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When it comes to surf fishing, your productivity and success depend on many factors and variables : the weather, the current, the tide, the length of the rod, the bait, the size of the reel, etc.
Some of these factors are unpredictable, some are uncontrollable, some are expensive and difficult to manage, but there is one factor that you can easily and cost-effectively change while providing a lot of leverage and impact.
This factor is called the fishing rig.
With small changes in the configuration of your line, and without changing anything else in your equipment, you can experience a huge impact on your productivity and bites count.
When fishing the surf, the main goal is to cast the line where the fish hold and present the bait in a natural and appetizing way, so that the fish can not distinguish between natural food/prey and your bait.
That’s why your fishing rig and the way you set up your line are so important.
So what is the best rig setup for surf fishing ?
The best and most recommended surf fishing setup is the fish finder rig. This is a popular line setup known for two things : its simplicity and its ability to present the bait in the most attractive way, making it very effective at catching fish from shore.
How to tie the fish finder rig for surf fishing ?
The fish finder rig is made up of a hook tied to a leader, and a sliding pyramid sinker tied to the main line (or shock leader). The sinker must be tied before the barrel swivel that links the main line to the leader.
What makes this rig the best configuration for surf fishing is its ability to allow the bait to move freely and naturally with the current, making it look like a natural food for most predators.
Moreover, the pyramid sinker will drag your line to the bottom and force the leader and the bait to bounce up and down with the current, which mimics the natural movement of an injured or wounded baitfish.
Another reason why this is the best surf fishing rig is the plastic sleeve that allows the sinker to slide on the main line. This prevents fish from feeling the weight when they strike your bait, and as a result, they won’t figure out the danger until they are already hooked.
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In the next paragraphs, we will discuss in more detail how to set up the fish finder rig, and how to make the most of this powerful surf fishing setup.
The hook
The size of the hook depends on the bait you want to use, as well as the size of the fish you want to catch.
Generally speaking, 3/0 – 5/0 circular hooks will work well in most situations, but if you are targeting very large trophies (over 40 inches), then you should probably consider 8/0 – 10/0 hooks.
The Sinker
The role of the sinker is to keep your bait in the bottom where fish are most likely to bite, and also to prevent the current from dragging your bait away.
Most anglers use pyramid-shaped sinkers with the fish finder rig because it resists well to the current and keeps your bait where you cast the line in the first place. However, you can use an egg sinker if the current is not too strong.
The optimal weight depends on the surf conditions. It should be heavy enough to stay at the bottom and not go in the direction of the current.
In general, a 3-4 oz sinker is enough, but you can go up to 6-8 oz if the current is too strong.
Read this article for more information on the best casting weight for shore fishing.
Whichever sinker you pick, make sure it is able to slide on your main line. Egg sinkers can slide directly on the line, but pyramid sinkers require the use of a plastic sleeve with a snap swivel in order to slide.
Here* is a pack of 50 good and durable sinker sliders, ready to use for the fish finder rig.
Sinker sliders for surf fishing
These sinker sliders will make the bait presentation less spooky to fish. In other words, they allow your line and bait to move freely and independently from the sinker, until certain fish takes the bait. Very useful for the fish finder rig
Brand : JSHANMEI
One last thing about the sinker is that it can damage the knot that connects your main line to the leader. This is why you should use a 6-8 mm plastic bead between the sinker and the swivel in order to protect the knot.
The leader
Mono and fluoro leaders work well for the fish finder rig. Compared to braid, they are better abrasion resistants and are less visible in the water.
The leader should not be too long. The longer the leader, the more air friction it receives when you cast the rod, the less distance you will be able to reach.
That said, the leader should not be too short either. It should be long enough to protect your line from tail kicks. If you are targeting fish that are 2 ft long, then make sure to use a leader of more than 2 ft.
My leaders are usually 12 to 18 inches, but if you want to use a longer leader, make sure it’s not longer than 3 feet.
Read this article where we discussed the factors that dictate the leader length.
The bait
Both natural baits and artificial lures work well for the fish finder rig, but I would always choose natural baits.
First, natural baits add more appeal to your offering. Second, they can be presented in large pieces.
You can use up to 3 inches chunks of natural bait in a fish finder rig and still catch fish. Why ? Because this rig set up offers you the possibility to give the fish a certain amount of slack line after you detect a bite, allowing it to eat the bait completely and get well hooked.
If you use large artificial lures, fish won’t take too much time to figure out they are eating a piece of plastic or metal.
Read more advantages of using natural baits for beach fishing.
Summary
The fishing rig is a crucial factor when fishing from shore. The way you present your bait dictates whether the fish will hit it or not, and also whether it will be hooked after the bite or it will just steal the food and run away.
This is why the fish finder rig is the best rig setup for surf fishing.
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It’s easy to make, it does not require a lot of tools and equipment, but most importantly, it offers the best and most attractive presentation of bait, which increases the bites and catches counts.
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