Having a bad season...thoughts?

[jzirlin75]

I surf fish in Del Mar, Solana beach and encinitas. Last summer I was catching corbina and spot fin left and right. This year, the crabs are tiny or too big and deep pockets seem impossible to find.

Is this happening to anyone else? Anyone have any suggestions for me? I am so frustrated

Jenn

[Neuroshima]

Water temps have been lower than usual, in the low 60s for most of June but it's finally starting to heat up.

[Jusbigguns]

Not me, I'm using bloodwoorms. Expensive but effective.

[ebcast94]

I fish North County, and it does vary year to year, month to month, and week to week. It's called fishing. However, I judge a summer from July through the end of September. Some of my best weekends (the only time I can fish) have been in these months. There might be 1 or 2 weeks of poor conditions, but then the 3rd or 4th weekend I limit on Corbina or Spotfin all over 20 inches. Your results may vary. Being able to soak my feet in the water and sand at 6am is what I look forward to after a week of work; actually catching something is a bonus. It's just boils down to your perspective.

[Perch killer]

suggestions, yes . . . be patient. IMO everything is about a month behind usual schedule. Water temps yo yoing hasn't helped. As soon as consistently at 65 & above, beans & croakers should be more active. Mostly perch past few weeks, hopefully that will change soon. Consider changing baits; I would go with bloodworms (if you can find them) as an alternative if nothing is hitting the crabs.

[YNW_FISHY]

Try fishing for real fish, like halibut seabass corvina etc

[HK_Supermarket]

Fished for 3 hours last weekend in surf for only 15 minutes of action. Caught a few perch and corbina during that time before it was back to walking the beach. In my experience surf fishing tends to be harder until mid summer-fall in SD.

[Gotfish?]

There's always Gulp bloodworms aka "perch crack" if you can't find crabs . Carolina rig, 2" length is right for perch, either buy that size or cut the longer ones in half.

[Zach]

Sandworms on a drop shot are my "In case of emergency, break glass" bait. Something about this setup just lands fish. I have fished similar finessey baits when it's tough and nothing. But, get these on a DS and you'll at least avoid the skunk.

[Zhao]

Rock/reef has been producing. Maybe give it a try? You will need different rig and technique though. Carolina rig is probably not the best choice. I use hi-lo with 150 lb mono leader to fight the rock/kelp abrasion (I was using 110lb, not strong enough). 40 lb mainline and 4oz sinker. This past June I landed 15-20 legal sheepheads from shore. Also some legal calicos/sand bass and large opal eyes (16-18 in).
Light gear could also work. I caught all these species with 12 lb test and 3/4 oz sinkers last winter.
Also tide makes a huge difference for hard structures, I would say more than sandy beach.
Good luck!

[Glency]

encinitas provided me a 13" perch, pan size yellow fin croaker, and a too-small hali. Lucky Craft.

[Eric_CG88]

Rock/reef has been producing. Maybe give it a try? You will need different rig and technique though. Carolina rig is probably not the best choice. I use hi-lo with 150 lb mono leader to fight the rock/kelp abrasion (I was using 110lb, not strong enough). 40 lb mainline and 4oz sinker. This past June I landed 15-20 legal sheepheads from shore. Also some legal calicos/sand bass and large opal eyes (16-18 in).
Light gear could also work. I caught all these species with 12 lb test and 3/4 oz sinkers last winter.
Also tide makes a huge difference for hard structures, I would say more than sandy beach.
Good luck!

150lb leader and 40lb main? What do you do if you get snagged in the rocks, do you just cut your main?

[Zhao]

Rock/reef has been producing. Maybe give it a try? You will need different rig and technique though. Carolina rig is probably not the best choice. I use hi-lo with 150 lb mono leader to fight the rock/kelp abrasion (I was using 110lb, not strong enough). 40 lb mainline and 4oz sinker. This past June I landed 15-20 legal sheepheads from shore. Also some legal calicos/sand bass and large opal eyes (16-18 in).
Light gear could also work. I caught all these species with 12 lb test and 3/4 oz sinkers last winter.
Also tide makes a huge difference for hard structures, I would say more than sandy beach.
Good luck!

150lb leader and 40lb main? What do you do if you get snagged in the rocks, do you just cut your main?

Loosen the line and let it drift for a minute or two, then reel in fast. 80% of time it can get unsnagged.
If it is dead snagged, I would just pull it. Usually main line will break at the far end. I would trim off the last 5-10 feet of the main line, which is usually frayed by this time.

[Glency]

Fished for 3 hours last weekend in surf for only 15 minutes of action. Caught a few perch and corbina during that time before it was back to walking the beach. In my experience surf fishing tends to be harder until mid summer-fall in SD.

Good to know. I just started fishing in May; have caught about 75 different fish... I guess I have something to look forward to!

[Neuroshima]

Water got cold again.

[vdisney]

With the exception of a couple multi short halibut sessions, this year has been brutal for me. Water temp is below normal, and it keeps bouncing around. I tell myself it will turn, fingers crossed