Surf Fishing 101
by Chuck Melber
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So you want to fish the beach, eh?
While some say the economy is on the upswing, the reality of the matter is, we Californians are living in a time when unemployment is hovering at a depressing 12 percent. Yet, if your are reading this, and a member of the Allcoast community, odds are your addiction to fishing wont let a little recession get in your way. Even if we cant get to the water, we are constantly talking and dreaming about the next drag screaming run.
For me it is a release valve, fishing is a way to get away from it all, and a way to enjoy life. But alas, I am not content with waiting till the next boat expedition to get the fix, so I have become masterful at the more economical ways of pursuing my passion. Which brings me to the topic of surf fishing So Cal style. A hobby anyone within an hours drive of the beach can pursue without busting the bank, or the need to invest an entire day away from the family.
This guide will hopefully give you a leg up when it comes to your first beach going expeditions, while also providing some suggestions for those of you who already foster a love for the sand.
As far as fishing the beach goes, you have two options as I see it, quality or quantity. I for one prefer quantity for its instant gratification, but perhaps that has something to do with my 22-year-old generation Y mindset. This quantity approach is perfect if you only have an hour to hit the beach on your way home from work, or during your lunch break. Since this is my preferred method of fishing the beach, I will share that with you first before going on to cover the quality realm.
Gearing up for Perch and other fish:
When plying our coastal beaches for fish, the number one species you will encounters is the Barred Surf Perch. Depending on the time of year and location they will range in size from a couple of inches (a surprisingly good bait for Calicos) up to 18 inches. The state record is tied by two 4.2 pound monsters caught in Oxnard and Morro Bay. These are by far the most prevalent fish caught along the sandy beaches of Southern California, and a favorite for winter time fishermen.
The tactics for catching these fish are relatively simple due to their voracious appetite and willingness to strike a variety of baits. As such they are a great introduction to both learning to fish as well as hone skills necessary to target bigger coastal species along the sandy beaches this coming spring and summer.
The first step in your quest will be gearing up, and the best part of all is you most likely already have a suitable set-up in your garage. If not, you can pick up a rig for as little as $20 at the local sporting goods store – of course you can also spend hundreds on a custom rod and top of the line reel, but I will leave that up to you. The most important thing is it is a fast action rod, in the seven foot range, with a matching reel for fishing four to eight pound line. My set-up of choice is a Shimano Scimitar Rod with a Shimano Sonora 2500FA reel (about $100 at Cabellas online). Most of the time I use six pound P-Line, but this is a matter of preference.
At the business end of the line you have several options, but I will cover what I think is the most simple and versatile. It is simply a Carolina rig like you would use for bass fishing. You begin with a ¼ to ½ once sliding sinker threaded onto the main line, followed by a small bead, most people use orange, but any color is OK. Below the weight tie on a swivel and a 12 to 24 inch leader with a #8 or #6 mosquito style hook. The weight size and length of the leader are dependent on the ocean conditions you are fishing. If there is a lot of surge and swell you will need a shorter leader and heavier sinker to prevent tangles.
As far as the leader goes, you can use a piece of your main line, but many prefer to use a section of two to four pound fluorocarbon because of its abrasion resistance and vanishing properties. Also, some people like using red color hooks believing it may incite more bites.
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As we all know there seems to be as many baits on the market as there are fishermen, but one of my favorites is a 1.5 inch motor-oil-red-flake colored grub, many companies make these, and I think they are all about the same. Another popular bait is the Berkley Gulp! Sandworm, broken into a small two inch pieces. The baits are attached to the hook either drop-shot style or threaded onto the shank of the hook.
Also, you can use a variety of live baits. Sand Crabs tend to be the most plentiful, they vary in size from eraser all to the size of a baby's fist. I like using ones that are about twice the size of my thumb nail. Also, you can use Bloodworms, Ghost Shrimp, and Clam or Mussel innards.
This rig works perfect for Perch, but it can be equally deadly on Yellow Fin and Spotfin Croaker, Corbina (use Sand Crabs), and even some small coastal sharks.
When and where to fish:
Alright, now that you are rigged up and ready to hit the beach, its time to pick a spot. The methods of fishing I'm covering are largely suited for fishing large swaths of sandy beaches that Southern California is so famous for. Some popular choices include: East Beach and Santa Clause lane in Santa Barbara; La Conchita and Silverstrand in the Ventura area; and Westward in Malibu. I have not ventured much further south, but virtually any sandy beach is worth a shot.
Any time of day can be productive, but a good rule of thumb is to fish the incoming tide. This means you want to be fishing for the two hours prior to high tide until it peaks. Like I said this is a rule of thumb and every spot is different, the most important thing is to get down there and enjoy yourself.
So you have arrived at your given destination, there is a smallish swell hitting the beach, tide is on its way in, and there is virtually no wind. Perfect. Start working down the beach, walking and casting. Work a spot and if you get no bites, keep moving. This isn't the sedentary surf fishing where you kick back with a sand spike and a book, you are going to get your exercise doing this.
You want to look for spots that stand out, there isn't any structure here like at the island or along the rocky beach, but there are depressions in the sand where fish like to lay waiting for their prey. While these depressions, holes, and trenches may not be the easiest thing to spot when you are first start, you will learn to spot them from a mile away. Watch the swells and how they break, if there is a section where the waves break later then the others, its worth a shot. Also, keep your eye out for rip tides sucking out away from the beach, there is a good chance there is a trench there, or at least an area for the fish to congregate.
When casting your set up out, it isn't always necessary to throw as far as possible straight out. Surf Perch and many of the beach fish love being right in where the water is turbulent and food is being churned up for them. Try different casts, in different directions and see what is working best. What works great today may not be the right presentation for tomorrow.
Captain Jason Diamond, the owner and operator of the Stardust in Santa Barbara, likes to keep his bait close to the beach.
“I prefer to cast sideways and stay in the foam, these fish really seem to like it in there,” Diamond said.
When it comes to beach selection, “The biggest deal is you have to find a beach that doesn't have junk in the water,” said Diamond. “No eel grass or kelp, you have to get away from that stuff.”
So, if you begin fishing at the beach, and the water is full of kelp and other debris wait a few minutes and see if its only a small bit of dirty water that the current will move along. If it stays that way or if the current is ripping, it's a good idea to head out and see what other beaches hold in store for you.
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