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The debate persists about whether monofilament or braided line is best for surf fishing. There are plenty of anglers online that argue monofilament is best for surf fishing. But the experts I spoke to on the beach and at Bass Pro Shop™ told me that braided line is best and here is why. Braided line is thinner and can cast further than monofilament. Braided line with a bright color scheme can be more easily seen on the beach so that people stay out of your line. Braided line also can withstand wear and tear better. Also, braided line is thinner so you can fit more line on your spool.
Hands down, braided line is the best for surf fishing, and here are the top 5 reasons why:
The smaller diameter line allows me to cast further. This is important when surf fishing, especially for Pompano, when I try to get my bait beyond the first sand bar and into the deeper area.
The smaller diameter allows me to put more line on my spool.
Braided line tends to be more salt water and damage-resistant. The multiple strands make it very strong.
Braided line does not have memory; in other words, it does not get twisted easily when spooled into the reel.
Braided line is more visible underwater and on the beach. This is good so beach walkers can see and avoid my line. It's also good for me to see my line on the beach. Visible line can scare fish away, but I use a thick monofilament (invisible underwater) Pompano Rig which mitigates this con.
When I visited the Bass Pro Shop™, I compared Sufix braided line to the Power Pro. According to the clerk helping me, the main difference between the Sufix and Power Pro is price. Power Pro is about twice as expensive. He told me that the best surf fishing line is 150 yards of Sufix 832™ Neon Lime 30 lb test. 150 yards of line provides plenty of distance for casting and fighting.
Since I bought my line at the Bass Pro Shop™, they spooled my reel for free and put a monofilament backer behind the braided line. This is so that if I hook onto a shark or something ginormous, I will be prepared with plenty of line for the once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Other braided lines claim to be optimal for longer casts but cost much more. For beginners and cost-conscious anglers, the Sufix 832™ Neon Lime 30 lb test is the best option.
I took the advice from the experts and bought my own surf fishing rod and reel spooled with braided line. With my 10’ pole, I was able to cast very far. The line was super smooth when casting and reeling. There were other fishermen at the beach and only a couple of us caught fish. I was one of the lucky ones reeling in Pompano, largely because I cast my line further than most of the other anglers. The braided line allowed me to do this. I had a successful surf fishing experience and now have a freezer full of Pompano. This is why I recommend braided line when surf fishing.
