Central Coast of California

I'll be driving down to Carmel for a few days next week and visiting the area from Monterey Bay to Big Sur.  I'm not lugging my kayak.  I've been there before and always thought about taking a rod.  Any suggestions?  Take a rod and fish from a beach or rocky area for stripers, perch, or kelp bass.  Leave the rod at home and just enjoy the area.

I would bring a rod if it were me.  Perch seem to be plentiful, but the striper bite is slowed way down.  I still run into guys that say they are catching them, but I havent seen a striper on anyones stringer, or getting hauled in in a while.

Agreed good perch bite right now.

Thanks for the replies.  I'll be taking a rod with me.

Sandy beaches for perch & stripers or rocky shoreline for cabs/lings/rockfish. You’d be surprised what you can catch from the rocky shore using a chunk of frozen squid. Plan to get snagged and lose sinkers/hooks. But it’s a very rewarding way to fish.

Sandy beaches for perch & stripers or rocky shoreline for cabs/lings/rockfish. You’d be surprised what you can catch from the rocky shore using a chunk of frozen squid. Plan to get snagged and lose sinkers/hooks. But it’s a very rewarding way to fish.

I would love to catch some lings from the shore.  I guess I should scout around more.  Most of the shoreline closest to me is pretty sandy.  Perch, bass, halibut, smelt, and sting rays, I have caught, but never any lings or rockfish.

Here’s some old pics of shore rockfishing adventures between Monterey & Big Sur, for reference.
http://s449.photobucket.com/user/Sin_Coast/library/Shore%20Rockfishing