Surf casting is undeniably the most thrilling and enjoyable fishing than in any other way. It’s a complete package to drum and beat through the waves and at the end – here you go with the trophy! You need to fight back the aggressive red drum and sometimes make a fool out of that clever flounder. One thing remains constant: the right surf fishing tackle and gear to win the battle with any beach fish species.
Hold on tight if you want to know the basics regarding the appropriate surf fishing setup, including the type of rod, reel, line, hook and the type of bait and rigs used in surf fishing.
Table of content
- Tackle for Red Drum, Black Drum, and Striped Bass
- Tackles for Flounder, Speckled Trout, and Weakfish
- Tackle for Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel
- Tackle for King Mackerel and Cobia
- Tackles for Spadefish and Spotfish
- Tackle for Pompano and Sheephead
- Tackle for False Albacore and Atlantic Bonito
- Tackle for Tarpon and Shark
Best surf fishing tackle for Red Drum, Black Drum, and Striped Bass
These brawny fish require stout tackle. Suppose you are on the shoreline casting out right at sunset when all of a sudden your rod almost gets pulled in; one of those brutes just took your bait. For this, all you need is:
- Rod: Medium-heavy to heavy action surf rod, 10-12 ft.
- Reel: Spinning reel, 5000-6000 size.
- Line: Braided line, 30-50 lb.
- Leader: Fluorocarbon, 40-50 lb.
- Hooks: Circle hooks, 4/0-8/0.
- Bait: Cut Mullet, Menhaden, or live Blue Crabs
- Rigs: Fish Finder rig or Carolina rig for natural presentation
Best tackle for Flounder, Speckled Trout, and Weakfish
Imagine the excitement coming from the sudden tug of the Flounder followed by the jig of a Speckled Trout. These fish are finesse fighters, and you have to baby them in the fight. You need the following gear:
- Rod: 7-9 ft surf rod, medium to medium heavy action
- Reel: 3000-4000 size spinning reel.
- Line: 20-30 lb braided line.
- Leader: 20-30 lb fluorocarbon.
- Hooks: 1/0 to 3/0 circle or J-hooks.
- Bait: Live shrimp, finger mullet, or mud minnows.
- Rigs: Fish Finder or drop shot rig for precise bait placement.
Recommendations: Penn Battle 7 foot long, 4000 spinning reel and rod combo.
Best surf fishing gear for Bluefish, and Spanish Mackerel
The ferocity of a bluefish strike and the speed of a Spanish mackerel can turn a quiet day into an adrenaline rush. The Aggressors in nature, these predators would need no setup for the fainthearted. You need the following tackle:
- Rod: Surf rod 9-11ft long with a medium-heavy action.
- Reel: Spinning reel, size 4000-5000.
- Line: Braided line of 30-40lb in weight.
- Leader: Fluorocarbon or steel leader, 30-40 lb.
- Hooks: J-hooks, sizes 2/0 to 4/0.
- Bait: Lures, cut bait, spoons, or Gotcha.
Best tackles for King Mackerel and Cobia
Standing on the beach, you chuck your bait out into the depths, hoping to hook a cruising king mackerel or cobia looking for an easy meal. This is heavyweight surf fishing, so your gear has to be tough. Here is what you need to have:
- Rod: 11′ – 12′ surf rod – heavy action
- Reel: Spinning reel in 6000-8000 size
- Line: 40-50 braided line
- Leader: 50-80 lb fluorocarbon or wire leader
- Hooks: 6/0 to 8/0 circle or J-hooks.
- Bait: Live manhaden, eels, or big cut bait.
- Rigs: Fish Finder or sliding rig to let the bait drift naturally.
Recommendation: Penn Wrath II 12 ft rod with 8000 spinning reel.
Best tackles and gear for Spadefish and Spotfish
Spadefish, adorned with their conspicuous stripes, are a pleasure to catch on light tackle. Often, they are in schools offering non-stop action once you locate them. You need the following gear:
- Rod: 8-10 ft surf rod, light to medium action.
- Reel: 3000-4000 size spinning reel.
- Line: 15-20 lb braided line.
- Leader: 15-20 lb fluorocarbon.
- Hooks: #2 to 1/0 circle or J-hooks.
- Bait: Shrimp, squid, or pieces of clam.
- Rigs: Double drop or high-low rig to present multiple baits.
Best surf tackles for Pompano and Sheepshead
Pompano and sheepshead are primarily caught around structures like jetties and piers, meaning it often requires some accuracy in casting and a good feel for the bite. Gear up with the following tackle:
- Rod: 8-10 ft surf rod, light to medium action.
- Reel: 3000-4000 size spinning reel.
- Line: 15-20 lb braided line.
- Leader: 15-20 lb fluorocarbon.
- Hooks: #2 to 1/0 circle or J-hooks
- Bait: Sand fleas, fiddler crabs, or shrimp
- Rigs: High-low rig or Carolina rig for specific bait presentation near structure
Best tackle to catch False Albacore and Atlantic Bonito
False Albacore and Atlantic Bonito are the speedsters of the surf. Their blistering runs and violent changes in direction will test your angling skills and the durability of your gear.
- Rod: 9-11 ft surf rod, medium-heavy action.
- Reel: 4000-6000 size spinning reel.
- Line: 30-40 lb braided line.
- Leader: 30-40 lb fluorocarbon.
- Hooks: 2/0 to 4/0 J-hooks.
- Bait: Metal spoons, jigs, or live baitfish.
- Rigs: Simple high-low rig or single hook setup for casting lures effectively.
Recommendation: Penn Wrath II 9 foot long rod with 6000 spinning reel.
Best tackle for Tarpon and Sharks
Finally, the tarpon and sharks put the most significant test on the surf angler and his tackle. A hook into one of these will provide a memory of battle forever.
- Rod: 11-12 ft surf rod, heavy action
- Reel: 8000-10000 size spinning reel
- Line: 50-80 lb braided line
- Leader: 80-100 lb fluorocarbon or steel leader
- Hooks: 8/0 to 12/0 circle or J-hooks.
- Bait: Large chunks of cut bait, live mullet, or bonito.
- Rigs: Fish Finder rig or sliding rig with heavy-duty components to take the fight.
Recommendation: Dr. Fish 12 ft rod with 9000 spinning fishing reel.
Tips to enjoy a successful fishing day at the beach
Explore the spot
Arriving at the surf with suitable surf fishing gear and tackle is only enough once you know the hidden spots of fishing. You need to read the beach and explore the terrain, sandbars, troughs, and cuts to increase the chances of casting your line at the right spot where fish are found in bulk.
Best time to fish
Dawn and dusk are two prime times for fish to feed themselves, so do the best timings to catch with the best surf lures. Another way to find fish in bulk is to notice the tides. Fishes often get active during high or low tides, thus, must get updated weather forecasts before heading to the fishing spot.
Tacklebox
Surf fishing has a high chance for you to come across several species and different beach environments, one might not be aware of. Sudden change in weather too, plays an unexpected fishing conditions. In such cases, a complete tackle box with different sizes of sinkers, hooks, baits and lures, saves you from hassles.
Appropriate bait
Use suitable bait according to the fish you are on hunt for. Live or cut baits are most commonly used by professionals and artificial baits are good for learning how to fish. However, choosing the right bait for surf fishing greatly impacts your fishing goal.
Safety measures
Surf fishing is a physically and patience demanding, at the same time dangerous activity. A little negligence could lead you to some serious circumstances, specifically at high tides. Dress up properly and spend on high boots and waders and keep a first aid kit along.
A memorable day of successful surf casting at Florida Beach
A day after a hectic schedule, I decided to throw my surf fishing rods in my trunk and head on to Holmes Beach. Just before the very first spark of sun hit the beach, I arrived and parked my double cabin and pulled out my latest gear with sheer excitement and blood pumping in my veins.
The sound of the waves overlapping is so soothing and the soft padding of my feet on the sand is relaxing just how I want it to be. All alone on the beach with only a few people in the vastness of the sea, the picture can be used as a therapy for calmness.
I was so ready to leap on any little movement at the end of the rod and line dipped into the water, telling me a predator’s presence. My heart skipped a beat with an instant tug of a fish calling me to reel in the line and catch me if you can. The fight was intense. I have found a red drum with my bait and hook pierced into his mouth, retaliating back with each pull.
Finally, I manage to land my first catch on the land and marvel at my victory with sweat shimmering on my forehead. The day was passing faster than I had imagined. Before the sunset, I collected three red drums, a flounder, and a speckled trout. I was proud to skillfully catch them one after another. It was tiresome but worth spending, I have then decided to mark another day on my calendar to experience surf fishing, though this time at Delray Beach.
Verdict
Hooking a red drum or a pompano, pulling the string with cobia or whiting, it all delivers sheer satisfaction. All these tremendous victories are directly related to the right surf fishing tackle and gear you are using. A proper surf casting tackle saves anglers from spending too much energy and time on the bay, rather gives quick results in a way of hand full of fish before the sunset on the horizon.