Surf fishing in California

A friend asked me to describe surf fishing so here we go.
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Surf fishing in the state of California.

What is surf fishing? Simply put, surf fishing is a method of fishing often used by people that live near the coast of any ocean. There are many techniques one may use, in order to enjoy this form of fishing. One possible reason why this method is popular is that it affords the fisherman the opportunity to partake in fishing for species of fish that may not be found in other areas, such as kelp beds, or deep water.

Surf fishing is literally just what it says. It is a style of fishing in which your bait is cast into the surf or just beyond the surf. Why this is important is to first understand how and why fish exist in particular areas. Within the surf line, the wave action stirs the sea floor. By such action, this provides fish with a plentiful food source. In sandy areas, the most common form of food would be clams and sand crabs. Both cru stations are highly nutritious and have a high fat content in which fish utilize for cold water protection. Some areas though are of a rocky terrain. Again, the wave action stirs the smaller sea life, which in return attracts the larger pelagic species. These food sources may include snails, urchins, small crabs, and often shrimp.

Let us now explore some of the species available utilizing this technique. This will be broken down into two sub-categories 1) sandy terrain and 2) rocky terrain. When considering the sandy bottom of the shoreline, bear in mind that there is no structure in which fish species may use for shelter. There are many species that can be caught from the shoreline depending on the baits chosen and the technique used. Species include but are not limited to barred surf perch, sand bass, shark, rays, halibut, flounder, and often species like barracuda. All of these species consume the same types of foods, these include clams, sand crabs, algae, and other small fish. Rocky terrains will offer many of the same species, but , also numerous other species will be found. These include, but are not limited to barred surf perch, opal eye perch, shiner perch, mackerel, smelts, sharks, sand bass, rock bass, cabazon, lingcod, and others.

Equipment needs will vary some depending on the areas chosen. Generally speaking though, equipment will be the same or similar, as well as the baits or lures used. Let us first briefly look at rods and reels. Rods need to be of a sufficient length in order to create a “whipping” action on the rod. This action allows the fisherman to generate more power to get the weight and baited hook further out. Typically surf rods are 9 to 15 feet in length, again choose equipment based of the area to be fished. Reels for surf rods are of the spin cast style, this means that the is a metal bar around the spool of line that guides the line onto the spool. When casting, this bar is flipped up, after the fisherman holds the line against the rod with his/her finger. This type of reel is preferred because of the ease of casting, as well as the reeling power provided by the design. On a sandy beach, the fisherman will also need what is called a sand spike. This is a v-shaped piece of metal, typically about 3-4 feet in length, made of aluminum with a sharp point to drive into the sand. About 1 foot up from this point is a triangular shaped piece of metal that helps prevent the spike from falling over with surf action or fish strikes. Along one side on this spike is also a cup to place the rod end into and a v-shape notch at the top of the spike to hold the rod.

Weights are needed in order to get your bait into the surf line, these need to be of a sufficient weight to perform this task. Most weights commonly used are in the 4-8 oz range. There are two types of weights used for sandy surf fishing 1) an anchor weight or 2) a pyramid weight. The anchor weight is literally just as the name implies. It is a weight designed to dig into the sandy bottom to minimize movement. It is of a triangular shape with two protrusions on both sides of the bottom of the weight. The pyramid weight, again is what the name implies. It is a four sided weight that forms into a point. This is used if you want your weight to sink into the sand to keep it stationary. When surf fishing in a rocky terrain, these two types of weights would not be practical. Instead, most people use what is known as a tear drop. The tear drop is a cylindrical shape that tapers slightly at either end. This design allows for the weight to more easily glide through any kelp or rocky crevices that the weight may get caught upon. Often a round ball style will be used.
Lines used in surf fishing come in two types, monofilament and Dacron. Both have their pros and cons. Dacron line is a very tough strong line that is resistant to most environments. It will not fray easily, nor will it have much stretch. This kind of line is ideal when fishing from shore along a rocky terrain. While monofilament, or mono, is more suited to sandy fishing. It has more stretch which is important when reeling a fish through the surf. Mono does fray easily if used in rocky areas though and will break quickly if frayed. Dacron will degrade quickly if not rinsed thoroughly with fresh water after your fishing trip. Mono should be rinsed as well in order to minimize line degradation. As far as weight line goes, this means the amount of weight the line will hold, the most common found is around the 25 pound test range. It may not sound like a lot, but when in the water it can easily withstand 4-5 times its class. For example, you are fishing in the surf in a sandy area, there is a fish on the line that weighs 35 pounds, since 25 pound test can accommodate 4-5 times its class, a fish that is a hundred pounds is no problem.

Hooks come in many styles, sizes, and even colors. It is important to match the size hook to the species being sought. This should be a no brainer, but using hooks that are the size of the fish being sought will yield no results, and the opposite is also true, you do not want a hook so small you will not be able to bait the hook. When choosing a hook it is also very important to get hooks that are designed and made for use in salt water. Fresh water hooks will work, but will rust and corrode very quickly.

Finally we come to baits. Baits can be just about anything, but again try to match it to species being sought after. Smaller baits such as sand crabs and sand fleas are optimal for perch, but if sand bass is the species of choice, then a live bait such as a small shiner perch or jack smelt would be a better option. If, in the rocky shore line live baits and whole squid would be the most effective baits. Artificials are often used more in the rocky shore area, examples include diamond jigs, .scampii jigs, large crank baits, and grubs. This work well when fishing from a sheer rock face, in which the grubs and jigs can be bounced along the wall face.

In summation, no matter the type of surf fishing you choose in California, it is important to research the area in which you will be fishing. One great, but often overlooked, resource is the Dept. of Fish and Game. These officers can provide a great deal of information as to the species in the area, numbers of species, best baits, general size ranges, and well as areas that are illegal to fish. Go to your local beach and talk with the fishermen, you will learn a great deal about techniques and baits that work best in that area. Finally, be sure you have a fishing license, because surf fishing in California requires a license