What surf casting is
Surf casting means throwing a rig with a heavy sinker a long way out, letting it settle on the bottom, and waiting for a bite with the rod standing in a holder. There is no float to watch; you read bites from the trembling of the rod tip. It is especially useful on shallow sandy beaches and other places where fish rarely come close in. Because you are fishing the bottom, the main targets are fish that live over sand or mud, and the species change with region and season. There is a lot of waiting with the rods set, so it suits people who enjoy a patient style of fishing.
Where and when
Wide sandy beaches, breakwaters with a clear view and the mouths of large rivers, anywhere with plenty of open water in front, are good surf casting spots. On the coast, bites tend to come when the tide is moving, so check the tide table too. Some swimming beaches restrict fishing during the bathing season, and breakwaters may have closed sections, so read the signs on site. Skip days with big waves: the rig gets washed back in and the shoreline becomes dangerous.
- Open water in front and few people around
- Times when the tide is moving
- Check rules for beaches and closed areas
- Avoid days with big waves
Putting the gear together
Surf casting uses a dedicated rod that is longer and stiffer through the middle than an ordinary rod. A spinning reel that holds plenty of line is the easy choice. Every rod lists the range of sinker weights it can handle, so choose within it; whipping an oversized sinker can snap the rod. A rod holder, a bell to signal bites and a glow marker for night fishing make life easier. Start with one or two rods and set out only as many as you can keep an eye on.
- Surf rod and spinning reel
- Sinkers within the rod's rated range
- A holder to stand the rod in
- Bite bell and a glow marker for night
Rigs and the shock leader
The basic setup is a sinker at the end of the main line with a multi-hook rig attached. Ready-made rigs from a tackle shop are the easiest way to begin. Thinner main line casts farther, but it struggles to take the jolt of swinging a heavy sinker. That is why anglers join a length of thicker line between the main line and the rig, long enough to wrap the reel several times; this is the shock leader. It is a safety device that stops the line snapping mid-cast and sending the sinker flying, so never skip it. Practise the line-to-line knot at home first. For bait, use something bottom fish like, such as marine worms, and thread it firmly so it stays on during the cast.
How to cast
Start with a straight overhead cast. Let the sinker hang a short way below the rod tip, hook the line over your finger and open the bail. Before every cast, look behind you and to both sides to make sure no one is there. Bring the rod back over your head, swing it forward smoothly, and release the line when the rod reaches a forward, angled position. Letting the rod bend and spring back throws farther and straighter than muscling it. Once the rig hits the water, close the bail and take up the slack.
- Check behind and to both sides
- Hook the line on your finger and open the bail
- Swing smoothly and let the rod do the work
- Close the bail and take up slack after splashdown
Waiting for bites and reeling in
When the rig reaches the bottom, reel in a little to tighten the line and stand the rod in its holder. A bite shows as a tapping at the tip or a steady pull that bends it over. Do not rush; when the tip is clearly being dragged, lift the rod to set the hook. If nothing happens for a long time, the bait may have come off or the rig may be buried in sand, so reel in and check now and then. If the line suddenly turns heavy and will not budge as you reel, you are snagged; do not yank, but try pulling from a different angle.
Safety rules
The biggest danger in surf casting is a flying sinker or hook. A heavy sinker can seriously injure anyone it hits. Always check around you before casting, and never cast with the line wrapped around the rod or your finger. Retie a damaged leader or knot straight away. Look up for power lines, and fold up the rods if you hear thunder. On a beach, stand where the waves will not wash over your feet, and move back from the water on days with swell. On a breakwater, wear a life jacket and never climb onto the concrete armour blocks.
- Check around you before casting
- Retie damaged leaders and knots
- Watch for power lines and thunder
- Life jacket on breakwaters
Common mistakes and packing up
These are the problems newcomers to surf casting run into most. When you leave, take all cut line, rigs and bait bags with you; discarded fishing line becomes a long-lasting trap for birds and sea life. This is general information; local rules and on-site safety guidance come first. If a hook is buried deep in skin, do not force it out; get medical help.
- Releasing too late so the rig lands at your feet
- Overpowering the cast so it veers sideways
- Setting out more rods than you can manage
- Leaving the line slack and missing bites
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