Best Surf Fishing Gear: 10 Essentials for Your Arsenal

Looking to upgrade your surf fishing gear? Whether you’re just starting out or fine-tuning your setup, having the right surf fishing gear can make all the difference between a slow day on the sand and a rod-bending, action-packed session. From rods and reels to rigs and tools, it’s easy to overlook something essential.

In this guide, I’ll walk through 10 must-have surf fishing gear essentials to help you fish smarter, stay prepared, and maximize every cast from the beach.

1. Surf Fishing Rods

It all starts with the rod. You’re going to find a rod, fall in love with it, and then find a reason to get another one. It’s normal, and we all do it. So don’t feel bad. My top rated surf fishing rod is the Okuma SST. I use a slightly different model for each style of surf fishing that I do, but the one linked below (the 8’6″ MHA is the most versatile and works for light tackle, jerkbaits and swimbaits). It’s an incredible value for the price.

If you’re looking to choose your own rod, I’ll give you a few general recommendations before I refer you to an in depth article that outlines the best rods for surf fishing.

Salmon and Steelhead rods make for fantastic crossovers to the surf. Go with a rod between 7-10 feet rated for medium power and moderate to fast action. As always, there are exceptions to these recommendations but the referenced article (best surf fishing rods for so cal) details those nicely.

Many anglers like to use trout gear for surf fishing or bass gear for surf fishing. Of the two, bass is a better option than trout gear, but salmon and steelhead rods will be the best option when it comes to choosing the right surf fishing rod.

2. Surf Fishing Reels

Your reel is just about as important as your rod when it comes to selecting your surf fishing gear. A couple of quick recommendations here:

For most light tackle needs, a 3000 – 4000 series spinning reel is fantastic.

You should always match your reel to your rod just as you should match your rod to your reel. Again, this in depth article on the best reels for surf fishing actually walks you through the sizes and which reel to pair with which size rod. My top two spinning reels for surf fishing are the Penn Spinfisher and the Penn Battle.

A couple other reputable brands include Daiwa and Shimano. Take a look at that article referenced above and if you have questions on any of them, don’t hesitate to reach out via the contact us page.

3. Back Packs for Surf Fishing

As for fishing bags, this is also going to include some personal preference. Some anglers like to bring everything they might need, so they need a big backpack with a bunch of pockets and zippers, others are somewhere in between, and some pack super light-weight for ease and mobility.

I personally have to bring a fair amount of stuff with me and I’ve used a number of backpacks throughout my journey but the latest one I’ve been using is this one from Kast King.

Here’s the breakdown of my top 4 fishing backpacks for each angler’s needs.

4. Fishing Waders

While waders might not seem essential to some, they certainly are an essential piece of surf fishing gear to many. For a complete breakdown of which types of waders to get (why) and which brands are best, read this in-depth article on the – Best Waders for Surf Fishing: Types Brands and More

5. Surf Fishing Lures

Believe it or not, some surf anglers go their entire surf fishing career without ever throwing a lure. But… I’d still classify them as an essential piece of gear. So here’s the breakdown of the 4 must-have lures for surf fishing.

6. Terminal Tackle and Surf Fishing Rigs

Terminal tackle is so specific to the type of surf fishing you’ll be doing, so I won’t spend much time on that. This includes line, weights, swivels, hooks and everything that makes up your surf fishing rigs. Below is a breakdown of the exact gear and tackle I use for each style of surf fishing.

7. Fishing Knife: Fillet Knives and Bait Knives

A fishing knife is definitely an essential piece of gear for surf fishing. After spending 10 years fileting fish and chunking bait, I’ve recognized the knives in this article as the 5 best filet knives for surf fishing.

Shown above is the Victorinox filet knife that I use. I keep this one at home and use a cheaper knife for cutting bait on the beach.

8. Fishing Pliers

For fishing pliers and many other categories of surf fishing gear, KastKing has proven itself to be pretty darn reputable.

There’s also a look alike that was manufactured by Piscifun. They’re a little cheaper but look almost identical and feel just as quality so they’re on here too.

For a complete list of the best fishing pliers for surf fishing, check out the linked article. And note the importance of the split ring-nose pliers! I have now used both the Piscifun fishing pliers and the KastKing fishing pliers for over two years and neither have rusted much. If you store them dry and don’t leave them wet inside your fishing bag, they will not rust.

9. Waterproof Jacket for Fishing

If you’ve been fishing the winter months without a waterproof jacket… I’m sorry. Add that to your list of surf fishing gear for next winter or get it ahead of time now because it’s a game-changer.

You might have the best hoodie out there and the best pair of waders, but if your top half takes a big wave, you’re going to be cold… period. Here’s my detailed overview of the best waterproof jackets for fishing.

During the Winter months, I’ll actually wear that waterproof jacket over my hoodie even if it isn’t “freezing”. Because if I take on an unforeseen wave, I’d rather not be sopping wet for the rest of the day.

10. Cooler for Fishing

Depending on your goal for the day and your plan for level of mobility, a cooler might be a good thing to bring (with some ice). If I’m planning to keep a fish, I will bring a cooler with ice.

Some anglers don’t like to carry the extra weight with them especially if they like to move around, but I don’t mind and I prefer my catch to remain as fresh as possible if I’m going to go through the trouble of killing it and cleaning it.

I use this cooler for both my kill bag and my bait bag. the shoulder strap is a must-have in my opinion. I spent a couple years trying out other bags and I’ve stopped with this one. It’s a solid option at least for my needs.

Some Other Essentials

• Polarized Sunglasses
• UPF Hooded Long Sleeve Shirt
• UPF Facemask
• Water Shoes for Reef Walking
• Head Lamp
• Tape Measure
• Fish Scale
• Gatorade Squeeze/Squirt Bottle (for reel rinsing, drinking etc.)