shore rock fishing

ok , i need some advice on the set up for shore fishing for rock fish, i just need to go and sit on some rocks on the coast and fish, need salt in my nose, and some rockfish for the fryer, im out, i have never done this before so what is the set up, rod, weight, hook etc and better to fish at hightide, low tide, incoming or falling, thanks for the help, cameron

I usually use a drop shot set up with a shrimp fly, and a one ounce weight.  Then have a slip bobber setup, just adjust to the depth. Others will try a high/low and pin it to the bottom. The hard part is reeling in, the kelp and rocks are like glue to your hooks and sinkers. The slip bobber helps get the stuff off the bottom when reeling it in.

While I and many others view Sin Coast as an authority on this subject, he and I have differing styles - hopefully he'll chime in too.

Rich's advice sounds good, but it will depend on water quality.  The water I fish is usually low viz.  I do not cast out if I can help it - I find a spot where I can drop right into at least 2-3' of water that has ready access to a deeper channel and open water.  It's a chum game.  Put a smelly ball of ab guts, squid, chovies...etc. down there and start it soaking.  I like the ease of the "Rockcod Rig", which is the same as a shrimpfly rig but just bare hooks.  They're usually made of like 30 pound test, and you should have a hefty main line too.  Put a 1-4 ounce lead weight or a sand filled tobacco sack on the snap swivel and you're good to go.  Keep a net handy.  A common pattern is to get some quick nibbles from the nearby greenling and perch, then maybe a lull before the chum starts bringing the fish in.  After the soak I've caught half a dozen nice rockies/cabs/greenling in a row on several occassions.  A 10 pound cab will literally come into 2' of water, but, again, water clarity can change the whole game.  If I had clear water I'd toss and retrieve small jig heads.

Good luck, have fun, and share the good stuff.   

Good Topic,
I'm listening and learning
Now I'm waiting for Sin's 2 cents
Tad
 
 

I used to do a lot of rockfishing with a buddy (LingKing) down in Garrapata before I got addicted to this madness lol, and we used to do quite well catching some nice fish.

Since we're dealing with thick kelpbeds and rocky structures, I use a heavy setup that I learned from a good friend from PFIC.

The setup I use:
- 10'6" Med Heavy G Loomis surf rod paired with Daiwa Emblem Pro with 80lb braid. The thick braid helps to cut through the kelp, as well as fighting the big fish outta the beds and rocks.
- I use heavy swivel (100lb strength) to tie the leader to braid. I also use heavy leader (100lbs) to make a single dropper loop where I would attach a 5/0 octopus hook. At the bottom of my leader, I use a 5oz torpedo sinker to get some distance but also to get my line down to the bottom through the kelp beds.
- My go to bait is sardines. I prefer to use half piece, while my buddy loves to use whole sardine. We make sure the bait is securely attached to the hook by wrapping miracle thread around the sardine/hook many, many times (almost mummy-like lol).

With rockfishing, the likelihood of losing rigs/tackle is great and get expensive too lol. With this rig, I don't fuck around nor lose as much rig. Most of the time when my heavy rig gets snagged, I'm quite successful at prying it loose. There are times when my hook comes back bent, but I just bend them back. Of course there are times when I do lose my sinker

Cameron, I hope that ya knock em outta water!

Here's some pics of 1 of our outings. Man, I'm missing rockfishing lol!!

I like to run my set-up like eric described. Found its the most productive for me. I will also sometimes tip the lower hook with bait an run a jig  on the top hook. If I find good spots of kelp I run a slip bobber set-up for the blacks.

thanks for the replys guys, so another question would be, spinning or casting, and do you really need a 9+ft rod, or can i get away with my rods i use kayaking 7-8ft, cameron

Daniel, that is a truly impressive haul from rockfishing.  Snagging up all the damn time and having to retie rigs and buy new stuff is partly what got me into spearfishing!

I use to follow their exploits on PFIC and it's amazing what Daniel and Ryan can do from the shore... those guys are pros.  If you try their setup, just make sure that your rod can handle freeing snags.

I'd vote for spinning, but it depends on your ability to prevent birdnests when casting a long distance.  I have a 12' bullet proof ugly stick and it only set me back ~60.  My other shore rod is a 10' daiwa emcast and it's light weight, yet has held up to 10oz (8oz + crab snare). 

Good luck Cameron and let us know how it goes.

Cameron Dustin aka Rockhopper is the man shoot him a PM

That is impressive!

Nice stringer guys! My success rate for shore rockfishing is maybe about .01% I usually catch a small perch or something but I think I'm cursed when it comes to shore rockfishing. 

My buddy Tsuri usually does pretty well especially when I'm not there. 

My best tip for shore fishing is pick a nice day with some good company and don't forget the beer! Lots of beer is preferable because the trip is usually over when the beer runs out.

Let us know how you do.

-Eliot

I use spinning gear, just what I like. I use a variety of rods from a 13 footer down to a 7' bass rod. All depends on the location I'm gonna be fishing. Kinda a case of ya gotta match your gear to the conditions

You can definitely use 7-8ft rods from shore, Cameron. It's just easier to cast & manage your line with a longer rod (9-11ft).
For rigging, I recommend a dropper loop or 3-way swivel. With a size 3/0 to 5/0 octopus hook and 2-4oz sinker (torpedo-shaped, if possible, because they cast farther, sink faster, and snag less). I use 50lb braid and 25lb mono leader (usually connected with a barrel swivel), but other guys use heavier stuff...results may vary.
Just use whatever you're comfortable with = it's all about having confidence in your rig. But bring extra hooks & sinkers because you will get snagged often if you're fishing the right spots (throwing into pockets in the kelp or right into the rocky structure beneath the surface).

The main offering is bait: sardine or squid.
But it's not like normal baitfishing; it's more like fishing a lure because you have to maintain constant contact with your bait to avoid snags and/or feel a fish bite. If you put your rod down, you're gonna get snagged. I hold my rod and "dance" with the waves...when the wave builds, I lower my rod tip towards wave, then raise my tip to absorb the resulting slack after a wave passes = this helps to prevent the sinker from bouncing across the bottom and snagging. Also hold the rod tip up high as each wave breaks or the slack will get caught up in the crest/whitewash, causing your sinker to bounce across the bottom and snag. 

Wintertime might be the most productive for shore rockfishing, but you have to pick & choose your days based on the weather. Monitor the swell, wind, tide, lunar phase, and of course the normal shoreside weather like precip & temp. Most of that stuff can be done on the net. Bookmark all this stuff, if you don't already have it.
Graphical swell models: http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/wfo/sectors/mtrMarineLoop.php#tabs
Swell forecast: http://forecasts.swellwatch.com/#place=36.30627216957992_-122.585449_7_1421_height_none_Sat_-1
Wave heights: http://pacificwaverider.com/nocal/county/monterey/nowcast.shtml
Marine forecast: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/
Tides: http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/sites_uswest.html

The main thing to watch out for is swell size & direction, and then wind speed & direction. Unless the waves are huge, you can usually find a spot that's protected from the swell or wind. For example, if the swell is coming from the north, then find a cove that opens to the south etc.
You can probably find some good spots using a matrix of google satellite images, californiacoastline.org, and old fishing reports on this site or on PFIC.
I assume you're looking at the Sonoma coast area?

I used to do a lot of shore rockfishing and can tell you it is great therapy! Here's a couple pics from old therapy sessions! http://s449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/Sin_Coast/Shore%20Rockfishing/#!cpZZ3QQtppZZ20

Good luck! I hope you get a couple nice fish Cameron!
PK

thanks pk, great info, and nice pics, cameron