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So Cal Water Temps Dip, Yet Recover- Updated

So Cal Water Temps Dip, Yet Recover- Updated

By July 26, 2020 Reports 0 Comments

As many of us know by now, the surf fishing has been absolutely on fire this summer in Southern California. Similarly, the weather (air temp) has seemed just as hot. Unfortunately, the warm weather hasn’t been enough to keep the summertime temps that we (and the fish) have come to know and love. So Cal water temps have dipped hard.

Page Updated 7/26/2020: If you’re looking to use the same gear and tackle that I use, my set-ups are detailed at the very bottom of the page.

So why has the water temp dropped?

During the tail-end of last week and through this weekend (7/20), we’ve experienced some moderate-strong WNW winds. This has caused the warmer surface water to be pushed away and mixed in with the deeper water while the colder water has taken its place.

Whether the fish will power through and continue to bite, is still “to be determined”. Read on for update (7/26).

My Take

From late spring through mid summer, we’ve experienced multiple water temperature dips and drops, but nothing as impressive as what we’re seeing now.

On the bright side, the few dips we’ve had this year have not impacted the fishing in a negative manner. In my mind, the fish aren’t going to simply stop eating. There are other factors like their spawning seasons and the sand crabs still being local that point to a positive outlook.

Keep in mind, water temp plays a huge role in So Cals fishery so, at the very least, it’s worth keeping an eye on. This topic will be touched upon in the coming days and likely be updated and expanded upon on Sunday (7/26).

I believe we’ll see an increase to about 66 degrees by Friday. In my experience, once we get over that 65 degree “hump”, we’re good to go. So keep an eye on that factor and check in Sunday.

A Quick Recovery

Last week, (through 7/20/2020), we experienced a drastic 9 degree dip in the water temperature along Southern California’s coastline (from 71 degrees Fahrenheit to 62 degrees Fahrenheit. As mentioned earlier, it was due to moderately strong WNW winds that pushed colder water in to replace the warmer surface water.

As for how long it might take for the water temperature to return to previous temps, nobody really knew. The desirable 69-71 degree range that is preferred by most surf species is a very important factor when it comes to a good summertime bite for surf fishing.

The most unsettling aspect of the timing of this drop was that the air temperature had taken a mild dip as well. The water had warmed quickly with those scorching 85 degree days along the coast, but this past week, we had seen an average high of 70-73 degrees. That was what caused speculation that we might be in for a slow recovery and a lull in the summertime season for surf fishing. This was not, and is not the case.

Surf Fishing Report

Throughout the week, many sources have given different data and in all honesty, I have a difficult time believing any of them. In feeling the water, the shoreline temp was about 62 degrees on Monday morning (7/20). Obviously water temp varies between beaches but I’m going with averages here. On Tuesday (different beach), the water temp had already risen to about 63-64 degrees, and by yesterday (7/25), the water had jumped back up to a nice 65-66 degrees Fahrenheit.

An Epic Week of Surf Fishing

As if right on cue, just as we entered a questionable week of surf conditions, Surf Fishing In So Cal clients filled my schedule putting me to the test.

We fished 3 different beaches this week and each provided for us, so let’s get into it.

Day 1: Super Stoked

Day 1 was the real test in my mind. I knew the week prior had been awesome, but this was my first session after the big dip. I arrived for an early-ish 7 am start time and met my client Eric.

As we began our session, the conditions looked good with a low tide and minimal surf at 1-2 feet, so I rigged big and we targeted sharks. Within the first 20 minutes, we hooked into something big. Eric grabbed the rod and the shark darted behind some sort of rocky/reefy structure. A few minutes into the fight, the line appeared to be snagging on something way out there. Seconds later, the line snapped and we reeled in nothing but slack. We lost it. It really sucks losing a big fish like that any day of the week, but it hurts a little more with a client.

Nothing else we could do though, so we rigged up again. We had another questionable run which resulted in what I believe to be a thrown hook.

The day went on, and we began fishing light tackle. It took a little bit, but Eric was able to land his first fish from the surf. A decent little corbina, and a memorable one for sure. We continued fishing for a while with some action here and there, but I really wanted to get on a shark for this guy as he was and still has been, the most hyped client I’ve EVER taken out. For that reason, thank you Eric. You made my day out there.

The conditions worsened through the day and we only had so much time to fish. So, I manned the shark rod while Eric fished light tackle as I had to fight through strong surf and heavy sea weed. Then, it hit. “Tap… Tap……………………Tap-Tap-Wham!” We’re on. Eric took the rod and from there on, Eric was was legitimately mind-blown.

Drag-screaming run after run, he finally got her in close enough for me to beach her and that was that. It was a 57″ female Leopard and a beauty.

Leopard Shark
Client Eric with a 57″ Leopard Shark

Day 2: Surf Fishing Variety Pack

These next two days were with clients Gene and Pauline and with client Mark.

For both of these sessions, we had some steady action throughout the days. After our session with Gene and Pauline, the nerves and fears of the summertime bite coming to a halt due to the the temperature drop had disappeared completely.

After landing a baby corbina on Pauline’s first cast, the success only continued. Some 15 – 20 fish by the end of it with the cherry on top being a Spotfin Croaker that taped out at 21″.

Thank you Gene and Pauline for being so appreciative and I’m glad we could get you guys on some good ones.

fishing report So Cal
Pauline with a Yellowfin Croaker

Day 3: Variety Continued

The success carried into my session with Mark. We began the day fishing light tackle but quickly set up a shark rod as the conditions were literally perfect.

Right off the bat, Mark was catching fish; small corbina for the most part with a couple yellowfin croaker. It didn’t take long though before that shark rod went absolutely full bend.

A little side note about one of the factors that may have kept the summertime bite alive this past week: This week landed in the middle of a predicted grunion run. While I did not see a single grunion, it’s said that these spawning bait fish can draw in predators of all sizes. If you’ve never heard of grunion, or you want to learn more about them, check out my page on grunion runs.

So, as Mark gets to the rod, gives the drag a half-turn, and leans back into it, the fish is on, and there’s no question about it. With a couple of extremely powerful runs and a few surface-breaking struggles, it was apparent at an early stage in the fight that Mark did NOT have a leopard. Mark had a Soupfin!

Soupfin Shark
Client Mark with a 65″ Soupfin Shark

She taped out to be 65″ in length and Mark, just so you know, I did get that shark you were hoping I’d get after you left. She taped out to be 68″ and another beauty of a Soupfin. Thanks for the goodluck!

Soupfin Shark: Water temps in so cal drop
Me (Nick Heid) with a 68″ Soupfin Shark

Cody with the Shark after Shark after Shark after Dark!

My last session of the week was with a great guy by the name of Cody. With plenty of fishing experience under his belt, he was just looking to expand his horizon into the surf.

Lucky for Cody, that’s exactly what we did. This was a Saturday, so we had to work through a very crowded beach with people all over the sand, in the water, and sometimes in our lines… some people, ughhh.

That didn’t deter us though. We started off just fishing light tackle until the crowds became minimal enough for the shark rods.

This session didn’t start out with as much success as the couple before that, but when the fishing is tough, you can’t just give in and give up, you’ve got to push through and fish harder.

It took some time, but we got Cody on his first fish from the surf. In fact his first three or four fish were yellowfin croakers. About an hour in, the crowds were somewhat dissipating. So, I rigged big, and set up the shark rod. Again, maybe only 20-30 minutes in, and full bend!

Cody made no mistakes here as he fought this 58.5″ beauty for some 10-15 minutes until I could grab her out of the surf her for him.

Leopard Shark fishing: Water Temp In So Cal
Client Cody with a 58.5″ Leopard Shark

A Couple More

After that, Cody caught some 7 or 8 more light tackle fish and two more sharks. Thanks for being super responsive out there Cody, the more interested you are, and the more questions you have, the more fun it is for me!

A big thanks to all of my clients this week and last. If you guys are curious what type of gear and tackle I’ve been using to have all this success, I’ll drop the links to everything right below the subscription form. Also, since I try to write my posts on more informational/article-style topics, I don’t get to give these nice shout-outs to my clients very frequently. But, if you want to check in with my weekly surf fishing sessions on a deeper level, then follow me on Instagram: Username: sd_surfslayer. Won’t be any posts this week as I’ll be on vacation, but here it is.

All The Gear and Tackle I Use:

Light Tackle:
Shark Set-up

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