California

[elrodphil]

It is time for me to make my first trip to California. I want to surf or boat fish for calico bass. Can anyone tell me:\

What are 3 hot spots for these fish from surf...preferable either north, mid or south California so I can plan hotel stays.

What kinds of tackle will I need?

If I am flying from the east coast...Georgia...where is the best places to fly into?

Will I need a guide?

 

Thanks, I'd appreciate your suggestions...any info that would make this trip a success would be great...

 

[J._Bricker]

Welcome to the Forums elrodphil. I think you'll be headed to SoCal for the calico bass and the surfin' scene. You'll probably be flying into Orange County or San Diego, but I'm pretty confident the members who live down there will hook you up and get you headed in right direction. Safe travels and good fishing, JB 

[OCdockskipper]

I can't help you in regards to Calico bass specifics, but I do know they are fished for in the harbors of Orange County as well as off of Catalina Island.  If no one else here has info, I'm sure you can find specifics online.

 

As far as flying into Southern California, avoid LAX (Los Angeles) at all costs.  From Georgia, I know Delta has service to John Wayne airport (Orange County) from Atlanta.  I flew that route when going to southern Georgia and catching a connecting flight into Tallahassee.

[camman]

If you want Calicos it's Southern California for sure.  Hiring a guide will be best.  I used this guy years ago and it was great.

 

calicohuntercharters.com

[Fisher-O-men]

Post this same thing here:

SDfish.com 

[bh91]

Mission bay has the jetties  ,pretty sure there's some you tube (one is  bear something) videos of people fishing San Diego area . There's the San Diego bay You can fish from coronado island or the harbor island area from the rocks 

[Fisher-O-men]

10 hours ago, bh91 said:

Mission bay has the jetties  ,pretty sure there's some you tube (one is  bear something) videos of people fishing San Diego area . There's the San Diego bay You can fish from coronado island or the harbor island area from the rocks 

None of those are great Calico spots.  Mostly baby ones there.  The bigger ones are out in the kelp beds.  The really good Calico fishing is out at the Coronado Islands and other Mexican waters.

[WRB]

We have good Calico bass fishing from Montery bay south to San Diego, the water is warmer south of Santa Barbra and Sand bass are also available. Lots of choices.

San Diego the La Jolla help beds are good for both Calico and White Sea bass and the area around Laguna Beach is good for kayaks. The Long Beach break water is good, Palos Verdes just north of Long Beach is a area. The Channel Islands are good, you need to charter a trip out there from Ventura or Santa Barbra. 

Where you fly in depends on where you want to stay and fish.

If you own a swimbait rod/reel outfit that would be perfect. Big Hammer calico swimbaits with 3/4, 1 and 1 1/2 oz swimbait jigs should be all you need.

Good luck and enjoy your trip to California's outstanding coastal fishing.

Tom

PS, Captian Wade and La Jolla Kayak fishing look good near San Diego area.

[blckshirt98]

I'd avoid personal watercraft in SoCal right now unless you don't mind Great Whites - http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-sharks-20170511-htmlstory.html

 

Post on scsurffishing.com if you're looking for advice on surf fishing down south.  NorCal surf fishing kind of sucks compared to SoCal.  I like Mission Bay (Fiesta Island) because you can park your car right on the sand 20 feet from the water, and you don't have to deal with waves.  Small fish yeah, but it's more the convenience.

[Caliyak]

On 5/14/2017 at 2:03 PM, elrodphil said:

It is time for me to make my first trip to California. I want to surf or boat fish for calico bass. Can anyone tell me:\

What are 3 hot spots for these fish from surf...preferable either north, mid or south California so I can plan hotel stays.

What kinds of tackle will I need?

If I am flying from the east coast...Georgia...where is the best places to fly into?

Will I need a guide?

 

Thanks, I'd appreciate your suggestions...any info that would make this trip a success would be great...

 

First, welcome to the left coast. Pay all your fees and licenses or you will serve 25 to life. LOL 

 

You have plenty of info for SoCal. For central coast, you can fish for cod. Patriots Sportfishing in Avila and Morro Bay is who I use for a 4 or 8 hour trips. They provide rod rentals. Pier fishing is free, shrimp or squid. From Pismo Beach to Cambria you can do some surf fishing for perch. heavy rod and baitcaster on 30lb braid is enough. Carolina rig with 1-2 oz weight and Gulp sand worms. 

For Nor-Cal, Delta and Clear lake is all you need. 

 

You can stay in San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles in the central coast; wine country and make sure you hit the breweries in Paso. You must eat a bread bowl of clam chowder in Pismo beach's Splash restaurant. 30-60 minutes in line is worth the wait. If fishing is not on the schedule, golf in Monterrey, North of Pebble beach. Beautiful and just plain awesome. You can go to Santa Cruz, Golden Gate and all those place in Nor-cal. 

 

Honestly, thinking about flying into the west coast, fly into San Diego and fly out of Sacramento. Or, you can fly into Sacramento, fish cali from Nor-cal to So-cal but then drive and fly out of Vegas. A few nights on the strip before heading home. 

 

most important, enjoy our great state. Have fun and don't hesitate to ask us while you are here for ideas and stuff to do. 

[Darren.]

No can help on the California thing from me, I'm an

East Coaster...but welcome aboard!!