The ability to Read the Beach is a skill that takes a lifetime to perfect. It is however a necessary skill to acquire as it effectively informs us where to place our bait and increases our chances of catching a fish. The ability to read the beach allows us to identify sloughs, highways, gutters and currents just by viewing the wave action.

Tidal action, currents and the wind cause forces that push bodies of water towards the shore forming waves along the way. The waves push upwards as it passes over sand bars. Sand Bars are bodies of sand that are not fixed and run along the sea shore. Just as sand dunes are affected by the wind, sand bars are affected by the action of the water.

The landscape under the water is more or less similar to the beach associated with it. Notice the landscape while standing on the shoreline with your back facing the sea. In most cases the landscape of the seabed will be similar.

Looking out to sea you will notice that the swell is more or less constant. As you scan closer to shore you will find that the swell becomes higher and waves begin to form. Do not follow the waves to shore just yet. Zoom in to this area and you will notice that waves are constantly being formed in that particular spot. Okay, now start focusing to the right and left and you will find that the first wave is being formed at a similar distance all along the beach. This allows us to draw a mental picture of the sand bar pushing up the swell that forms the first wave.