First time Surf fishing need advice - California Fishing

brown_guy2430 · 08-23-2006, 08:34 PM

Well hello to all in the forum, I am obviously new here, been fly fishing in rivers and lakes ever since I was old enough to hold a pole. But I need some advice, I never gone surf fishing and I am actually going tomorrow, A good friend of mine was telling me the last time he was there he saw a guy pulling 20 to 30 pound stripper out of half moon bay, so that is where we are going. I guess what I am asking is advice on bait, lures, and "ideal" conditions. Any extra advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

brown_guy2430 · 08-23-2006, 08:35 PM

And forgive me I just realized I posted this in the wrong forum. My bad

Beresford13861 · 08-23-2006, 09:18 PM

welcome to the boards!

Quote:

Originally Posted by brown_guy2430

And forgive me I just realized I posted this in the wrong forum. My bad

they will move it, dont worry about it! i did the same my first time on the forum.

PS post your location, people can know where you are at and help more for your area

brown_guy2430 · 08-24-2006, 05:37 AM

Well I will be fishing at Half moon bay, probabally around pillar point. If people aren't sure where that is, it is south of San Francisco bay. I actually live in Madera, Ca. Either way I am off to go try it out this morn I will give a report when I am back.

cst · 08-24-2006, 10:32 AM

throw some bucktails or kastmasters for the striper. in terms of cut bait, lugworms, anchovies, squid. and for live bait try catching some smelt, anchovies etc.

brown_guy2430 · 08-26-2006, 09:32 AM

Well we fished all up and down the coast at half moon bay from Pescadaro To Montara beach. The best spot I found was Pillar Point. During the day We fished the cove in the south west part of the harbor, the only bad part is you have to walk about 50 yards or more out in the water to get to the deep stuff, I ended up cathcing a 15" yellow croaker?... (not really sure), also having numerous bites but not being able to set the hook into them with the exception of one time, were I sunk into one and it bent my pole in half and about took all 300 yards of #12 after fighting it for like 30 mins the line ended up snapping, and giving me a hell of a adrenline rush. After Dark we fished the east side of the rock about half way to the passage the boats use to get into the harbor. This time fishing in the ocean. I caught about ten cod and about 12 decently sized crab on squid. The cod were all about 12 to 14 inches nothing really worth keeping. The catch of the day was the 36" Leopard Shark which my buddy cuaght. The whole day we used squid and hearring but only got bites with squid. The cove I talked about earlier look like a great spot for bat ray's being that on one my trips to cast out, 4 bat rays about the size of dinner plates, jumped out of the sand and took off. So all in all being my first time surf fishing I would have to say I am hooked. As soon as I get some pics devolped I will post em on here.

cashe · 08-26-2006, 11:09 AM

Sounds like you had a good day.

You should talk to other fishermen when your fishing to find out where a good bait store is, visit the store and get there phone#No.That way you can get information on bait, lures, best tides and where the best fishing is.Became friends with the owner,they can be gold mines of information. Don't let it be a one way street, buy something, it will pay big dividends on fish caught.

YakityYak · 08-26-2006, 09:30 PM

Good job. glad you did well.

PlatinumHooks · 08-28-2006, 10:01 AM

Hey Brown Guy,
Welcome to the boards. Great report. Half Moon bay is a great place. Glad to have more NorCal members coming aboard! you should Put Madera, CA in your profile so it shows up underneath your user name / avatar, and people in your area can tell where you're from...then they can bug you about going fishing!!

NulodPBall · 08-28-2006, 05:10 PM

pretty much Clausers in any color will work at some time or another. White/green, White/blue, orange, black/purple, hang out at a local fly shop and ask them what's working right now. Don't buy more than three flies at a time. Sandcrab works well also.

fishingforfun8 · 09-02-2006, 10:47 PM

me and a couple buddies started surf fishing and got the hang of it fast... basically use a 2 to 3 ounce egg sinke ( i found out this works the best due to it doesnt get pushed as much as a pyramid sinker... its really weird) but anyways slide that on your main line... then use a bead (optional) then use a swivel... get about a foot long to 15 inch leader ( i usually make it around 14 so if my hook comes off i still have a long leader to work with) use the right sized hook to the bait.... we use frozen shrimp size 41/60 with a size 2/0 hook... very very effective... i suggest you invest in sand spike or make you own up... and just throw out and wait... you'll notice you rod will either stay down completely if you have something on or you rod will be shaking vigorously... good luck buddy... catch the big one.... btw we have caught leoperd sharks, sand sharks, rays, shovel noses, and croakers (yellow fin)