Best Saltwater Lures for Surf Fishing

When surf fishing you need a lure that can withstand corrosion due to saltwater. A good surf fishing lure will be able to handle the wear and tear of saltwater fishing, while helping you catch fish. Here we will review the best saltwater lures to use on your next surf fishing trip.

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Best Lures for Saltwater Surf Fishing

  1. Rapala X-Rap Saltwater Fishing Lure
  2. KIKITOY Saltwater Fishing Lures Inshore Large Hard Bait Minnow Lures with Three Triple Pronged Hooks
  3. Dr.Fish Lot 3 Bucktail Jig Fluke Lure Saltwater Freshwater Baits Assorted Kit Bass Striper Bluefish Surf Fishing
  4. Lucky Craft Fishing Lure CIF Flash Minnow 110 California Inshore Fishing
  5. Dr.Fish Saltwater Lure Plug Surf Fishing Lures Hardbait Jerkbait Oversize Minnow

1. Rapala X-Rap Saltwater Fishing Lure

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Rapala
Type: Crankbait
Quantity of Lures: 1 Lure

Our top recommendation for surf casting lure belongs to the Rapala X-Rap Saltwater Fishing Lure. Rapala brand lure are a favorite of many anglers and this lure lives up to the brand name. This one is a crankbait measuring approximately 4″. It is designed to be cast long distances and features a fish-attracting darting action as it travels through water. The lure also has holographic inserts and eyes to attract fish, while featuring a rattle that gets the attention of any fish and two sharp saltwater grade treble hooks. Overall this is an excellent saltwater lure that we highly recommend you add to your tackle box.

Pros
  • Saltwater grade hooks and hardware
  • Darting action and internal rattle to attract fish
  • Can be cast long distances
Cons
  • Some anglers prefer a different style of lure over a crankbait for surf fishing

 

2. KIKITOY Saltwater Fishing Lures Inshore Large Hard Bait Minnow Lures with Three Triple Pronged Hooks

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Kikitoy
Type: Minnow Lures
Quantity of Lures: 5 Lures

The Kikitoy Saltwater Hardbait Minnow Lures are our second choice. These versatile lures can be used in freshwater or for ocean fishing. In this set, you get 5 lures, each measuring approximately 5.5″ and weighing 0.8 ounces. The lures feature internal balls that are designed to enhance casting distance, have three sharp treble hooks, and feature lifelike vibrant colors and eyes to attract fish. The lures themselves suspend about 2 feet under the surface. Overall these are excellent lures for ocean fishing. They can be used inshore and cast near beaches when surf fishing, but also can be used in freshwater as well.

Pros
  • Three sharp treble hooks
  • Budget-friendly 5 lure pack
  • Vibrant lifelike colors to attract fish
Cons
  • You may need to rinse off the hooks and hardware after saltwater use, or change them to ones that can withstand saltwater better

 

3. Dr.Fish Lot 3 Bucktail Jig Fluke Lure Saltwater Freshwater Baits Assorted Kit Bass Striper Bluefish Surf Fishing

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Dr. Fish
Type: Bucktail Jig
Quantity of Lures: 3 Lures

Some anglers love surf fishing with bucktail jigs. If you’ve never tried this kind of bait we recommend you give the Dr.Fish Bucktail Jig Set a chance. In this set, you get 3 brightly colored bucktail lures. They are available in 4 different weight options. The lures themselves feature vibrant fish-attracting colors, a scaled holographic jigging body, and are designed to glide through water which attracts bites. The versatile lures can be used in both freshwater and saltwater.

Pros
  • Glide through water to attract fish
  • Effective for freshwater and saltwater species
  • 4 Size options
Cons
  • Some anglers prefer other kinds of lures over bucktail baits for surf fishing

 

4. Lucky Craft Fishing Lure CIF Flash Minnow 110 California Inshore Fishing

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Lucky Craft
Type: Flash minnow
Quantity of Lures: 1 Lure

A hidden gem in the world of surf fishing, the Lucky Craft Flash Minnow Fishing Lure is an excellent addition to your bait collection. These lures were designed for inshore fishing California waters, but have been proven to be effective in saltwater everywhere. The lures themselves feature vibrant lifelike designs and are available in 35 color options. Each lure features three sharp saltwater grade treble hooks. The lures measure approximately 4.5″ and is made to suspend in the water about 1-2 feet. Overall these are excellent lures for ocean fishing.

Pros
  • Effective saltwater lures
  • 35 Fish attracting color options
  • Three sharp treble hooks
Cons
  • These lures are a bit more expensive than other lures on the list

 

5. Dr.Fish Saltwater Lure Plug Surf Fishing Lures Hardbait Jerkbait Oversize Minnow

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Dr. Fish
Type: Jerkbait
Quantity of Lures: 1 Lure

Another great option is the Dr. Fish Ocean Saltwater Fishing Lure. These lures measure approximately 7.3″ and weight 4.5 ounces, making them great for large fish species. They have an internal balancing ball system which helps the lure travel over long distances. They also have a lifelike swimming action, bright fish-attracting colors, and two sharp treble hooks. The lure is available in 5 different color options

Pros
  • Lifelike swimming action
  • Internal balancing system to help cast over long distances
  • Effective for large saltwater fish
Cons
  • This large lure works better on bigger fish species, you  may prefer a smaller lure for surf casting

 

Best Types of Lures for Surf Fishing

When surfcasting on the ocean, there are a few kinds of lures you might want to carry in your tackle box

  1. Crankbaits
  2. Topwater Plugs
  3. Jerkbaits
  4. Bucktail Jigs

Crankbaits

Saltwater baitcasting crankbaits are great for surf fishing. These lures are made to imitate baitfish which makes them appealing to other larger fish. These are tried and true lures that you definitely want to add to your arsenal.

Topwater Plugs

Another excellent kind of lure to consider is a good topwater plug. These can be a great option for fishing off of beaches.  We always recommend every serious angler carry a good walk-the-dog lure and popper in their tackle bag.

Jerkbaits

The hard darting action of a good jerk bait is always effective in the saltwater. Properly fishing a jerkbait takes a little bit of experience to get a good darting action from your lure. Practice twitching your rod to get that perfect fish-attracting action.

Bucktail Jigs

Another favorite lure for many anglers when it comes to surf fishing is the bucktail jig. These also take a little bit of knowledge and experience to properly use. If you’ve never cast and bucktail jig before check out these 12 tips to fish a bucktail in the surf. 

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