Surf fishing (aka beach fishing) is one of the easiest and most BCFing fun ways to wet a line and can be done just about anywhere in Oz. The beauty of surf fishing is that you don’t need a boat, a garage full of gear, or a heap of fancy tech to get started. Your surf fishing setup can be simple, affordable, and still land you some cracking catches. All you need is a solid surf fishing setup, a few simple surf fishing rigs, and a basic understanding of the beach and how conditions affect it.
Whether you’re picking up a surf rod for the first time or you’re a fish-whisperer looking for a new challenge – these tips will help you with the basics of beach fishing! From chasing whiting and tailor to the mighty mulloway, this beginner’s guide gives you everything you need to hit the sand with confidence.
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What is surf fishing?
Surf fishing is just fishing from the beach, usually into the surf zone where waves are breaking, gutters are forming, and baitfish are getting pushed around. Because the beach is constantly changing, learning to read the water is half the fun.
What size surf fishing rod do I need?
For beginners, it’s important to go for a surf rod between 10 and 12 foot in length. It can be tricky getting used to that extra length and weight that come with a surf stick, so try to avoid anything longer – at least until you’ve got the basics down pat.
Beach rods also come with specific weight ratings that can be helpful when deciding what type of species you’ll be targeting. Whether you’re chasing finicky bream, tenacious tailor or massive mulloway – there’s a surf rod to match!
What size surf fishing reel do I need?
For surf fishing, the reel size depends on the type of fish you’ll be targeting and also the rod you’re using. For beginners a reel between 4000 and 6000 gives you the perfect balance between power and weight. They hold enough line to make long casts over the breakers a piece of cake and are light enough that you’ll be able to put in a decent session on the sand without feeling like your arm’s about to fall off.
Spool it up with 15–20lb mono or braid, depending on your target. Mono is forgiving when casting and fighting fish which makes it great for general use and beginners, while braid allows extra sensitivity – so you can feel every nibble.
What other gear do you need for beach fishing?
Once your main setup is sorted, a few surf fishing accessories will make your beach sessions much easier:
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Rod holder: keeps your reel out of the sand and frees your hands — perfect for baiting up or swapping rigs.
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Spare tackle and rigs: surf can be tough on gear, so carry spare rigs, hooks, and sinkers for quick changes.
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Bait bucket and cooler: fresh bait and a cold catch are must-haves.
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Long-nose pliers and scissors: for unhooking fish safely and cutting line.
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Bait options: fresh pipis, beach worms, or pilchards are all classics. Don’t like bait? Soft plastics and metal lures can be super effective too.
A beach trolley or a lightweight shoulder bag makes hauling all your gear down to the water way easier. That way, your surf fishing setup is ready to roll whenever the fishing bug bites!
Where to cast when surf fishing
Half the fun of surf fishing is learning how to ‘read’ the beach and working out where to cast your line. Although it may just look like waves crashing to the uninitiated, beneath the surface there’s plenty of fish-attracting features at work.
The main things to look out for are:
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Gutters: deeper, darker channels close to the beach where bait gets funnelled. Whiting, bream, tailor, and mulloway all love them.
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Sandbanks: raised, shallower areas where waves break. Cast near the edge for best results.
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Rips: patches where water flows back out to sea. Dangerous for swimmers, but a dinner bell for predators.
Check out the beach at low tide. It’s the best time to spot where the gutters and sandbanks sit. Take a photo or mental note, then come back on the rising tide — that’s when those spots really fire.
Best conditions for surf fishing?
When it comes to surf fishing, timing and conditions are everything. Even if you have the perfect setup, if the conditions aren’t quite right, the fish may not bite.
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Tides: a rising tide is often prime because food gets pushed into the gutters and onto the sandbanks. High tide can be dynamite. Falling tides can still produce, but often slow down.
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Swell: a gentle rolling swell is perfect. Too much swell and your bait won’t hold bottom — that’s when it might be a day for the surfboard instead!
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Wind: light offshore winds (from land to sea) flatten the surf and make casting easier. Strong onshore winds make things messy and weedy.
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Water colour: clean water is great for predators like tailor or mulloway. Slightly stirred-up water often fires up whiting and bream.
Keeping an eye on these four factors will turn your beach trip from a lucky dip into a planned strike mission.
What are some simple surf fishing rigs?
Beach fishing rigs for beginners should be quick to tie, simple to use, and effective in a variety of different conditions. The less complicated your setup, the better. Here are two classics:
Paternoster Rig
Designed to keep your bait sitting up off the bottom, while the sinker holds everything secure underneath. Ideal for fishing gutters and can be tied with two hooks for a chance at a double hook-up. Great for tailor, dart, bream and bread-and-butter species.
Running Sinker Rig
With a running sinker rig, the sinker slides freely on your mainline above a swivel, with a short leader tied to a hook below. This lets the fish pick up the bait and swim off without feeling the weight. Perfect for bream, whiting and can be scaled up for mulloway.
Pre-tie a few rigs at home and take them with you. If you bust off in the surf, you can tie a new one on in seconds and get back to fishing without missing the bite window.
If you’re looking for a new way to spend your time at the beach, surf fishing could be just the ticket. It’s the perfect blend of sun, surf and sand – with a bit of rod-bending action thrown in for good measure. So, grab your fishing rod, load up the cooler bag and hit the sand!
About the author
BCFing Experts
The BCFing Experts have done more than their fair share of boating, camping, fishing, hiking, four-wheel driving and much much more! Whether you're tackling tough tracks in Tassie or chasing big barra up North, the BCFing Experts have the know-how to make your next outdoor adventure a pearler
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