Best Fishing Lines for Surf Fishing (Complete Guide)

Surf casting requires a special fishing line for the job. Selecting the right fishing line can help your bait present properly to fish and give you the backbone you need to fight large fishing like bluefish from shore.

The best fishing lines for surf fishing are typically braided or monofilament lines, with braided lines providing greater sensitivity and casting distance and monofilament lines being more forgiving and easier to handle.

In this article, we will break down the best fishing lines for various fish species to include stripers, bluefish, flounder, pompano, redfish, and surf perch.

For a complete breakdown of fishing lines, check out this helpful guide. I will show you the strengths and weaknesses of monofilament, braid, and fluorocarbon and when they are best used.

Surf Fishing Lines

Braid Fishing Line

Braid is a type of fishing line that’s very strong and thin. That means you can cast it far, which is great for surf fishing. Braid also doesn’t stretch like other lines, so you can feel the fish better when it bites.

However, because braid is so thin, it can be harder to tie knots. And if you’re fishing in clear water, the fish might be able to see the bright color of the braid, which could scare them away.

Overall, braid can be a good choice for surf fishing if you need to cast far and feel the fish well, but you might want to use a leader if the water is clear and the fish can see the line.

Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

When using fluorocarbon line for surf fishing, there are some good and not-so-good things to consider. One good thing is that fluorocarbon is super strong, so you can use a thinner line and catch big fish. Plus, it’s really hard for the fish to see in the water, which can make them more likely to bite.

However, it can be more expensive than other types of line, and it can also be stiffer, which might make it harder to cast. So, it’s important to think about what’s most important to you when choosing your line.

Monofilament Fishing Line

Mono is a popular fishing line for surf fishing because it’s easy to handle and is affordable. It also stretches, which can help absorb shock when fighting bigger fish. However, mono can be affected by the wind and waves, making it harder to cast long distances.

It’s also less sensitive than other fishing lines, making it harder to feel bites. Mono can be a good choice for beginners or those on a budget, but more experienced anglers may prefer other options.

To learn about the best fishing lines for finesse fishing to include tubes, worms, jigs, and micro-baits, check out this helpful guide.

Types of Surf: Line Recommendations

Striped Bass

You’ll need a good fishing line to catch some striped bass while surf fishing. In my opinion, the best type of line for this is braid. It’s super strong and sensitive, which means you’ll be able to feel even the smallest nibble from a fish. Plus, it’s thinner in diameter than other types of line, which means it can cast farther.

One great brand of braided line to buy is PowerPro. They make a “Super 8 Slick” line, perfect for surf fishing. You’ll want to go green or blue, since those blend well with the water. As for size, I’d recommend going with something around 30-40 pounds. That should be strong enough to handle most striped bass, but not so thick that it’ll scare them away.

Suppose you want to catch some striped bass while surf fishing; you can’t go wrong with a braided line like PowerPro Super 8 Slick. It’s strong, sensitive, and casts far.

Bluefish

In my opinion, monofilament line is a great choice for bluefish. It’s tough and resistant to abrasion, which is important since bluefish have sharp teeth that can easily cut through weaker lines.

One great brand of monofilament line to buy is Berkley Trilene. They make a line called “Big Game,” which is perfect for surf fishing for bluefish. You’ll want to go with a clear or blue color, since those are less visible in the water. As for size, I’d recommend going with something around 20-30 pounds. That should be strong enough to handle most bluefish without being too thick.

Overall, if you want to catch some bluefish while surf fishing, Berkley Trilene Big Game monofilament line is a great choice. It’s tough and resistant to abrasion, which is important when dealing with bluefish.

Redfish

In my opinion, fluorocarbon line is a great choice for redfish. It’s nearly invisible in the water, which is important when dealing with finicky fish like redfish.

One great brand of fluorocarbon line to buy is Seaguar. They make a line called “Red Label,” which is perfect for surf fishing for redfish. You’ll want to go with a clear color, since that’s the most invisible in the water. As for size, I’d recommend going with something around 20-25 pounds. That should be strong enough to handle most redfish without being too thick.

If you want to catch some redfish while surf fishing, Seaguar Red Label fluorocarbon line is a great choice. It’s nearly invisible in the water, which is essential when dealing with redfish.

Surf Perch

In my opinion, monofilament line is a great choice for surf perch. It’s thin in diameter, which means it can cast farther, and it’s sensitive, which means you’ll be able to feel even the slightest bite from a surf perch.

One great brand of monofilament line to buy is Berkley Trilene. They make a line called “XL,” perfect for surf fishing for surf perch. You’ll want to go with a clear or green color, since those blend well with the water. As for size, I’d recommend going with something around 6-8 pounds. That should be strong enough to handle most surf perch without being too thick.

Overall, if you want to catch some surf perch while surf fishing, Berkley Trilene XL monofilament line is a great choice. It’s thin and sensitive, which are important when dealing with surf perch.

Pompano

In my opinion, braid line is a great choice for pompano. It’s thin in diameter, which means it can cast farther, and it’s sensitive, which means you’ll be able to feel even the slightest bite from a pompano.

One great brand of braided line to buy is PowerPro. They make a line called “Super Slick,” which is perfect for surf fishing for pompano. You’ll want to go with a light blue or aqua-green color, since those blend well with the water. As for size, I’d recommend going with something around 10-15 pounds. That should be strong enough to handle most pompano without being too thick.

If you want to catch some pompano while surf fishing, PowerPro Super Slick braided line is a great choice. This thin and sensitive line is both important when dealing with pompano.

Flounder

In my opinion, fluorocarbon line is a great choice for flounder. It’s nearly invisible in the water, which is important when dealing with skittish fish like flounder.

One great brand of fluorocarbon line to buy is Yo-Zuri. They make a “Hybrid” line, perfect for surf fishing for flounder. You’ll want to go with a clear color, since that’s the most invisible in the water. As for size, I’d recommend going with something around 12-15 pounds. That should be strong enough to handle most flounder without being too thick.

If you want to catch some flounder while surf fishing, Yo-Zuri Hybrid fluorocarbon line is a great choice. It’s nearly invisible in the water, which is important when dealing with flounder.

Fishing Line Battle

Fluorocarbon vs. Braid

Braid:

• Good for casting long distances due to its thin diameter and lack of stretch, which helps with sensitivity and hook sets.
• Strong and abrasion-resistant, which makes it ideal for fishing in rocky areas.
• It can be visible in clear water due to its lack of opacity and may spook fish.
• It may require a shock leader when fishing for larger species due to its lack of stretch.

Fluorocarbon:

• It is virtually invisible, making it ideal for fishing in clear water and targeting finicky fish.
• It sinks faster than braid or monofilament, which helps to keep your bait or lure in the strike zone.
• Less visible and more abrasion-resistant than monofilament makes it a good option for fishing in rocky or snaggy areas.
• It has some stretch, which can help fight larger fish and reduce the risk of the line breaking.
• It can be more expensive than other types of line, which may not be ideal for anglers on a tight budget.

I recommend a combination of both braid and fluorocarbon, such as using braid as the main line and tying on a fluorocarbon leader for added stealth and sensitivity.

Fluorocarbon vs. Monofilament

Regarding surf fishing, monofilament, and fluorocarbon lines have their own advantages and disadvantages. Monofilament lines are stretchier, which helps to absorb the shock of a big fish taking the bait and prevent the line from breaking. However, this stretchiness can make it harder to feel the fish biting and properly set the hook.

Monofilament lines also tend to float on the water, which can be beneficial for topwater fishing but can also make it harder to keep the bait near the bottom where some fish species prefer to feed.

On the other hand, fluorocarbon lines are more sensitive and have less stretch than monofilament, making it easier to feel the fish biting and set the hook properly. Fluorocarbon lines also tend to sink, which can be beneficial for fishing near the bottom and getting the bait to where the fish are feeding.

However, fluorocarbon lines are generally more expensive than monofilament. They can be more brittle, which means they may not hold up as well against abrasions and can break more easily if not handled carefully.

Braid vs. Monofilament

Monofilament and braid are two common types of fishing line used in surf fishing. Monofilament has good stretch and is more forgiving when fighting fish, which can help prevent the line from breaking.

However, monofilament has more line memory and can be more difficult to cast in windy conditions. Braid has less stretch and better sensitivity, making detecting bites and setting the hook easier.

However, braid is more visible to fish and can be more susceptible to wind knots. Overall, the best choice depends on personal preference and fishing conditions, but many surf anglers prefer to use braid as their main line with a monofilament leader for the best of both worlds.

Environmental Factors

Clear Water vs. Dirty Water

When it comes to surf fishing, the best fishing line for clear water conditions is typically a fluorocarbon line. Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible in the water, which can be advantageous when the fish are easily spooked. A braided line is a better choice in muddy or stained water conditions.

Braided line has high visibility, which can help the angler detect bites, and it also has a high sensitivity that can allow the angler to feel even the slightest nibble. The braided line’s increased diameter and strength are also beneficial when fishing in murky waters.

Another option for clear and murky water is a monofilament line, which can balance sensitivity and visibility well. Monofilament lines are also typically more affordable than braided or fluorocarbon lines.

Clear Skies vs. Cloudy & Overcast

When surf fishing in clear water conditions, using a low-visibility line like fluorocarbon can be advantageous as it won’t spook the fish. A smaller diameter line can also help cast longer distances and achieve greater accuracy. A 15-20 lb test line would be a good choice.

In cloudy/overcast conditions, using a higher-visibility line like monofilament can make it easier to detect bites as they will be more visible in the water. A slightly heavier line, in the range of 20-30 lb test, can also be useful as it can help with casting heavier weights and fighting larger fish.

Are Leaders Needed for Surf Fishing?

When surf fishing, leaders can be helpful in certain situations. Using a leader can help prevent your line from getting cut on their sharp teeth if you’re targeting bigger fish like striped bass or bluefish. Leaders can also provide abrasion resistance against the sand and rocks in the surf.

When choosing a leader material, fluorocarbon is a good option since it is more abrasion-resistant than mono and less visible underwater. A good rule of thumb for the pound test is to use a leader of around 20-30% of the mainline strength. So, if you’re using a 30 lb braided mainline, a 20-25 lb fluorocarbon leader would be appropriate.

Best Line for Night Fishing

Regarding night fishing for surf fishing, you want a fishing line that can handle the waves and the darkness. There are a few good options to consider.

First, you might want to try a braided line. This type of line is thin but strong and doesn’t stretch like other types of line. That means you’ll be able to feel even the tiniest nibble from a fish.

Another good option is a fluorocarbon line. This line is almost invisible in the water, which can help fool fish into biting. It’s also tough enough to handle the rough surf conditions you might encounter at night.

Lastly, monofilament line is another good choice for night fishing. It’s affordable and versatile and works well for various fishing styles. It also has some stretch, which can help absorb shocks from fish fighting hard.

Line Strength & Diameter

Regarding surf fishing, line strength, and diameter are very important. You want a strong line to handle big fish, but thin enough to avoid spooking them. Generally speaking, the stronger the line, the thicker the diameter. This is important to remember because thicker lines can create more drag in the water, affecting casting distance and the ability to detect subtle bites.

For surf fishing, it’s recommended to use braid line with a high pound test rating. This thin, strong line type allows you to cast further and easily detect bites. Another option is fluorocarbon line, which is less visible underwater and has less drag than monofilament. However, making a mistake during casting can be more expensive and less forgiving.