The USA-made Surf Shark Pulley Rig is our most successful shark rig for surf fishing for casting large baits from the beach or shoreline when targeting larger West Coast surf sharks and ray species.
This rig has been outstanding for surf shark fishing in California, particularly for large Soupfin Sharks, Bat Rays, Butterfly Rays, Leopard Sharks and similar species, and the 2024 version has been updated to make it even more durable and easy to use.
2024 Rig Specifications:
- 10/0 Mutsu Circle hooks (offset) for maximum hook-ups and easy un-hooking
- 170lb wire bite leader, premium 300lb saltwater swivels and 200lb mono rub leader
- Pulley rig release clip secures bait inline for casting but deploys bait on impact with water for great distance, perfect presentation & zero tangles
- Team this rig up with one of our Wired Sputnik Surf Sinkers & Bait Elastic for a great surf shark fishing set-up
The Surf Shark Pulley Rig is the best rig for casting big baits when targeting large predatory species because it allows you to cast a large offering - half a fresh mackerel, for example - further than a fish finder or Carolina rig, and with no tangles.
Simply attach the bait to the twin circle hooks using ASF Heavy Bait Elastic as per the detailed instructions included with every rig sold, tension the rig by putting the bottom hook in the impact release clip, and cast. The clip automatically ejects the hook on impact with the water for a perfect presentation.
The pulley rig also offers other advantages in that the fish can run with the bait for a short distance before tensioning up to the sinker, whereupon the weight aids the hooking process for the classic "bendo" bite. The heavy mono rig body also comes into play when hooked up, taking any abrasion from the fish's tail or flank.
This is our go-to rig for targeting any large surf sharks and rays in California, Bay Area, Mexico and beyond, and has put many PBs on the beach for guided clients and happy customers.
Bait-wise, we recommend using half a medium-size fresh mackerel or bonito head sections with this rig, but surf perch and croaker head section baits are also good bait options for targeting any predatory surf species such as soupfin sharks, leopard sharks, sevengill sharks, butterfly rays and bat rays.
We strongly recommend the use of Heavy ASF Bait Elastic to secure the bait to the rig.
Simply tie the rig to your mono casting leader using a Palomar or Grinner Knot, clip on a Surf Sinker, attach your bait, secure the bottom hook in the clear release clip and you're ready to cast out and fish.
Each rig comes with full instructions on the back and a QR code to link to our tips and video page for easy reference.
Recommended set-up:
10-15ft Med-heavy surf combo (spinning or conventional), 40-80lb braid or 15-40lb mono main line, 10-15ft 80lb mono casting leader plus a 6-8oz Long-Tail Sputnik-style surf sinker
Instructions:
1) TIE RIG TO MAIN LINE (RECOMMENDED: 10-15FT 80LB MONO CASTING LEADER / TOP SHOT) VIA FREE-RUNNING SWIVEL USING PALOMAR OR UNI KNOT AND CLIP ON SINKER
2) RIG BAIT - FRESH, HALF MACKEREL, BONITO OR SURF PERCH / CROAKER HEAD SECTION IS IDEAL - WITH TOP HOOK THROGH NOSE END AND BOTTOM HOOK AROUND THE BAIT’S DORSAL FIN AREA OR BEHIND HEAD.
3) BEND WIRE TAG END TO 90-DEGREE ANGLE TO BOTTOM HOOK, MAKE 1/4”-DEEP, 2”-LONG INCISION ON BACK OF BAIT TO SEAT HOOK. PENETRATE BAIT WITH TAG END TO SECURE UPRIGHT INTO PRE-CUT SLOT, HOOK POINT WELL EXPOSED
4) USING ASF HEAVY BAIT ELASTIC, WHIP UP & DOWN BAIT MULTIPLE TIMES TO SECURE HOOKS FIRMLY IN PLACE, WITH EXTRA WRAPS AROUND THE LIP & TOP HOOK, AND TO SECURE BOTTOM HOOK IN PLACE WHEN CASTING. TRIM
BAIT SO IT’S JUST BELOW LEVEL WITH BOTTOM HOOK FOR
AERODYNAMIC DISTANCE CASTING
5) PLACE BOTTOM HOOK UNDER RELEASE CLIP ARM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RIG, TENSION THE RIG SO THE HOOK IS SECURED. THE CLEAR PLASTIC CLIP SHOULD NOW BE HOLDING THE HOOK INLINE WITH THE SINKER (NOT INCLUDED), BUT RELEASES ON IMPACT WITH WATER FOR TANGLE-FREE PRESENTATION.
