Avila Beach, near Pismo

Heading down next week for the family vacation, kayak will accompany. 

Any ideas for fish type, location, bait (where to find some)?

Looking for any tips on how to fish that area.

Many thanks!

-Steve

there are some good fishing spots down by avila...I grew up down there...I found these guys chatting about easy launch and halibut...port san luis and the breakwater is right next to avila



http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=17144

just be careful when your trying to drag the kayak across avila beach...all of the college girls in that area sun bathe @ avila and it might be a bit crowded for a launch 

Post up on cckf. They will let ya know. And you'll prob find a partner to head out with.

Head south towards pismo, don't go north around the point. It often blows offshore if you head north. There is a wash rock which is the center of the reef. If you work the edge of the reef, there is a decent shot at halibut. Go to Jockos for a giant steak dinner. Trust me, your family will love it.

The area around Port San Luis is great for halibut. It's a little early in the season, but I bet there are some flatties hanging around the isolated kelp patches.

I fished that area quite frequently while I was in school down there. I had my best luck with light tackle and small (4") white big hammer swimbaits. Focus on the edges of the kelp patches and use a stop and go retrieve letting the bait tap the bottom  at each stop.

If the halibut aren't cooporating, you can always slay the barred surf perch from any of the sandy beaches in that  area.

Motor oil/red flake Kalin's perch grubs behind a 1/2-oz sliding egg sinker will do the trick for perch. Cast out over the breakers and retrieve slowly. Tappy tap tap, perch on!

A friend of mine once caught (and of course released) a BEAUTIFUL coastal steelhead from that beach while perch fishing.

Head south towards pismo, don't go north around the point. It often blows offshore if you head north. There is a wash rock which is the center of the reef. If you work the edge of the reef, there is a decent shot at halibut. Go to Jockos for a giant steak dinner. Trust me, your family will love it.

No offense but the wind is the same as up there gonna be "usually" blowing down the coast to the south. heading south and you could have a battle getting back north. But just play the weather right and your good to go, heading out in front of the lighthouse and that is the usual zone for this time of year for Salmon and Halibut. Towards the Pea patch which is a little bit of a paddle but produces a lot of halibut.

Salmon opens this weekend and there will be a mile long line to see if there down this way. Lots of bait been around so there is a chance there around getting FAT. Who knows till this weekend how that bite is.

But there is a chance at Hali, but still pretty early probably best to fish deeper for them this time of year. Usually guys trolling for salmon and are more torwards the bottom will hook a few halibut as buy catch in April. Just very few guys except the commercial guys really targeting them.

But like anywhere up the coast this time of year is SLOW, for the most part due to the season being closed and lots of weather systems moving through the area. Wind does look to be up a little this weekend so e safe.

Commercial guys trolling for halibut around morro cant keep ling cod off there bait long enough to catch the hali theyre after... Alot of complaining going on about the population spike lol

If you plan on making bait, Port San Luis is the best.  Avila beach, the main area, will be crowded, but I've caught just about everything just south of there.  I even caught a young WSB once.  If you plan on just using artificials, one of my favorite launches was near "shell beach" but its not the easiest launch.  I can give you detailed directions if you want. 

Good Luck man.  I love that area of the pacific!!!

@rawyak, many thanks. I need to go with you sometime to learn how to "make bait".  Launch from the port is good, surf is much higher in Avila.  I caught ling, mackerel, and a smelt (which I had to look up) on jigs and frozen anchovies. I fished hard for three days and although it was slow, I got lots of good video on the gopro.  Seals, lions and otters everywhere, water is beautiful.  Lots of folks asked about halibut so I guess they are expected here. Overall, Great trip, you can get the feel of big blue and then scamper back behind the sea wall if the ride gets too big. 

Definitely get some Memphis Ribs at Mo's BBQ.

http://www.smokinmosbbq.com/

Launching at Shell Beach Is a pain in the ass, compared to Avila. Best launch at Avila is Dog Beach. In the corner by the Boat launch and kayak rental. You can use the dock there if your not going to be in the way. Then there is a small crane for aluminum boats. I think it uses quarters 1.00 I think. So launching in Avila is not a Problem. But go off the light house oF Pea Patch like Ryan said. South is a bad Idea from Avila unless you like paddling against a strong wind. Bait should be available there. Frozen or live, if the pen is manned at the time. Last yr was the first time the pen has been operating in a long time. Montana De Orro, has a great launch just drive to the end of Los Osos Valley RD off the 101 to Spooners cove. That is where I would go, close to SLO. Being a Local, But you can go where you want.