How to Surf Fish - A Quick Start Guide

Surf fishing is a fantastic and very rewarding pastime to be involved in. It is a year round sport that is enjoyed by millions of people from every walk of life and age group. If you are looking to get into the sport here is a brief guide on how to surf fish and the equipment you will need.

Rod and reel

If you are just starting out the best option for a rod and reel is to go for a rod and reel combo. Rod and reel combos are available from a wide range of outlets ranging from your local tackle shop to Walmart. These combos are at the economy end of the market, but will be more than adequate for the job. A rod that is between 10 and 12 feet in length is a good choice, as it will cover almost all aspects of surf fishing.
A spinning reel is also a good choice, and much easier to manage than a conventional surf fishing reel.

Basic tackle

When learning how to surf fish, the choice of surf fishing tackle can seem a little overwhelming, but you only need some basics to get started. All the tackle you need should fit into a small to medium sized tackle box. A good selection of snap swivels, sinkers and hooks should be high on your list as these items are claimed by ocean the most, swivels and beads are a close second. A decent pair of needle nosed pliers and a pocket knife are also indispensable. With these items you will be able to make up most surf fishing rigs.

Finding the fish

Before making your trip to the beach, visit a few of your local tackle shops, these places are an excellent source of information for any surf angler. Find out which beaches are fishing well and what is being caught. Your tackle shop will also be able to tell you which baits are taking the most fish, and if you don't want to collect your own live bait, sell you what you need. Artificial lures work as well as live bait for many fish, so ask which lures are working the best.

Armed with the right equipment and knowledge, learning how to surf fish is quite easy, and you will soon be catching fish.

Courtesy of Richard Obie