BajaNomad - Surf fishing advice

Surf fishing advice

ReTire - 11-30-2018 at 09:42 AM

1st timer going to Baja mid January. Going to spend most of my time on the Cortes side, some on the Pacific too.

I’d like to start acquiring some lures and maybe a new rod and reel. Have an 8 foot steelhead rod but the action is soft at the tip. Guess I’m looking for an excuse to get a new Rig!,

tobias - 11-30-2018 at 09:51 AM

I like a 10 to 11 foot rod rated for for 1 to 3 oz. Most long rods are too stiff and are made for chunking out 6 to 8 ounce sinkers and bait. This is a tough rod to find.
You need at least a 6000 sized reel with the fastest retrieve rate possible , at minimum 40 inches per crank and more is better. This will help you go after sierras and other species that like fast moving lures.
Jansens down in cabo has what you need and great prices. Take some to time to watch his youtube videos to see how its done down here.

Russ - 11-30-2018 at 09:58 AM

An 8 foot steelhead rod will be good and fun for shore fishing. 5/8 & 3/4 oz Castmaster & Crocodile lures to start. You may want to update to a good casting reel like the Curado 300 and cheap spinning outfits in 8 & 15 lb class. I like the braid lines maybe 20 or 30lb. In my area big surf fish are a rarity but nice to dream a bit with heavier gear.

[Edited on 11-30-2018 by Russ]

ReTire - 11-30-2018 at 10:07 AM

Thanks. Guess I should have clarified a bit, probably not going to go past Bay of Conception.

I think I have a couple of KM and Kroc. But light ones for high lake trolling 1/4 oz probably.

Anyone ever do any kind of bobber fishing? Or bottom gear.

I’m open to trying anything.

John Harper - 11-30-2018 at 10:19 AM

I surf fish all the time. here in Carlsbad. I personally like KMs, 3/8oz and 1/2oz. I use a 7 foot medium weight spinning rod with a Sedona 2500 reel, 8 lb. Trilene XL. Krocs are great from shore too!

A Carolina rig (egg sinker, swivel, leader, hook) for sandcrabs, GULP sandworms, MORF grubs, etc. works well also.

John

55steve - 11-30-2018 at 10:29 AM

Daiwa Lexa 300 HS with 50 lb braid and 20 lb fluoro leader paired with an old school 7' Lamiglass rod. Caught/released at Bahia de Los Angeles.

20181020_091452 (380x285).jpg - 153kB

[Edited on 11-30-2018 by 55steve]

fishbuck - 11-30-2018 at 10:42 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

I surf fish all the time. here in Carlsbad. I personally like KMs, 3/8oz and 1/2oz. I use a 7 foot medium weight spinning rod with a Sedona 2500 reel, 8 lb. Trilene XL. Krocs are great from shore too!

A Carolina rig (egg sinker, swivel, leader, hook) for sandcrabs, GULP sandworms, MORF grubs, etc. works well also.

John

Concur.
I've been using 6 foot trout rods off the jetties in Newport.
I've been throwing surface iron and it works ok.
Lucky craft in Sardine works.
I have a longer spinning rod too probably 7 feet and it works good..
I never need those super long shorefishing rods.
I have a few 8 foot bait rods for partyboat fishing.
I might try one of those soon and see how far I can cast out.
But generally the fish swim in close to the beach looking for food.

fishbuck - 11-30-2018 at 10:45 AM

That's what I fish for too. But hook surf croakers alot.
A guy caught a decent stripe bass here a week or so back.
Rare.

ReTire - 11-30-2018 at 11:42 AM

Thank you so much. The advice helps a bunch!

David K - 11-30-2018 at 11:50 AM

Surf fishing for Corbina and Croaker was the big draw to camping on Baja's beaches for my folks. Good times and one of the reasons I got addicted to Baja... When we camped south of San Felipe, my dad saw the sand beaches as perfect corbina conditions (even though we typically fished for that species off San Diego's beaches like Del Mar).

Photo from 1967: Double hookup of corbina at what would later be named Bahia Santa Maria, 20 miles south of San Felipe.... We brought mussel for bait, pulled from the floating dock at Mission Bay.

66-67 pics 014.jpg - 65kB

ReTire - 11-30-2018 at 11:53 AM

Nice!

David K - 11-30-2018 at 12:01 PM

Thanks!
Here I am in 1966 (8 1/2 years old), off Cabo San Lucas with my first dorado... We drove to Cabo from Tijuana, 800 dirt miles took 2 weeks to do it. Came back on the mainland using the new ferry to Mazatlan from La Paz.
Second pic is my dad and me at the ferry dock.

66-67 pics 006.jpg - 50kB

ReTire - 11-30-2018 at 12:18 PM

Man, how awesome is that?! A picture IS worth a 1000 words.

I hope to catch my first one at 60.

David K - 11-30-2018 at 12:34 PM

If you can pick up Tom Miller's 1979 book, I think it is great for surf fishing location info...

Here are some more books that may be of interest...

Cortez-r.JPG - 38kB

[Edited on 11-30-2018 by David K]

ehall - 11-30-2018 at 12:40 PM

Ebay is a great place to buy tackle for less than half price.

TMW - 11-30-2018 at 12:46 PM

For surf fishing I like to use cut squid or the Berkley Gulp bates, especially the Crab. I have used red plastic worms at Laguna Manuel to catch Spot Fin Croakers.

willardguy - 11-30-2018 at 12:53 PM

get a rod with plenty of backbone, just tickle the bottom with your Kroc and keep the ice chest close.

bkbend - 11-30-2018 at 12:57 PM

I like to use a floating, jointed rapala when it's shallow and rocky to keep from hanging up. I've picked up triggers and halibut in three feet of water. Blue and white works for me but since it works I haven't experimented with too many other colors. The bad part is both those fish like to chew up those lures. A Kroc is way more durable.

fishbuck - 11-30-2018 at 01:21 PM

I've seen halibut in 1 foot of water. Sometimes right where your standing.
And strike as you're pulling your lure out for another cast.
It's wierd and cool. And surprising.

Pacifico - 11-30-2018 at 01:24 PM

Take some poppers too for the topwater! It is really exciting watching a fish hit the lure on the surface! In rocky areas, you will have less chance losing a lure to the rocks. Of course, once a fish has it in its mouth that is another story! :lol:

fishbuck - 11-30-2018 at 01:25 PM

We just had a ton of rain here so I think the rivers have flushed out and it's probably muddy.
I hope it's nice tomorrow.
Crystal Cove is a very good training ground for Baja!

[Edited on 11-30-2018 by fishbuck]

Russ - 11-30-2018 at 02:26 PM

Crystal Cove! Oh the memories! I grew up there in house 30. Ahhh the good ol days

Since I fish only around Pt. Chivato I mostly use the light stuff. Bait should work. I just haven't had much luck around here but others have done well for trigerfish using wire leader hooks.
I can't get Photo bucket to copy IMGs ???

[Edited on 11-30-2018 by Russ]

ehall - 11-30-2018 at 02:45 PM

Picked these up off ebay for cheap. I will let you know if any work.

fishbuck - 11-30-2018 at 03:02 PM

Green one.

ReTire - 11-30-2018 at 07:21 PM

Wow! To fish halibut in Oregon you have to go way out and super deep water. Books...I need more books!

Thank you again for all the tips..I really do appreciate it!

Bubba - 12-1-2018 at 07:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Russ

An 8 foot steelhead rod will be good and fun for shore fishing. 5/8 & 3/4 oz Castmaster & Crocodile lures to start. You may want to update to a good casting reel like the Curado 300 and cheap spinning outfits in 8 & 15 lb class. I like the braid lines maybe 20 or 30lb. In my area big surf fish are a rarity but nice to dream a bit with heavier gear.

[Edited on 11-30-2018 by Russ]

This^, especially on the Krocs in different sizes and colors.

mtgoat666 - 12-1-2018 at 08:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by ReTire

Wow! To fish halibut in Oregon you have to go way out and super deep water. Books...I need more books!

Thank you again for all the tips..I really do appreciate it!

The fish they call “halibut” in baja is not same as pacific halibut fished in North Pacific.

DaliDali - 12-1-2018 at 08:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote: Originally posted by ReTire

Wow! To fish halibut in Oregon you have to go way out and super deep water. Books...I need more books!

Thank you again for all the tips..I really do appreciate it!

The fish they call “halibut” in baja is not same as pacific halibut fished in North Pacific.

The North Pacific Ocean is defined as those ocean waters north of the Equator.

Whereas the South Pacific Ocean is from the Equator south.

So a California halibut (those in Baja) and the Pacific Halibut (those in the PacNorWest/AK)) are both dwellers in the North Pacific Ocean.

Range: California halibut occur from Magdalena Bay, Baja California, to the Quillayute River, British Columbia

Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) are large flatfish that can be found from the Bering Sea in Alaska to northern California.

bajaric - 12-1-2018 at 08:57 AM

I would save the money on a fancy new surf rod / reel and get a cheap Sevlor inflatable kayak. You would need a Mexican fishing license, but just getting offshore a 100 yards or so can make all the difference; drop a hunk of squid straight down with a cheap big 5 rod, no lost lures. Of course if you like the aesthetic of fishing from shore more power to you.

John Harper - 12-1-2018 at 02:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaric

I would save the money on a fancy new surf rod / reel and get a cheap Sevlor inflatable kayak.

I had one, sold it after using a few times. They don't track (no keel), are a nightmare in the wind (no draft), and with two people you end up doing spins every few minutes as the nose tracks off course so far you can't recover. We gave the folks on shore at Lake Mary a good laugh, for sure. God help you if a strong offshore wind comes up, better pray there's a distant shore to stop you before you end up in the middle of the SOC. Also, you have to watch the inflation pressure as the sun will heat up the chambers if you leave it laying on the beach. Save your money, it's a toy.

John

bajaric - 12-2-2018 at 07:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

Quote: Originally posted by bajaric

I would save the money on a fancy new surf rod / reel and get a cheap Sevlor inflatable kayak.

All true, John, also sharp spines from fish can easily puncture the thin skin. Still, after casting for surf fish with varying amounts of success I got a Sevlor and was able to venture a short distance off the beach and access a greater variety. To be honest I don't fish much any more, after the time and effort and hassle of cleaning them and getting rid of the guts I decided it was easier just to buy fish. I was at a fish camp on the SOQ and I gave a guy a beer one morning and later that afternoon he returned with a big fillet for me. I asked him what kind of fish and he said "Tot- " uh, THAT fish (with the swim bladder). Not sure if that is a generic name for a big white fish or if it really was one, he seemed unaware of prohibitions. Cooked it a la Veracruz. It had a mild flavor, though it was a bit mushy. Before anyone gets all excited this was way far south of the Vaquita protection area.

Surf Fishing Advice

Skipjack Joe - 12-2-2018 at 07:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ReTire

1st timer going to Baja mid January. Going to spend most of my time on the Cortes side, some on the Pacific too.

There is very little surf on the Cortez side. The beaches have no breaking waves and it's usually rocky below the low tide line where there is a sandy beach.

Lee - 12-2-2018 at 08:29 PM

I use a 12' Surf Caster from Jansen in Cabo. http://www.jansen.mx/esp/.

60-85 gr, Sardina or Matador, 20-25 lb test, Berkley FireLine fused crystal superline. North of Todos to La Pastora, South to Migrino, pre-dawn.

Lexa HD

geronimo21 - 12-3-2018 at 12:48 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 55steve

Daiwa Lexa 300 HS with 50 lb braid and 20 lb fluoro leader paired with an old school 7' Lamiglass rod. Caught/released at Bahia de Los Angeles.

Nice. I just bought a Lexa 300 and 400 HD on eBay...they were running a great deal. Also got two 300 yard spools of 60# dark green J Braid...probably a little heavy for surf fishing, but thought they may be good for kelp cutting on Pacific side. Plan on finishing them with flouro leaders...good to know this reel will work for surf fishing.

Which is the HS model? I'm pretty sure the HD has the stainless gears...and I got the 6.3:1 ratio.

[Edited on 11-30-2018 by 55steve]

SunDevil - 12-3-2018 at 07:10 AM

There are some east cape fishing reports that are helpful. Check out thebajaponyexpress.com recent issues for the most recent ones.

8knots - 12-3-2018 at 11:23 AM

Lee got it right if you want to have some success. Most successful traditional MX surf fishers (handlines) are there before the sun rises and off the beach an hour after sunrise. Need to cast as far out as possible with a super fast retrieve.

fishbuck - 12-3-2018 at 11:23 AM

Nice day here in Newport. Maybe throw a lure today.
Need to get down to Crystal Cove and pretend I'm in Baja for a few hours.
Going to check out the camping too. Gotta practice camping. I can always go home of I get cold.

geronimo21 - 12-3-2018 at 07:13 PM

www.tides4fishing.com

The guys at Charkbait in Huntington Beach swear by fish activity indicated by solunar calendars like the one above...say they can even predict customer traffic by them. Tight lines.

[Edited on 12-4-2018 by geronimo21]

wessongroup - 12-3-2018 at 10:02 PM

Thanks ... brings back some great memories .. .

Lots of action on this so i thought I would join

baitcast - 12-4-2018 at 11:40 AM

Distance is not what its all cracked up to be! Halibut can be caught on both sides in knee deep water chasing bait and on the cold side jumping often.
These pic's were taken on the cold side using K/m's for the Butts andd squid for the WSB in very shallow water.........use 3/8 blue/crhome K/M's for many kinds of fish on both sides.
7' rod with either spinner/bait reels and 10# is plenty.....is just a start with but will get you going......have a great trip
Rob

[Edited on 12-4-2018 by baitcast]

55steve - 12-4-2018 at 11:45 AM

Quote: Originally posted by baitcast

Distance is not what its all cracked up to be! Halibut can be caught on both sides in knee deep water chasing bait and on the cold side jumping often.
These pic's were taken on the cold side using K/m's for the Butts andd squid for the WSB in very shallow water.........use 3/8 blue/crhome K/M's for many kinds of fish on both sides.
7' rod with either spinner/bait reels and 10# is plenty.....is just a start with but will get you going......have a great trip
Rob

Yep, halibut can be voracious top feeders in very shallow water at times. I target them from sandy beaches down south often.

AKgringo - 12-4-2018 at 12:06 PM

I caught my personal best halibut (Alaskan) in 20 feet of water just off a beach that would be exposed at low tide.

It was 120 lbs, and I was in a 12.5 foot Zodiac using a seven foot rod trolling a herring for salmon.

8knots - 12-6-2018 at 10:24 AM

I have had some magic days in Central Baja, Pacific side, catching Halibut in 3 feet of water on small surf days. I can often watch as the halibut follows the mag darter before smashing it. Super fun and you can use lighter gear for this.

Hook - 12-6-2018 at 11:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by baitcast

Yeah, but a long cast still has to come back into shallow water. And while it is long, it can appeal to a whole different type of fish.

Shore fishing is about covering the most water that you can, until you find the fish. Keep walking until you find them, unless you see your lure go by them and they arent interested. Then, try changing lures. If they still ignore it, keep walking again.

[Edited on 12-6-2018 by Hook]

baitcast - 12-7-2018 at 11:25 AM

For sure moving is very important.....those fish aren't looking for you, its the other way around......those boys with the sand spikes and a bucket to set on won't get the same kind of action as you!
Back to distance, depending on the conditions, surf and other things such as time of day.…..they are always a bit closer early morn and in the late day...….and if you are a K/M guy you know the kind of distance that can be had with those things.

The atmosphere on the beach is hard to beat.....waves and sound on the west side warm water and little or no surf on the other, one of my favorite places to be.

baitcast - 12-7-2018 at 11:29 AM

For sure moving is very important.....those fish aren't looking for you, its the other way around......those boys with the sand spikes and a bucket to set on won't get the same kind of action as you!
Back to distance, depending on the conditions, surf and other things such as time of day.…..they are always a bit closer early morn and in the late day...….and if you are a K/M guy you know the kind of distance that can be had with those things.

The atmosphere on the beach is hard to beat.....waves and sound on the west side warm water and little or no surf on the other, one of my favorite places to be.

ReTire - 12-9-2018 at 09:16 AM

These shallow water halibut are intriguing. How big do they get.

I remember catching what we called sand dabs as a kid. Looked like mini halibut. Maybe a quarter pound. Hope we weren’t killing baby halibut!

Can see that I’m gonna have to bring a huge variety of lures. Going to try bobber fishing as well, if I come across a spot.

Mulege Canuck - 12-9-2018 at 10:21 AM

If you Fish in the mangroves at Estero de Coyote or Magdalena Bay, try using small swim baits on light tackle. I fish the tidal pools at low tide. I get 90% of my strikes on the free fall as the jig hits the surface on the way to the bottom. Be ready and strike hard. Lots of Corvina and nice sand bass. Really need a kayak to fish these areas though.

drzura - 12-9-2018 at 11:29 AM

I have caught many halibut from my buddies Zodiac while stationed on Kodiak Island. I had a blast there and miss the outdoor scenery and excellent fishing.

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I caught my personal best halibut (Alaskan) in 20 feet of water just off a beach that would be exposed at low tide.

It was 120 lbs, and I was in a 12.5 foot Zodiac using a seven foot rod trolling a herring for salmon.

TMW - 12-9-2018 at 12:21 PM

At Laguna Manuel there use to be an old man and his girl friend living in a trailer near the fish camp storage bldg back in the 90s, both have since passed on. Anyway he told me that in the shallow water across from the fish camp boats there were lots of halibut. That you could spear them. I never tried to do it. Getting over there might be tricky unless you have a shallow bottom boat or if you made your way on the east side to the waters edge and waded in the water. We always caught halibut near the light house in one of the coves. But that was years ago, not lately.

ReTire - 12-11-2018 at 09:22 AM

Speaking of spearing fish.....anyone do this in Baja?

That’s like an entire other subject!

Mulege Canuck - 12-11-2018 at 05:17 PM

I am a rookie but I love spear fishing.

I have a big gun if the water is clear and a short compressed air gun for when I am looking for triggers in the rocks. I use a flashlight with the short gun when looking for fish between the rocks.

Great sport for keeping in shape.

TMW - 12-11-2018 at 05:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ReTire

Speaking of spearing fish.....anyone do this in Baja?

That’s like an entire other subject!

Years ago in the 80s when we were scuba diving both free and with a tank we used what was called a Hawaiian sling. A three pointed spear about 6 feet long with a large rubber band attached to the other end. Use to get lots of fish. I've never used a spear gun. We did help get a local kid to the hospital in Ensenada that had accidentally shot himself in his thigh. He had laid his spear gun on a rock while he adjusted his wet suit and when he reached up for the gun it went off hitting him.

Skipjack Joe - 12-11-2018 at 07:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

At Laguna Manuel there use to be an old man and his girl friend living in a trailer near the fish camp storage bldg back in the 90s, both have since passed on. Anyway he told me that in the shallow water across from the fish camp boats there were lots of halibut. That you could spear them. I never tried to do it. Getting over there might be tricky unless you have a shallow bottom boat or if you made your way on the east side to the waters edge and waded in the water. We always caught halibut near the light house in one of the coves. But that was years ago, not lately.

I knew him well ... and it bothers me that I can’t remember his name. Roger, Pompano, knew him too. He actually served a term as mayor in Jesus Santa Maria. Told me he searched for happiness his whole life and found it on a dirt lot overlooking Manuela. He started every day with a long walk along the beach. He would pump ghost shrimp out of the mud and head out to the island in his boat where he got big spotfins. He was really dialed in on them. One of the many interesting characters you met in the old Baja.

vacaenbaja - 12-15-2018 at 03:38 PM

Skipjack, did you happen to know an old guy I think his name was Jerry who lived part time at Jesus Maria. He fished the lagoon and the t long beach to the north on a quad with his dog. Said he owned a farm in northern Calif and would fly down from there to the lagoon. A real nice guy. This would be around the early 90's he was just slaying the white seabass from shore.

Surf fishing

UnoMas - 12-15-2018 at 08:38 PM

Retire check your U2U.

TMW - 12-15-2018 at 09:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Skipjack Joe

Quote: Originally posted by TMW

I knew him well ... and it bothers me that I can’t remember his name.

Roger, Pompano, knew him too. He actually served a term as mayor in Jesus Santa Maria. Told me he searched for happiness his whole life and found it on a dirt lot overlooking Manuela. He started every day with a long walk along the beach. He would pump ghost shrimp out of the mud and head out to the island in his boat where he got big spotfins. He was really dialed in on them. One of the many interesting characters you met in the old Baja.

Maybe his name was Jerry, it sounds kind of familiar. Anyway his girl friends name was Shirley.

I met a couple in an RV out there early 90s, not sure of the year. They told me the old man's son came down and took him back to Escondido for cancer treatment where he died. Shirley died while he was still living at Manuel. I don't know if she died there or back in the states.

[Edited on 12-16-2018 by TMW]