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Topic: Tips for new saltwater fisherman? (from shore for now)  (Read 1452 times)

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forumname

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Hey everyone,

I've learned a lot from this forum about crabbing and freshwater kayak fishing, but I've yet to do any saltwater fishing (outside of poke-poling, which I also learned about here (and love)).

I'm looking to leave the kayak at home for a while (for safety purposes) and start to get comfortable with some saltwater fishing. Any tips on a good introductory species or method? Obviously I'd love to start hauling in trophy salmon and halibut, but I imagine something like perch, stripers or rockfish would be more appropriate for a beginner, yes?

I wont ask you to give away your favorite spots, but generally speaking what would you recommend as an introduction to the salt? Species? Location (beach/pier/rocky shore)? Rig? Bait? Any help would be much appreciated!
« Last Edit: June 29, 2017, 07:50:57 PM by forumname »


Chet

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The best way I fount the most efficient is to do it.
When you see a hook up, just ask if you can tag along. Good luck.
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KPD

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What you are already doing (poke poling) is probably the most productive method of saltwater fishing from shore in Norcal. A bunch of people on this forum chase surf perch, so there are plenty of posts that have all the details on how to do that.

Being on a kayak makes catching fish in the ocean so much easier though. You can spend all day casting from the rocky shore for a few small rockfish, or you can fish a quarter mile offshore from the same spot in your kayak and come home with a 30 pound stringer.

Fishing from the shore is a lot less of a hassle though.

You really should buy Kirk's book if you haven't already: https://www.amazon.com/Foragers-Guide-Northern-California-Coast/dp/159714357X
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KillBait

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You really should buy Kirk's book if you haven't already: https://www.amazon.com/Foragers-Guide-Northern-California-Coast/dp/159714357X

Just added the book to my amazon cart. Thanks for the mention! I'm a  :sign4: myself, so I'm sure its going to be helpful.


DG

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Like was mentioned a kayak sure gives you more options and locations but I have shot or caught some of my biggest fish right next to rocks that I have seen folks fishing from.  So on rougher days or if you just don't feel like dragging a kayak around with all its gear it doesn't hurt to give shore fishing a shot.

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forumname

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What you are already doing (poke poling) is probably the most productive method of saltwater fishing from shore in Norcal. A bunch of people on this forum chase surf perch, so there are plenty of posts that have all the details on how to do that.

Being on a kayak makes catching fish in the ocean so much easier though. You can spend all day casting from the rocky shore for a few small rockfish, or you can fish a quarter mile offshore from the same spot in your kayak and come home with a 30 pound stringer.

Fishing from the shore is a lot less of a hassle though.

You really should buy Kirk's book if you haven't already: https://www.amazon.com/Foragers-Guide-Northern-California-Coast/dp/159714357X

I actually have a copy of the book beside me as we speak, and I'm on my 2nd reading. Awesome stuff - KillBait, you won't be disappointed.

I hear you about the benefits of the kayak, so I'll keep that in mind. The big thing for me (aside from still trying to learn about tides/current/wind/etc) is that I don't have the recommended safety equipment, and I likely won't be living here for long enough to warrant buying it. We'll see though.

I'll search around for some more info on surf-perching, and I'll definitely stick with the poke-poling as well (just had some monkey-face tacos tonight and they were amazing as usual)

Thanks to you and the others who have posted so far for the words of wisdom.


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http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=79161.0;topicseen

Salt Pt state park also has some decent rocky shoreline to fish from, Find a spot where the very nearshore water looks fairly deep and then don't cast out too far, maybe just 10-20 feet out.  Expect to lose allot of gear, use tobacco sacks with rocks for sinkers (old school but still works) they tear easy and the cotton is non polluting.  Stay away from ab divers if they're in the area.

Can't fish north of the middle of Fiskmill cove, basically the entrance to the parking lot is even with the closure line.  if you go check out the MLPA/SMR closures on the DFG website.

Enjoy just being there.


forumname

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I decided to give it a shot this afternoon, and rockfish felt like it would be a good saltwater cherry-popper so I headed to a nearby jetty. I don't have much saltwater gear so I rigged up a swimbait that I had found on the rocks at some point, and after 45 minutes or so of low confidence trial-and-error, I managed to hook into my first saltwater fish (by hook and line) - a nice lingcod! About 21.997 inches long. It was right on the edge of legal so I played it safe and let it go. Needless to say I'm hooked.
« Last Edit: July 02, 2017, 12:01:10 AM by forumname »


Eddie

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I decided to give it a shot this afternoon, and rockfish felt like it would be a good saltwater cherry-popper so I headed to a nearby jetty. I don't have much saltwater gear so I rigged up a swimbait that I had found on the rocks at some point, and after 45 minutes or so of low confidence trial-and-error, I managed to hook into my first saltwater fish (by hook and line) - a nice lingcod! About 21.997 inches long. It was right on the edge of legal so I played it safe and let it go. Needless to say I'm hooked.
High five on the salt success...Keep it up, let's fish, i'm in Marin also :smt006
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KPD

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I decided to give it a shot this afternoon, and rockfish felt like it would be a good saltwater cherry-popper so I headed to a nearby jetty. I don't have much saltwater gear so I rigged up a swimbait that I had found on the rocks at some point, and after 45 minutes or so of low confidence trial-and-error, I managed to hook into my first saltwater fish (by hook and line) - a nice lingcod! About 21.997 inches long. It was right on the edge of legal so I played it safe and let it go. Needless to say I'm hooked.
Nicely done! Glad to hear you are out there getting after it.
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Sin Coast

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Shore fishing can be very fun & relaxing, and equally rewarding as yak or boat fishing. I categorize local shore fishing into 3 buckets: beach, rocks, or bay. Beach fishing means surfperch & striped bass. Rockfishing means RCG fish. And Bay means striped bass, halibut, sharks & rays. Each type has different advantages (or disadvantages). For example, I hardly ever break my line white beach fishing...but the chances of bringing home dinner are lower [for me, I don't eat perch or surf stripers]. Whereas, in shore rockfishing I will often break my line a half-dozen times or more...but I have a good chance of bringing home dinner.
Here's some halfway decent info about shore rockfishing techniques. http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=47165.msg524757#msg524757
I'd also recommend PFIC as a resource to dig through the archives/old board for relevant info.
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AlexB

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You should be able to rent or borrow a Farmer John wetsuit (or do you have a wetsuit kicking around the garage?). And you probably already have a PFD. I'd say that's the absolute bare minimum for nearshore (calm water) ocean fishing if you've got buddies nearby with marine radios.

The area near Santa Cruz Wharf would be a good place to start, as there are usually lots of other kayakers in the area.

Or... You could reach out to Bushy (Allen Bushnell - a member on this forum). He is a kayak fishing guide, and I'm sure he'd be happy to "show you the ropes" around the Santa Cruz area.

If you make it up north, I'm sure Loletaeric (Eric - another member of the forum) would be happy to guide you for a trip in the Northern CA waters.


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