Fishing has been around since the beginning of time, so you would think we would have it all figured out by now. However, harvesting that dream fish you want while surf fishing can be a lot harder than it should be.
Even with the best gear, if you are not using the bait needed, you miss out. There are endless bait and lure options on the market today, which can make narrowing down your favorites difficult.
The top 10 artificial baits for surf fishing out there today are:
- Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait Sea Striker Surf Spoon
- Yo-Zuri Crystal 3D Minnow Floating Lure
- Berkley Gulp! Shrimp
- Berkley Gulp! Jerk Shad
- Heddon Zara Spook Topwater Plug
- Johnson Silver Minnow Hard Bait Spoon
- Spro Bucktail Jig
- Yo-Zuri Sashimi Metallic 3D Popper
- MirrOLure Suspending Twitchbait
While the type of lure you use can differ based on the type of fish you plan to catch, those mentioned above are the best.
We will further discuss the importance of quality bait and how each of these can help you have a successful day out on the water.
Utilize the Best Bait for Successful Surf Fishing
Surf fishing or catching fish by standing on the shoreline or wading in the surf is a popular sport enjoyed by many.
Surf fishing can refer to all sorts of shore fishing and includes casting a lure or bait. Most often, the terms surf fishing is referring to fishing from the beach and casting your bait into the surf.
While this can be done in a variety of waterways, it is usually about fishing in saltwater.
If you are brand-new to surf fishing, you should know that it is always best to use a lure that good for the environment you’re fishing in and the fish you are after.
If you are not sure what the fish you have in mind is attracted to, do some research prior to fishing is ideal.
We’ll talk about this a bit, but checking out some fisher magazines online is a great way to find out what ideas are being shared out there.
While there are several quality live baits available, this is not always the best or easiest choice.
I personally like to have a good supply of artificial baits
available to use when needed and keep on hand.
You can load up your tackle box, and these baits are great for fishing whenever you want to.
The Best Lures for Surf Fishing
Before we delve into the list of the best fishing lures out there today, I want to give you a better idea of what these lures are like.
There are a few different styles of lures that you will find at most tackle or bait shops today.
However, there are three main types of lures that are commonly found today; these are:
Metal Spoons
These lures often have a spoon in the name and are easily distinguished by the metal spoon that they feature. They are flashy and made to cast for a long distance.
The spoon that is featured is designed to mimic a baitfish, and most are chrome or bright silver in color.
You can find some lures that have spoons with a different color pattern or features that are designed to attract different types of fish.
These spoon lures are great for bluefish but attract practically any fish.
You should use these to jig the spoon on a medium-fast retrieval, which is the best way to attract and catch big fish.
Plastic Jigs
Plastic jigs are a common feature in most tackle boxes, and it is a huge variety available out there.
If you go to a well-equipped tackle shop, you can choose from a vast selection of plastic body styles, and these can be combined with different weights and colors.
The jig’s tail is extremely important as this is what attracts the fish, and the way you work this tail is key.
If surf fishing is something you want to do regularly, it can pay off to have a selection of plastic jigs available.
You will want to have a slow and steady retrieve, working the jig’s tail along the way back to the shoreline.
If you learn to work the bait correctly, you are about guaranteed to get some action.
Poppers
This is a great option for surf fishing if the fish you are after are actively feeding. Poppers create a slow and rhythmic motion in the water.
This attracts fish because it imitates a wounded fish, and the noise they create just adds to the enticement.
Poppers are even great at bringing in fish from a distance and triggering a strike. These lures come in a variation of sizes and weights from a fraction of an ounce to four ounces.
If you are fishing in calmer backwaters, you can opt for a lighter weight option, but for surf fishing, heavier poppers are essential.
10 Best Artificial Lures for Surf Fishing
Now that we have discussed the basics of surf fishing and the best lures for this task, it is time to get into the good stuff.
As mentioned, there are countless options out there, but I have comprised a list of the absolute best.
The top ten best artificial lures for surf fishing that you can purchase today are:
1 – Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait
If you have ever fished before, you have heard of the brand Rapala. These lures are well known and amongst the best when it comes to overall quality and durability.
The Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait is an excellent option for surf fishing because of its quality, action, and long-lasting ability.
This lure comes in weighing .4375 ounces and is available in ten color options.
This is great for a variety of fishing needs because you can pick a shade that most attracts the fish you are after.
These baits are readily available today at most fishing stores, Bass Pro Shop, and the like, but you can find them on Amazon, here.
2 – Sea Striker Surf Spoon
As mentioned, metal spoon lures are an excellent option for surf fishing, and every angler should have some available.
These large metallic spoons are great for resembling the baitfish that saltwater fish will see regularly.
This makes them great for attracting a variety of fish and can work at practically anytime.
The spoon on the Sea Striker Surf Spoon, in particular, is top-rated and one of the best as far as quality material and craftsmanship goes.
The lure weight only a half of an ounce and comes in both silver and gold options.
These colors both feature reflective patterns that are great for attracting fish.
Past fishermen who have used the Sea Striker Surf Spoon have loved it and continue to keep it in their tackle box.
Truly this is one of the absolute best metal spoon options available today, which you can find on Amazon here!
3 – Yo-Zuri Crystal 3D Minnow Floating Lure
This is a super versatile option for surf fishing and a great one to have ready to go when nothing else works.
The Yo-Zuri Crystal 3D Minnow Floating Lure is a favorite amongst most surf fishers. The brand produces high-quality fishing gear, and this lure is one of their best, designed to last.
The floating diver lure features an internal 3D prism; this is created to grab a fish’s attention.
The lure itself only weights ¼ of an ounce. The low weight is an excellent choice for far-out casting into the surf.
The lure comes in thirteen colors, and you can choose which will work best for your fishing needs.
It has a responsive darting action to attract fish and bring in catch after catch. You can shop for your own Yo-Zuri Crystal 3D Minnow, here.
4 – Berkley Gulp! Shrimp
Another big name in the lure world today, Berkley, is a top of the line choice for most anglers.
As you probably know, most saltwater fish are naturally attracted to shrimp and will eat them if available.
The Gulp! Alive! Shrimp are the best in artificial shrimp lures out there and most look like the real thing.
Most tackle shops or online stores will offer both buckets of different color options and individual lures.
The buckets are not expensive and can be an excellent choice for those who will go surf fishing regularly.
The individual shrimp are three inches long; when you purchase them in a bucket, they are saturated in the Gulp powerful attractant.
While you may want to throw these shrimp into your tackle box, the bucket itself full or attractant is an excellent option.
You can store the lures in the bucket, and they will be recoated regularly, bringing in more and more fish.
This is a super cheap and reusable alternative to live shrimp, which you can purchase here!
5 – Berkley Gulp! Jerk Shad
Like the previous option, these are made from one of the best brands out there and a great alternative to living bait.
These are designed for saltwater use, and these jerk shad attract a wide variety of fish.
They come in eighteen assorted colors, and they are available in both five and six-inch length options.
Gulp! Saltwater Jerk Shad Soft Bait is only .18 ounces, making them very lightweight and easy for casting in the surf.
These lures have a high catch rate and are much more effective than the average shad on the market today.
This is a super affordable option, and you can find them on Amazon for purchase here.
6 – Heddon Zara Spook Topwater Plug
Plugs are one that we are just now featuring on our list but are a great choice for most surf angler.
The Zara Spook Plugs are some of the best you can find out there today, and the Heddon is a top brand.
These are some of the bestselling options out there and are a trusted choice for those who want to catch fish.
The Zara Spook Lures are known for their walk the dog action and can work along the surface of the water.
They are great for attracting fish and trigger strikes at the top of the water.
They come in six colors and weigh about .8 ounces.
To purchase this heavy-duty, durable lure, you can click here.
7 – Johnson Silver Minnow Hard Bait Spoon
The Johnson Silver Minnow Hard Bait Spoon is a classic design that is practically guaranteed to work. They feature a brass blade that is designed for long casting.
Another spoon lure option that great designed for surf fishing.
The spoon itself is angled to wobble and attract fish without twisting or tangling your line, for continued fishing.
The piece also features a metal weed guard that prevents it from catching onto plants.
You can choose from fifteen colors and a huge variety of sizes and weights, guaranteeing you can find the right lure for your needs.
This is one of our more durable options on the list. The spoon is even plated in pure silver or 24K gold to improve the overall shine and attract more fish.
You can find these quality lures through Amazon through this link.
8 – Spro Bucktail Jig Pack 1
This is a great option for anglers who want to opt for a jig when surf fishing. Some jigs work better than others, and the Spro Bucktail Jig is a great option.
They are very easy to cast, and they catch a variety of fish species, the perfect addition to any tackle box.
The Spro Bucktail Jig is designed to look like a baitfish. They glide through the water smoothly and are very attractive to fish.
Spro itself is a well-known brand that many have at least heard of or may have other products anglers from.
The jig itself helps contribute to the company’s quality reputation and is one of the bestselling fishing jigs on Amazon.
You can purchase them in fifteen colors on Amazon, here. You truly cannot go wrong with this durable lure featuring sharp Gamakatsu hooks.
9 – Yo-Zuri Sashimi Metallic 3D Popper
Our second Yo-Zuri Popper Floating Lure, Shad item on the list, and equally as good as the previously mentioned lure.
As mentioned, poppers are designed for surf fishing and are great for surface feeding fish.
The Sashimi Metallic 3D Popper is great for those who like to use poppers and is known for its quality, color, and motion.
This lure also features the company’s patent-pending 3D prism lens that doubles the amount of reflected light.
This can attract fish from a longer distance, and the prism creates a color-changing effect.
When you combine the color changing effect with the motion of the waves, this popper looks extremely real to the fish you are after.
The lure also features a realistic eye that adds to the overall appeal of the popper.
If you would like to attract and catch more fish, this is something that you want to add to your tackle box.
To purchase the Sashimi Metallic 3D Popper, you can visit this link.
10 – MirrOLure Suspending Twitchbait
You will find another trusted fishing brand on the market today, with the Suspending Twitchbait being one of their most popular sellers.
They are great for surf fishing and a top choice for many who fish regularly.
The lure is designed to mimic a glass or rain minnow, a very popular baitfish for most saltwater fish you will after.
These lures have a slender shape and a luminescent body that attracts fish.
This will increase your chances of catching a quality fish even more from the shoreline.
The lure itself is only .3 ounces making it lightweight and easy to cast. You can find the lure in three colors and a very affordable price here.
Ensure You Have the Best Equipment
Of course, nothing matters if you are not using the best equipment possible for surf fishing. If you do not have a good rod and reel, no quality lure will matter.
You want to look for a rod that is high quality, strong, and durable for surf fishing in a variety of conditions.
You want to choose between a spinning rod and reel or a surfcasting rod and reel. Beginners should probably opt for the spinning option, and more experienced anglers can cast baitcasting rods and reels.
Longer rods will be better for casting out further, and shorter rods are more precise and better at retrieving.
As for the material of your fishing rod, most anglers opt for a graphite option. These are usually more sensitive and powerful when casting.
Comparative to fiberglass counterparts, these are faster acting. Pairing an amazing rod and reel with the artificial lures detailed above is a surefire way to guarantee you have great fishing experience.
