The product recommendations on our site are independently chosen by our editors. When you click through our links, we may earn a commission. Thanks for helping us do what we love. Learn More.
When I surf fish on the beach, I am the king. People who long to escape the 9 to 5 grind find themselves sitting on a little slice of paradise but still missing something in their souls. When they see me with a fishing pole on that same slice of paradise – many find their answer.
Surf fishing is more than catching fish from the beach. It is a way to relax and have an adventure at the same time. I remember walking the beach, happy to be on vacation but partially bored. When I saw the beach lined with fishing poles, I was a little jealous. But I thought that all these fishermen were locals and that getting a rig would be too difficult, expensive, and complicated for a novice out-of-towner like me. Later I found these thoughts to simply be false. Therefore, I want to share my experience with you so that you can begin your fishing adventure on the surf and be crowned “King of the Beach.”
What is the best way to start surf fishing?
Hands down, the best way to start surf fishing is to ask someone already fishing on the beach how they started and what technique they use. This may be intimidating for some, but most beach fishermen enjoy these inquiries because sharing their knowledge makes them feel like the “King of the Beach.” Another great resource is to visit the nearest bait shop and ask for tips.
This is how I got started, and what I found from North Carolina to Florida was that surf fishing is very simple. To sum it up, put bait on a high/low or Pompano rig, cast out into the surf, place the fishing pole into a sand spike, and wait for a bite with your favorite beverage. There are more details that I will dive into below, but overall, anyone can learn how to surf fish.
To get started, I realized, at a minimum, that I needed the following:
1) Fishing pole and reel
2) Fishing Line
3) High/Low Rig
4) Bait
5) Sand Spike
6) Scissors / Knife
7) Pliers (many salt water fish have teeth!)
8) First aid kit
9) Fishing License
Do some research in your area. Investigate the best baits, beaches, times, and tides to fish. I am going to provide my experience below, but make sure to do your own research. Try to get as much information before hitting the beach as possible. But at the same time, the best way to start fishing is to get the tackle listed above and to get after it.
What is the best surf fishing rod and reel combo for beginners?
To get started surf fishing, I needed a rod and reel. Bass Pro Shop™ was conveniently 5 minutes from my oceanside rental when I finally decided to surf fish and become "King of the Beach." I headed over to look for the perfect rod and reel combo. A friendly Bass Pro™ clerk showed me surf fishing combos. He shared the pros and cons of each with me.
The Rod: He explained that a surf fishing rod is a heavy action 9-11’ long pole. The rod is long in order to cast as far into the ocean as possible. The greater the distance one can cast, the more likely an inshore angler can reach the fish. The long rod is not versatile; it is meant for surf fishing. He explained that using the rod for trolling would likely break the rod. As we walked through the combos, he said that the rods are all pretty much the same and that the differentiation of price and quality is in the reel. However, he did mention that the low-budget Power Plus rod was fantastic and that many of the Bass Pro employees pair this rod with a more expensive reel.
The Reel: The differentiation between the combo price is primarily in the reel. Generally, the higher the price, the better the reel. The lower cost reels use materials that are not built to last. This may be perfect for some, but I wanted to buy something that would be guaranteed to last at least 5 years (hopefully longer). All were large spinning reels with big spools to hold plenty of 20-40 lb pound test line. Surf Fishing requires plenty of line to make long casts and also be able to allow sharks to take drag out if hooked. The clerk explained that pretty much anything over $100 was pretty good quality. But when I pressed him and asked which one would absolutely last 5 years or more, he paused and said that I probably needed a Penn.
The Combos:
Power Plus Combo – This was the lowest budget rod and reel combo at $50. The clerk told me that it’s a good option because the 9' pole is fantastic. It is a wonderful starter combo because if I get hooked on surf fishing, then I can keep the pole and upgrade to a higher-quality reel later. Also, he said that if I was flying back home then this was a great pole to use for the week and leave at the rental for the next aspiring fisherman. It's a great starter combo, but the reel will not last and will need to be replaced after a short time.
Tightline and Sea Lion™ Combo – This was the next tier up from the Power Plus. The difference is that the reels were made of better materials and all the moving parts would likely withstand the brutal saltwater environment better than the Power Plus. These were solid options, but I wanted to make sure that my purchase was going to last but without breaking the bank. These combos came in at $100.
Penn Fierce IV Combo – The clerk told me that if I wanted something to last, I should look at the Penn Combos. The Fierce IV with a 10' pole was their lowest-priced combo and was perfect for me. I loved the red and black look. He told me that the reel was fantastic and that it was built to last. I personally decided that this was the right combo for me – and I was not disappointed! It turned out to be a great purchase.
Frigate Combo – This combo was the top end of the Off Shore Angler brand combos. It was a solid rod and reel but $10 more than the Fierce IV. The clerk advised me that the Penn Fierce IV reel was the better option.
Battle III and Spinfisher IV Combo – These looked like great options but were a little bit higher in price than I wanted to pay. Since I was getting started, my criteria were a rod and reel capable of doing the job that would last for at least 5 years and at the lowest price. These combos met the criteria except for being higher in price.
After reviewing the combos with the clerk for about 30 minutes, I decided that the best combo option for a beginner was the Fierce IV. The spinning reel and pole combo offered the best value and quality. It was also a stylish red and black design that I liked. I bought the combo and thought it was perfect for a beginner surf fisherman.
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.
According to my Bass Pro™ friend, 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. Even better would be to buy the line from Bass Pro Shop™ and have them spool your reel 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.
What is the best bait for surf fishing?
When using a high/low or Pompano rig, live bait is ideal. But the problem with live bait is that it flies off when you cast, especially when you get optimal torque from your extra long pole to hurl the bait far into the sea. More often than not, your bait flies off your rig. Fish typically do not bite a bare hook. This is why I like to use scented and colored fish tape. My preferred brand of fish tape is Fishbites™. The bait I always have on hand is the orange and white E-Z Flea scented Fishbites™. I often purchase or catch live or cut bait like shrimp, sandfleas, squid, or bloodworms. When using these baits, I always hook a strip of Fishbites on with the real bait. This is because the real bait will often fall off, but the fish tape has a fiber backing that will stick on the hook – even on the most violent casts.
What other tackle do I need when surf fishing?
I always purchase several standard Pompano Rigs from the bait store. This seems to be the most basic rig for surf fishing. For a surf fisherman who only partakes when I’m on vacation, it is the easiest way to target fish from shore. Most importantly, the Pompano Rig is highly effective at catching fish. You can catch a variety of fish depending where you are at. On the Southeastern Coast or in the Gulf you can catch Whiting, Blue Fish, Pompano, Spot, Red Fish, Mackerel, and Shark to name a few.
Every Pompano Rig needs a sinker. I either purchase a 4 oz diamond sinker or purchase a Sea Striker Sputnik Short Tail Surf Sinker. While the Sputnik sinker costs around $4, it is worth it! It has prongs that stick into the sand so that the bait holds its position in the surf. Without a Sputnik sinker, the current or the waves will move the bait, and it will be difficult to fish, especially when the water is rough.
A sand spike is an essential for surf fishing. I bought the Bass Pro Shops™ 48" Ground Spike Rod Holder. I wish I had also purchased a rubber mallet to drive the spike into the wet sand, but I did my best without it. A few times I had to reset. If I had a mallet, I would have been able to drive the spike deeper into the sand and not reset. A pro fisherman on the beach told me to set my sand spike in the darker sand, not the dry, fluffy sand. This way, the spike is more sturdy, and beach walkers can easily walk under your line.
What is the best time of day or best tide for surf fishing?
Conventional wisdom says to plan your surf fishing near high tides. And I am not going to knock this. A couple of hours before and after high tide is a good time to fish. But personally, I catch most of my fish near dawn or dusk or in cloudy conditions. I enjoy fishing whenever possible, but I will make a point to fish the mornings and evenings more seriously than the midday, no matter the tide.
How do you perfect the surf fishing cast?
The goal is to get my bait beyond where the waves break on the shallows. This means casting as far as reasonably possible into the ocean. On my last fishing trip, the beach was lined with fishermen. The ones that were catching fish were the ones who would wade out into the surf around belly high. Sometimes this was 40 yards into the ocean! And from this point, they cast out as far as possible. They walked their poles back with an open spool. Once at their spike, they closed the spool, tightened their line, and set the rod into the sand spike. I copied them, and I was one of the fishermen who caught fish that day.
The surf fishing pole is long so the fisherman can get high torque and fling the bait very far. To accomplish this, grip the rod with both hands and a finger on the line (open spool). Load the rod over your back with all of your weight on your back foot. Then unload and move all your weight forward while whipping the large rod over your head. Release the bait so that it projects out around a 45° angle into the air.
What to expect when surf fishing?
I was a little nervous when I first brought my fishing pole to the beach. I rarely saw the local fishermen reeling in a catch, so what makes me think that I would be able to catch fish? Nonetheless, I persisted and I am glad I did. Surf Fishing does not always yield fish. Sometimes it’s a waiting game.
The first night I went to the beach, I got skunked – no fish. I was discouraged but determined to figure out how to hook a big one. Even though I did not even get a nibble. To sit on the sand in anticipation that at any moment a shark could be on my line while watching the sun descend across the sky was priceless.
The next morning, I headed to the beach. This time I looked for signs of a rip current. A rip current is dangerous for swimmers because it is where the water rushes out to sea from the waves crashing onto the beach. The rip current picks up sand fleas and other bait and carries them away from the shore. And this draws fish. I was no expert, but I looked for where there were breaks or calm spots in the waves. This signals a current rushing out to sea. Spotting this area, I flung my bait as far as I could into the deep blue. And then I waited.
With my pole in the sand spike, I wondered how I would know the difference between a fish on and the tug and pull of the surf. A minute after that thought, I saw my pole dancing and vibrating. FISH ON! I grabbed the pole and felt pure exhilaration as I felt the fight of a Pompano on the line. Pompano fight pretty hard. I got the Pompano up on the beach and needed to measure it to make sure the fish was a legal size to keep. It was, and I put her in the bucket. A few moments later, I had two in the bucket.
When surf fishing or any fishing, for that matter, it takes patience and trying different things. Talk to the people who are having success and try to replicate what they are doing. Try new techniques and do your research. The prepared fisherman will ultimately catch the most fish and be crowned “King of the Beach.”
Comments