Surf Fishing in the San Clemente Area !!

[Therapist]

There is a possibility that I will be coming down the middle of October. Everyone else will be surfing, I will be fishing if I come. Need some pointers on basics: rods, reels, line, terminal tackle, bait, lures, etc.
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[tubeN2]

Thanks for the question. Here is an answer for you.

I will not tell you that only a 12' rod will get the job done because it will depend alot on what you are going to fish for.

In San Clemente area you have the possibility of catching Barred Sand Bass, Spotted Bay Bass, Barred Surf Perch, Croakers, Mackeral, Bonito, Barracuda, Leopard Sharks, Sand Sharks and Spiny Dogfish (bonus species of Shark). At times you can also catch some Horned Sharks.

Let me know what species you would like to target based on water temp and surf conditions. What kind of gear do you have now?? Do you use conventional, baitcast or spinning gear?

This information will give me a better idea on what you have and other suggested items that you could possibly need.[cool]
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[Therapist]

Good Grief, I have a 10ft surf rod, fiberglass, spinning reels that can handle 14-25lb line, several shorter boat rods - 7ft, penn 209's, a 114H senator, 6000C3, 8 1/2 baitcasters, lots of 7ft bass rods, both spinning and bait casting.

Don't know anything about the surf condition, water temp, etc. I do know that there is a State park where we will be staying that is on the beach.

Type of fish, don't really care, just would want to stretch my string !!!
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[tubeN2]

Alright! You set up a good foundation to build off of.

On your surf rod, you could use that as your heavier set up or a med set up.

I can imagine that you are familiar with the dropper loop. If not, just let me know and I can give you instructions on how to tie one.

Since you fish Bass you may know the Dropshot rig.

On the Medium set up, tie a dropper loop leaving at least a 12 inch loop for the hook to tie to. Tie a 4oz pyramid sinker to the other end of the line. Add a #2 Mustad 9174 hook, on the loop, with a piece of squid or Mackeral and set the pole in a surf rod holder while waiting for a bite. This set up will be best for sharks and some of the Sand Bass.

On the Bass rod setup, tie a double drop shot rig. First hook at 18 inches from the bottom and the second one at 24 to 30inches from the bottom. Tie on a 1oz pyramid sinker to the bottom and use a couple of #8 mustad 21450 hooks on the drop shot. Tip the hooks with some local sand crab or small pieces of pismo clam. This set up is better for the Perch. Another alternative bait would be pieces of mussel or smaller pieces of squid.

Let me know if you need any more info. Like fishing license and stuff like that.[cool] (Yes. You will need a license to fish off of the beach. No license needed to fish from a Pier)
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[Therapist]

How many rods can you fish with at a time ?? Can I set two rigs with bait and use a third to throw a lure ?? What pound test line...17-20 on the big rig, 12-14 on the lighter ones???
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[tubeN2]

When you are surf fishing, you can use as many rods as you are able to handle. 2 or 3 is about the normal set up. I accidentaly had all three with a hook up at one time and chose to keep it simple and use only one bait soaker and one lure chucker.

The line weights that you mentioned are perfect ranges. I would say 20lb for the bigger setup and 14 on the lighter.[cool]
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[Therapist]

It looks more and more like I will be coming down. Need to get some more info.

For lures I am bringing some 3/4 and 1 oz. jigs that I plan on dressing with 6-8 inch curl tails, been around your old man to long. I have some Husky 13 Rapala's that would be a bit light to cast, but I think effective.

What bait(s) would you recommend and where would you obtain it in the San Clemente area. We will be staying at the State Park Campground there.
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[tubeN2]

As far as fresh/frozen baits go, you can acquire Squid at almost any convenience store close to the campground. You can also catch live sand crabs right on the beach. Mussel cups or even Pismo Clam chunks are often bit as well.

For lure chucking, I do believe you have the smaller stuff covered. You may want to have 1 rig that could handle throwing Rapala Magnums. Firetiger is good in that area as well as the Anchovy color. Over here we chuck out the size 14 magnums.[cool]
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[Therapist]

So can you pry the mussels off the rocks and dig the clams, or are these purchased ??

Would you throw the lures on the 12-14lb set up or go larger ? Do you need a steel leader in case of toothy critter's ???
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[tubeN2]

If you can get the mussels off the rocks or nearby pilings, so be it. It will save you a few dollars and they will be fresh. More to their liking. You can purchase the mussels in a cup but they will cost anywhere between 4 to 7 bucks for a small cup and they are frozen. Once defrosted, the Mussels have a tendancy to fall off the hook too easy.

If I knew the approximate date that you are planning to go, I can check the tide charts for you and see if you could possibly locate some of the local Razor Clams that are down there.

Lures can be thrown from the 14 or even 15 if you have it. Besides the rapalas, you may also want to try some of the 2oz Kastmasters or even the medium sized Krocodiles. The Blue/Chrome and the Irridescent have usually worked for me in that area.

There may also be some Halibut just beyond the surf line. 20lb would be about the smallest to go with if you are using the Magnums for Halibut.[cool]
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