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Russ
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Way to many choices but here are a couple starter rigs. You can get two for cheap then you can get out there and catch some fish and get a feel for
how you want to upgrade. The important thing is you get a line in the water. Good luck!
light
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_101...
get the combo with the 7' rod.
heavy
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_101...
also 7' rod and the 20 pound line reel
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absinvestor
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It depends on what kind of fishing you are doing. If you are really "surf" fishing you will be happier with a real surf rod and reel. I use a 15ft
pole with a salt water spinning reel. (The pole is very flexible and the "eyes" are much larger than a normal spinning outfit.) I purchased the pole
for $90 (used) at a fishing tackle place about 1-2 way between Maneadero and Punta Banda. (You can get a new salt water spinning reel for under $100.)
Not sure if it is still there. You can probably find one on Amazon or Ebay etc. I put 20 lb test on the reel. The surf pole is too long for regular
fishing but it is built for casting. It takes a little practice but you get the pole "whipping" and with 3 or 4 ounces of weight seems like you can
cast from Denver to Topeka Kansas!! My pole comes in 3 pieces so not hard to carry. (You will need about 20 lb test to keep from snapping the line
when you are whipping the pole.) Also, I caught several 25-30lb sand sharks and a couple of 50 lb skates that will break lighter line. Seems like
when you are trying to beach your catch the surf heads out and allows the fish to get a second wind. I can't figure out how to attach pictures on this
site but if you want to send me your email I'll take a couple of pics of the pole and forward them to you. Good luck. Ron
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Russ
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Sorry Ron but I have to take issue with your statement, "If you are really "surf" fishing you will be happier with a real surf rod and reel." With
your outfit you're definitely targeting the past the surf fish. I've done that and I got tired of the heavy gear. I consider myself a surf fisherman
and I fish inside the break with light gear. I look for the areas that look calm. They can be right at your feet but it's a little hole that holds
lots of fish from small perch to leopard sharks and 10# gear will beach them using the waves to help. That's why I recommended the two outfits.
briantroy can definitely get a longer rod to go with the heavier spinning reel to set in a sand spike while he enjoys a cold one or digs up a few sand
crabs for surf fishing with the lighter gear.
This is not an argument just my preferences. Thight lines.
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David K
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About the name confusions..
CORBINA (corBina) has a mouth on the BOTTOM along with a BARB below the mouth, it is caught using BAIT. Found all along the Pacific and in the upper
gulf.
See photo closeup of the California Corbina... excellnt eating!
The Corvina (V) has a mouth in front, hits on lures near the surface, and is primarily found in the gulf, but is caught along the Pacific.
In Spanish, a V sounds like alot like a B, and so the confusion is normal. Just remember B for the fish the eats Bait, on the Bottom, with a Bottom
facing mouth that has a Barb, Below! 
[Edited on 8-22-2010 by David K]
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vandy
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You can find used equipment on craigslist and at yard sales easy enough.
Be sure the drag runs line out smoothly.
For bait, use circle hooks. They may look weird, but you'll always
hook the fish in the corner of the mouth.
Bring an extra rod tip.
Then take the time to come down to Baja Sur....
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woody with a view
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go to big 5 sporting goods and get a spinning combo setup with reel for <$50. use it until you feel like you need better gear. then get some better
stuff. and ALWAYS spray the entire reel with wd-40 after using it in the ocean. soak it down. it main ingredient is "fish oil". those cheap reels rust
real fast if you don't.
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Russ
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| Quote: | Originally posted by fishabductor
X2 I am with Russ on this one. I sold my long surf sticks...
I use 9' steelhead/salmon rods these days with 10-12lb test. |
Now we're talking "surf fishing". I still have my heavy long rods though. I keep thinking I'm going to go after the white sea bass some day.
Originally posted by woody with a view
"go to big 5 sporting goods and get a spinning combo setup with reel for <$50. use it until you feel like you need better gear. then get some
better stuff. and ALWAYS spray the entire reel with wd-40 after using it in the ocean. soak it down. it main ingredient is "fish oil". those cheap
reels rust real fast if you don't."
Yes! That's what I'm talking about
"A barrista you mean!!!! being that you bring a coffee grinder to the beach!!  "
I take both but the Curado 300 reel on a 9' noodle rod is a real kick. But so is the 9' noodle spinning outfit. I'm so confused and I have way too
much gear!
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mcfez
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I use these for the larger surf game.
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TMW
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I agree with many here and keep the cost down until you get more into it and have a better understanding of what you want. Big 5 will do good. Being
in San Diego stop by Squidco. They use to be the place to go for fishing gear, but I haven't been there in several years. For bait most sea food will
work. I usually use squid and lately I been using artificial crabs called Berkley Gulp. Purchased on line at www.fishusa.com. A word of advice in case you don't know stay away from puffer fish, they're poison. I only take fish with scales with the
exception of sharks.
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absinvestor
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To Russ- you are correct. Guess I got carried away when looking at Woody's catch!! Also, on the original question, he was talking about his girlfriend
liking to deep sea fish but not having a boat etc. When I first fished Punta Banda I had a regular small spinning outfit and had loads of fun catching
Corvina and Croaker. Most were in the 1-3lb range. In thinking back, I had a great time whether catching a 1 lb Corvina on my small spinning outfit or
a 50lb sand shark with the surf pole!! Ron
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Russ
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| Quote: |
Noodle rods??? I left mine up in the NW. I have a 12' 2-6lb that has caught up to 16lb silvers in AK!!! what fun!! How are they in the surf? I bet
tiny little lures like dick nights would be deadly on croakers! |
Haven't tried dick nights, too light to cast. But with #6 on the spinning setup I can really kick the Krocs out there.
absinvestor. I totally understand. Those croakers are unreal! I think Woody photo Shopped them
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woody with a view
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27" and at LEAST 12 pounds for the biggie. the others are 25"........
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David K
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CorVina ? or CorBina ??
The following from Gene Kira's MexFish.com...

The Orangemouth Corvina has pointed caudal fins. The Orangemouth Corvina has not been studied extensively and thus little is known about its life
history. However it is known that it is a schooling, open-water fish that moves in shore to feed. It is believed to spawn in the spring and summer
near river inlets. It is a vicious predator of small fish. The Orangemouth Corvina is generally found in the first 75 feet of the water column and is
reported to reach just under 4 feet in length and 50 pounds in weight. It is viewed as excellent table fare and sought by both commercial and
recreational anglers.
In Mexican waters the Orangemouth Corvina is found north of Acapulco along the coast of the mainland and throughout the Sea of Cortez. Note: The
Orangemouth Corvina was successfully introduced into the Salton Sea in the early 1950’s where it has thrived.

In Mexican waters, the Shortfin Covina is found along the Pacific side of the Baja California Sur peninsula and throughout the Gulf of California.
However, it is absent south of Mazatlan along the mainland coast. The Shortfin Corvina is found in the first 150 feet of the water column, normally in
shallow coastal waters over sandy or mud bottoms. The Shortfin Covina is reported to reach 24 inches in length. This species is caught primarily on
cut bait (clams, squid, mullet, etc.) with small hooks and bottom rigs. It is viewed by locals to be excellent table fare.
Note: The Shortfin Corvina was unsuccessfully transplanted into the Salton Sea in 1952.

The Striped Corvina reaches a maximum length of 90 cm and is found in shallow coastal waters, including estuaries, up to 300 feet deep in the water
column.
The Striped Corvina is a difficult species to identify as it is quite similar to several other of the croakers, but none of them have straight tail
and striping present. The Striped Corvina is only found in waters of the Pacific Ocean and ranges in Mexico from Magdalena Bay south along the coast
of the Baja peninsual, throughout the Sea of Cortez, and along the coast of the Mexican mainland south to Guatemala.
There are other varieties of Corvina...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The California Corbina... a totally different fish than the Corvina:



California Corbina, Menticirrhus undulatus: The California Corbina is characterized by its elongated, slightly compressed body that is gray with
incandescent reflections. The California Corbina has a long head, a small mouth with an identifying single barbell, a characteristic wavy diagonal
line on its sides, and large scales.
The California Corbina has only one, weak anal spine, and its pectoral fins are black. The other fins vary in color from pale to dark. The caudal fin
is S-shaped. The California Corbina might be confused with a series of other croakers, including the Highfin King Croaker, the King Croaker, the Paita
King Croaker, and the Panama King Croaker, all of which are of the Genus Menticirrhus and found in Mexican waters, and the Yellowfin Croaker, Umbrina
roncador.
However, only the Yellowfin Croaker (concave caudal fin, yellow fins, and oblique brown lines on its sides) also has a barbell.
The California Corbina is a member of the Sciaenidae or Croaker and Drum Family that are accessible and can be caught out of the surf. In Mexican
waters, the California Corbina is found all along the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, and throughout the Sea of Cortez.
However, it is absent south of Acapulco on the mainland coast. The California Corbina is found in the first 50 feet of the water column, normally in
shallow coastal waters over sandy or mud bottoms. It is reported to reach 28 inches in length and 8.5 pounds.
The California Corbina is a targeted game species of Southern California surf fishermen. Its primary food is sand crabs, and it is caught on bottom
rigs baited with soft shelled sand crabs. It is viewed by locals to be excellent table fare.
Tom Miller's 'Angler's Guide to Baja' has ID drawings of both Corvinas and the Corbina (and the related Croakers) here:
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briantroy
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Location: San Diego, CA
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Awesome posts guys. Your help is amazing and very appreciated. I'm thinking I will start off with inexpensive euipment and go from there. From what I
gather, I should probably go with a 7-8 foot pole and spinning reel; I assumed I would need a 10-12 foot pole in order to cast way out beyond the
breakers but it sounds like I don't necessarily have to cast that far in order to catch fish.
Russ says "..longer rod to go with the heavier spinning reel to set in a sand spike while he enjoys a cold one or digs up a few sand crabs for surf
fishing with the lighter gear". I am wondering if I can do that with a 7-8 foot pole. It seems like I would need to cast out past the breakers in
order to do that and I don't know if that is possible with a shorter pole.
On a side note, I recently had my van painted and had to remove my "Got Baja?" sticker. I think David K. was kind enough to send me one and I wonder
if they are still around.
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woody with a view
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you really only need to cast out about twenty feet. remember, the sand crabs are at your feet and the fish want the sand crabs.
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Russ
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briantroy ,Here's Dan Hernandez explaining what's needed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9DFiYXVj3E
Hes got a few You Tube videos to help you
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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Skipjack Joe
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It's important to keep moving until you start getting hookups. They move in schools in that white water. You catch far less fish if you're stationary.
Look for a very gently sloping beach where the surf breaks way out there. Those are the prime beaches.
Learn to read the water. On some beaches that really pays off.
The Carolina rig with the gulp sandworm works well for me. Short 40' casts.
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wessongroup
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Thanks for all.... a really fun sport... surf fishing...
Had kinda stopped... but, found San Ofreno State Park Beach..
All one used to have to do... just go down the cliffs... and then turn right or left.. and it was like you were down in Baja..
The cliffs provided a block to all the "world" topside.. and most people did not walk more than 50 yards from the trail head.. sometimes we would stay
over night on the beach.. nothing fancy...
But, most always used blood worms.. they just stay on... and we would pick them up in Dana Point on the way down.. opened early, or the guy used
too...
Bait shop behind the AM/PM across from Doheny State Park.. been years don't know if it still there.. and the guy.. retired and bought the place.. he
hated it, cuz he did not get to fish anymore...
I'm a lazy fisherman.. toss it out and wait... plus I catch and release.. don't really like fish all that much, unless it's been smoked... yeah I know
it's hard to roll... 
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by briantroy
...
On a side note, I recently had my van painted and had to remove my "Got Baja?" sticker. I think David K. was kind enough to send me one and I wonder
if they are still around. |
I have a few of the small ones, big ones are long gone...
Here Ken Cooke places one on the front of his Jeep, last month on Shell Island:
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TMW
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I just found a VivaBaja sticker in the garage.
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