Surf Fishing Rigs – Popular Surf Fishing Rigs

Surf fishing rigs can vary depending on the type of fish you want to catch or the conditions under which you are fishing. To start you off, here are a few of the most popular surf fishing rigs, how to make them, or where to buy them.

Surf Fishing Rigs – Fish Finder Rig

The fish finder rig is one of the most popular surf fishing rigs. The fish finder rig is designed to allow the fish to pick up the bait and run with it without feeling the weight of the sinker. The fish finder rig is best used when fishing for blue fish, flounder, Spanish mackerel, and striped bass. Common baits used are blood worms, mullet, sand fleas, and shrimp.

The fish finder rig is one of the most popular surf fishing rigs and can easily be made or purchased. To make this rig, you will need:

• Hook – 6/0, 8/0, 9/0, or 10/0 circle hooks work best.
• Sinker – 4oz. – 9oz. sinker weights depending of the conditions. A 4oz. – 6oz. sinker will work most of the time. Use a hurricane or sputnik style sinker weight to hold the bottom best.
• Slider – Use a heavy duty slider (usually turquoise in color).
• Swivel – a 150# barrel swivel is best.

The slider with the sinker goes on your main line with a plastic bead behind it. Tie on your swivel. The plastic bead between the swivel and the sinker is to protect the knot from being damaged by the sinker. Make a short leader, 18 to 24 inches long, with your hook of choice on one end and then tie the other end to the swivel on your main line.

Surf Fishing Rigs – Hi-Lo Rig (Top-Bottom Rig)

The hi-lo rig is also known as the top-bottom rig and is another one of the popular surf fishing rigs used. This rig allows you to fish with two different baits at the same time. This is great if you are using cut bait and works especially well on blue fish, croaker, spot, striper, and larger predatory fish.

The hi-lo rig is a little more complex to make and it could be easier to buy pre-made rigs from your tackle shop, but if you want to try, you’ll need:

• Fishing Line – 40” of 40 lb. test monofilament line.
• Hook - 6/0, 8/0, 9/0, or 10/0 circle hooks work best. You will be using two hooks and you can use two different sizes, depending on the bait you will be using.
• Swivel – a 100# barrel swivel is best.
• Swivel Snap – Heavy duty swivel snap.
• Sinker – 4oz. – 9oz. sinker weights depending of the conditions. A 4oz. – 6oz. sinker will work most of the time. Use a hurricane or sputnik style sinker weight to hold the bottom best.

Use a 40-inch length of 40 lb. test monofilament line to make your line leader. Tie a double overhand loop 12 inches from both ends of the line. Tie whichever size circle hooks you wish to use to the ends of the line using a Palomar knot, moistening the line before pulling the line tight. Insert the end of one loop through the eye of the barrel swivel and stick the opposite end of the barrel swivel back through the loop and pull tight. Repeat this with the other loop and the swivel snap. Attach your sinker weight to the swivel snap and tie the barrel swivel to the end of your main line.

Surf Fishing Rigs – Fireball Rig

The fireball rig is really just a variation of the hi-lo rig with small floats attached just above the hooks to keep the bait off the bottom of the ocean and out of reach of crabs. This rig is particularly effective in rough waters and when fishing for blue fish. To make your own fireball rig, simply follow the instructions for the hi-lo rig, but add the floats above the hooks.

Surf Fishing: The Quick Start Guide to this Exciting Sport by Randy Meyers has a great section on surf fishing rigs, be sure to read our review.

Three popular surf fishing rigs to get you started.