surf fishing locations

Best Halibut Surf Fishing Beaches NorCal 

🌊 1. Ocean Beach (San Francisco)

• Where to fish: South end near Sloat Blvd and the SF Zoo.

• Why it's good: Broad sandy flat with occasional baitfish near shore.

• Tips: Early morning with Lucky Craft Flash Minnow or drop-shotting soft plastics.

🌊 2. Fort Funston / Thornton State Beach

• Often overlooked, but fishable for halibut near drop-offs.

• Access can be steep but worthwhile during calm surf.

🌊 3. Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar)

• Best halibut beach in Pacifica.

• Protected cove, occasional anchovy and smelt schools.

• Tips: Cast swimbaits or jerkbaits near incoming tide.

🌊 4. Half Moon Bay Area

🔹 Venice Beach / Dunes Beach

• Flat sandy bottom and near Pillar Point Harbor = potential halibut zone.

• Fish around rivermouths and inside calm surf.

🔹 Pillar Point Harbor Jetty (Inside)

• Excellent halibut spot when bait is present.

• You can fish the inside of the harbor for more consistent bites.

🌊 5. San Gregorio / Pomponio State Beaches

• Fishable beaches with halibut potential.

• Look for troughs and clear water after surf calms down.

🌊 6. Santa Cruz County

🔹 Waddell Creek Beach

• River outflow brings baitfish; halibut occasionally cruise the troughs.

🔹 Davenport Landing / Davenport Beach

• Sandy areas near reefs can attract halibut.

• Fish early with soft plastics near rocky-sandy transitions.

🔹 Natural Bridges / Cowell’s Beach (Santa Cruz)

• Bait schools often gather near West Cliff Drive.

• Halibut occasionally caught off the beach and jetties.

🔹 Capitola / New Brighton State Beach

• Hotspot when bait is in. Try near the pier or rock/sand transitions.

• Early morning with live smelt = best shot.

🌊 7. Aptos / Seacliff State Beach / Rio Del Mar

• One of the best halibut beaches in the Monterey Bay.

• Broad sandy area with occasional bait schools and gentle surf.

• Use Lucky Craft or live bait at dawn during incoming tide.

🌊 8. Marina State Beach

• Deep water access from shore = good halibut potential.

• Cast swimbaits far and slow-roll them near bottom.

🌊 9. Del Monte Beach (Monterey)

• Right near the town center.

• Halibut often caught here near the Wharf and sandy flats east of it.

• Best when baitfish are thick near shore.

🌊 10. Monterey Wharf / Window on the Bay

• Cast from shore or near jetties.

• Live smelt or soft plastic swimbaits work best.

✅ Halibut Shore Fishing Tips

• Best months: May–September

• Best tides: Incoming to high tide

• Gear: 8–9 ft rod, 10–20 lb braid with 15–20 lb fluoro leader

• Best lures:

  • Lucky Craft Flash Minnow 110 (MS Anchovy, Sardine)

  • Big Hammer swimbaits (4”–5” in baitfish colors)

  • Gulp! Jerk Shads (Pearl White, Smelt)

• Live bait: Smelt or anchovies if you can net or catch them near jetties or piers

• Rig: Carolina rig or drop shot near shore troughs or bait balls

Best Halibut Surf Fishing Beaches SoCal

🌊 1. Ventura & Oxnard Area ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/Uy17R8Vr2eFx1c7ZA )

• Ventura State Beach

  • Good structure with sandy troughs.

  • Best near river mouth.

• Oxnard Shores / Silver Strand  ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/bjb3Aj5XFCV9qVWq8 )

  • Gentle surf and bait-rich water.

  • Productive for halibut, especially at dawn on an incoming tide.

• Point Mugu Beach  ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/G2KN3FGa7fyxN2C58 )

🌊 2. Malibu to Santa Monica

• Zuma Beach ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/1325x8TUT5SSY73RA )

  • Broad sandy flats; halibut patrol early mornings.

• Point Dume ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/MDaZxZVoAwUA5TxJ6 )

  • Reef meets sand = great ambush zone.

• Santa Monica Beach 

  • Not the most productive, but can hold halibut near pier or drop-offs.

🌊 3. South Bay (Manhattan – Palos Verdes)

• Dockweiler / El Segundo ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/CnHxunMsabXkNTui7 )

  • Bait often schools up near the warm water outflow.

• Redondo Beach / King Harbor Jetty

  • Harbor entrance is an excellent halibut zone.

• Torrance Beach / RAT Beach ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/vEvpfefX7SkGMqhe8 )

  • Rocky-sand mix makes it a halibut hotspot.

🌊 4. Long Beach / OC Area

• Belmont Shore / Seal Beach ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/C7GLEUmZeaVfqf4U7 )

  • Sandy with eelgrass and nearby jetties.

• Huntington Beach (River Jetties) ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/u4KN2VCpoVveLfss6 )

  • One of the most consistent halibut surf spots in SoCal.

  • Near Santa Ana River outflow = bait magnet.

• Newport Beach / Balboa Peninsula ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/Lvwipz4uqYHMXEkm6 )

  • Excellent around jetty and harbor entrance.

🌊 5. Laguna & Dana Point

• Crystal Cove / Reef Point ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/dEmwk33P68bhPbMP8 )

  • Reef meets sand. Lots of bait = halibut potential.

• Doheny State Beach ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/p3mCqj5RawkNUZv27 )

  • Consistently good for halibut near creek mouth and harbor jetty.

🌊 6. North San Diego County

• San Onofre State Beach ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/fFKGEEa2RA1zxrZA6 ) 

  • Broad flats, less pressure = good fishing.

• Oceanside Harbor / Harbor Beach ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/hfXPttrfPxSEKzmS8 )

  • Productive near the jetty.

• Tamarack / Carlsbad State Beach ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/EXtwxSrYWUYLrXNb9 )

  • Lagoon outflow makes this a great halibut spot.

• Ponto Beach ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/JpwE2cuCpTbnb68G6 )

  • Sand transitions and bait presence.

🌊 7. Central San Diego

• Torrey Pines / Del Mar ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/zmsxspr8eJrqUxFf6 )

  • Halibut love the lagoon outflows and drop-offs.

• Mission Beach / South Mission Jetty ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/yxpNTKBqd5BeJxSLA )

  • One of the best spots in SD County.

• Coronado Beach (Ferry Landing / North Jetty) ( https://maps.app.goo.gl/jWgq41KS1tgL5GoKA ) 

  • Not consistent but halibut do show up, especially early or late in the day.

🎣 Top 5 Beaches Overall (Surf Halibut Hotspots)

1. Huntington Beach (River Jetties)

2. Tamarack/Carlsbad State Beach

3. Newport Beach Jetty

4. Mission Beach Jetty

5. Redondo/King Harbor Jetty

✅ Halibut Surf Fishing Tips

• Time: Early morning, dusk, or overcast.

• Tide: Fish incoming to high tide.

• Lures: Lucky Craft Flash Minnow 110, Gulp! Jerk Shads, Big Hammer swimbaits.

• Rigs: Carolina rig with 1/2–3/4 oz sliding egg sinker.

• Live Bait: Smelt, anchovy, sardine (cast-net at jetties or harbors).

Best Striped Bass Fishing Beach NorCal

🌊 1. Ocean Beach (San Francisco)

• Top spot for stripers in the region.

• Fish near Noriega, Judah, or Sloat Blvd during dusk/dawn, especially near rips and sandbars.

• Lures: Pencil poppers, SP Minnows, swimbaits, Kastmasters.

• Tip: Spring tides + low-light = best time.

🌊 2. Fort Funston / Thornton State Beach

• Less crowded than Ocean Beach but holds stripers in similar conditions.

• Long cast helpful — use poppers or heavy metals like 2 oz Kastmasters.

🌊 3. Pacifica Beaches

🔹 Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar)

• Striper fishing possible when bait is thick in the cove.

• Calm surf makes it easier to fish with lighter gear.

🔹 Sharp Park / Pacifica Pier Area

• Fish the beaches north and south of the pier.

• Stripers caught on swimbaits and bait like anchovy or pileworms.

• Good on foggy mornings.

🌊 4. Montara State Beach / Gray Whale Cove

• Rugged but fishable with long casts.

• Stripers show up on bait balls or during grunion runs.

🌊 5. Half Moon Bay Area

🔹 Venice / Dunes Beach

• Long sandy stretches with lots of surf structure.

• Bait sometimes piles up here in spring/summer.

• Try early mornings with poppers or sand crabs.

🔹 Pillar Point Harbor / Jetty (Inside)

• Occasionally holds stripers.

• Good if you're looking for calmer water access.

🌊 6. Pescadero / Pomponio / San Gregorio

• Wild, open beaches that sometimes produce stripers.

• Best fished after scouting for baitfish or birds diving.

🌊 7. Davenport Area (North Santa Cruz County)

🔹 Davenport Landing

• Not as consistent, but striped bass sometimes caught on deeper beaches when anchovy schools are near.

• Use swimbaits or heavy spoons.

🌊 8. Santa Cruz Area

🔹 Natural Bridges / Cowell’s / Main Beach

• Stripers show up occasionally during anchovy runs.

• Try West Cliff area during early morning high tides.

🔹 Capitola / New Brighton Beach

• Protected beaches but stripers can move in when baitfish are tight to shore.

• Live bait or SP Minnows at dawn works best.

🌊 9. Aptos / Seacliff State Beach

• Some years see decent striper activity here.

• Best chance when water is warm and bait is thick.

• Fish along the reefy patches and deep troughs.

🌊 10. Marina State Beach / Del Monte Beach (Monterey)

• Farther south, much less consistent, but stripers have been caught here on warm years with anchovy schools nearshore.

• Use swimbaits or live bait early in the morning.

✅ Striped Bass Surf Fishing Tips

• Season: May–August (some in Sept if water stays warm)

• Tide: Incoming to high tide at dawn/dusk

• Lures:

  • SP Minnow (bone, sardine, black/silver)

  • Pencil poppers (Super Strike, Cotton Cordell)

  • 5"–7" swimbaits (white, sardine, or olive)

  • Kastmasters / Hopkins spoons

• Bait: Anchovy, pileworms, or sand crabs on fishfinder rig

• Gear: 9–11 ft surf rod, 20–30 lb braid, 15–25 lb leader

🔥 Top 5 Striper Beaches (This Stretch)

1. Ocean Beach (SF)

2. Sharp Park / Pacifica

3. Fort Funston

4. Half Moon Bay (Venice/Dunes)

5. Capitola Beach (when bait is present)

Best Surfperch Fishing Beach NorCal 

🌊 San Francisco Area

🔹 Ocean Beach

• Excellent surfperch fishery, especially near the Cliff House and Noriega St. access.

• Look for rip currents and troughs.

• Fish early morning or dusk during an incoming tide.

🌊 Pacifica Area

🔹 Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar)

• Protected cove makes for calm surf — great for perch.

• Sand crab beds and troughs near the south end are hot spots.

🔹 Rockaway Beach

• Short beach, but productive near rocks and rip channels.

🔹 Sharp Park Beach (by Pacifica Pier)

• You can fish both from the pier and the adjacent beach.

• Great for barred and walleye surfperch.

🌊 Half Moon Bay Area

🔹 Montara State Beach

• Deep drop-offs and small sand crab beds.

• Great at higher tide, especially in spring/summer.

🔹 Half Moon Bay State Beach (Venice, Dunes, Francis Beaches)

• Miles of fishable shoreline.

• Fish near the rivermouth and during calm surf conditions.

🔹 San Gregorio & Pomponio State Beaches

• Underrated and lightly pressured.

• Good sand structure for perch.

🌊 Pescadero Area

🔹 Pescadero State Beach

• Sand/rock transitions = good perch zone.

• Best during spring grunion runs or mole crab activity.

🌊 Santa Cruz County

🔹 Waddell Creek Beach

• Near creek outflow, great perch action.

• Remote and beautiful — lightly fished.

🔹 Davenport Beach

• Rocky and sandy mix = big perch possible.

• Fish near the cliffs and reefy edges.

🔹 Four Mile / Panther Beach

• Classic barred perch water.

• Use light tackle and fish low-light hours.

🔹 Natural Bridges / West Cliff Drive beaches

• Small sandy pockets near reef and kelp zones = great for calico surfperch.

🔹 Capitola Beach

• Gentle surf and consistent action.

• Good pier access too.

🌊 Monterey Bay Area

🔹 Rio Del Mar / Seacliff State Beach (Aptos)

• One of the most consistent surfperch beaches in the state.

• Easy access, good structure, and bait-rich water.

🔹 Marina State Beach

• Deep water access and consistent sand crab beds.

• One of the best beaches for perch in Monterey County.

🔹 Del Monte Beach (Monterey)

• Right in town and very fishable.

• Barred and walleye surfperch common.

✅ Surfperch Fishing Tips

• Tide: Incoming to high tide.

• Time: Early morning or dusk.

• Bait: Sand crabs (dug fresh), Gulp! Sandworms (camo), shrimp, mussels.

• Lures: 2”–3” grub tails (motor oil, root beer, chartreuse), or Gulp sandworms.

• Rig: Carolina rig with 1/2–1 oz sliding egg sinker and #4–#6 hook.

• Gear: Light 8–9 ft surf rod with 6–10 lb test line.

Best Surfperch Fishing Beach SoCal  

🟠 Ventura / Oxnard Area

• Ventura State Beach

• Emma Wood State Beach

• Oxnard Shores

  • Wide sandy beaches with lots of troughs.

  • Hotspots: Near river mouths, rip currents, or sandbars.

  • Great for barred and walleye surfperch.

🟠 Malibu to Santa Monica

• Zuma Beach

• Topanga Beach

• Santa Monica State Beach

  • Zuma is particularly good due to its long sandy stretches and frequent sand crabs.

🟠 South Bay (Manhattan to Torrance)

• Dockweiler Beach

• Hermosa & Manhattan Beach

• Torrance Beach (RAT Beach)

  • Steep shore drops and solid perch numbers.

  • Fish the edges of troughs and rip current areas.

🟠 Long Beach / Seal Beach

• Belmont Shore

• Seal Beach

• Sunset Beach

  • Shallower water but still good for surfperch, especially at high tide.

🟠 Orange County

• Huntington Beach

• Newport Beach (Balboa Peninsula)

• Crystal Cove State Park

  • Prime beaches for perch year-round.

  • Sand crab-rich zones = excellent barred surfperch fishing.

🟠 Laguna Beach to Dana Point

• Treasure Island

• Salt Creek Beach

• Doheny State Beach

  • Often overlooked but productive, especially around rock/sand mix zones.

🟠 North San Diego County

• San Onofre State Beach

• Oceanside Pier and Harbor Beach

• Carlsbad State Beach / Tamarack

• Ponto Beach

  • Top surfperch zone in San Diego County.

  • Look for inshore troughs and lighter wave areas.

🟠 Central San Diego

• Del Mar

• Torrey Pines State Beach

• Mission Beach

• Pacific Beach

  • These beaches are all productive, especially early morning or late afternoon.

🟠 Coronado Beach

• Coronado Central Beach

• Ferry Landing

  • Wide sandy beaches with lighter surf = good barred surfperch territory.

🎣 Surfperch Fishing Tips

• Best Time: Incoming tide to high tide, early morning or evening.

• Bait: Sand crabs (dug fresh), Gulp! Sandworms (Camo), lugworms, mussel, or shrimp.

• Lures: Carolina rig with 2"–3" Gulp! sandworms or curly tail grubs (motor oil, camo, red flake).

• Gear: Light spinning rod (7–9 ft), 6–12 lb line.

• Technique: Cast beyond the first trough, let sink, then slowly retrieve or let sit and feel for bites.

Best White Sea Bass Fishing Beach SoCal

🔹 1. Ventura Area

• Ventura Point / Seaside Park

  • Some WSB caught during spring squid runs.

  • Best near the pier or jetty area.

🔹 2. Malibu / Point Dume

• Point Dume State Beach

  • Rocky reef meets sand — perfect ambush spot for WSB.

  • Fish dawn or night with squid strips or large swimbaits.

🔹 3. Palos Verdes Peninsula

• Flat Rock / Bluff Cove / Lunada Bay

  • Best shore-based white seabass spots in SoCal.

  • Deep drop-offs and kelp beds close to shore.

  • Use 20–30 lb gear and cast fresh squid or swimbaits far.

🔹 4. Long Beach (Belmont Shore / Jetty)

• Occasionally produces white seabass, especially during squid presence near jetty or inside the harbor mouth.

🔹 5. Newport Beach / Corona Del Mar

• Corona Del Mar Jetty & Reef Point

  • Rocky reef structure and kelp make this a decent WSB shore zone.

  • Spring/summer is best.

🔹 6. Dana Point

• Doheny Beach near the harbor jetty

  • Bait gathers near the river mouth and harbor entrance.

  • Squid or live bait may bring WSB in close at dawn.

🔹 7. San Onofre State Beach

• Fish around reef patches; long casts needed.

• WSB are rare here but possible on an incoming tide.

🔹 8. Oceanside Harbor Beach

• Jetty-side surf zone can produce WSB at night or during baitfish runs.

• Fresh dead squid or swimbaits work best.

🔹 9. La Jolla (Windansea to Marine Street)

• Deep water and kelp are very close to shore.

• Possibly your best San Diego land-based shot at WSB.

• Night fishing during grunion/squid runs is ideal.

🔹 10. Coronado (Ferry Landing Jetty)

• Not consistent, but has produced white seabass before.

• Jetty structure attracts baitfish and predators.

✅ White Seabass Shore Fishing Tips:

• Best months: April–July (peaks during squid spawning).

• Best time: Early morning, dusk, or night.

• Best bait: Fresh squid, live smelt, mackerel fillets, or large swimbaits.

• Rig: Carolina rig with 1–2 oz egg sinker, or swimbait on 3/4 oz jig head.

• Gear: Medium-heavy surf rod (9–10 ft), 20–30 lb braid, 20–25 lb fluorocarbon leader.