What Is Light Line Surf Fishing
Fishing can be dated back over 40,000 years ago. Certain ancient humans and civilizations based their entire lives on water sources such as rivers or lakes, which they relied on for their survival. Some of these civilizations still exist today. Since those ancient times, methods of fishing have developed and evolved significantly.
Surf fishing, trawling, fly fishing, harpoon fishing, and netting are among the most well-known methods, but each differs in how they are done and the equipment used. Surf fishing generally targets smaller fish close to the shore and can manage in shallower water.
Due to this fact, light line and tackle are often more suitable since you’re less likely to encounter a big game fish on your line when fishing from the surf. We’re going to discuss some of the key points relating to surf fishing and help you clear up any uncertainties regarding what type of tackle you should be using to get the best results.
What Is Surf Fishing?
As its name suggests, surf fishing is the practice of catching fish while standing on the shoreline, wading in the surf, or standing atop structures like rocks and piers. Surf fishermen do not have the luxury of easily moving location as they could do on a boat; this means that a surf fisherman needs to have a thorough understanding of the conditions that may affect their success when fishing, such as weather and current, among others, which significantly differs when fishing off the surf compared to deeper at sea.
In addition, the surf fisherman needs to carefully understand and select their tackle to suit these conditions and target their catch effectively. Thanks to technological advancements, surf fishing, like other types of fishing, has become much more refined as fishing equipment manufacturers continue to produce innovative products that can help even the most inexperienced fisherman become a pro-angler in no time.
What Is a Light Line?
Whether you’re a seasoned fisherman or a newbie to the sport, you’ve probably come across this term more than a few times, and no, it does not refer to an illuminating fishing line. The light in this instance refers to the weight of the fishing line.
Fishing lines come in three types: monofilament, braid, and fluorocarbon. Each possesses its unique characteristics, pros, and cons. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to consider the location, conditions, and species you’re targeting before committing to a specific type of line to ensure that you’re choosing the right option for the job.
It’s also worth pointing out that your fishing line is just one fishing component. Hooks, sinkers, reels, and rods are just some of the other basic equipment required by any fisherman. This equipment is commonly known cumulatively as fishing tackle and is the fisherman’s greatest ally.
Is Using a Light Line for Surf Fishing Important?
The simple answer is YES! Like all living animals, fish have senses, too, which they depend on to help them survive. Their senses also help them find food and identify danger when it is present. Seasoned anglers understand that fishing, like most sports, is a game of skill that requires you to outwit your opponent.
For example, in chess, to capture your opponent’s king and win the game, you will first need to ensure that the positions of all the other pieces on the board have been methodically executed to allow you to attack the king. So too, in fishing, you need to ensure that every element, from your choice of line and related tackle to your bait presentation, is well-thought-out to make it easier for you to outwit the fish.
Heavy fishing lines cause vibrations in the water, and because they are usually thicker, these lines can also become visible to the fish, especially in clearer water. Fish see these indicators as a sign of danger and they will be more likely to swim right past your line, steering clear from this possible danger.
On the other hand, light fishing lines reduce vibrations due to their weight. They are often transparent, making it difficult for the fish to see them and improving your chances of enticing the target onto your hook.
Conclusion
Light line surf fishing is one of the most popular forms of this age-old sport. It entails fishing from the shore while using a suitable light fishing tackle. Using light tackle is a great way to take advantage of one of the improved technologies in fishing equipment to achieve better results.
When surf fishing with light tackle, it’s important to know exactly which species of fish you’re going after and consider which additional equipment will be most suitable to help you land your prized catch.