Surf/Bay on flies

[Salmo3T]

Greetings,
First time poster. I'm from Utah, an avid freshwater flyfisher. I've had a drift boat for years and love floating rivers in the west. For example, I floated Utah's Green river, streamers and BWO action 5 days in April.

I'm driving down to the SD area this weekend and would like to get out for a SW session, either in a bay or surf.

I have gear; plan to bring 6, 8 weight outfits with floating and fast sink lines. What I don't have is knowledge; where, when, what flies, etc. (Looks like clousers work.)

I have tons of flies, tied my own for years, so I don't think flies or gear should be an issue.

I plan on moving to North SD County in the next five years, so I really want to better understand options to flyfish for Corvina, sand bass; whatever makes a living in the bays and surf.

I'd appreciate any help, advice, or even a meet up. And if you happen to get up my way I'm happy to provide up to date info on the lakes and rivers I fish.

Obligatory fish shot from April

[Neuroshima]

Bit of a loaded question, but I'll give it a shot.

This weekends tide is high at sunrise, low at noon, high at sunset. The bite is best when water is moving, so avoid peaks and troughs. I personally like fishing the surf from low to high so I can see the structure fill in. If it's high to low, I tend to fish the bays.

For surf, go with your full sink line. Clousers work. I tend to use red flies. Wolly bugger-like, or San Juan. There's a pattern called Krabby patty which is essentially a buggar. Cast into troughs and holes. Look on YouTube on how to read the surf for structure. Make sure you're not fishing in a protected area.

For bays, if you're shore pounding stick with your floating line. Mission bay is best with sandy beaches, west side at Bonita cove, Santa Barbara cove, etc. Use a long leader so the fly can get to the bottom and thru the ell grass where the bass are. Clousers and shrimp patterns. I particularly like tying on weed guards so I'm not picking of grass each cast.

[Salmo3T]

Great info, thanks!
Looks like should scout out an area around noon to see hidden structure, then head back early evening to fish.

Another question, is there a site that shows area fishing restrictions?

[Baja_Traveler]

Great info, thanks!
Looks like should scout out an area around noon to see hidden structure, then head back early evening to fish.

Another question, is there a site that shows area fishing restrictions?

Essentially throwing flies and catch & release there is no fishing restrictions ( other than requiring a license and fishing in an MLPA). So just don’t fish at La Jolla shores and you are good. Torrey Pines north was looking really good today from the train.

[Salmo3T]

CnR for me is the standard. I saw a you tube where a local guide gave a detailed presentation about fishing the shore specifically in Newport Beach, some Long Beach, a little Huntington. Shared specifics about precise locations and what types of fish, etc.

[Neuroshima]

Crap, forgot to remind you about having a stripping basket for the surf. Hope you were reminded in someway and were able to get out.

[Neuroshima]

Crap, forgot to remind you about having a stripping basket for the surf. Hope you figured that out and were able to get a line wet.

[Tubefly]

I carry 2 types of flies in the surf
Baitfish - I like clousers
Sandcrabs - orange or red somewhere helps (match the eggs under a female sandcrab)
Mine all tend to be "heavy" to get down and stay down