you offshore, making them the perfect learning target. They feed aggressively during low-light periods and respond well to both artificial lures and natural bait.
Why They Work on a Board
Consistently found within 200 yards of shore near structure
Feed actively around jetties, reefs, and sandbars reachable by board
School fish provide multiple hookups per session
Active during dawn and dusk when water is calmest for paddling
Can be targeted effectively while drifting — no anchoring needed
Where to Find Them
Jetty edges and rock piles along the Northeast coast
Nearshore sandbars with rip current channels
Points and headlands where current creates bait concentrations
Bridge pilings and dock structures in bays
River mouths during spring and fall migrations
Moving tide — last 2 hours of outgoing through first 2 hours of incoming
Calm to light offshore (under 10 mph) for safe paddling and clear water
Dawn and dusk; overcast days extend the bite window
55–68°F (spring/fall peak); slow down above 72°F
April–June (spring run) and September–November (fall migration)
Watch for diving birds and surface bait activity. Stripers push bait to the surface, and birds mark the location. Paddle upwind of the activity and drift through it quietly for the best results.
Caution: Target school-sized fish (under 28 inches) when starting out. Large stripers over 30 inches can pull hard enough to compromise your balance and drag you into structure.
Redfish (Red Drum)
Gulf Coast & Southeast — The Shallow Water Specialist
Redfish are the ultimate shallow-water target for SUP anglers in the Gulf and Southeast. They feed in water as shallow as 6 inches, tailing with their copper backs exposed — a sight that gets every angler’s heart racing. Their predictable feeding patterns in protected bays and flats make them ideal for the quiet, stealthy approach a paddleboard provides. Slot-sized reds (18–27 inches) fight hard but stay in the shallows, keeping you in safe water throughout the encounter.
Why They Work on a Board
Feed in extremely shallow water (6–24 inches) perfect for board access
Predictable feeding zones along marsh edges, oyster bars, and grass flats
Respond exceptionally well to slow, quiet presentations from a board
Rarely make long offshore runs — fights stay in safe, shallow water
Tailing behavior makes them visible and targetable by sight
Where to Find Them
Shallow grass flats with sandy potholes (prime feeding zones)
Oyster bar edges during incoming tide
Marsh creek mouths where bait funnels on falling tide
Mangrove shorelines in protected bays
Shallow mud flats during warm months (look for tailing fish)
Incoming tide flooding shallow flats — pushes bait and reds onto the flat
Light wind under 12 mph; slight chop helps mask your approach
Early morning on rising tide; late afternoon during fall
65–82°F (active year-round in Gulf, seasonal elsewhere)
Year-round in Gulf states; September–November peak in Carolinas
Approach flats from the downwind side and use the wind to drift silently across feeding zones. A paddleboard’s shallow draft lets you access water that even flats boats can’t reach — use that advantage.
Flounder
Atlantic & Gulf Coasts — The Bottom-Dwelling Ambush Predator
Flounder are a perfect match for the drifting style of surfboard fishing. These ambush predators lie flat on sandy bottoms near structure, waiting for bait to pass overhead — exactly what happens when you drift a presentation behind your board. They don’t require fast retrieves, heavy tackle, or aggressive techniques. A slow drift over sandy areas near inlets, channels, and structure transitions is the most effective approach, and it’s also the most natural way to fish from a board.
Why They Work on a Board
Sit on the bottom near structure — no need to cover water quickly
Perfectly suited to drift fishing from a board
Don’t make long runs or powerful surges that threaten balance
Found in calm, protected waters ideal for paddling
Simple rigs and slow presentations are most effective
Where to Find Them
Sandy areas adjacent to channel edges and drop-offs
Inlet mouths during moderate current flow
Structure transitions (sand-to-rock, sand-to-grass edges)
Bridge and dock shadow lines
Shallow flats near deeper channels (ambush points)
Moving tide — outgoing tide concentrates bait at inlet mouths
Calm to light (under 8 mph) for controlled drifts over structure
Mid-morning through early afternoon; they’re visual feeders needing light
58–72°F (most active); slow down below 55°F
May–October (Northeast); March–November (Southeast/Gulf)
Tip your bucktail jig with a strip of Gulp! or fresh squid for added scent. Flounder rely heavily on scent to locate prey, and the combination of visual movement plus scent trail is irresistible during a slow drift.
Spotted Seatrout
Gulf & Southeast Coasts — The Aggressive Shallow-Water Feeder
Spotted seatrout (specks) are one of the most cooperative species for board anglers. They’re aggressive feeders that live in protected bays, estuaries, and grass flats — calm waters that are ideal for paddling. Trout respond to a wide variety of presentations, from topwater plugs to live shrimp under a cork, making them forgiving targets for anglers still developing their technique. Their fights are spirited but manageable, with short runs and head shakes rather than long, powerful surges.
Why They Work on a Board
Aggressive feeders that strike a wide variety of lures and baits
Live in protected bays and estuaries — calm paddling conditions
Don’t require heavy tackle or specialized equipment
Fights are exciting but short and manageable from a board
Abundant and widely distributed across Gulf and Southeast coasts
Where to Find Them
Seagrass beds in 2–4 feet of water (primary habitat)
Sandy potholes within grass flats (ambush points)
Oyster bar edges during moving tide
Dock and pier pilings in protected bays
Channel edges adjacent to grass flats
Incoming tide pushing bait onto grass flats
Light to moderate (8–12 mph); slight chop improves the bite
Early morning topwater bite; midday under popping cork
65–80°F (peak activity); move to deeper channels above 85°F
Year-round in Gulf; April–November in Carolinas; spring and fall peaks
Listen for trout feeding on the surface — they make a distinctive popping sound when eating shrimp. Paddle quietly toward the sound and cast beyond the activity, then retrieve through the feeding zone.
Calico Bass (Kelp Bass)
Southern California Coast — The Structure-Oriented Fighter
For West Coast surfboard anglers, calico bass (kelp bass) are the go-to nearshore target. They hold tight to kelp beds and rocky structure within easy paddling distance of shore, and they’re aggressive feeders that hit a variety of presentations. Calicos fight hard for their size, making powerful dives back into the kelp — which adds excitement but requires awareness of your surroundings. The calm morning conditions typical of Southern California coastline are perfect for paddleboard access to kelp beds.
Why They Work on a Board
Hold tight to nearshore kelp beds and rocky reefs within paddling distance
Aggressive feeders that respond to a variety of artificial lures
Most active during calm morning conditions ideal for paddling
Fights are powerful but short — they dive for structure rather than running offshore
Abundant along the entire Southern California coastline
Where to Find Them
Kelp bed edges and canopy openings
Rocky reef structure in 15–40 feet of water
Submerged rock piles near sandy bottom transitions
Breakwalls and jetties with kelp growth
Shallow reef areas during calm morning conditions
Moderate current flow — moving tide pushes bait through kelp channels
Calm to light offshore (Santa Ana conditions are ideal)
First 3 hours of daylight; overcast days extend the window
60–72°F (peak); active year-round in SoCal
Year-round; spring spawning season (March–June) produces aggressive fish
Carry a kelp cutter or serrated knife on your board. If a fish wraps you in kelp, you can carefully cut the strands to free your line rather than breaking off. Also useful for clearing kelp from your leash and fins.
Caution: Navigate kelp beds carefully — kelp can wrap around your fins, leash, and paddle. Stay on the edges until you’re comfortable, and always have a clear exit path back to open water.
Snook
Florida & Gulf Coast — The Inshore Predator
Snook are a premier inshore gamefish that thrive in the same protected, shallow-water environments where paddleboards excel. They ambush bait along mangrove shorelines, dock pilings, and beach structure — all areas where a quiet board approach gives you a significant advantage over motorized boats. Snook are line-shy and spook easily, making the silent approach of a SUP one of the best ways to target them. Their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights make every hookup memorable.
Why They Work on a Board
Ambush feeders along shoreline structure easily reached by board
Extremely line-shy — the silent SUP approach is a major advantage
Found in protected bays, passes, and mangrove shorelines
Respond well to accurate casting with light tackle
Fights are powerful but typically stay in the immediate area
Where to Find Them
Mangrove shorelines with overhanging branches
Dock and bridge pilings with current flow
Beach troughs and sandbars (summer spawning)
Inlet mouths during outgoing tide
Residential canal mouths and seawalls
Outgoing tide — concentrates bait at structure points and inlet mouths
Calm to light (under 10 mph) for accurate casting to structure
Dawn and dusk; nighttime around lighted docks (advanced)
70–85°F (active); become lethargic below 65°F
Year-round in South Florida; May–October peak (spawning season on beaches)
During summer, snook move to beaches and passes to spawn. Paddle out during calm mornings and cast topwater plugs along the beach trough. The combination of a quiet approach and surface lure is devastating on beach snook.
Caution: Snook have razor-sharp gill plates. Always use a heavy fluorocarbon leader and handle fish carefully with a lip grip or wet towel. Check local regulations — snook have strict slot limits and seasonal closures.
