How to Surf Fish

Learning How to Surf Fish

When surf fishing, it's important to start with the right gear and equipment. Just because you buy expensive equipment, doesn't mean you'll be a great fisherman. Let's face it, sometimes jumping into a new sport or hobby, we get caught up in the new gear. A good surf fisherman learns first how to surf fish, and what surf fishing equipment would work best.

When choosing your surf fishing gear, it's important that your items are properly balanced with each other. Unbalanced surf fishing equipment can be one of the biggest reasons you'll have problems!

Surf Fishing Rod:

Good quality equipment is well worth the money. I'm not telling you to buy one brand over the other, but know that buying well made equipment is worth it over time!

Surf Fishing Lines:

When you fish in the Atlantic Ocean, you'll need different choices than fishing on a bay or lake. Take time to consider your fishing line. While many different manufacturers list the same weight and sizes on their lines, they aren't all created equal. If you aren't sure which would work best, check with a local LBI bait and tackle shop.

The Leader:

The chief function of the leader is to serve as an invisible connection between the line and the lure. It should be the right size in comparison to your line.

Surf Fishing Tackle:

You can find an entire section on Surf Fishing Tackle here.

Reels:

You can choose either a single action reel, or an automatic reel. Be sure it's big enough to hold the usual 30 yards of fishing line without crowding it on the reel spool.

The reel should weigh from 1 ¼ to 1 ½ as much as the bare rod. The reel itself is of no specific use in casting or fishing except as a storage place for the line.

Here are some Ocean Fishing and Coastal Fishing Tips

Watch the signs

If you see seagulls eating small bait-type fish, there are usually larger fish below the surface of the water.

Crabs for full moon

During full moons use soft crab imitations as bait. That's the time when crabs shed their shells and Stripers come looking for them.

Find tuna near dolphins

Yellowfin tuna are usually found schooling with dolphins. So if you see a group of dolphins, chances are there are some tuna in the area.

Good Reef

Feefs are a good spot to find bigger fish, since they feed on the smaller fish that live here

The Circle Hook

Use a circle hook if you would like a higher hook up ratio. These hooks guarantees more catch, because of the minute gap, and the reverse point

Fish where the fish are

A lot of fisherman have the idea that they should be catching their live baits over the reefs before going to deep waters. If the live baits are not in the area you're planning to catch the larger games, then why would you come up with the idea that the large fish are there. Wouldn't they be in the area where the bait fish are?

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