August Surf Fishing a Repeat of July ?

[Zhao]

Getting crabs is really hard. There still are some, usually not in those beds of micros though. I got better luck from the the "loose" beds where the crabs were somewhat spaced out.
There are fish in the reefs (more than sand), but also fewer and smaller compared to previous years. Still fun though.

[jwacky]

It does seem like the 'wait until the sand crabs show up' hype of Apr - May, 'then we will slay 'em' was reflected in a brief flurry of corbina, spotfin, perch, guitar fish catch reports, then things dropped off the cliff .

Basically my experience over the past couple months. Thought things were picking up with a couple corbina and YFCs, but since then it's just been tiny perch.

[Fullmetal37]

Temps dropped off a cliff over the last week or so. If we see some stability the fishing might pick up. Maybe…

[Perch killer]

Temps dropped off a cliff over the last week or so. If we see some stability the fishing might pick up. Maybe…

Noticed that, some upwelling That's good, here's hoping.

[kastmaster]

I found a few crabs with eggs and left them alone. It's actually scary how few there are.

In contrast, current conditions in Morro Bay are sandcrab city. Maybe the fishing spirits are trying to guide me, cuz 90% of my retrieves ended up with one or more crabs, including large roe-laden females.

[Fullmetal37]

I found a few crabs with eggs and left them alone. It's actually scary how few there are.

In contrast, current conditions in Morro Bay are sandcrab city. Maybe the fishing spirits are trying to guide me, cuz 90% of my retrieves ended up with one or more crabs, including large roe-laden females.

The fishing has definitely been better in Santa Barbara and north

[Perch killer]

I found a few crabs with eggs and left them alone. It's actually scary how few there are.

In contrast, current conditions in Morro Bay are sandcrab city. Maybe the fishing spirits are trying to guide me, cuz 90% of my retrieves ended up with one or more crabs, including large roe-laden females.

The fishing has definitely been better in Santa Barbara and north

Cooler water relative to So Cal. Having thoughts of doing a trip north.

[pseudoMoGil]

I found a few crabs with eggs and left them alone. It's actually scary how few there are.

In contrast, current conditions in Morro Bay are sandcrab city. Maybe the fishing spirits are trying to guide me, cuz 90% of my retrieves ended up with one or more crabs, including large roe-laden females.

wow!

[Midnightpass]

Only guy I saw lately bag a couple was with an bow & arrow at PB ! Two good size ones.

I was in PB wednesday morning at Kono's, I saw a bow hunter fishing. Don't know if he caught anything.

Does this bother anyone other than me... It is illegal for anyone to possess a bow or arrow on a San Diego beach, and many others as well..... And yet these guys are shooting them into the surf with kids swimming well within range of a deflected arrow, poor shot or mishap while drawing or aiming the bow... I know this is a "sporting" type forum that includes hunting (Bow as well as firearms), but do it where legal and away from others... I was on Crystal Pier for a week and saw these guys bow hunting corbina and SFC right around and under the pier over the crowed Memorial Day weekend... Adults and kids were all around them, and the life guards or (many) police did nothing about it... Yet, if we rod and reel anglers have someone run in close to our dinky lines and hooks the life guards chase us off... Just be legal and considerate of others...
Butch

[Perch killer]

Good to hear you chime in Butch. I'm not sure from the city's website if it is illegal on SD's beaches and I've never seen anything posted to prohibit bow fishing. They do list restrictions for the city lakes but nothing is said about the beaches that I could find. If it is illegal, there should be clear signage at the appropriate places and the LG's should be enforcing it. Other than that, I'm with you that common sense has to prevail when conditions (crowded beaches, etc) are such that could make it dangerous for the other folks enjoying the beach.

Aside from this, how's the fishing going for you and your buddies in your area this summer ? Any better than here ?

Bill

[Andrew_WOT]

Does this bother anyone other than me... It is illegal for anyone to possess a bow or arrow on a San Diego beach, and many others as well..... And yet these guys are shooting them into the surf with kids swimming well within range of a deflected arrow, poor shot or mishap while drawing or aiming the bow... I know this is a "sporting" type forum that includes hunting (Bow as well as firearms), but do it where legal and away from others... I was on Crystal Pier for a week and saw these guys bow hunting corbina and SFC right around and under the pier over the crowed Memorial Day weekend... Adults and kids were all around them, and the life guards or (many) police did nothing about it... Yet, if we rod and reel anglers have someone run in close to our dinky lines and hooks the life guards chase us off... Just be legal and considerate of others...
Butch

LG should have flagged them down (police most likely clueless on regulations), if not you should have talked to them.
And I don't appreciate anglers throwing line next to the people either, move away from the crowd, or fish early in the morning when crowd is thin and fish actually bites.

[Nelson 1]

Does this bother anyone other than me... It is illegal for anyone to possess a bow or arrow on a San Diego beach, and many others as well..... And yet these guys are shooting them into the surf with kids swimming well within range of a deflected arrow, poor shot or mishap while drawing or aiming the bow... I know this is a "sporting" type forum that includes hunting (Bow as well as firearms), but do it where legal and away from others... I was on Crystal Pier for a week and saw these guys bow hunting corbina and SFC right around and under the pier over the crowed Memorial Day weekend... Adults and kids were all around them, and the life guards or (many) police did nothing about it... Yet, if we rod and reel anglers have someone run in close to our dinky lines and hooks the life guards chase us off... Just be legal and considerate of others...
Butch

LG should have flagged them down (police most likely clueless on regulations), if not you should have talked to them.
And I don't appreciate anglers throwing line next to the people either, move away from the crowd, or fish early in the morning when crowd is thin and fish actually bites.

I am not tell a guy with a bow what to do.

[Andrew_WOT]

LOL, I meant talk to LG.

[Nelson 1]

Does this bother anyone other than me... It is illegal for anyone to possess a bow or arrow on a San Diego beach, and many others as well..... And yet these guys are shooting them into the surf with kids swimming well within range of a deflected arrow, poor shot or mishap while drawing or aiming the bow... I know this is a "sporting" type forum that includes hunting (Bow as well as firearms), but do it where legal and away from others... I was on Crystal Pier for a week and saw these guys bow hunting corbina and SFC right around and under the pier over the crowed Memorial Day weekend... Adults and kids were all around them, and the life guards or (many) police did nothing about it... Yet, if we rod and reel anglers have someone run in close to our dinky lines and hooks the life guards chase us off... Just be legal and considerate of others...
Butch

LG should have flagged them down (police most likely clueless on regulations), if not you should have talked to them.
And I don't appreciate anglers throwing line next to the people either, move away from the crowd, or fish early in the morning when crowd is thin and fish actually bites.

I am not telling a guy with a bow what to do.

[Nelson 1]

LOL, I meant talk to LG.

10-4

[Midnightpass]

https://docs.sandiego.gov/council_reso_ ... -17082.pdf

https://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recre ... oscp/rules

CA
San Diego County
San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances
SEC. 41.117. WEAPONS AND FIREWORKS.

CHAPTER 1. COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION

SEC. 41.117. WEAPONS AND FIREWORKS.
(a) It shall be unlawful for a person to possess any of the following in a County park: "explosives," as defined in Health and Safety Code section 12000, "fireworks," as defined in Health and Safety Code section 12511, a "firearm" as defined in Penal Code section 12001, an air gun, bow or crossbow, slingshot, paintball gun, blowgun or throwing knife.
(b) The Department may, however, grant written authorization:
(1) To a group to practice archery in a designated area of a County park.
(2) To allow bows and arrows to be carried during an historical reenactment.
(3) To allow "antique firearms," as defined in 18 U.S.C. section 921(a)(16), to be carried and discharged using blank ammunition, during an historical reenactment, upon satisfactory proof that all State and federal firearms regulations have been and will be complied with.
(4) To allow a mentored, juniors-only turkey hunt for up to 20 juniors and their mentors, using shotguns or bows and arrows, at Santa Ysabel East Preserve for a maximum of two days per year during a State-established juniors-only turkey hunting season, subject to all applicable State and federal laws and regulations.
(5) To allow the possession and use of a firearm or any other weapon listed in subsection (a) above to control any invasive, non-native animal in a County park that the Director determines is causing significant damage to the environment including, but not limited to, native plants and/or animals, provided the authorization complies with all applicable federal and state law. The authorization may include conditions to ensure the safety of the public, including, but not limited to a limit on the time when and/or the area where the person may possess and use the firearm, and specification of the type of firearm or weapon that may be used. Before granting an authorization, the department shall consider the environmental resources in the area where the animal is likely to be found. The authorization shall include conditions to protect any significant environmental resources, including sensitive plants or animals, in that area.
(c) The prohibition on the possession and use of a firearm in subdivision (a) above does not apply to the following persons when acting in the course and scope of their employment: any peace officer as defined by state law, any federal law enforcement officer including, but not limited to, an employee of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, or any other governmental employee or his or her agent who is authorized to carry a firearm.
(Amended by Ord. No. 6370 (N.S.), effective 7-8-82; amended by Ord. No. 9494 (N.S.), effective 9-13-02; amended by Ord. No. 9890 (N.S.), effective 10-26-07; amended by Ord. No. 10122 (N.S.), effective 3-10-11; amended by Ord. No. 10197 (N.S.), effective 2-24-12; amended by Ord. No. 10351 (N.S.), effective 9-5-14; amended by Ord. No. 10412 (N.S.), effective 2-26-16; amended by Ord. No. 10823 (N.S.), effective 1-13-23)
Cross reference(s)--Fireworks, § 32.101 et seq.

Butch

[Bigbertha]

Drive by the archery range in lakeside! Guess I just don’t have trust in people

[Zhao]

Does this bother anyone other than me... It is illegal for anyone to possess a bow or arrow on a San Diego beach, and many others as well..... And yet these guys are shooting them into the surf with kids swimming well within range of a deflected arrow, poor shot or mishap while drawing or aiming the bow... I know this is a "sporting" type forum that includes hunting (Bow as well as firearms), but do it where legal and away from others... I was on Crystal Pier for a week and saw these guys bow hunting corbina and SFC right around and under the pier over the crowed Memorial Day weekend... Adults and kids were all around them, and the life guards or (many) police did nothing about it... Yet, if we rod and reel anglers have someone run in close to our dinky lines and hooks the life guards chase us off... Just be legal and considerate of others...
Butch

LG should have flagged them down (police most likely clueless on regulations), if not you should have talked to them.
And I don't appreciate anglers throwing line next to the people either, move away from the crowd, or fish early in the morning when crowd is thin and fish actually bites.

Agree that fishermen should not cast into the crowd.
Along the same thread, swimmers and surfers should not cross in front of a fisherman.
Too often in summer, a fisherman found an stretch of open beach with no people, casted in water. 20 minutes later, some people decided it a good idea to enjoy the water in front of the fisherman.

[Midnightpass]

Good to hear you chime in Butch
Aside from this, how's the fishing going for you and your buddies in your area this summer ? Any better than here ?

Bill

Didn't mean to ignore you Bill.... Fishing's no better up here than down there... I haven't been out much this summer (Life gets in the way. ), so I'm not much of a judge, but my buddies aren't catching much... Sand crabs seem to be scarce most places... Last time I saw the crabs not make an appearance, the perch went in a big decline the following years... I hope it's not a forecaster of what's coming... But the YFC did seem to make a pretty good showing in those years..
Hope all is well with you..
Butch

[Andrew_WOT]

https://surffishingsocalsd.com/how-el-n ... g-in-2026/