Recently, I had the privilege of leading a Fall Line Outdoors surf fishing outing along the North Carolina coast with eight participants, alongside two dedicated volunteers who helped make the day a success. While everyone was excited to catch fish, the true goal of the event was to build confidence, teach practical surf fishing skills, and create lasting memories through the outdoors.
The day began with a hands-on lesson covering the fundamentals of surf fishing. Participants learned how to identify productive water by reading the beach, including recognizing sandbars, troughs, cuts, and current seams—key features that often hold feeding fish. We discussed how tides, wave action, and beach structure influence fish movement and why understanding these conditions is often more important than simply casting as far as possible.
Students then learned how to build and tie several of the most effective surf fishing rigs used along the North Carolina coast. We demonstrated how to tie traditional pompano (hi-low) rigs and fish finder rigs while explaining when each setup is most effective. Knot-tying was another major focus of the day, with participants practicing the Trilene Knot, Snell Knot, Improved Clinch Knot, Dropper Loop Knot for pompano rigs, and the Surgeon’s Loop Knot. By tying their own rigs, participants gained confidence that will allow them to fish independently on future trips.
Once everyone was rigged and ready, we moved into casting instruction using 9-foot surf fishing rods. Many participants had never cast a surf rod before, so we spent time developing proper casting techniques while emphasizing safety and accuracy. We also compared several types of bait, including fresh natural baits and Fishbites®, discussing when each works best and how to properly present them in the surf.
Throughout the outing, participants put their new knowledge into practice and enjoyed steady action from the beach. Together, the group landed six spot, several croaker, one pinfish, and even an unexpected dogfish shark—providing excitement and a memorable learning experience for everyone involved. Every catch became another opportunity to discuss fish identification, handling techniques, and responsible catch-and-release practices when appropriate.
Beyond fishing techniques, conservation and ethics remained central themes throughout the event. We discussed responsible surf fishing practices, respecting fellow anglers, following North Carolina fishing regulations, properly disposing of fishing line and trash, and protecting the coastal resources that make these experiences possible.
To finish the day, participants learned how to clean and fillet their catch before gathering together for one of the best parts of the outing—a fresh fish fry right on the beach complete with homemade hush puppies. Sharing a meal prepared from fish they had caught themselves brought the entire experience full circle and reinforced the value of spending time outdoors together.
Events like this are at the heart of Fall Line Outdoors’ mission: providing adults with meaningful outdoor experiences while building skills, confidence, friendships, and an appreciation for conservation. Watching participants arrive as beginners and leave with new knowledge, new friendships, and memories they’ll carry for years made the day a tremendous success.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our volunteers, whose time, patience, and willingness to share their knowledge made this event possible. We look forward to getting everyone back on the beach for another day of learning, fishing, and fellowship.
Tight lines!