Anyone have flatty experience in SLO?

Rockfish is winding down and it appears that lings have now been knocked down to Oct. 31 too. I've caught a couple flatties down here off of Avila/Pismo, but I'm looking for more productive spots and advice.

I am a SLO local and have just picked up flatties on the side, while targeting lings and bigger rockfish.  More sagely fisherman than I report that they are generally found at rivermouths in water near structure.  That has been my experience.  Local sites like Estero bay (near structure), the AB farm (near villa creek) can be productive.  I caught a 17lber out of arroyo laguna.  again, always near creek mouths, in sandy, gravelly surfaces near structure.  Aliva bay is a popular place also. 

Good luck.  What I've read and experienced indicate that flatties are most likely caught in the summer, like rockfish and lings!, What are we left with as winter approaches? Nothing!.... other than dreams for the summer!!  But get out there and fish- we might be lucky!!!

Rustic Andy

"flatties are most likely caught in the summer, like rockfish and lings!"

Heh, yeah. I'm in denial, I'm just not ready to stop yet.

it appears that lings have now been knocked down to Oct. 31 too

Sunnovabeech! I was counting on a Thanksgiving holiday ling fishing session while down in SLO. Now what am I gonna do??

Is the perching any good? I might try that down at Shell.


Scott

Scott,

Here's the thing, I've found two current documents on the dfg website that disagree with each other on the end of the ling season. Look at this, scroll down to "Morro Bay South-Central Management Area" and look at the "lingcod" open and closed season dates. See anything peculiar?

From the looks of the number of rods lined up in Atascadero State Beach (North Morro) the perch must be slammin right now.

You mean the open May-Nov, closed Jan-Apr, Nov, Dec ??  Nothing like being ambiguous...

As for Perching - Come to think of it, I've seen huge populations of Mole Crabs at Hazards. I bet there wouldn't be any crowding with other fishermen there either. I'd just rather be out in a boat, weather permitting.

Scott

Don't know about the perch, but the surf sure has been crankin at Hazards for the last couple days.