Surf Fishing Articles

These articles cover everything from the basics of surf fishing in California to advanced tips and tricks

Surf Fishing Basics

• Surf Fishing Must Haves - by: Tom Ito (aka Catfish)
Surf Fishing is one of the easiest things to get into. However, there are a few things that you need in order to get started. Here is a list of... (read more »)

• The Ideal Light Tackle Surf Fishing Outfit - by: Tom Ito (aka Catfish)
That old bass fishing rod is all that you need to get out on the water. Here are some things that I look for in a light tackle surf fishing outfit... (read more »)

• How to Fish a Grub - by: Tom Ito (aka Catfish)
Throwing a MORF (Motoroil w/ Red Flake) grub is easy and is possibly the best artificial lure to use while surf fishing in Southern California... (read more »)

• Common Fish Caught in the Southern California Surf - by: Tom Ito (aka Catfish)
You never know what you're going to catch when surf fishing in Southern California. Here are some of the most common catches... (read more »)

• Fighting a Fish in the Surf Zone - by: Tom Ito (aka Catfish)
There are some unique variables that you have to deal with when you're fighting a fish in the surf. Being aware of these will help you... (read more »)

Surf Fishing Tips

• How to Properly Rig a Grub - by: Tom Ito (aka Catfish)
The MORF (Motoroil w/ Red Flake) grub is possibly the best artificial lure to use while surf fishing in Southern California. We'll talk a little bit about...(read more »)

• Swimbait with Grub Teaser Rig - by: Tom Ito (aka Catfish)
Big baits = big fish. However, sometimes it means that you have to sacrifice quantity for quality. Here's a rig that I've been having a lot of success...(read more »)

• Surf Tackle: The Long and Short of It - by: Mike Burian (aka Reeler)
What's the best way to assault the suds? Different techniques require different tackle. Here's a brief rundown on what's best to use and when to use it...(read more »)

• How to Rig Big - by: Mike Burian (aka Reeler)
A do-it-yourself guide to putting the brakes on the big biters...(read more »)

• One Way to Fish for Leopards in the Surf - by: Brad Baron (aka ZZZZZ)
There are many ways to catch Leopard Sharks from Southern California beaches. This is what has worked for me...(read more »)

• Berkley Gulp! Review and Fishing Tactics - by: Marc Cooper (aka w6iww)
I have been fishing the Santa Monica bay since I was four years old (in 1954) and I can flatly say I have never seen an artificial bait as powerful...(read more »)

• Scents: The Missing Part of the Equation of Fishing Plastics - by: David Yumori (aka DKY)
Why fish with scent? The following article discusses the benefits of using scents on you plastic lures...(read more »)

• Hooking Sandcrabs - by: Jeff Tesoro (aka Charlie)
"How do you hook a sand crab?" is a common question asked in surf fishing forums. There are many ways of hooking sand crabs...(read more »)

• Reel Maintenance Part 1: Spinning Reels - by: John Kim (aka JKim)
The following are some basic maintenance procedures that I perform on my spinning reels. How often you break down your reels will depend on how often you use...(read more »)

• How to Drop Shot - by: John Kim (aka JKim)
The drop shot technique was brought over to the US by freshwater bass anglers from Japan. It is a finesse technique utilizing light line and small plastic lures...(read more »)

• Reel Maintenance Part 2: Spinning Reels Continued - by: John Kim (aka JKim)
In this segment, we will be removing the rotor, cleaning the main shaft, roller bearing and taking a look at the main gear assembly. The sample used for this segment...(read more »)

Surf Fishing Stories

• The Bat Patrol - by: Mike Burian (aka Reeler)
They're out there . . . lurking . . . and they run low and slow, and lean and mean . . . by day, as well as night, unseen . . . they roam the foam in search of food . . . and they want your bait...(read more »)

• A Rough Day - by: Mike Burian (aka Reeler)
I went out one weekend to try out my new Abu Rocket reel on a Daiwa 12 ft. Sealine-X spinner, a rod which I had converted over to dual purpose use with this reel in mind. I got out just at dawn and made my way to the beach via Topanga Canyon Blvd...(read more »)