A lot of surf lures don't even look like fish or shrimp and yet they still work. Why is that? We're no experts on the WHY they work, but we know from decades of experience that the following lures work really well when surf fishing. The action of the lure probably has more to do with your success while fishing than the appearance of the lure. Fish are triggered to strike by a pattern of movement they see a fish make in the water.
The following are the best surf fishing lures we can recommend. These lures have nailed the look and all you have to do is nail the pattern on the retrieve to catch fish. Let's get into it!
Best Overall Surf Fishing Lure: Bucktail Jig
We use bucktail jigs every time we go out and fish in the surf. It's one of the first lures we put on and sometimes it's the last one we take off. They're just so reliable as an artificial lure that we tend to try them first and see what we can get. There's often no need to switch lures.
Jigs are meant to look like baitfish. They consist of a weighted hook with some hair or other fluffy material that mimics a tail. There is usually some lead in the front that resembles (even slightly) the shape of a fish head. The eye for your line is at the front of the head. The hook comes out the back and is usually covered with a soft material like deer hair or some other hair or plastic-type material that resembles a fish's wavy tail.
Jigs are cast out, sunk to the bottom (or somewhere in the water column), and twitched. You can twitch up and down, forward, and side to side to give it some variety. We usually just give it little bumps and stop, then repeat.
Bucktail jigs look like small baitfish, a common food source for all game fish found in inshore surf. The more lifelike the bucktail hair or threads look on the jig, the better the lure will do as you fish it in the surf. These are some very effective lures, and the reason we give it the #1 spot as Best Overall Surf Fishing Lure!
There are many different brands of bucktail jigs available on the market. Every lure company seems to make them. There's really no point recommending a specific brand, there are many good ones. The link we have above is a nice design we've caught fish with. Get a variety of bucktail jigs in a variety of sizes and colors to match the conditions and the type of fish you want to catch.
Bucktail jigs come in a range of sizes, from as small as 1/16 oz for targeting smaller fish or fishing in calm waters, and up to 4 oz or more for surf fishing in heavier surf conditions or targeting larger fish. The most common sizes for surf fishing are in the 1/2 oz to 2 oz range, depending on the conditions and the target species.
Sizes: 1/2 to 2 oz. is the common size range, but you can go way down to 1/16th oz. and way up to 4+ oz. if you want to see what will bite.
Colors: Solids, combinations, gradients, all colors of the rainbow.
Hooks: Usually a single hook but there are 2 and 3-hook options with some brands.
Description and Materials: Weighted jig head usually with a big noticeable eye that is often a 3-D style, with a single hook coming out the back and covered with bucktail (deer hair) to hide the hook. Lures range from 1-4 inches long on average.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
RELATED: Florida Surf Fishing Species
- Redfish
- Speckled trout
- Pompano (can cut skirt short)
- Black drum
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Whiting
- Croaker
- Flounder
- Ladyfish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
- Weakfish
- Bonito
RELATED: Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Hot Spots
Editor’s Choice: Acme Kastmaster Bucktail Teaser
The Acme Kastmaster Bucktail Teaser is a perfect example of a well-made lure that will not bend, break, or corrode during use, even after months and years of use. You will save a lot of money over time using lures like this one.
It's aero and hydro-dynamic design promotes long casts and twist-free retrieves.
Some fish love the flash of light off the side of the lure. This Kastmaster is super-shiny and gives a strong glint of light to trigger fish strikes. The heavier lures are bullets when casting, and you can easily reach spots that are difficult with other lures.
RELATED: Best Surf Fishing Reels
Sizes: 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 oz.
Colors: Chrome, gold, chrome/blue.
Hooks: Split ring and single hook or treble hook.
Description and Materials: A long flat shiny spoon, with a hydrodynamic design made not to spin in the water and twist up the line. The hook and bucktail are attached at the rear of the spoon with a split ring. The bucktail portion can easily be removed from this lure and placed on one of your other Kastmaster lures, giving you dozens more color options for your teaser jig.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Redfish
- Speckled trout
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
- Weakfish
- Bonito
Best Jerkbait: Rapala X Rap Xtreme Action Slashbait
Anyone that has fished for a while knows the Rapala brand name. Their lures are well-made, look like fish, and have great action and durability. Rapala's saltwater X-Rap Lures have proven that they can catch nearly every kind of saltwater species.
The Rapala X Rap is hand-inspected and each one is tested in the tank to ensure it has the right action. They have the 3D Holographic Eye and see-through body. They have a unique twitchy action with glass beads that rattle inside the lure to increase the chances of a strike.
Fishing depth for each lure varies by size. SXR8 3-5', SXR10 4-6', SXR12 4-8', SXR14 4-8'.
RELATED: Best Surf Fishing Rods
Sizes: SXR8 3 1/8" (1/4 oz), SXR10 4" (7/16 oz), SXR12 4 3/4" (3/4 oz), and SXR14 5 1/2" (1 1/2 oz).
Colors: 23 color combinations.
Hooks: All have 2 treble hooks in the following sizes – SXR8 (#6, #7), SXR10 (#3, #3), SXR12 (#2, #2), SXR14 (2/0, 2/0).
Description and Materials: Hard body slim minnow-like lures made to look just like small baitfish and built to last.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Redfish
- Speckled trout
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
- Weakfish
- Bonito
Best for Multiple Species: Got-Cha Lure
Sea Striker began making Got-Cha 100-series lures decades ago when I was still going to university. I remember buying them for the first time as I was heading over to Sebastian Inlet on Florida's east coast where I was going to be targeting bluefish from the pier and jetty.
When I pulled it out of the package I was amazed at how tight the little lure was. It was a solid tube of metal with 2 treble hooks. The wire eye didn't inspire much confidence, but I've only broken one in many years. We caught dozens of bluefish from a massive school that day. I was hooked!
Back then, there weren't many lures that could smoothly cut through the water like the Got-Cha lures. I think it took the fish by surprise too and they couldn't help but attack them. Fishing these bullet-shaped lures is fun because you can retrieve them really fast, and when fast moving fish strikes, it's an instant adrenaline rush.
They are so easy to see under the water that the flash of light hits the fish and the lure is moving so fast the fish doesn't have time to think - it just goes into full-on attack mode!
Fish it near the top of the water, just under, or deep as you let it sink. Something is going to grab it.
RELATED: Best Surf Fishing Rod And Reel Combos
Sizes: 1 oz. and 3" long for the original. There are now many more Got-Cha lure styles.
Colors: Silver, gold, white, pink, yellow, and more. There are 22 color combinations.
Hooks: 2 treble hooks on the series 100 lures.
Description and Materials: Solid metal bullet-like cylinder with a sloped head and two treble hooks.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Redfish
- Speckled trout
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Ladyfish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
- Weakfish
- Bonito
Old Favorite for Stripers: Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper
These are topwater lures roughly in the shape of the Got-Cha series 100 mentioned previously, but much longer and with some weight at the tail. These lures work like magic for big stripers, and many of us still have them in our tackle boxes from too many years ago. Yes, I know I should replace them with new ones but they still work!
To work these poppers for striper you throw it out and begin a slow retrieve while twitching the rod tip constantly, moving it a few inches up and down. This causes the plug to push water out in front of it, or "pop", and encourages fish to strike.
Sizes: 6" (1 oz) and 7" (2 oz) options and weighted for better casting.
Colors: Sixteen color combinations.
Hooks: Two treble hooks. One placed mid-body and one at the tail end like a stinger hook.
Description and Materials: A 6-7" long torpedo-looking lure with 2 treble hooks that floats on the water. It looks like a foraging baitfish.
RELATED: Surf Fishing Tips For Beginners
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
Best Topwater: Heddon Super Spook
The Super Spook is another fantastic topwater lure that can catch any fish that eats baitfish near the surface. By twitching your rod tip up and down, the Super Spook dances sise to side in a rhythmic action called "walking the dog".
Use the "walk the dog" retrieve method with erratic action and timing that mimics an injured baitfish to catch fish with this lure.
Sizes: 5" long and 1 oz. Other sizes are 1/2 oz. and 7/8 oz.
Colors: 40 color combinations.
Hooks: Two or three treble hooks. One placed mid-body, and one as a stinger in the tail. For lures with 3 treble lures, there is another one close to the front of the lure.
Description and Materials: Hard plastic construction and clean look. Long baitfish-like body, a little thicker than the Cotton Cordell and the Got-Cha lures we just reviewed.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Redfish
- Speckled trout
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Ladyfish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
Best for Long Distance Casting: Creek Chub Striper Strike
If you need to get extra distance on your casts for striper or whatever fish you're targeting, this heavy 2+ oz. Creek Chub will get you where you need to be! This is a slow sinking, topwater popping lure that has been used to target big stripers when a lot of ground needs to be covered and long casts are necessary.
After making a long cast, you jerk the rod up and down while reeling which makes the lure push water and "pop", imitating a bait fish splashing on the surface while trying to escape.
Sizes: 5" and 2 1/8 oz.
Colors: Blue flash, red eye, silver flash, metallic, black/red eye.
Hooks: 2 treble hooks. One at mid-body, one as a stinger.
Description and Materials: Super-strong corrosion resistant metals very similar in shape to the Got-Cha lures with some extra bucktail at the back.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Redfish
- Jacks
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Ladyfish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
Best Swimming Plug: Bomber Long A
The Bomber Long A lures are made super tough and are ready to catch barracuda, tarpon, king mackerel, bluefish, stripers and other tough-biting, tough-fighting fish. The Bomber Long A is a slender minnow jerkbait that has a life-like swimming motion that attracts fish of all kinds.
The lures are heavy enough to cast out far distances. They have a tight wiggle pattern and the jointed lures make extra noise and attract more attention. Both are built to high stress tolerances.
Fish this lure with a twitch-twitch pause action and very slow retrieve or vary it if you don't get strikes right away.
Sizes: 4 1/2" and 1/2 oz. and many other sizes and weights.
Colors: 41 different color combinations.
Hooks: The shorter lures in the series have 2 treble hooks. One under the gills and one as a stinger. Some longer Bombers have 3 trebles.
Description and Materials: Hard-reinforced plastic and resin with stainless steel hooks.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Redfish
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Ladyfish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
Best for Covering a Lot of Water: Diamond Jig
The Finn Strike Diamond Jigs and others like it are great for covering an entire area of water before deciding to move on. They are highly castable and retrieve quickly. They are like long Clarkspoons stretched out and with a tail of surgical tubing on the end and a single or treble hook (you can always change them out).
These really zip through the water on retrieve and they are excellent striper lures.
The Finn Strike Diamond Jigs come in a smooth and hammered finish option.
Sizes: 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 oz.
Colors: Diamond Jig is silver/chrome. The rubber tails come in 11 colors.
Hooks: One stinger treble or single hook.
Description and Materials: Hard metal diamond-shaped spoon-like body with a rubber tube tail and stinger hook.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Redfish
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Ladyfish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
- Weakfish
RELATED: What Size Reel For Surf Fishing
Best Surf Spoon: Sea Striker Surf Spoon
There are a lot of surf spoons that are similar to the Sea Striker spoons and many that we think are just as good. We've been using Sea Striker spoons for years and they've been a stable producer of all kinds of fish for us in all kinds of water conditions.
One of the best lures to have in your tackle box or on your fishing vest is a silver spoon. I always say silver is better than gold, but some people will argue with me over that! I swear I've had more luck with bright silver spoons than any other color. That might be because it's the first color I choose when I get to a spot!
Sea Striker spoons are highly reflective and have an odd shape that reflects light toward fish at odd angles, causing them to turn on the feeding response. Get a couple of sizes, but especially the small ones. I notice that bigger fish don't prefer the huge spoons, but are more likely to hit a chunk of fish or a whole live or dead baitfish.
Sizes: 1, 1 1/2, 2, 2 3/4, 3, 5 oz.
Colors: Silver or gold.
Hooks: 1 treble hook on the end.
Description and Materials: Hard and shiny chrome-like stainless steel in an odd spoon shape that attracts and disperses a lot of light. Hard-coated stainless steel hooks for saltwater.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Redfish
- Speckled trout
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Ladyfish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
Most Versatile: Plastic Swimbaits
Plastic swim baits are soft plastic artificial lures that are designed to very closely mimic many different kinds of bait fish. These are very popular lures because they catch a lot of fish and they are cheap and easy to find. You can buy jig heads separately and plastic swimbaits separately, or buy them together.
The action of the tail of a swimbait is very lifelike and causes fish to strike mindlessly. In a small fishery with a lot of pressure, fish don't tend to strike them as much. It's just like any place that gets too many anglers in high concentration. They see the fake stuff all day and are waiting for something that looks more real.
Still, you can fool most fish most of the time with plastic swimbaits so you should always have some different sizes and color variations with you when you go fishing.
RELATED: Best Bait For Surf Fishing
The ones we like have fish attractant built in. They have holographic (3-D) reflective eyes and they are ready to fish.
Sizes: Every size and weight is available from different lure companies.
Colors: Thousands of color schemes and designs, but stick with basic colors like white, brown, black, and silver. Also, study the baitfish in your area and try to match them exactly with a swimbait. You'll be amazed at how many fish you'll catch if you nail the match.
Hooks: Usually just one hook comes out the top of the back.
Description and Materials: There are many different variations of swim baits, and this is a category of lures that you should pay a lot of attention to. There are major and minor players in the space and some of the no-name brands are quite good. The opportunity exists for anyone to send their designs to China to have them made cheaply and start their own fishing lure line, so there's no shortage of variety.
RELATED: Best Surf Fishing Rigs
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Redfish
- Speckled trout
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Ladyfish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
- Weakfish
- Bonito
Best TwitchBait: MirrOlure Twitchbait
MirrOlure is one of those companies that have been around for a long time cranking out successful lures one after another. In their Twitchbait category, they cover both suspending and sinking lures. The variety of styles, color schemes, and sizes is frankly, overwhelming.
All of their Twitchbait lures are durable and made for a hard fight. All lures except one have the big red evil-looking fish eyes they've become known for.
Sizes: 2 to 4 inches and 3/8 to 1/2 oz. weight.
Colors: 26 different models with color variations.
Hooks: Most small MirrOlure Twitchbaits have 2 treble hooks while the larger ones (3 5/8"+) typically have 3.
Description and Materials: Hard bodied lures made to last. Stainless steel parts made for saltwater.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Redfish
- Speckled trout
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- King Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Ladyfish
Targeted Fish Species In The New Jersey Shore, Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
- Striped Bass
- Bluefish
Best Surf Fishing Lure for Tarpon and Bonefish: LiveTarget Shrimp
One of the oddest looking shrimp lures we've come across, but also one of the most effective, especially for a couple of species of fish – Tarpon and Bonefish!
The LiveTarget Fleeing Shrimp soft lure has an odd shape that looks as if the shrimp has flipped its tail and is moving backward. You attach the line to the eye at the tail of the shrimp and the head end is last. The hook comes out of the top of the shrimp at the neck.
Soft silicone bristles move just like the front of a shrimp's legs. This makes it seem real enough to entice a strike. The Fleeing Shrimp is a combination of realistic body shape, colors, sounds, scent (enhanced), and action. The lure is balanced and weighted to sink at about 1 foot per second. All of these features added together can elicit strikes you won't see with other soft plastic shrimp lures.
Sizes: 2 3/4" (1/4 oz.) and 3 1/2" (3/8 oz.).
Colors: Sand, glass, white, glow, brown, pink, grass, and clear.
Hooks: Weighted jig head/hook. Hook exiting the top of the shrimp's neck.
Description and Materials: Soft plastic shrimp body with bristling feet give this lure a lifelike appearance irresistible to fish. A strong jig head and saltwater-ready sharpened hook mean you won't lose fish.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Bonefish
- Permit
- Redfish
- Speckled trout
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Ladyfish
- Flounder
Most Realistic Surf Fishing Lure: DOA Shrimp Lures
DOA shrimp first came up on my radar in the early 2000s. Back then they had a few simple styles, and I never thought they looked exactly like a shrimp. The legs were cut short and stubby and they're not as transparent as I would have liked. Well, the fish didn't care what I thought because I caught more trout, snook, and redfish on DOA Shrimp lures than any other lure I had!
The legs on the DOA Shrimp are cut short to dissuade little bait stealers from picking at them and moving your lure around while the big fish are sizing it up. Other than that, they are very realistic looking underwater on the bottom.
DOA Shrimp are fished by casting it out and letting it sink to the bottom. Very slow movements, or twitches, and letting it fall produces strikes. Move the DOA as you've seen shrimp move, with fast jerks and then settling down. The lure is often hit as it sinks after a twitch or two.
They work great in tides where the shrimp appears to be fighting the current and remaining almost motionless (no forward movement), but the rod tip is twitched occasionally. Used under a popping cork is another way to catch a lot of fish. DOA makes weighted popping corks with a rattle that makes a lot of noise and brings the fish in.
Sizes: 2", 2 3/4", 3", 4", and 6".
Colors: 62 color combinations. We typically use the glow/goldrush belly and other clear-looking styles and rootbeer.
Hooks: Single hook.
Description and Materials: Realistic shrimp in various sizes. Soft plastic with a wide hook coming out the top of the tail. Inside the belly are reflective pieces on some models.
Targeted Fish Species In Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast States, South and North Carolina
- Redfish
- Speckled trout
- Jacks
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Spanish Mackerel
- Bluefish
- Ladyfish
- Flounder
- Black Drum
- Sheepshead
- Bonefish
- Permit
RELATED: Best Fish To Eat In Florida
Final Thoughts
Using artificial lures for surf fishing can save you a lot of money, a lot of time, or both. Live bait costs a lot of money and it isn't reusable. It's not sustainable. You're using it up and buying more the next time you fish.
With good artificials that constantly produce fish, like the best surf fishing lures we've covered, you can catch multiple fish on the same lure. Even dozens and maybe hundreds over the lifetime of the lure. Some lures are made to last that long. Hard-bodied lures last much longer than soft plastics. Just something to keep in mind if you really want your dollar to go further.
RELATED: Types Of Fishing Knots
Catching your own bait takes time. It can add another hour or a couple of hours to each fishing trip. Is it worth it, or should you just go buy bait for $30? Two hours of hunting bait or spending $30. Or, spend $15-30 and get lures, some of which will last you for the next couple of years? Artificial lures are not a hard sell!
The lures above are rock-solid choices you should buy and try when you get the chance. All of these lures work here in the south where we fish them – Florida, Texas, and the entire Gulf of Mexico. Most will work in your area of the country as well.
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Let us know in the comments how you do with any of these lures mentioned above, or if you have another favorite you think belongs on the list, let us know the category and maybe we'll add it here.
Wishing you the tightest of lines this year!
