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