r/SurfFishing

Got downvoted and a couple DMs telling me I’m “full of shit” for mentioning free live sandworms, so here’s a friendly PSA for newer surf anglers:

Yes, SoCal beaches absolutely have marine worms you can collect yourself. No, you do not need to buy every bait in a blister pack from the tackle shop.

Same logic as buying sand crabs when they’re literally in the wash at your feet…

Sand crabs, worms, mussels, ghost shrimp (where legal), grunion matching, etc….the surf is basically a bait shop if you know how to read it.

“Match the hatch” isn’t just a fly fishing phrase.

Who’s targeting what right now?

sand crabs = perch/croaker/corbina

worms = perch/croaker/spotfin/yfc/ANYTHING

grunion profile = halibut/WSB/stripers where they show

Not trying to start a fight, just trying to save folks time and money…

We care coming down the 29th thru the 6th. I’m looking to fish during any down time I have what so ever. I’ve got mostly your standard surf set ups (couple 10ft setups, 12ft setup, and a couple setups for throwing swimbaits, etc.) but I’m used to fishing Alabama gulf coast. Is it a big change for anyone that’s fished both? I’m just looking to catch fish. Not specifically targeting anything obviously I’d like to hook a few that pull some drag but overall just wanting to enjoy the fishing down there for the first time.

I’ll take any and all advice on surf, pier, jettie. I’ll probably be kind of restricted to late evening/night, early morning, and midday (my kids nap time)

Thanks!

Question for keeping Halibut

Maybe a dumb question… I’m in SoCal and have been surf fishing for halibut, usually walking a lot of beach looking for structure.

For those of you who actually stick a legal, what are you doing with the fish afterward? Walking it all the way back to the car and throwing it in a cooler? Carrying an insulated bag? Curious what everyone’s system is.

I've started fishing and want to start fishing for striped bass. I was wondering in which order this should go for quick lure changes.

main line -> swivel ->leader ->snap

or

main line ->leader ->snap?

What happened to surf fishing etiquette? This most recent year, I’ve had multiple people fish on top of me after seeing me catch a fish. Last night, after catching a few fish, a guy came over and fished less than 5 yards away from me. Then they got frustrated because I put a few fish on the beach while they were right next to me. They ended up casting over my line to snag me, untangled our lines, then ran over to their buddy to tell them what I was using. Since it’s night time and no one else on the beach, I chose not to be confrontational. Ive also been noticing more people mishandling stipers than ever before. Gills are not handlebars. If you don’t have surf fishing gear and are not willing to get into the water to revive fish, don’t fish at all.

Jokes on them though because I had a banner night while they got not a single fish. Rant over….

Is the avet mxl 5.8:1 gen 1 any good for leopard sharks and casting?

i was looking into getting a conventional setup to kayak baits out for sharks. I was thinking about a Penn Senator 6/0 with an ugly stik big water conventional 6’6” heavy. my budget is around 250$

Going to the Florida panhandle this June and wanted the highest probability of catch a small shark. Never done it before so I’ve researched a lot, but wanted some tips. I am casting the bait out, and have the opportunity to fish from shore or jetties, don’t know which, or both, I will do. I have 8000 reel with 10ft rod. 80lb braid, 8oz sinker, 300lb mono leader, 150lb steel leader, and 8/0 circle hooks. I also have rod holders if fishing from shore. I plan to catch some bait from the pier or buy some at a bait shop once there. Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of success? I plan to go at dusk.

I’ve got no problem sharing the beach with anglers and non anglers alike but obviously the less people the better.