My brother and I are looking to get our feet wet (literally) with some surf fishing. We live in the San Francisco Bay Area. What is the best time of the year to try our luck ? Also any local beaches better for rookies?
Any direction would be appreciated...
Cool
I started fishing the surf a little over a year ago, and have been told every day you can get out there is the best day to go fishing.
Best luck I've had on the beach has been early mornings and tide changes, although in a little over a year I only have 14 days of beach fishing in. I got 5 more coming in 3 weeks!
While I don't have experience in your part of the world, I can say I fish the surf I know and love. Nowadays there are websites that focus on local fisheries. Try to find a serious discussion board without a bunch of trash talk and nonsense.
Access is the first hurdle. If you have to pack in, start with something you can easily get onto the beach and pull behind you. Don't take everything under the sun with you. Figure out what days are less crowded so you have room to learn with minimal distractions. Watch other folks who seem to know what they are doing...you'll know by the way they handle their gear, how efficiently they move, how they pick their casts and work various spots. Start out with lighter tackle until you find your groove and learn the water you're fishing. Everything is always moving in the surf so pay attention to it.
Most importantly, don't give up. Go every chance you get. Stuff is gonna break, fail, get hung up...all that. Don't quit. Before you know it, you'll start putting it all together and the whole moving picture will make sense. Then you won't be able to think of too many other things. ;)
Decide on how you want to fish, bait and wait or lures. I do a fair amount of surf fishing here with lures, constantly cast and retrieve. Mainly surf perch. You have surf perch up there. I use a rod and reel similar to a salmon/steelhead set up. 8-10'spinning rod, 6-12lb mono. For lures a Carolina rig with gulp sand worms or jerk baits like lucky craft surf pointer, diawa SP minnow depending on conditions
Fun fishing that's pretty much free except getting there. They have redtail perch up there, always wanted to catch one of those
Bill Varney has a great website but it's geared for so cal. Pretty much the same tactics for up there if your fishing beaches, not real helpful for fishing rocks though
everything Swami says. My local knowledge ends on the north end up past San Simeon, but I can't imagine things would be that different where you are. The setup Swami mentions is a good go-to: light, and mobile. Your other option, long rods (11'+), sandspikes, and bait (most likely sand crabs, mud shrimp, or piling worms - all of which you will need to invest additional time and equipment to harvest) and then you pick your spot and "bait and wait". Anytime to fish is a good time, but realistically I have always had my best results in the hour prior to high tide - areas of the inter-tidal zone and the associated "food" were being exposed and fish would respond. Fortunately BillB just dropped up some "sand anchors" when he stopped by here on Saturday - they are a great sinker to use when bait fishing that you don't see a lot anymore - and while those "sputnik" things are advertised as sand anchors I have never been impressed with their performance. Good luck! - john
Some SF Bay Area specific data:
Striper fishing can be a bit tough- but there can be some epic bites- mostly smalls. Surf perch provide more action. Mostly barred and some walleyes. Redtails are scarce until you get north of Bodega. Halibut are not unheard of, but not that common. You can also toss crab snares in season and pick up some dungies- check the regs on this.
Spring through fall is the main season for the fish species, but surf perch are there year round. Sliding egg sinker rig and a smaller motor oil twisty tail grub on a longer medium action freshwater spinning outfit for the surf perch. Keep moving along the beach to find the schools. They are mostly feeding on the mole crabs, which move around with tides and conditions. Perch feed heavily in the shallow churny water around the cuts, often a short cast. Reading the waters is the key.
If you want something more leisurely, a surf rod, pyramid sinker, and pile worms for bait.
For the stripers, folk like to toss bigger metals, jigheads and plugs, and generally cast for distance. Haven't done this myself. Surf perch are opportunistic feeders and will also will hit a rapala style plug, so you can work one of these for both stripers and surf perch. I didn't like this myself, as the rapalas will tear up a surf perch, and there is usually a lot of releasing going on if you find the fish.
Wave height is going to drive the fishing opportunities around here. Check the surfing forecast sites. Dawn/dusk/overcast is usually better. Lots of conflicting opinions on what tide is best. I kinda like incoming.
If you want to stay near the bay and south of the GG bridge, all of the City beaches can have stripers. Surf perch are there, but worked over pretty hard.
As you start going south, the beaches seem to get less productive until you get into Monterey Bay, and then it picks up again- and the surf perch fishing can be good- with some stripers and halibut in the summer to early fall.
North of the GG bridge, perch fishing generally gets better as you move north, but the stripers peter out.
Compared to So Cal, the waves can get pretty big with some sneakers, and the water is cold. You don't have to wade to work a spinning rod, but most do.
-J
Ed Tani is also a great source of information. Maybe Alan can get you in touch. Bill
I have fished a few beaches on the northern 1/2 of Monterey Bay, from Santa Cruz to the Pajaro River mouth. Small Plastic grubs, pieces of Gulp sand worms for surf perch. Calmer surf days so you can minimize lead.
I'm from your neck of the woods and surf fish every chance I can. I'm by no means an expert though.
One thing I've learned from experience is surf fish are aggressive and not leader shy.
Another thing I've learned is expect the unexpected. Though surf perch are the norm.
I use 25 pound test because you never know when a Stripped Bass or Halibut are in the surf.
I use the biggest hook that'll fit in a perch's mouth, normally a #2 on a Carolina Rig. My weight choice depends on the wind but I go as light as possible to reach where I want to be.
My go to bait is, believe it or not, is mini cocktail shrimp I get from the supermarket for cast and wait presentations.
I also use squid cut into 3/8" by 2" strips and rip it. Reel twice, rip, repeat.
Important thing to do is get your bait past the curl where the bottom drops off like a ledge. Hard to describe but you'll know it when you see it. Normally 20-30 yards out. Your bait will get sucked into the curl but as soon as you feel your out of it reel in and repeat.
I use to go to Martins Beach and Half Moon Bay but since moving to the Sacramento area I prefer the Bodega area as far north as Gualala. When my wife joins me we go to Wrights Beach State Part because the allow dogs. They have a $6 access fee though but you will catch perch there.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks Steve. Always looking for new bait and presentations. I am having two bait and wait rods being wrapped to try out and hope to get some Halibut in the future.
Thanks y'all... I've got a baseline now.
Cool
Post pictures. Surf fishing doesn't get near as much air time.
In my experience Destin,Ormond beach, & Melbourne,FL. I have always heard sand fleas were the bait of choice from the locals.You can get a sand flea rake at the bait store and get free bait whenever .There are some good youtube videos on how to catch them.I like 9-10' rods with a 4000 series spinner or a Penn 704 if I had one.I always have used 20 lb mono then a whiting rig with 3/0 Eagle Claw Circle hooks and a 3 oz pyramid weight.Shrimp is good, but squid stays on the hook better.In Melbourne,Fla Snook are caught in the surf in the right season.Once my whiting rig was slammed by a shark,nothing left,so I opted for steel rigs after that.
Thanks Ed for bringing this up. I'm still trying to figure out where the rocks and lings are hiding up here in Oregon but I will probably be cruising beaches too at some point.
Quote from: Bryan Young on September 12, 2023, 02:55:13 AMThanks Steve. Always looking for new bait and presentations. I am having two bait and wait rods being wrapped to try out and hope to get some Halibut in the future.
I hope you get out soon Bryan.
Quote from: Shellbelly on September 13, 2023, 03:47:39 AMPost pictures. Surf fishing doesn't get near as much air time.
Very true.
Next time I get a chance to go I'll take photos.
Or my wife will. ;D
If someone doesn't beat me to it.
Forget to mention, waders are a must no matter how hot it is!
Steve
I'll probably have photos from my trip to the treasure coast area in two weeks.
I am still practicing with the Beachmaster, I just spooled it with modern braid and today was Day 2 of learning to cast with modern material on it.
I will be rigging that rod with a pyramid sinker on a slider, and a 5/0 circle hook on a longish 20lb leader, to throw a live pinfish or cut bait, I find that pinfish are almost indestructible until something big hits them.
My spinning rod will get a whiting/pompano rig, and then I'll have a rod with a topwater lure. That's my surf rod setup, and instead of a surf cart I am going to take a kid's plastic sled.
Quote from: Crab Pot on September 15, 2023, 02:07:03 AMForget to mention, waders are a must no matter how hot it is!
Steve
Steve speaks the truth; and I always wear an external belt with my bait canteen (old modified bleach bottle with layers of burlap sack and sand crabs). That tight belt is an extra layer of safety if a rogue wave knocks you off your feet - ensures you stay semi-buoyant instead of having your waders fill and become instant anchors... - john
John,
I had to verify that sand crabs are in fact what we on the east coast call "sand fleas" crabs
Sounds better...Also,I have heard sharks like sand bars and not to have your bait too close.I personally stay on the shore to fish.
If im trying to catch big stuff i usually will wade out to cast and then walk back in and put my rod in a sand spike.
I sometimes wonder if the loss of casting difference from the sacrifice of stable footing while casting compares to the distanced gained by walking it out farther. I'm sure there's a break even point somewhere.
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on September 15, 2023, 11:19:56 AMIf im trying to catch big stuff i usually will wade out to cast and then walk back in and put my rod in a sand spike.
I sometimes wonder if the loss of casting difference from the sacrifice of stable footing while casting compares to the distanced gained by walking it out farther. I'm sure there's a break even point somewhere.
Jason, you're on point! I feel the subject of distance casting and getting WAY out there is debatable (NOT WRONG). There are so many variables that change from day-to-day. What rarely changes dramatically is basic bottom structure of the area you know. Barring super storms and unusual currents, the bottom characteristics are mostly static. Nearshore or 200-400 yards out, the food chain is mostly predictable. Yesterday, I watched 2' ladyfish tear into finger mullet in knee-deep water. I netted a couple of those, cut em up and caught black tip and spinners at 75 yards. Why go out? I don't want to wade through that bunch of crazy kids! I was having enough problems with the dang pelicans and gulls.(don't look up)
Consider this: You hard-march out 150 yards with your 12' and cast from chest-deep water. You have a 4-6' leader, 5 oz of lead, and 4-6 oz of bait. You might get 50 yards out of that cast. That's ok, given the ergonomics. Now, you gotta go back. You're in free spool with your back to the bait. Unless you can walk on water, you're trudging again. Tired yet? That 6-footer you're after hits and strips 50-75 yards before you turn back around and get yourself and that rod in fishing position....elbows and reel above water, free spool off and drag set. You now have a rod butt in your stomach, you're bouncing up and down in swells with your prey pulling you every time your feet leave the bottom. Your line goes slack. Did you lose him.....or..... is he headed your way? Did that slack line wrap around you? Uh oh!
In any event, you're more subject to being owned way out there if you hunt the big bite on foot. Not trying to talk anybody out of it. Do it. Heck, do it at night! It's an adventure and it IS extreme fishing. No safe haven of boat or land. You are in the pen with your prey. Getting hooked up big like that is like nothing else in fishing, IMO. It's a frighteningly exciting rush and you'll figure out how to do stuff real quick.
It's just that some don't think about what they are getting into "out there" on foot. Your mobility is very restricted, you are alone regardless of who is on shore, and likely without "tools" since you're just going out "real quick" to cast some bait, right?
You're not wrong. It's part of the adventure. I'll usually walk out til where it starts getting deep. And yeah being chest deep and trying to cast with waves etc gets fun. And then with currents by the time youve walked back in its being dragged over by those swimmers who didn't seem that close before.
Quote from: Shellbelly on September 15, 2023, 08:12:46 PMI feel the subject of distance casting and getting WAY out there is debatable (NOT WRONG).
Brian,
My "average cast" in thigh deep surf is approx. 30 yards.
The fish, at least where I go (Eastern Pacific), are darting in and out of the ledge/tunnel/chute I mentioned prior. You put it somewhere 5-10 yards past that and your in the kill zone for multiple species.
Anything much past that is hit and miss as far as productivity and definitely cast and wait bottom fishing off the sand spike.
Sand Crab (Fleas) work well too. Then the kids were still home they'd dig them up with the out going waves and I'd have a ton. My wife, lets just say she's on a blanket reading a book, playing with the dog, or taking pictures...
Quote from: jgp12000 on September 15, 2023, 10:48:09 AMohn,
I had to verify that sand crabs are in fact what we on the east coast call "sand fleas" crabs
Sounds better...Also,I have heard sharks like sand bars and not to have your bait too close.I personally stay on the shore.
Yes, and note that there are possession limits on sand crabs and the like that are covered by your California license. In theory, yes you can get a ticket for too much bait. As far as sharks and such - not regular feed for them, and not their regular environment - you are fine. Wading with a bloody sea lion attached to your belt - not good odds :D
Now, 45 years ago I
WAS that kid north of Morro Rock that was chest deep and tossing a 13' stick with a 5oz sand claw. And as described above I would slog back....lather...rinse...repeat (fishing with my Dad, so never alone) plus I had the unlimited energy of youth and enthusiasm. Boy was I one happy idiot. Here is what I have learned from those experiences (as well as boogie boarding in warmer waters) that the intertidal environment has structure. Many is the time that I have waded out up to my chest and 10 feet father I am standing in knee deep water on a bar and I'm 75 feet from shore. Do you need to do this?
NO! Just telling you what the environment is like sometimes. It is rare now if I get knee deep. Learned it's not really necessary - the fish and the perch are there, and easily in reach.
BUT I have still been caught unaware by rogue waves, and I have waded out to get that large fish and been surprised, and I realize that at my age I am not that indestructible 13 year old; I am now a fat old man with a bad knee. Hence the extra caution and the belt. I would not counsel against a set of Sospenders (I don't wear them, but at my age probably should? Good thing SWMBO is not on the forum? I do wear them on my boat).
The other thing I saw mentioned above - this environment is a very turbulent, sight limited (all that sand and froth) and time limited (the only time fish have access to feed is during that part of the tide). Stealth presentations are pointless - if a predator sees a brief flash of something perceived as food - BANG! Hookup!!!!
Have fun, I love the surf. - john
Surf fishing technique/equipment really varies with the beach/ocean environment and target species.
Re casting distance: the main target For the OP will be California surf perch, which are hunting on the mole crab (AKA sand crab) beds when they are in the surf area, so we are talking about VERY close to shore. Folks cast right over them. I have caught perch when wading up to mid calf when my fly has drifted behind me toward the beach :)
Also the surf in NorCal tends to be pretty big, often with some even bigger waves mixed in, so this is not a wade-up-to-your-armpits type fishery. Knee height is about it unless you are fishing in a wetsuit and are comfortable leaving your rod behind and swimming in heavy surf.
The zenflyfishing site has some of the best, most succinct information on surf perch beach fishing for the SF/Monterrey bay area- very useful for the spinning guys as well. I believe that the creator has passed away awhile back, but the perch are still the same. Here are a couple pages worth looking at:
Description of area beaches:
http://zenflyfishing.com/beaches.html (http://zenflyfishing.com/beaches.html)
How to read the surf to find the perch:
http://zenflyfishing.com/findingfish.html (http://zenflyfishing.com/findingfish.html)
-J
All i wanna know is do you west coast folks know about the stingray shuffle?
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on September 15, 2023, 09:46:28 PMAll i wanna know is do you west coast folks know about the stingray shuffle?
Must be an East Coast thing! ;) ;D
Quote from: Crab Pot on September 15, 2023, 11:48:27 PMQuote from: JasonGotaProblem on September 15, 2023, 09:46:28 PMAll i wanna know is do you west coast folks know about the stingray shuffle?
Must be an East Coast thing! ;) ;D
Don't pick your feet up. Slide them along the sand or you risk that stingray you just stepped on making your calf/ankle unusable in hip deep water!
Quote from: Wolfram M on September 16, 2023, 12:37:41 AMQuote from: Crab Pot on September 15, 2023, 11:48:27 PMQuote from: JasonGotaProblem on September 15, 2023, 09:46:28 PMAll i wanna know is do you west coast folks know about the stingray shuffle?
Must be an East Coast thing! ;) ;D
Don't pick your feet up. Slide them along the sand or you risk that stingray you just stepped on making your calf/ankle unusable in hip deep water!
Surf is too rough here in NorCal for rays to want to hang out at wading depth. There are lots of rays around in some spots, just a bit deeper and more protected water. You know which spots have a lot of rays, because that is where the juvenile great white sharks hang out in pretty good numbers. They dine on the rays until they get big enough to take on sea lions and the occasional kayaker.
If you have a great white shuffle, I am all ears.
You could probably step on a ray wading the beach down in SoCal where the surf is less rough, but it would probably require some bad luck.
Alex probably has some ray stories. There are beaches along the Sea of Cortez where the rays are pretty thick, and the shuffle is mandatory.
-J
Plenty of rays in so cal, at times they're pretty thick. Sea of Cortez has bullseye rays, they're electric, a whole new reason to shuffle your feet or maybe stay on dry land. There electric rays in California too but rarely in shallow water