This week's surf fishing started off slow. Last week's huge surf sent the fish in every direction.
In hopes of finding fish I decided to take a trip down to Crystal Cove State Beach. The coast here is beautiful and full of life. Unfortunately, the fish were still scattered--and even though I saw a couple large corbina skirting the beach--they had no interest in what I had to offer.Huge amounts of kelp lined the beach along with the biggest pile of mussel 
I've ever seen. The huge surf ripped these mollusks from the rocks and pushed them ashore. Mixed in with the kelp and mussel were dozens of lobster also killed by the surf. It's amazing to see the power of the ocean and the damage it can do.
I've ever seen. The huge surf ripped these mollusks from the rocks and pushed them ashore. Mixed in with the kelp and mussel were dozens of lobster also killed by the surf. It's amazing to see the power of the ocean and the damage it can do.Many folks (including myself) may believe that you can't fish at Crystal Cove because it is a marine protected area--but that couldn't be any farther from the truth. You may not collect bait, take shells or disturb the tide pools here, but fishing and diving for fish is highly encouraged.
The State Park system strives to encourage folks to come to their beaches and enjoy fishing. Speaking with several rangers they want to make fishing here much more popular. One reason may be to help show the group who is trying to close fishing through the MLPA process that closed areas are just wrong. The other reason may be because the MLPA will go through--and we better get our fishing in while we can.
To make matters worse, the Laguna Beach City Council just voted to ask the State to CLOSE their city's beaches to fishing and diving. The only member who voted against this ridiculous proposal was the mayor. I encourage you to send the city council an email, call them or stop by their offices to oppose this measure. As a state park ranger pointed out, it doesn't matter if you live in the city, the beach is for everyone!!
This upcoming week is sure to have some great fishing. We have some nice tides in both the morning and evening for fishing and catching bait. The corbina counts are back up this weekend so we should have a ripper this week.
If you haven't signed up for one of my free on-the-beach seminars it's time to do so as they are filling fast. You can find all the info for them on my website: www.fishthesurf.com
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