July Surf Fishing Report: Slow Start, Signs of Life Ahead
July is here, and while the season hasn’t fully opened up the way we’re used to, there are real signs that things are starting to come together. The surf has calmed down from the brutal stretch we saw through most of June, conditions are more fishable overall, and the fish – particularly spotfin croaker, corbina and yellowfin croaker – are starting to show up with more regularity. It’s still behind pace for this time of year, but things are pointing in the right direction.
Water temps are running warm, sitting right around 68°F and trending upward through the month. That’s above average for early July, which is both encouraging for the light tackle bite and a reminder that this El Niño-influenced season is playing by its own rules.
Here’s the full July surf fishing report and where things stand heading into the heart of summer.
What’s Been Biting in July
Light Tackle
Light tackle has finally shown some meaningful signs of life. Large spotfin croaker have been the most consistent producers, showing up in 3 of my last 4 sessions – not in the numbers you’d hope for this time of year, but the fish are there and they’re quality. Corbina are starting to make appearances with more frequency as well, though they’re still lagging behind the spotfin in terms of how often you’re seeing and catching them. Yellowfin croaker are starting to get a bit more consistent but are still not up to where they should be for July.
The word from other anglers on the water mirrors what I’ve been seeing. The fish are there when you find them. It’s just taking more effort to find them right now.
Stingrays are showing up in force in the shallows, which is worth knowing both for safety reasons and because it’s a sign that water temps have warmed enough to bring them in.
One quick tip from anglers around the county – Bloodworms have been producing when crabs are scarce. Some anglers have mentioned they cut them into 2.5-inch sections. These will work just like sand crabs on the same Carolina rig fishing them them the same way you’d fish crabs.
Sand Crab Update
The sand crab situation deserves its own callout this month because it’s been one of the defining storylines of this season and it’s generating a lot of discussion among anglers across the county.
The short version: crabs are findable but inconsistent, still on the smaller side at most beaches, and nowhere near the reliable abundance we saw this time last year. This has not been a typical summer sand crab pattern. In a normal year, once the beds of sand crabs appear, they tend to stick around everywhere all summer. This year they’re showing up and disappearing unpredictably. That said, I show up to sessions with no back up bait and have been finding them fine – just taking longer than usual.
The leading theory is that the persistent swell pattern we’ve had since late May has been moving sand on and off the beaches rather than letting it deposit and stabilize the way it normally does in summer. Beaches that were filling in with sand in May had their reef structure uncovered again by subsequent swells, and that unstable sand situation directly affects where crab beds form and how long they last.
North County beaches continue to be the more reliable spot for finding sand crabs in usable numbers. If you’re fishing south or central San Diego beaches and struggling, try heading north.
Crabs are still mostly on the smaller side, so I’m often using two or three small ones on the hook rather than singles.
Lure Fishing
Lure fishing remains in a similar place to where it’s been the last couple of months – not bad, not great. Halibut have been the most consistent target and continue to reward anglers who cover water and work structure. The calmer conditions in July should help, but if water continues to warm, who knows what’ll happen to the halibut bite. White seabass are still on the lighter side also.
Sharks
Shark fishing has remained solid and leopard sharks are still very much in season. There’s been a slight decrease in frequency compared to the peak we saw in May through early June, which is normal as we move deeper into summer, but the bite is still very much alive for those putting in the time.
One notable change: bat ray activity has picked up noticeably, so they’re taking on a small yet increases share of the shark rod takes.
Conditions Report
Conditions have improved meaningfully from the rough stretch we dealt with all of June. Surf has calmed down though it’s still running slightly rougher than a typical July. Seaweed has been mild to medium. Some sessions it’s been a nuisance, others barely a factor.
As July progresses and water temps push higher, expect the light tackle bite to continue improving.
Forecast
The outlook for the rest of July is encouraging. As the marine layer begins to disappear and the summer heat stabilizes, conditions should continue improving. Namely, I just took a peak at the forecast and it looks like today and tomorrow are the last great windows to get out there before a brief swell rolls through resulting in rougher conditions from Tuesday through Thursday. Friday looks like a solid day to return to the surf and as far as I can tell, that may be the beginning of the so-called stabilization of conditions that we’re looking for that could tie everything together and spark the bite.
Here are some other things to watch for:
Light tackle I’m hopeful, we could still be in for a great light tackle bite – hopefully a delayed start and extended season of good fishing into September. The water is warm enough, and as sand crab availability improves through the month, the bait situation should sort itself out. I’d expect the frequency of quality bites to increase noticeably by mid to late July. That said, I didn’t expect much of what we’ve experienced so far this year so my take is by no means a gaurantee.
Lure fishing should continue trending upward, but mid to late summer is not typically as good as late spring/early summer.
Sharks will stay active. Leopard shark season has plenty of runway left and conditions that favor the bite – warm water, calmer surf – should work in your favor heading into late July.
Grunion runs are still happening through July. Check the grunion run schedule and plan around them.
The overall trajectory of this season is upward. It’s been a slow start, but don’t let a slow June put you off the beach in July. The fish are here and the summertime bite should be coming.
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