1st time out - New Brighton Beach, 0 fer 1

Well, thanks for all the info you guys gave.  It did help.

I went camping with my family and another so my buddy and I only got out last Monday morning for a few hours.  We fished the kelp beds between New Brighton and Capitola in around 25-30 feet of water.  He didn't have any saltwater poles so I let him borrow my Abu Garcia 6500 setup while I used my heavy Penn 500 on a heavy jig stick.

He was using a 4" swimbait and shrimp fly and I was jigging big metal (3.5 oz Megabait and/or 3oz diamonds).  He caught three little kelp rockfish and I caught the skunk.

But it was the most relaxing enjoyable time I have had in years and will be getting out again in a month or so. 

Thanks again to everyone for their help!

rob
jrsyboy

Way to go, jrsyboy.  It's a great sport, and, as many here have found, a high percentage of us yak-fisherpeople are cool and friendly, sensible people - welcome to the fun.   

best to leave the metal home there, use plastics. even better catch some anchovies, put them in a tube
and use those.

J

In times of desperation, I put a chunk of squid on the shrimp fly or on my iron. And it makes a HUGE difference! Try it next time.

Thanks for the report! Sounds like a good way to spend vacation time!
And good luck,
PK