Everyone knows that to reel in the big one, you have to use the correct bait and lures. So, what exactly are the best lures for surf fishing?
Surf fishing is a unique fishing experience in itself, so it can call for specific lures to catch fish.
In this post we will go over the top 3 fishing lures for surf fishing, but before we do let’s take a closer look at what surf fishing actually is.
What is Surf Fishing?
You may be wondering exactly what surf fishing is? Simply, surf fishing is a land based fishing game where you stand on the shoreline or surf zone and fish. Pretty basic, right?
Surf fishing can also include all types of shore fishing from shallow water on beaches to rocky beaches and even fishing piers. When surf fishing you may or may not cast with a lure or bait of some type.
Most of the time basic surf fishing can be done with a fishing rod that is between the length of 7 feet all the way to 18 feet long. Besides for a good fishing rod that you can cast a long distance, other equipment needed for surf fishing can include hooks, swivels, lines and leaders.
The specific gear that you will need will depend on the specific species of fish that you are wanting to catch. If you are wading out in the deeper water, it is sometimes good to also have a pair of waders to help to keep you dry.
Here are a few surf fishing tips that are great for beginners!
- Check your specific states regulations and see if you need a fishing license before heading out.
- Wear polarized sunglasses because they can cut through the glare of the sun and make it easier to spot a fish in the water.
- When wearing waders, you may want to wear an elastic wading belt as this will prevent any water from flowing in your waders if you accidentally fall.
- It’s always a good idea to use natural bait like live shrimp, squid or mullet to start out. Fish are usually attracted to these quicker than other types of bait.
- Keep you bait out of the sun by placing it in a cooler or a bait bucket.
What Kind of Fish Can You Catch Surf Fishing?
There are many different types of fish that you can catch while surf fishing. Of course, it does matter as tho whether you are fishing in saltwater or freshwater.
Here are just a few of the fish species that you could expect to catch when surf fishing in freshwater
- Largemouth Bass
- Bluegill
- Rainbow Trout
- Croppie
- Catfish
Here are some common saltwater fish that you can catch as a surf fishermen
- Spotted Seatrout
- Snook
- Croaker
- Bluefish
- Flounder
- Striped Bass
Of course these are just a handful of the type of fish that you can catch while surf fishing. This doesn’t even include the big game fish like sharks that you can catch while beach fishing.
Best Surf Fishing Lures
Since surf fishing often requires long casts, your lures need to be heavier and be able to cut through windy conditions without being blew all over the place.
When using bait, you best bait option will be to use either live bait or really fresh bait. But, for this post we will be talking about the different types of lures that you can use when surf fishing. We will primarily be focusing on artificial lures.
Here are my top 3 picks for surf fishing lures for catching that big fish
1. Acme Fishing Lure
Even though by its plain appearance, don’t be fooled! This is a super effective lure that can catch anything from small panfish to some bigger fish. This is a very versatile lure that can catch everything!
Pros –
- Field tested by expert anglers
- Made to last
- Built using the highest quality materials
- The Kastmaster is machined from solid brass It won’t break, bend or corrode and it retains its luster even after repeated exposure to salt water
- Ideal for salmon, steelhead, and many salt water species
- 10-15 lb test – medium-heavy spinning, baitcasting, trolling, in fresh or salt water
- The Kastmaster is machined from solid brass It won’t break, bend or corrode and it retains its luster even after repeated exposure to salt water
- Ideal for salmon, steelhead, and many salt water species
- 10-15 lb test – medium-heavy spinning, baitcasting, trolling, in fresh or salt water
(Per Amazon website)
2. Lucky Craft Flashminnow 110
This is another great option for surf anglers to use when fishing.
*The unique weight shift system of the FLASHMINNOW 110 permits accurate and long distance casts. The Flashminnow 110 performs effectively at any desired speed.
When the Flashminnow 110 retrieve is stopped, the bait will remain suspended while giving off a strike enticing, wobbling vibration. Flashminnow 110 can be effectively worked over shallow as 2-3 feet flats using a jerking, twitching or sweeping retrieve.
This super productive jerk bait is also ideal for working points and small coves. *. *per Amazon Website*
3. Gibbs Polaris Popper Bunker
These are great lures for catching big bass! The shape of this lure is great to use with a jerky motion to mimic distressed fish. It’s an excellent choice for bass shore anglers!
*The key to fishing this Gibbs Polaris is to vary the speed and even letting the plug come to rest on occasion. Remember to only use a slight rod tip action to splash a moderate amount of water, which will create a gurgling noise. Another method, if the fish are on top, as the plug hits the water continuously shakes the plug very fast. This will make a tremor effect in the water that always calls the bigger fish to the top.* *Per Amazon Website*
Surf Fishing Q & A
Can you use twitch bait to surf fish? Yes, twitch baits and a bucktail jig are some of the best lures to use for big stripers.
What color lures are best for surf fishing? A popular choice of color when it comes to surf fishing is a yellow lure with a white belly.
What is the easiest rig for surf fishing? The easiest rig for surf fishing is a fish finder rig especially when fishing with live bait because it allows the bait to swim freely.
What is best for surf casting? A high quality 10ft surf rod is a great choice for casting distance.
What kind of lures do I need for surf casting?Some of the best surf casting lures are;
- metal spoons
- topwater lures
- spoon lures
- pencil popper
- metal jigs with soft plastics
- twitch bait
Can you surf cast with lures? Yes, it is very common to use lure such as metal spoons and topwater lures when surf fishing.
What weight cast for surf fishing? Usually the best size weights are 4oz to 6oz, But it depends on how much current there is.
How do you cast really far surf fishing? Your best bets for a long cast is a 10ft surf rod with braid for a main line.
Is 150 yards enough for surf fishing?Yes, 150 yards of line can be enough line for surf fishing, but I would recommend 250-300 yards just in case you hook a big fish that pulls a lot of drag.
What is the best length for surf fishing?The best length surf fishing rods are 10-12ft.
Is 40 pound braid good for surf fishing? Yes, a 40 pound braid main line to a 50 pound monofilament leader is plenty enough for surf fishing.
Do I need a shock leader for surf fishing? Most of the time when fishing with less than 20 pound line I recommend that you should use a shock leader.
Do you set the hook when surf fishing? Yes, When surf fishing you will want to set the hook unless you are using a circle hook because with a circle hook you will just reel down on the fish.
How many yards of line do you need for surf fishing? Usually you will want about 250-300 yards of fishing line.
Are storms good for surf fishing? After the storm is over it can be very good to fish.
