Surf fishing in the rocks

[salsinker]

:???:I’m interested in discussions with surf anglers particularly those who like to fishing in rocks. I would like feedback on snags, types of bait used and the type of fish that are caught in the rocks.:Big Grin:

[carpinator]

This is what i use in the rocks, if you have something better and cheaper you just found a new customer

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo353/carpinator_photos/images.jpg

[cutbait]

I grew up surf fishing the rocks in Morrobay and San Simeon.

Prepare to snag a lot!

Spark plugs are too light, we used links in a chain. You know like the chains used for towing.... We had the ability to cut them and viola? free weights...

Buy the salt hooks at walmart for like 1.50 a pack,,, I use 1/0...

20 lb minimum, but if you go heavy braid you save a lot of gear, just have something to wrap around the line that has the ability to break the heavy braid and you dont tear your hands up.

Fish in cracks, fish in kelp, fish in sand pockets, I really look for under cut rock right next to sand. We use chovies or dines... some luch on swimbaits but kinda limited, gulp too..

}I've caught fish in 1 ft of water, even in pockets 30 feet inside a breakwall {towards the center}

Look for groups of rocks with deeper water immediately close

Heres a how to vid

This guy likes negative tide, I like incoming


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPLj2jgc1mQ

[cutbait]

Oh, and get some really good shoes and prepare to get wet..

Its not a question if but when you fall on your butt in those rugged rocks

[smokehound]

I prefer dropshot with a weak knot on the sinker so if it snags I can break free easily.

[Wingnut]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPLj2jgc1mQ

That is a cool video... I think they call that kind of fishing poke poling or something like that.

[cutbait]

Poke poling is similar but almost the same.

I tend to fish deeper pockets. Poke poles have a hook immediatly attached to the bamboo..prevents. casting and fighting the fish..

[cutbait]

This is poke poling


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7jJx2TmTx4

Heres my son with a 12 lb lingcod caught off the Morro Bay Jetty

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u290/kluna2/2012-07-08_17-01-05_31.jpg

[harlanx1]

Up north we use tobbaco sacks. Fill them with sand and when they hang up you can break the strings. Getting most of your rig back.

[DockRat]

Cool vids. Bill Varney told me at Fred Hall show about fishing in the holes.
It would probably work good on a breakwall between the boulders ?

[cutbait]

Cool vids. Bill Varney told me at Fred Hall show about fishing in the holes.
It would probably work good on a breakwall between the boulders ?

Works very well for pricklebacks, not so much for rockfish with anysize

You have to focus on the rocks on the edges for the bigger fish

[salsinker]

We do have a solution for snags while surf fishing. It is a lead free family of sinkers called Salamander Sinkers, www.salamandersinkers.com. The sinkers range in weight from 1/8 to 1.25 oz.

Use 20 to 30 lb main line (preferable braid) and tie a 1-4 feet 10-20 lb fluorocarbon or monofilament lead to the end of the sinker or to the first swivel (single swivel) method.

The hook will snag and the leader will break. You lose the hook and leader but not the sinker. Make the hook as weedless as possible and prepare additional leaders before your fishing trip.

[one long cast]

Years ago my father and I would melt tire weights in an iron skillet on a coleman stove, then either using a teaspoon or a tablespoon would dip into the hot lead and fill the basin of the spoon with lead and set the spoon on a wet towel to cool then the weight would fall out. Caution make sure there is no water on the spoon when you put it back in the lead or it will spit back at you and that burns. When your done, then drill a hole in the small end and now you have an inexpensive weight that will reduce being caught in the rocks.

[smokehound]

This guy was deep inside the rocks..

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c177/smokehound/IMG_20120521_115142.jpg

Sorry I didnt intend to flip the camera off in this pic :LOL:


If you're in socal, fishing the rocks will generally bag you grass rockfish and spotties, so be careful.

Spotties will grab your lure/bait, and yank it into the rocks.. Most people will simply cut their line, but there's a simple way to get them out: Simply put slack in the line for 5 minutes, then suddenly pull, this catches them off guard and they'll come out easily!

When Spotties are scared, they'll wedge into a crevice and erect their spines so they cannot be pulled out.

[tree]

I used to poke pole for monkeyfaced eels up north while going for abalone. some of the most fun fishing you can do! close quarters combat!