Surf Fishing ??

[ghosthunter]

I don’t consider myself much of a fisherman. My wife loves to trout fish lakes out of our yaks, so I fish.

Taking the trailer to Pacific Beach end of March. Not even sure surf fishing would be open?
But she would love to try it. Wondering what we would need as far as tackle to surf fish?
Any pointers to get into it. Type of tackle, reels, bait, don’t know a thing about it.

Thanks

[NRA4LIFE]

Surf perch is open. I assume you're staying at the State Park?  Go up to the beach access just north of there at Analyde Gap Rd.  Start fishing maybe a 1/4 mile north of the access point and work north from there.  We use 10' spinning rods with a double hooked rig and a 2-3 oz pyramid sinker.  Just google surf perch gear.  Clam necks are good along with sand shrimp gulp worms for bait.  If you can dig up some sand shrimp at lower tides, those work too.  I like to go out at low tide (minus) and find the spits offshore that emerge and start there.

[GWP]

https://fishwithjd.com/

He wrote a nice Kindle book that covers all the basics. Good read. Or hit YouTube and type ‘Surf Fishing’. Reading the water, which is covered, is fairly important.
AND, do not EVER turn your back on the ocean.
The gear you already have will work fine. Expect to catch some crab as well.

[GWP]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UHsImxAGYmc

Great way to rig sand shrimp for surf perch if you decide to go that way.

[millerwheeler]

Tagging as I haven’t done this since I was a kid and would like to take my boys sometime as well

[Wolfdog2314]

High low rigging. Pyramid or pancake weight 2-3 oz works good. Camo color Gulp sandworms. Clam necks if you’ve got em. Huck it out there and slow retrieve. If the fishing is good, and you hook one, let it soak for a few more seconds to try for a double. Work your way up and down the beach until you run in to them. It’s fun and addicting! Fillet and pan fry in Pride of the West. Yummmm

[Encore 280]

The flat triangle shaped sinkers will hold the bottom and not roll but if there's a good current then they're move unless you go heavy.

[ghosthunter]

Great info keep it coming.

[Parasite]

If you want to make it an even better outing, go on low tide days where razor clam season is open as well. Also can bring a net/rake for dungeness crab if you are in the right area to wade for them.

I like starting to fish on the tail end of the outgoing tide, then slack tide, and leave a little while after the tide starts incoming.

[GWP]

Crab will 'fairly often' grab your bait even if it is moving. It will feel 'stuck'. Then you reel down, haul back, and when it starts to lessen you reel in pretty fast. Have your measuring tool handy! Crab is open from the beach year round unless there is toxins.
You will also catch Skulpin. Basically a mouth with fins. Nothing to eat on them. If you see seal in the water the bite will probably be 'off'.

[Encore 280]

Sculpin/bullheads are good eating if it's a decent sized one. No different than a ling or any of those bottom feeders. Fillet it out and fry it up. 

[Platensek-po]

What line/ lb test do you use??

[Parasite]

What line/ lb test do you use??

I run 15# braid for my main line, but 10-20# is fine. I've used as light as 6# mono.

For my hi/lo rigs, I usually use 20-25# flourocarbon ... mostly for the stiffness so nothing gets tangled.

[Encore 280]

A lot of guys will use a crappie rig setup too. Most sporting good stores will have them but put a bigger hook on it. Don't really need a 10' rod either but they are nice to have for casting out there a ways. I've seen people using regular 8' trout rods and nailing the perch. They hit hard and put up a good fight, fun to play with.

[NRA4LIFE]

That's what I use, the pre-fabbed crappie rigs, a 3-way swivel and pyramid sinker.