Beach fishing, surf fishing, and surfcasting are each a way to enjoy fishing from shore. However, the setup for surf fishing is a bit different from other forms of fishing. Primarily because of the changing nature of the environment. Nowhere else does the fishing environment change so quickly.
The reason for those changes is due to how tidal flows change and the weather. If you want to know what size weight for surf fishing, the answer is anywhere between 1/4 of an ounce to as heavy as four ounces. Of course, there is more to it than just that.
What Is the Best Size Weight For Surf Fishing?
Many people want to know what size sinker for surf fishing. The answer varies depending on the conditions in which you are fishing. If you are new to beach fishing, an excellent tip to make your fishing adventure successful is to take a variety of weights with you.
The lightest weight is around 1/4 of an ounce, and the heaviest would be in the four-ounce range. You probably will not need a weight larger than four ounces because the conditions that would warrant a more significant weight would make for miserable conditions to fish.
What size sinker for beach fishing?
The Best Weight For Surf Fishing
What size weight for beach fishing? A few factors will determine the best weight, and you can expect those factors to change as you are fishing. For that reason, be prepared to add or reduce weight to your line when you surf cast.
What size weight is best for surf fishing?
Calm Fishing Days – On calm days when there is little wind, and the ocean is still, usually at low tide, a lighter weight is the best option. The range would be 1/4 of an ounce to a full ounce. The reason for lighter weights in these conditions is that there is less force on your line, hook, and sinker.
There is an exception. On calm days, with little wind, the shore current can remain strong. You will know this almost immediately when you make your first cast. After that, the fishing line will begin to veer in one direction.
That’s not a big deal if you are the only one fishing on the beach. It just means you will be reeling and casting more often. You can reduce the drag from the current by adding more weight.
Active Fishing Days – are fishing situations when there is more activity from the environment. That might mean more wind or maybe rain or more action from the tide. As you fish, the tide will change. It is essential to know if you are fishing on an outgoing tide or incoming tide as one tends to be calmer and the other more active.
What size weight to use for surfcasting on active days?
Active fishing days range from mild weather to rough weather. The wind will impact fishing by causing the water to become choppy and by pulling the fishing line. The movement of the tide will also impact fishing. If you are fishing on an incoming tide, expect the water to get rougher the longer you fish.
What size weight do you use on active weather fishing days? You want a weight that ranges from one ounce to three ounces. The correct weight will depend on the weather, tide, and time of day. A good tip is to stock up on 1/2 ounce weights, so you can clip them to your sinker to adjust the weight as needed. If the weight is too much, you can remove 1/2 ounce. If the weight is not enough, you can add 1/2 ounce until you have the correct weight. You can also use a single weight if you don’t mind adjusting the rigging.
Rough Fishing Days – have very active surf and waves, a stronger current close to shore, and maybe weather such as high winds and rain. Rough fishing days can be some of the best days to fish from the beach. What size weights do you need to fish on rough fishing days? Larger weights to four ounces. These are generally the days to break out those two to four-ounce fishing weights. The worse the weather, the larger the weight. Rough waves will toss even a four-ounce weight around. An active current will move a four-ounce weight down the beach.
What Kind and Size of Sinker for Surf Fishing?
Many anglers opt for a pyramid-shaped fishing weight for surf fishing; Other options include ball weights or disc weights. The pyramid weights are probably the best for surf fishing. As the weight drops onto the seafloor, the pointed end may embed in the sand and hold the weight in place. Ball weights are suitable for deeper water, and disc weights are good when in lighter fishing conditions. Also, you want a ball, star, or disc sinker when you need your bait to move in the water.
Choose the size of the weight based on the fishing conditions—lighter weights for calmer days and heavier weights for rougher weather. You can also add more weight if you need to cast farther out into the water. When you fish from shore, you want to find the drop-off point. That is where the deeper water begins and where schooling fish will most likely be.
What size ball sinker for surf fishing?
If you are fishing on a calm day, start with 1/4 ounce ball sinkers and move upwards as the conditions become more active. For calm days, 1/4 ounce to 1-2 ounce ball sinkers are a good option. Add as little weight as possible and just enough to hold your line in place. Too much weight can snap the line when you cast or cause the line to remain too tight while fishing.
On average fishing days or an incoming tide, 1-2 ounce ball sinkers are a good bet. If fishing around the time of a full moon, expect the tides to be stronger. During that time, a heavier weight might be best. Aim for a two-ounce weight during the fuller stages of the moon.
Keep in mind that the round nature of the ball sinker allows the bait to move, giving it a more natural appearance. So that trick can help you catch more fish from the beach.
The wind is another weather phenomenon that will impact the size of weight to use while beach fishing. On windy days add more weight. This is because the wind will drag your line, and a larger weight will help hold it in place. One – to two-ounce weights are suitable for an average windy day. Two – three-ounce weights if the wind is above ten miles per hour.
During adverse weather, go to the bigger weights. Start with a three-ounce weight and if that is not heavy enough, go to a four-ounce weight. High tides with windy conditions cause the water to be very active, and your line will follow the current if there is not enough weight on it.
What size weight do I need for surf fishing?
Generally, you want a four-ounce weight or less when surf fishing. However, you may only need a 1/4 ounce weight on low tides and calm days, especially if you are fishing in a saltwater lagoon where the water is still. If you need to toss your line out farther to hit the drop-off point, you may need to go up to a full ounce of weight.
Beach fishing can be tricky to figure out, but there are only a few factors to dial in before you start fishing. Those include:
- The conditions of the water – calm water to rough water, and these can change as you fish.
- The Weather Conditions – Nice calm days with little wind to windy days with rain.
- The Phase of the tide – Incoming tides or outgoing tides also impact the weight of sinkers when surf fishing.
The general rule of thumb is that you need less weight on calmer days and more weight the rougher the ocean or weather becomes. Surf fishing weights range from 1/4 of an ounce to a full four-ounce sinker.
What size star sinker do I need for beach fishing?
Star sinkers are best used when the tide is coming in or when the water is active. They allow the weight to flip around, which causes the bait to move. Start with a two-ounce star sinker for an excellent day of fishing in active water. If the water is rougher, go up in weight for the sinker. A two-four once-star sinker should cover most applications for beach fishing
My name is Ruben. I love fishing like most guys I know. Fishing is so much more than just an outdoor activity- its an escape, its therapy and so much more. I put together a team of other professional anglers in order to create the most inclusive fishing resource.