This August has had some ups and downs in the surf.  We started the month red hot with corbina everywhere.  But with strong West winds and no South swell the water temperature dropped and slowed fishing way down.

     The good news is that the water is warming and that has led to a shedding of sand crab shells making them a great bait to use right now.

     This upcoming week has some great tides for both fishing and making bait.  I would look to fish with sand crabs, ghost shrimp and worms for a few more weeks.  In early October look to change up your bait to clams and mussel for the early fall bite on spotfin croaker and the last of the summer corbina.  Halibut are active all year so anytime is a good time for the Lucky Kraft sytle lures in size 65mm and 110mm.  Also, don’t forget about how good Krocodiles and Kastmasters can be in ¾ ounce size this time of year.

      Regarding our seminar at Carpinteria State Beach…What a great place for a seminar and an even better place for surf fishing!

     Thank you to everyone who came to the seminar and also to the State of California for hosting us and to my buddy Bill Burhans for his help.

      I knew fishing was going to be good just after I arrived at the park on Friday.  We decided to walk the beach and check out where the best spots for surf fishing might be.

     The first thing I noticed was how warm the water was and how many millions of sand crabs there were.  In fact, there were so many crabs that their beds made a hump in the sand that created its own wave as water crashed over it!

    Not too many more steps and I couldn't believe what I saw:  A five or six pound corbina feeding in just inches of water.  Having lived in Santa Barbara for eight years I assumed that this was just a lucky encounter with a fish that is rarely seen above Ventura.  But how wrong one can be--when I saw another, even bigger fish, right at sunset.

      That evening provided some great perch fishing.  A fish every cast and sand crabs for bait right at your feet.

     The next morning our courageous group finished off some coffee and donuts and after a short seminar went down to the sand to fish.  Dozens of perch, a ray and a large corbina were landed.  Perfect tides, wind and waves made for a great day  at the beach.

     

     Carpinteria has a great camping area and some of the best perch fishing on the coast.  It's also offers off shore kelp beds which are an easy paddle from shore and are full of kelp bass and halibut.  One great thing about camping here is that you may not need to bring food.  Within walking distance is Carp's main street with dozens of restaurants serving everything from burgers and shakes to fine Italian.

Have a great week in the surf and send me a report at fishthesurf@mail.com sometime!
Bill

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