Many things factor into a successful surf fishing trip. A few of the things that can make or break your surf fishing trip cannot be controlled, such as the temperature of the water and the weather. Optimal surf fishing occurs when the water is between 61 degrees and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably on an overcast day.
There are a few aspects of your surf fishing trip over which you have control. For example, most fish can be caught at dawn or dusk. You also have complete control over your setup, otherwise known as your rig. When used in conjunction with a few of the other factors previously discussed, your rig can be the difference between a successful surf fishing trip and a wasted day. A good rig setup can affect both the number of fish you catch as well as the size of the fish you catch.
The Fish Finder Rig
Coming in first on my list of the most effective rigs to use when surf fishing, the fish finder rig is especially useful for allowing live bait to swim freely. This rig uses a circle hook and allows your catch to swim quite a long distance before swallowing the bait. This is crucial because it allows you to sink your hook deeper into the fish. Of course, this means that there is less risk involved when it comes to losing your prize catch. This rig is most effective for fishing striped bass, red drum, flounder, sea trout, bluefish, and snook.
Follow these steps to tie a fish finder rig:
● Cut a piece of leader line, generally, around 18 inches long.
● Tie one end to your hook using a Palomar Knot.
● Using a Palomar Knot, tie on your swivel on the other end of your leader line
● Fish the line through your pyramid sinker and your bead.
● Finally, tie your main line to the other side of your swivel using a Palomar Knot.
The website Tailored Tackle suggests that this particular setup is optimal for fishing in less than desirable conditions. This specific rig is also perfect for conditions that offer minimal coverage and few structures around you. The reason that this setup is so effective is that it employs the use of a pyramid sinker that holds your rig near the bottom of the ocean. This is helpful when you are fishing in rough currents. The fish finder rig also has an interesting side effect, in that it gradually moves a long while stirring up a little sand. This is perfect for imitating live bait in the water.
One more fascinating aspect of the fish finder rig is that it allows you to bounce your bait off the bottom of the ocean floor. This gives the illusion of injured Baitfish flopping around in the water. This is especially effective in drawing bigger fish to your line. One last benefit of the fish finder rig is that it allows the fish to connect directly to your line, making it easier for you to reel in that big catch. This is probably my favorite benefit of using this setup. I have always found that if you are going to fish with live bait, this rig is the best rig for you.
The Fireball Rig
The fireball rig makes use of brightly colored floats and drops lines. This rig is effective because it prevents your bait from settling on the ocean floor, which means that there is less of a chance of smaller fish eating your bait. This is especially important if you are trying to reel in a particularly big catch. This particular setup is great for fishing bluefish and striped bass, which are fish that are typically known to hunt their prey by sight.
To successfully tie a Fireball rig, carefully follow these steps:
● Tie the rig to the main line using a size 5 or 6 barrel swivel
● At the end of the rig body, use a surgeon loop and a snap swivel to connect the sinker.
Per the Surf Fishing Republic, this rig is most popular among the fishermen along the eastern coast of the United States. The fireball rig closely resembles the high-low rig and is just as effective. What makes this setup so unique is that it is relatively short, measuring only 3 to 4 feet in length. When using a fireball rig, the best method to use is a dropper loop. This is because three-way swivels are far too visible to the fish, and do not appear natural at all. This aspect is crucial because one of the most important factors of fishing is not alerting the fish to your presents, or the presence of your line and bait.
Found in almost any tackle shop you frequent, one of the best reasons to use the fireball rig is that it uses ordinary styrofoam floats. Available in either oval or round shapes, the best-colored floats to use are yellow, red, and orange. The preferred hooks to use with the fireball rig range from 1/0 to 6/0 and from 1 to 6, and the most commonly used hooks or circle hooks and J hooks. I find that the fireball rig also works best when I make use of a heavy fluorocarbon or monofilament line.
Although Fireball rigs are available in either a single hook or double hook variety, The dingle hook variety typically works best when using live bait. The double hook variety works best when using fishing lures. I like using this rig because of its ease of use, coupled with the fact that it allows you to fish with a shorter rod. This can be especially beneficial if you are low on space Oh, and can only bring a short rod on your fishing expedition. However, I do find that one of the major drawbacks of this setup is the lack of variety in the fish that it is effective in catching.
What Size Sinker Should I Use for Beach Fishing? Find out here.
The Double-Drop Bottom Rig
The double-drop bottom rig is a rig composed of two dropper lines, each tipped with a hook, that extends from the mainline. A sinker, paired with colored beads, is used to anchor the rig in place. This set-up, often used in conjunction with live bait shrimp or mole crabs, is highly visible in rough waters. Often considered to be the go-to rig for most surf fishermen, this setup is great for going after Atlantic croaker, flounder, spot, whiting, and speckled trout.
Fishing Booker claims that the double-drop bottom rig is the most effective rig for bottom fishing, and I would have to agree. Bottom fishing consists of allowing your bait or lure to sink to the bottom of the ocean. Perhaps the biggest reason for the popularity of bottom fishing is the unusually large amount of fish that it can attract. Most fish typically search the ocean floor for easy prey. When you are using a double-drop bottom rig, your bait appears to the fish as easy prey. When it attacks, all that is left for you to do is to reel in that fish.
Here is how to successfully execute a double-drop bottom rig:
● Use an 80-pound mono line.
● Pull a six or seven-foot piece of spool.
● Tie a simple overhand knot, doubling back on the bitter in approximately 12 inches.
● Pass the end of the loop through two times.
● Pull tightly.
● If possible, pull all three ends at once.
Another reason that the double drop bottom rig is so popular is because of the unusually large amount of places where it can be practiced. I find that this setup is quite easy to master, and its popularity would indicate that many other surf fishermen feel the same way. I don’t think that I need to remind you of the old saying that says, “Practice is perfect.” I know that I can’t be the only one who feels that something becomes much more fun once I become better at doing it. This is why I, along with many others, prefer to use the double-drop bottom rig when surf fishing.
Bonus Tips
While I aimed to initially discuss the most effective rigs for surf fishing, I have also taken the liberty of including a few extra tips for you to use during your next surf fishing outing. Bass Pro Shops suggest that when you are searching for that perfect spot to fish, try observing other fishermen who appear to be having success. If you are unfamiliar with an area, I find that simply asking the locals where the best fishing spots are is usually pretty successful.
Another method of finding a good fishing spot that I have often found successful is to study the line of breakers that are off of the beach. These breakers are usually found between the first and second sandbars in a body of water. However, I would be quite leery when fishing the spot. When water crashes onto the shore, it must return to the ocean at some point. This usually causes riptides, which can be especially dangerous to novice fishermen.
Another tip that I would suggest when trying to find a good spot to fish is to ask the local fishermen what the optimal time for the tide is. Unless they are there to socialize, local fishermen usually will not be found surf fishing when there is a dead tide or a low tide. The best time to surf fish is during high tide. This usually occurs early in the morning, which is also beneficial because most vacationers have not arrived at the beach yet.
The last surf fishing tip I have for you is to make sure that you are always prepared, bringing the appropriate gear for your fishing adventures. One item that may initially sound a bit strange that you should remember is a piece of PVC pipe. Trust me, you will thank me for this. The pipe protects no surf fishing rods you have invested so much money in from getting lost in the tide.
I have also found the following gear to be essential in all of my surf fishing trips:
● A 12 to 15-foot rod
● A saltwater reel with a 20 to 25-pound test line
● A seven-foot rod for shorter casting
● An offshore aluminum angler sand spike
● Surfcasting fishing weights
● A wide variety of tackle or live bait
Conclusion
As you can see, three highly effective rigs can be used when surf fishing to get the most out of your fishing trip. The fish finder rig is the best rig to use when you are fishing with live bait, and it also gives you the least amount of risk when it comes to losing a big catch. The fireball rig prevents your bait from settling on the ocean floor, making it far less likely that smaller fish will consume the bait before a big fish has a chance to land on your hook. The double-drop bottom rig, which is widely known as the most popular surf fishing rig, is my rig of choice. This is because this particular setup is best for use in Rough Waters, which we know is the best water to fish. I find that this rig is also the most useful due to the large amount of fish it is good for catching.
Whatever rig you choose to use oh, I would like to take this time to encourage all of you to be as safe as possible. Always be on the lookout for slippery rocks and shells, which can cause nasty Falls or cuts. You should also be sure to bring the right gear when you are surfacing. Failure to bring the wrong gear can result in an unproductive day of fishing. There is an old saying that says, “A bad day of fishing beats a good day of work.” However, I would like to know that these tips may have had a part in helping you to have your most productive day of surf fishing ever, while remaining faith in the process. Good luck on your next surf fishing trip!
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.