What is inshore fishing? Pay for your coast trip with fish and learn the difference between inshore vs. offshore fishing.
By far, our oceans are probably the best source of food that we have. Every year, thousands of people travel to our coastal areas. Unfortunately, many fail to take advantage of the opportunities before them. This is a terrible mistake.
Inshore vs Offshore Fishing
If you intend to harvest fish along the coast, then you’ll need to know the differences between inshore and offshore fishing. The main differences between the two involve distance, the species of fish you may encounter, and the cost involved. When you’re fishing offshore, you’ll be running 20 miles or more from land, which requires a boat large enough to handle the trip and the fuel to run it. For that reason, most offshore fishing is done by sport anglers who target trophy species, such as billfish (swordfish, sailfish, and marlin), mahi-mahi, tuna, and wahoo (king mackerel).
What is Inshore Fishing?
Inshore fishing usually takes place under that 20-mile mark and can be accomplished with a small boat or even from shore. For anglers looking to fill their freezer, inshore fishing is the way to go. Inshore anglers will find both a greater number of species and greater numbers of fish. Some offshore species are occasionally caught by inshore anglers, but inshore anglers mainly target blackfish, drum, flounder, and other inshore species.
The gear used for inshore fishing is much more affordable, and your time is spent fishing, rather than traveling. Inshore fishing is more cost-effective, and it’s what’ll put food on the table. My gear for inshore fishing is really nothing special. For striped bass, bluefish, and red and black drum, I use two medium-heavy-action casting rods, one 6-1/2 and one 7 feet long, combined with saltwater spinning reels spooled with 15-to-20-pound test monofilament line. If I’m fishing for flounder, I’ll use a 6-foot medium-action spinning outfit, the reel being spooled with 10-pound test monofilament. This is the same setup I used while fishing for yellowtail snapper in Key West, Florida.
When it comes to lures, nothing beats a spoon, which is a spoon-shaped lure that looks like bait fish. The right-sized spoon works well on everything from drum to flounder. Some people swear by surface plugs, which float on the surface and simulate distressed bait fish. Experiment and find what works best for you. Live or dead bait is always a good option; match the bait to what the fish normally eat. For example, shrimp works great in Louisiana, while you can’t go wrong with clams in the Northeast.
Fin Fish
Depending on where you are, there’s flounder, striped bass, blackfish, red and black drum, bluefish, and others. As with freshwater fishing, you’ll need a license. Here in New Hampshire, a basic license will run you about $11, less than the cost of fish from the grocery store. Seniors (over age 68) get a discount. The beauty of this license is that it’s good in Massachusetts and Maine waters as well. All other states have their own license requirements, so check before casting your line.
Crustaceans and Shellfish
Crustaceans (lobsters, shrimp, and crabs) and shellfish (clams, mussels, oysters, and snails) are popular at seafood restaurants everywhere. But you can harvest your own with the proper licenses and gear. Different species of crustaceans and shellfish inhabit every ocean.
While crabbing can be accomplished with traps set out from a boat, it can also be done less expensively. Bait a crab trap with a piece of chicken, tie the trap to a pier, and drop it in the water. I’ve seen crabbers using a stout rod and reel with a small, baited crab trap attached to the line and piers. I first learned this method during a trip to coastal New Jersey from a crabber on the dock, and I’ve seen the same technique in Florida. It’s highly effective and low-cost, and it can be done while casting for inshore fish from the dock. Running one or two traps in this fashion is a good use of your time. Like with everything else, licenses are involved, but crabbing licenses are less expensive than those for lobster. Check the requirements wherever you are.
Harvesting clams and mussels is something we can all do, again, with proper licensing. Of the two, the harvesting of mussels is less restrictive.
The tools for harvesting mussels are simple. They include a bucket and a pair of waders or rubber boots. If you’re after clams, you’ll need a tool to dig them out of the sand. There are specialty tools made specifically for that. Harvesting mussels is easier than harvesting clams, which takes skills that are acquired over time. To harvest mussels, simply walk the tide pools at low tide. Mussels attach themselves to rocks and can be pried off with a sharp knife.
Shellfish, especially clams, are highly regulated, so everyone needs a license. Prices vary, so make sure you obtain a copy of state regulations and follow them. Pay attention to environmental issues as well. Shellfish flats can be closed by environmental problems, such as red tide.
Bring It Home
Sadly, many people don’t bring their catch home unless they’re within driving distance. That’s a big mistake. No matter where I fish, my ultimate goal is to fill my freezer.
If you’re within driving distance, then your cooler full of ice will do the job. I like to clean my catch prior to traveling if possible. Doing so allows faster cooling and gives me more room in the cooler. If you fly to the coast and want to bring your catch home, there are two ways you can do it: Pay to have it shipped, or pack it up and take it on the plane with you, which is what I do.
If you’re flying, stay away from large box coolers. Instead, use one of the soft-sided coolers available. I use a Yeti Hopper M30 (the older one with the zipper). I used this cooler to bring home redfish from Louisiana and snapper from Key West and had no problems with security at the airport. When I got home, my fish were still frozen.
Using Nature’s Bounty
Our ancestors used every available resource to sustain their lives, and so should we. Modern technology allows us to go places and do things that our ancestors couldn’t. If you make the effort to go to the coast, make sure to take advantage of the opportunities you can find there.
Dana Benner has been writing about all aspects of the outdoors, homesteading, gardening, and history for over 35 years, with his work appearing in regional, national, and international publications, both in print and online.
Originally published in the May/June 2025 issue of Grit magazine and regularly vetted for accuracy.
