SoCal surf fishing

[gsurf]

I am just starting to fish in the local kelp beds of N. COunty (Cardiff + Encinitas) Surfing from a surfboard. If any of you could share your insight on good baits, lures and techniques it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx
Grahm
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[tubeN2]

Welcome aboard gsurf. I am also in the SoCal area. I am a little farther North but I am familiar with most of the Coast.

Are you planning on fishing from the surf or from the surfboard?? I have seen it done both ways.[cool]
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[gsurf]

I am planning on doing both but mostly from a board off some of the local kelp beds
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[tubeN2]

Oh! Right on bro. There are some killer Calico's right now in your area. Yellow Tails even hang out in the weeds too. I caught a 30lb Yellow while float tubing a couple of months ago.

Those things will take you for a ride.

Are you using plastics or are you going with the squid/chovie route??
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[gsurf]

I've been trying to play around with both but I don't think I'm using the right tackle. What would you recommend in both the areas of bait and tackle?
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[tubeN2]

I do better on the dropper loop. It is better to flyline but sometimes the inshore currant can get the best of your gear if you are not carefull.

If you are going to use the dropper loop, use the double with a 3 to 5 inch loop after tying.

You can flyline the Fish Traps or Blamms with a 1/4oz weight right in the kelp for the Calico Bass. Orange colors, Chartruese and red pepper are all hot in that area.[cool]
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[wrstlr152]

when fishing off the surf id normally use a 9 to 10 foot pole(you could always get a pole stand if you dont have a pole thats too tall.) with 15-20lb line with a multi hook set up with a 2-3 ounce weight on the bottom so the surf doesnt move my line too much.as for bait id use anything from squid,shrimp,sandcrabs and anchovies,even a chunk of makeral.
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[MaxESTEP]

Well one of my most favorite baits is sandcrabs, They can catch you surf perch, corbina, croaker, and maybe ever occasionally maybe even a shovelnose, But another bait I like to use is a full piece of shrimp with a bottom rig to catch the big sandsharks or even a smoothie or a nice leapard shark...[]
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[tubeN2]

Welcome aboard MaxESTEP and thanks for sharing. You found out one of my long time secrets for the good Leopards. It seems to work like a charm when they are around.

Don't forget to stop on by the Cali board too. It is a little farther down on the ladder but closer to the top of the state boards.[cool]
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