I have been coming to the coast for more than 60 years and watched with fascination the guys braving the waves surf fishing. Now it's my turn to be one of those guys. I have sold my home and now live on the coast. The surf is a 10 minute walk from my front door.
It's clear I have a lot to learn... I have had some success up until about a month ago and now can't even get a bite ! I don't know if the fish went elsewhere or they don't like my bait.
I'm looking for advice on what works for others at this time. What type of rods and reels are used. What type line is best and what type of rigs to use. Of course the important part is bait. I have been using Berkeley Gulp 2" sandworms with great results till now. I have heard clam necks and shrimp and sand fleas or crabs work well but have yet to find out where to collect or buy them .
Looking forward to hearing how others enjoy the art of surf fishing in the Pacific Northwest !
Went surf fishing on Sunday and kept reeling in crabs, big nice crabs ! I wasn't hooking them they were grabbing onto my Berkeley Gulp sand worms and not letting go until I lifted them out of the water. This gave me an idea. I had heard of people "casting" for crabs and while at Walmart I saw a "castable" crab trap. I figured I would invest the $12 and change and check it out. I went to the garage and dug out a 6' vintage rod ,very stiff and very old. Had no markings and a wooden base on it. Found an old spinning reel and loaded it with some Dacron line I pulled off a deep sea reel I found out there and the next morning headed down with leftover chicken breast we had for dinner tied to the trap. The reel would only hold maybe 100' of line but I figured it would be enough. Gave it a mighty cast and let it sit. I waited 5 minutes and couldn't wait any longer so I lifted the road tip and started feeling. At first I thought I had snagged in the rocks but it pulled free and began coming in. I was thinking it must have got tangled in the seeweed cause it felt kind of heavy. Couldn't believe my eyes when it came up with a crab so big it filled the entire trap. So big the trap could not even close all the way and it was a male which meant I could keep it . I had bought the combo license so I was good for crab. Spent the next hour reeling in 5 more crabs, 3 we're females and had to be realeased, 1 was probably a keeper but I couldn't measure it so I let it go and the last one was a red rock crab and it went back also. Probably one of the most fun days I had all week ! Who would have figured I could go fish for crabs and have such a good time ! I am going back in the morning but targeting perch this time. If only they would be so cooperative !
Tight lines all
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