jas10towman

Hi everyone. I'm new here. Just wanted to say hello and ask a question. I moved to Monterey 4 months ago. Every chance i get I go fishing. During the week it's after work 730-930pm is when I get to the beach. I'm throwing lures and never get a bite. I used to fish with bait but to me I get bored and it seems like cheating because I always catch fish. I want to challenge myself but I haven't had any luck. I need some help. Thank you

Jerry_h23 Loc: Ocala

1. Use bait so you aren't skunked.
2. After #1 switch to artificials that closely resembles what worked with #1.
Good luck.

J.R. Sloan Loc: Inland Northwest (WA, OR, ID)

Used to live in Monterey (CA), and fished all around the peninsula and up along the beach to Moss Landing. Shore fishing around the docks and rocks was a challenge then using squid and smaller hooks, but many of us caught sand dabs (small flounder) and other flatfish species while bottom fishing that way. Along the beach inside the kelp beds, we'd bottom-rig with a couple of hooks suspended above the weight maybe 18 inches and either herring or squid for small rockfish. Two or three times a year there was a migration (or some other mass movement) of what were called Wolf Eels (black, toothy things to 2-2 1/2 feet) almost free for the taking, and they'd put up quite a battle. Small boats with outboard kickers were used to take in the periodic Bonita (tuna) runs, using herring and similar-looking lures. Don't recall anyone in that era using artificials, but I suppose squid-like or herring-like fakes would appeal to surf fish. Deep in the rocks off the west end of the peninsula, we'd catch a prize lingcod from time to time, again using large rigs and squid or herring. Most of the peninsula is a challenge from a shoreline obstacles point of view, but provides a lot of shelter and habitat, much more so than the beaches; finding a place where the shore isn't sheltered by kelp beds might be an answer to getting the attention of more predators, though. These are some random ideas from a really enjoyable fishing time of years ago. One consideration re beach fishing: season permitting, don't overlook the great Pismo Clam-ing available north of Fort Ord, and commercial fishing tours out to the trench routinely brought back big cabezon and tuna in the day.

jas10towman

Thank you. I will try that out.

jas10towman

Thank you so much. I will go exploring to try find that spot. I really appreciate your time and thoughtfulness in your response.

RippedLip

Jas I used a 3/4 or 1 oz inline egg weight to a swivel and then 3-4' ten # Mono or Floro. leader to a basic #6 bait holder hook. Then rig a 1 1/2 to 2" motor oil colored curl or paddle tail grub on the hook. Cast into the surf and keep tension on the line. Basically slow rolling it along the bottom letting the surf do the work. Killed the surf perch in the evening from Moss Landing to Laselva Beach and would also hook an occasional Striper when they are running. Great way to keep moving and avoid the bait and wait technique. I now live and Oregon and that is one of the things I miss most about living down there. Best of luck and Tight Lines.
PM me if you would like and I will dig up some of my stuff and send you a pic of the set up if you would like.

jeffreydjohnston

Agree, live bait works best. Here's what you need to try, 2 foot leader, 2 ounce sliding sinker. Standing in about 8 inches of water, start digging a hole in the sand, you will find sand crabs that are between 1/2 to 1 inch, (they don't bite). They are EVERYWHERE and SUPER easy to find/Catch. Cast out as far as you can preferably pas the waves, works great for Stripes which are biting in this area right now.