The Age Old Nemesis - the Surf Fisherman

As a surfer, what are your thoughts on surf fishing?

This is a very conflicted topic, as many surfers fish and many fishermen surf, depending on the day. I think we can all agree, when you are out in the lineup and a fisherman shows up and casts a line where you are surfing, there is a bit of territorial behavior that kicks in.

My first experiences with surfing and fishing conflicts were at the Cocoa Beach Pier and Sebastian Inlet. There were many heated moments between the two groups and who has the right to be there. The best peaks were right along the pier and the inlet, which happened to be where all the fishing lines were being cast. The pier has since banned fishing and the inlet doesn’t have much of a first peak anymore, so the conflicts have subdued as years have passed at these locations.

Living in Melbourne Beach has its own challenges with fisherman. As there are many miles of coastline to spread out, there is an ever-present challenge of turf. This is the place where a large population of the country comes to retire, and with this, come to the beach and try to catch the big one. Many of the fisherman set up a football field of rod holders and engulf an entire section of beach. This becomes problematic for surfers. I may be way down the beach waiting for a set, but if it is breaking nicely, I could very easily end up entangled in fishing lines as the wave is jacking up on the inside.

As surfers, we are also dealing with currents and sandbars that have us constantly shifting position to be in the right spot. There is enough to concentrate on in the lineup without worrying where you’ll end up once you are on a wave, like in a fishing line.

On the flipside, the fisherman have the right to the ocean as much as any surfer does, so it is a constant seesaw battle to stay open to everyone’s rights and respect each other’s space. I am personally guilty of surfing in front of fisherman and many are equally guilty of setting up shop when I am already out. The best we can do is try to create space for each other, but it doesn’t always work out that way.

The real insult to me, which has happened on multiple occasions behind my house on the beach, is getting yelled at for surfing where they are fishing. Nobody owns the ocean and I have a big issue with this. But then, I have to relax myself and go about my business in the water. I learn to ignore and block out the chatter from the beach to keep doing what I love…surfing.

Personally, I am not a fan of surf fishing. It has been a hindrance for as long as I can remember. However, I don’t own the ocean or the beach either, so we need to live together peacefully and figure out a way to coexist. I am a work in progress, but still have quite a way to go!