How to Start Fall Surf Fishing

Summer vacationers commonly enjoy surf fishing. And it makes sense. If you are going to be parked in a chair on a beach, catching some rays, you might as well have a line in the water and try to well, catch some rays. But just because vacations are concluding, doesn’t mean it is time to reel in. Reduced fishing pressure and a change in temperature can contribute to great fall surf fishing.

There are thousands of miles of coastline and thus many fishing locations to choose from. If you want to try California surf fishing for example, the first thing you’ll need after your fishing license of course, is to study the state regulations. This is a well-organized wealth of valuable information that will not only help you plan and locate surf fishing hotspots, but it will help keep you out of trouble by providing areas with beach access and harvest rules.

For example, fall fishing is a prime time to target any of the 12 species of surf perch. These regulations help with identification and locations. If you select the region for Northern California surf fishing you may learn that “redtail and calico surfperch are sought along sandy beaches, bays and estuaries” whereas when fishing near sandy areas for Central California surf fishing or Southern California surf fishing, you are more likely to catch “barred, silver, and walleye surfperch.” The regulations also note that “in rocky habitats, striped seaperch, rubberlip seaperch, black perch and pile perch make up the bulk of the surfperch catch.”

Fall surf fishing for surf perch as well as corbina does not require special surf tackle because they are relatively small, will hit a variety of bait and lure offerings, and often are close to shore. However traditionally, surf tackle usually requires a long surf rod of around 11 or 12 feet, at least 12-pound line, and heavy sinker and hook rigs to make long casts, reach deeper water or structure, and target who knows what may swim by. The general good fishing time of early morning applies but surf fishing also takes experience and attention to tides and currents, which may surprisingly pull your line parallel to the shore so you may need to adjust times, casting angles, and sinker weights and types.

With these regulations loaded on your smart phone, you can also have access to the latest fall surf fishing rules. For instance, if you are targeting something other than surf perch such as groundfish (a broad group of fish that live near the bottom such as rockfish and lingcod but does not include halibut) regulations may even be modified “in season” so there is a QR code to scan with your phone to keep up with the latest.