Leatherman Wave Multitool Should Be In Every Surf Fishing Tackle Box

The Leatherman Wave multitool is one tool I have with me whether I’m fishing or not. It’s saved my butt many times. If it’s not on your belt it should be in your tackle box. I added a stainless steel split ring and a caribiner to mine so I can hook it on my life vest when fishing from my kayak.

All the reviews on Amazon speak for themselves. Multitools can be found a lot cheaper but they can’t hold up to the test of time and abuse that the Wave has. I chose the wave over other models produced by Leatherman because the built in selection of tools covers everything I wanted to have on hand for fishing. Even when I’m not fishing it always seems to have something I can use.

Leatherman also stands behind everything they make no questions asked. Once you own one you’ll never want to be without it.

Keep Your Bait Away From Crabs With Palsa Pinch-On-Floats

Many times while surf fishing or inshore fishing, the crabs are notorious for stealing your bait. The Palsa Pinch On Floats solves this problem nicely. Put a pack of these in your tackle box and use them anytime you have a problem.

Just peel off the backing, wrap the foam around your leader near the hook and pinch it together. Use one or more as needed to keep the bait just out of reach.

You can of course buy ready made surf rigs with floats already on them. Most surf anglers however, like to make their own surf rigs. That’s where the pinch on floats come in handy. You only use them when you need them.

Pyramid Sinkers Hold The Bottom Better For Surf Fishing

Depending on the surf conditions and the desired casting distance choose a pyramid sinker between 3oz. and 5oz.  It’s not as big of a problem when surf fishing beyond the breakers. But if you are targeting fish within the surf where the waves are breaking the sinker has to be heavy enough to prevent it from washing ashore.

At times even a 5oz. or 6oz. pyramid sinker won’t hold for you. If the surf is that rough your only choice will be to try a sputnik or break away sinker. Most of the time however, you’ll get by with heavier lead.

Pyramid sinkers of course are made heavier than 6oz. but your surf rod might not be rated to sling the beefier weight. Every surf rod has a sweet spot for the weight you use. If you try to go outside that range it won’t cast well at all.

Keep a range of pyramid sinkers on hand within the rating of your surf rod along a couple of sputnik type sinkers and you’ll be prepared for 90% of the surf conditions you’ll be up against.

Pyramid Sinkers 3oz. 3 Pack

Surf Fishing the Storm Jig’n Eel

The Storm Jig’n eel is a favorite choice for stripers, bluefish, cobia and weakfish. This artificial bait works great for surf fishing at night. Wade out and cast parallel to the beach, work the jig’n eel slowly along the shoreline or sand bar.

Many predator fish in the surf have nocturnal feeding habits especially under a full moon. They come in closer to the shoreline to feed at night. The bigger fish will be well within within casting distance during this time. Fish the high tide when the big feeders come in for a meal.

If you like to have the beach all to yourself for some killer action, night time fishing is the way to go. The Storm Jig’n eel has such a life like presentation it will get a lot of attention.

How To Fish DOA Shrimp

The D.O.A. Shrimp is one of the artificial baits that every surf fishing angler needs in their tackle box.

The D.O.A. Shrimp will catch any fish that will strike on a live shrimp. I’m referring to Redfish, Tarpon, Jacks and all the other predator game fish caught surf fishing. If you can catch it on live shrimp you can substitute the D.O.A. shrimp.

Live bait should always be your first choice. However live bait isn’t always available and you always run out when the bite is on.

Fish the D.O.A shrimp on a fishfinder rig. Substitute the pyramid sinker for an egg sinker so it doesn’t bite into the bottom. Work it slowly through the strike zone you are fishing. Give it a twitch now and then to give it a natural action.

For more natural presentation, cut off the tip of the tail and rig the hook from the rear.  Shrimp swim backward not forward the way it comes rigged. Use a Daiichi screw holder hook in a 3/0 or 4/0 size.

A Surf Fishing Cart Is A Must To Get All Your Gear To The Beach

Get all your surf fishing gear down to the beach in one trip. Keep all your gear together organized in one spot. There’s plenty of room for bait, refreshments, rods and tackle boxes.

The saltwater environment is harsh. A good surf fishing cart needs to be made with a non corrosive material. Aluminum, PVC or stainless steel are all good choices.

If the beach where you fish doesn’t allow vehicles you’ll want something that holds all your gear and move easily to a new spot to fish. A larger cart will have enough room for you and a friend to get your gear to the water.

Sometimes a big cart can be a little cumbersome. There are some nice two wheel versions too. One size doesn’t fit all. You’ll have to decide for yourself.

The surf fishing cart listed below from Amazon seems to be popular among the surf angler I see at the beach. Be sure to read the description below it has a lot of great features. I have to give it 5 stars.

Coast Lock Snap Swivels

Coast lock snap swivels are the only kind you should ever consider using for surf fishing. Regular snap swivels will often open up while fighting a fish. You can’t depend on them.

Coast locks come with a test strength rating. You can size them to the strength of the leader you plan to use. They’re not that expensive when it comes to loosing a trophy fish.

PowerPro RED 30lb Test 300yd Spool Fishing Line

PowerPro braided line is gaining a lot of popularity. You can’t beat it for surf fishing. It has no stretch which means you get positive hook sets. If you were to use monofiliment line the stretch in the line might not allow a hook set at all depending on the fish, especially with a lot of line out in the water.

Tarpon have very hard jaws. Even when using braid it’s hard to get the hook set.

Another advantage of braided line is the ability to spool more line on your reel because the line diameter is a lot smaller than the equivalent test strength in monofiliment. You can easily double the reel capacity when you switch over to PowerPro braid.

Powerpro’s easy spool pack makes it easy to spool a reel without line twist.

Okuma Avenger ABF Graphite Bait Feeder Reel

For surf fishing you would want to use the ABF65 or the ABF90. They are a little bit more expensive than the smaller ABF models but they will land just about anything you will hook surf fishing. Especially the big game.

If you want to get into shark fishing this reel will get the job done.

As long as you use the baitfeeder feature you’ll never worry about a pull over.  Without this feature there’s always a risk you could loose your whole rig.

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