5 Best Weights and Sinkers for Surf Fishing

A question I commonly receive is, “What’s the best surf fishing sinker?”. The answer is completely dependent on what your target is and how active your desired fishing style is. Here’s a breakdown of the best weights and sinkers for surf fishing and when to use which.

1. Sliding Egg Weight

Shown above, the sliding egg weight is and should be the most commonly used surf fishing weight on the west coast. That’s because it’s commonly used in one of the best rigs for surf fishing. Take a look here at the best rigs for surf fishing.

The rig I’m referring to is called the Carolina rig and is shown in the image below.

The sliding egg weight is one key aspect that makes the Carolina rig so versatile. It allows for a streamline connection from mainline to leader line and it acts as a weight to pull your bait to the bottom, but still allows for horizontal movement if the current pulls.

While it will hold in one place if the current is mild, the sliding egg weight (and thus the Carolina rig) will move in the water if the current is too strong.

If movement is desired, the Carolina rig allows for really nice natural movement in a current.

I use the Carolina rig when surf fishing with bait like sand crabs and mussel meat for light tackle species like corbina, croaker, surfperch and more.

2. Bullet Weight

The bullet weight is thought by many to serve only one purpose for one rig… the Texas rig. However, it’s more versatile than that. It can replace the sliding egg weight on the Carolina rig and it might be a really good call to do so if you’re retrieving a soft-plastic especially if you want to cut back on seaweed accumulation.

The image above shows the proper rigging of a Texas rig. I use a Texas rig for surf fishing when I want to use weedless swimbaits in the surf. The hydrodynamic shape of the bullet weight also allows for a very “weedless” rig that cuts through weeds as best as possible.

3. Pyramid Weight

The pyramid weight is atop many anglers’ list for the best surf fishing sinkers. Their simple design allows them to hold better to the bottom than any of the other rigs mentioned before. The pyramid sinker is ideal for when you want your bait to stay mostly in one place but you don’t want it to completely get stuck.

It also works well for when you want to use a rod holder or a sand spike in the surf. The fish finder rig is probably the most commonly utilized rig that uses the pyramid sinker.

Look closely, and you’ll see the resemblance of the Carolina rig in the fish finder rig. Think about what the c rig allows in movement and understand that by using the pyramid weight instead, you get a more sturdy hold in one place.

If you need your bait to stay in one spot regardless of how strong the current is, this next one is the best weight for surf fishing for you.

4. Sputnik Weight (break-away\spider)

The sputnik weight is incredibly unique, making it one of the best weights for surf fishing. It typically has a bead on each of the four prongs that locks into a cutout within the led portion of the sinker. These beads lock into the body of the weight resulting in a highly functional and “grabby” anchor.

In my opinion, the sputnik weight is the best sinker for surf fishing for sharks. Shark fishing requires time and most often, it requires you leave your rod in a holder. You’ll have lots of line out there and current and seaweed will affect your line a lot.

The sputnik weight grabs into the sand and holds incredibly well making it the best surf fishing weight in its class.

5. Bank Weight

The bank weight is an interesting one. The reason it makes this list of the best weights for surf fishing is that it holds well in areas that other weights and sinkers would typically snag. This weight is best used when you’re fishing bait in reefy areas.

Above is a common rig that utilizes the bank weight. This rig utilizes hooks that suspend over a weight that rolls around rather than getting stuck anywhere.

A Summary of The Best Weights and Sinkers for Surf Fishing

As mentioned earlier, the best weight for surf fishing depends on what you plan on targeting and how you plan to target it. If the the content within each section doesn’t help you figure out which sinker is best for you, don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions via the contact us page.