Steve-o Loc: Nor.Cal. Sacramento Area

I’ll be staying in Monterey CA next week and wondering about fishing along the walk that extends along the shore from Monterey CA towards Pacific Grove CA, a few miles south.

I’ve seen fishermen in the past, fishing right from the sidewalk/walkway in the surf, and pulling up fish. At the time i spoke to a few but that was years ago.

Does anyone have experience they could share regarding what pole/tackle to use, what fish I might catch, and tips to share? This will be a fun trip with a few kids that have never fished the ocean so any fish caught will be welcome. Thank you

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Steve-o I've never fished there exactly, but the whole California coast is a good place to fish for surf perch. So if it's legal to fish and there's access to the surf, go for those. They're pretty easy to catch and they're plentiful.
They don't get too big, so you don't need any special gear for them. A longer rod works well to keep your line out of the surf, but nothing very heavy, you want to have fun I assume, not just drag em in. Berkley makes artificial sand worms and sand crabs and they'e easy to buy and to tote along with you. They work well. Also berkley grubs, the two inch pumpkinseed ones are what I recommend. Use about a #2 hook and a Carolina rig with a 1/2 oz or so slip sinker. Let us know if that's what you want to target and if you do any good or not, we do love photos. Of Monterey if nothing else. One of my favorite places in the world. And I've seen a lot of it, the world that is. Oh and while you're fishing for the perch be aware there are halibuts and stripers out there that will hit all those as well. That's when it can get real interesting.

Jeremy Loc: America

If any Sharks bite. DO NOT put hands or anything near them Cut your line unless you know what you are doing.

Steve-o Loc: Nor.Cal. Sacramento Area

Wow. That’s more than I bargained for. Thanks fir all the info. I’m going to begin looking for the recommended tackle. Thanks so much.

I’ll make sure I post pics if I have any luck. And with your advice I hope you.

Appreciate your feedback.

Steve-o Loc: Nor.Cal. Sacramento Area

Great idea!! Advice I’ll follow fir sure.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Good advice from spirit of 27. I also did well toward Seaside in the surf back in the dark ages. Careful of the undertow. Monterey is no place for untrained kids in the water except by the wharf. Check the commercial wharf. Sometimes good runs of Jack Smelt and mackerel (and fishermen if the fish are running.

Steve-o Loc: Nor.Cal. Sacramento Area

Thanks bapabear. Yes, good fishing advice from Spirit of 27 as well as safety advice on avoiding sharks. 😳

I’ll have no kids in the water. The person who we observed fishing in the last was in a lawn chair on the sidewalk on an overlook with the water 15 feet below him. Looked like a real comfortable set-up. He never even touched the water. 😁

I just needed to learn more about what tackle, what kind of pole, any technique etc. My fishing background is many years ago and still fishing in rivers back East.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Steve-o there's a very good book available from amazon by Bill Varney that pretty thoroughly covers surf perch and how to catch em. Called - fishing the surf: the light line revolution. it's 6.99 and worth every penny. I always recommend it to folks wanting to fish the California surf.

I am not associated with bill Varney or his book in any way, I just know it's good info in it.

Steve-o Loc: Nor.Cal. Sacramento Area

Thanks Spirit. I’m an avid book collector and this is definitely something I will order. Tonight

Pettyrj1

Some of that coastline is private. Be sure to check first

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I don't believe it's possible to own the beach in California. Up to the high tide mark is public property. Never hurts to ask for permission but if they hassle you about it tell em to call the cops. They won't.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

About 40 years ago, my Wife and I spent a weekend in the Monterey/Carmel area. It wasn't such a good trip, because it just rained and rained. Finally on Sunday afternoon, it let up and got sunny. We went out on the pier to enjoy it a bit before we headed home, and a lot of other folks had the same idea. Lots of people. Along with maybe 80 other people, we were leaning on the railing, looking down at a jellyfish bobbing in the water. Somewhere down the railing, we all heard a little boy say "What is it, Daddy?" He said "It's a jellyfish." The little guy said "Why do they call it a jellyfish?" Now, whenever there's a lot of people, there's always the constant murmer of crowd noise, but it all fell silent as everyone listened to see what kind of wisdom the fella was going to lay on the kid. There was a short pause, and he said "Well, there are two kinds of fish. There are jellyfish and there's peanut butter fish." The crowd busted out laughing and I thought I was going to fall off the pier laughing! True story!
Good luck catching some peanut butter fish, Steve-O!

Steve-o Loc: Nor.Cal. Sacramento Area

I’ll be fishing from a public walkway right there beside the main drag do I know it to be public. 👍