San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Perch killer wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 4:33 pm Gotcha on the parking. I may consider getting an annual parking pass for next year but $200 is pricey. Would have to do a lot of fishing in the N. county to make that worthwhile. I can make it to Mission, Pacific or OB in 15 minutes, takes twice as long to TP plus lot of free parking, at least for now.

That was an interesting post on spotfin. All the spotfin I've caught have been close in, even had one swim between my legs in about 1' of water. I knew they like those bean clams and finding them or even their broken shells inshore can be a good indicator that they've been working that area. Sand crabs and blood/lug worms work well but more of my spotfin catches have been on mussel meat.

Midnightpass wrote: Thu Aug 21, 2025 7:37 am

Perch killer wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 4:33 pm Gotcha on the parking. I may consider getting an annual parking pass for next year but $200 is pricey. Would have to do a lot of fishing in the N. county to make that worthwhile. I can make it to Mission, Pacific or OB in 15 minutes, takes twice as long to TP plus lot of free parking, at least for now.

That was an interesting post on spotfin. All the spotfin I've caught have been close in, even had one swim between my legs in about 1' of water. I knew they like those bean clams and finding them or even their broken shells inshore can be a good indicator that they've been working that area. Sand crabs and blood/lug worms work well but more of my spotfin catches have been on mussel meat.

I agree... I too have caught most of mine more or less inside, but then again, that's where I usually fish... I'll have to give clams and mussel a try again... I used to use mussel a lot back in the day, but haven't for awhile because of the mess... Clams would be less messy... Do you guys get your clams at the Asian markets or bait shops?
Butch

Perch killer wrote: Fri Aug 22, 2025 1:58 pm

Midnightpass wrote: Thu Aug 21, 2025 7:37 am

Perch killer wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 4:33 pm Gotcha on the parking. I may consider getting an annual parking pass for next year but $200 is pricey. Would have to do a lot of fishing in the N. county to make that worthwhile. I can make it to Mission, Pacific or OB in 15 minutes, takes twice as long to TP plus lot of free parking, at least for now.

That was an interesting post on spotfin. All the spotfin I've caught have been close in, even had one swim between my legs in about 1' of water. I knew they like those bean clams and finding them or even their broken shells inshore can be a good indicator that they've been working that area. Sand crabs and blood/lug worms work well but more of my spotfin catches have been on mussel meat.

I agree... I too have caught most of mine more or less inside, but then again, that's where I usually fish... I'll have to give clams and mussel a try again... I used to use mussel a lot back in the day, but haven't for awhile because of the mess... Clams would be less messy... Do you guys get your clams at the Asian markets or bait shops?
Butch

Butch, I'll get clams at Asian fish market. I haven't found frozen ones there like mussel so if I see the fresh ones are at a decent price, I'll get a dozen or so, then freeze them. Never found any decent frozen in bait shops.

Midnightpass wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 1:38 pm Da** you!…. . You’re catching SFC and corbina, and I’m sitting home.. That's a nice day of fishing… Way to go…
Butch

Everydog wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 3:36 am So, I had three trips to Del Mar and no other fishing since the last report. I enjoyed the fishing, but the story was just the same old thing. I haven't caught a spotfin in three consecutive trips, but it's been a long time since my last trip without at least one chunky corbina in the mix. It was one baby leopard shark after another on one trip. Grass has never stopped me from fishing. However, some days and parts of the day are better than others. I've become a regular at the spot, where I fish and chat with people I have met and am on a first-name basis with, as well as strangers. I like that aspect of surf fishing.

It's really sinking in on me that my first season of using sand crabs for bait will soon be transitioning into something else. I have one night camping spot coming up at Carlsbad State Beach, and I'll try San Elijo next. I considered sleeping in my van on the PCH lot to make the most of one trip, but I lost my nerve.

I have enjoyed the other surf fishing posts. How's Perch Killer doing? Very well, I hope.

Everydog wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 3:36 am ... I fish and chat with people I have met and am on a first-name basis with, as well as strangers. I like that aspect of surf fishing.

jwacky wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 8:21 am

Everydog wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 3:36 am ... I fish and chat with people I have met and am on a first-name basis with, as well as strangers. I like that aspect of surf fishing.

This has far and away been my favorite part of surf fishing this year - the conversations with people taking pictures, walking dogs, surfers, others fishing... especially so early in the mornings, everyone is just happy to be at the beach and enjoying the waves, sand, sun, and fresh ocean air. This is my 20th year living in San Diego and I still pinch myself that I get to call this place home.

Midnightpass wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 8:37 am At least you guys are getting some line time. So far, I’ve been Cabo for a week and have fished for 1hour. I’ve been reading the post here, but not commenting much because I hate typing on my phone. Anyway, keep up the good fight.
Butch

Ironchuckers wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 9:57 am Anyone looking for sand crabs, there are massive beds of them up in North Carlsbad as of Sunday evening. Mostly nickel sized, over 50% over that size or bigger had roe.

Fished from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Lots of perch in the shallows. Saw a couple guys fly fishing who caught a couple beans, no luck there for me. All perch..

New to this forum, was on SoCalSurfishing and SDFish.com quite a bit under different names, mostly lurking..

Perch killer wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 7:28 am

Everydog wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 3:36 am So, I had three trips to Del Mar and no other fishing since the last report. I enjoyed the fishing, but the story was just the same old thing. I haven't caught a spotfin in three consecutive trips, but it's been a long time since my last trip without at least one chunky corbina in the mix. It was one baby leopard shark after another on one trip. Grass has never stopped me from fishing. However, some days and parts of the day are better than others. I've become a regular at the spot, where I fish and chat with people I have met and am on a first-name basis with, as well as strangers. I like that aspect of surf fishing.

It's really sinking in on me that my first season of using sand crabs for bait will soon be transitioning into something else. I have one night camping spot coming up at Carlsbad State Beach, and I'll try San Elijo next. I considered sleeping in my van on the PCH lot to make the most of one trip, but I lost my nerve.

I have enjoyed the other surf fishing posts. How's Perch Killer doing? Very well, I hope.

Been slow for me at SD beaches insofar as anything of quality over the past month. A couple good perch sessions with some 10-12 inchers in the mix but none of the quality species, croakers & corbina, that most of us are looking for. A couple of guitar fish in the mix also. This has been the same pattern as last year, great action starting mid June into all of July then goes dead all of August up to mid September. Then fishing got good again into November; hope this repeats. Many heavy salad days, very warm water & disappearing sand crabs have all contributed to the annual August malaise. But it's enjoyable just to get out and looking forward to some good fishing days ahead next couple of months. Hope the same for you and all surf anglers.

jwacky wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 8:21 am

Everydog wrote: Tue Sep 09, 2025 3:36 am ... I fish and chat with people I have met and am on a first-name basis with, as well as strangers. I like that aspect of surf fishing.

This has far and away been my favorite part of surf fishing this year - the conversations with people taking pictures, walking dogs, surfers, others fishing... especially so early in the mornings, everyone is just happy to be at the beach and enjoying the waves, sand, sun, and fresh ocean air. This is my 20th year living in San Diego and I still pinch myself that I get to call this place home.