Basic Surf Fishing Equipment for Beginners

Surf fishing gear is made with corrosion resistant materials to stand up to the harsh marine environment. In addition, for surf fishing, you will be using much larger fishing rods and reels, Not only do you need to be able to cast your baits further, your equipment needs to be able to handle the typically much larger and stronger fish that frequent the surf zone.

Surf fishing rods can be twice as long as freshwater rods, with reels capable of holding hundreds of yards of line. For beginners, a surf rod of 9ft to 12ft in length attached with a heavy-duty saltwater series spinning reel, spooled with 20 – 30 lb monofiliament or 25lb to 50lb braided fishing line, is a good starting setup.

Surf fishing rods, like surf fishing reels, are made of corrosion resistant materials and are significantly larger than your freshwater fishing rods. They need to be to cast heavy baits long distances.

Surf rods are longer to, not only cast further, but to keep your line up out of some of the wave action while waiting for the next bite. I recommend two rods, one for fishing bait and the other for plugging with lures.

Surf fishing rods, as other fishing rods, have a power or strength rating and an action rating. Try to select rods with a medium heavy power rating with medium or moderate actions.

This will give you the strength for fighting big fish, waves and currents with enough action to get the long casting distance you will need.

For fishing with artificials or lures, a good 7ft medium heavy spinning rod with give you enough casting distance and fish fighting backbone to handle most of your surf plugging needs.

You may hook into a big jack, redfish or shark while plugging so be prepared for a fight.

For surf fishing with bait, you can get by with a 9 ft rod, but a 10 – 12 ft will work much better and not cost too much more. Your rod needs to be long enough and powerful enough to cast beyond the breakers and sandbars to where the big fish lurk.

The longer rod also keeps your line up and out of some of the wave action helping keep you rig from being pulled up and washed down current.

Another reason I recommend surf fishing using two poles is it allows you to target multiple species without having to re-rig. You can fish lures on the smaller rod while fishing big baits on your long rod.

Or, you can downsize for smaller species and fish baits, like shrimp or fishbites, in the first trough or gut with the smaller rod while still soaking big baits, like cut bait or large live baits, on your long rod. You can cover more water and more options with tow rods.

Another great option is the surf rod and reel combo. Many of the major tackle manufacturers have put together matched rod and reel combos that can be a great value for beginning surf fishermen.

It simplifies the selection of rods and reels and they are a good value. They will vary in price, but again, for beginning “good” is good enough.

You don’t need all the bells and whistles of the high end combos. At least, not yet. 😉 Once you have a couple of rod and reel combos, you will need some surf fishing tackle and, in particular, some surf fishing rigs, hooks and weights for casting baits along the beach.

The standard double drop or bottom rig is similar to a pompano rig, except pompano rigs are made of monofilament and often come with colored floats above each hook to keep them off the bottom and easier for the pompano to find.

Double drop (bottom) rigs can be made of monofilament, single strand steel, or steel cable. Pompano rigs will user hooks as pompano have smaller mouths, double drop rigs have snap swivels where you can change out hooks depending on size of fish you’re after.

Pompano rigs are great for targeting the smaller to medium-sized species such as pompano ( of course), whiting, surf perch, croaker and speckled trout.

This is a fun set up for kids to surf fish alongside of you. The smaller fish are usually more plentiful and easier to catch giving the youngsters plenty of action to keep there interest.

Weights for Surf Fishing

You will need a selection of weights. When surf fishing you most likely will be dealing with waves and current. You are going to need weights that will keep your bait in place. If the surf is relatively calm, and current light, a good pyramid sinker in the 2 to 4oz range will be good enough. If, however, you find large waves and or strong currents, you will need to use an anchor or spider (sputnik) weight.

The best bait for surf fishing will depend on where you are fishing. I am a big believer in using the power of the internet. Check the local fishing message boards, and Facebook groups for information on the best baits for surf fishing in your area. Also, check with local bait shops and tackle dealers. It’s there job to stay on top of what the best baits and rigs are.

By and large, you can never go wrong when you fish with natural baits, live or dead. The most readily available is frozen bait, but fresh dead is better and live is usually the best. Fresh or frozen shrimp is always a good option. It seems like everything eats shrimp.

Frozen squid and various bait fish work well too. Mullet, sardines, bunker, shad, sea lice, and mole crabs all make good baits for surf fishing. Synthetic baits, such as fishbites and berkley gulp, catch a lot of fish and are easier to store and use than natural baits.

If available, and if you have the equipment to keep them alive, live shrimp and live bait fish make the best baits for surf fishing. But, for beginners, I would concentrate on fresh dead or frozen shrimp and bait fish. Much easier to keep and store and still a very good option for surf fishing.

The Johnson sprite spoons in gold and silver and 1/2 to 3/4 oz versions will catch fish on any beach. If you are facing a stiff oncoming wind and need extra casting distance, the Kastmaster spoons in gold and silver are a great option. The flash of the spoons looks like the flash given off by swimming bait fish and it can draw some very aggressive strikes.

Of course, to carry all of this tackle, lures and gear, you will need a good tackle box or tackle bag. Start with a medium-sized box, and just a few of the rigs, hooks, weights and lures that we’ve discussed. It is easy to fill up the box, but here again, we’re just beginning. Let’s spend our whole paycheck on gear until we’re sure we like this surf fishing thing. If the beach you are going to fish does not allow vehicle access, then a good beach cart will be a handy item for carrying all your gear to the fishing hole.

But, before heading to the beach, there are some other gear or accessories that you should have with you as well. You will need a good filet knife for cleaning your catch and for cutting bait and line. A good pair of corrosion resistant fishing pliers is another great tool to have in your gear for removing hooks from fish with lots of teeth and for cutting wire leader material and making on the spot equipment repairs.

For holding your rods while you are waiting on the fish to strike, you will need some Sand Spike rod holders. These you can pick up online, at a good tackle shop or make your own out of some 2 in PVC pipe by cutting it in 4 foot long sections on a diagonal with a trusty hacksaw. For just a few bucks at your local hardware store you can make a couple of rod holders on the cheap. They will be harder to drive into the sand than the fancy aluminum ones, but we are trying to be cost conscious while trying this new sport of surf fishing.

If you are going to be using live bait, you will need a bait bucket and aerator to keep them alive. And, if you are going to try to catch your own live baits, a good cast net can pay for itself many times over. Of course, it will take time to learn how to throw one so I would recommend you wait on that until you are sure this surf fishing thing is for you. Unless, of course, you are already experienced with using a cast net then get after it.

You should also carry some fresh water for rinsing your hands and some clean towels to keep you equipment clean and free from saltwater, sand and debris.

Also, depending on where in the world you plan on surf fishing, you will need the appropriate fishing apparel. Hat, sunglasses, footwear or waders, and shorts or long pants.

A jacket and fishing gloves can come in handy in cooler climates or when fishing at night. And, don’t forget a good ice chest for keeping your drinks and snacks cold and for bringing your catch home.

Always keep a good first aid kit in your gear. Cuts, scrapes and fin punctures will need cleaning, antibiotic ointment and bandages.

Essential Surf Fishing Gear:

• Surf Fishing Rods, surf rods are typically longer and heavier duty than standard rods. – read more.
• Surf fishing Reels,larger and stronger with greater line capacity to handle big fish. – read more.
• Surf fishing Rod and Reel Combos, pre-matched rod and reel set ups for surf fishing – read more.
• Sand Spike Rod holder, holds your rods securely while you wait for that big bite. – read more.
• Surf Fishing Rigs, terminal tackle for fishing the surf. – read more.
• Surf fishing Carts, for beaches that won’t allow vehicles you need a way to carry your gear – read more.
• Rod Racks for Vehicles, carry your rods out of harms way and easy to access- read more.
• Beach Camping Gear, in case you want to fish all night or for several days – read more.