If you fish the California coast for sharks, white seabass, or really any species from shore, this Thursday’s meeting is one you need to know about. The California Fish and Game Commission’s Marine Resources Committee convenes on July 16, 2026 at...
As of approximately July 2026, California’s emergency wire leader and hook size ban is active and enforceable. If you fish from shore or within 1,000 yards of the California coastline south of Pigeon Point, this regulation applies to you right now....
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...
This is a follow-up to my original article published June 20, 2026 – California to Ban Shark Fishing As We Know It. Since then I’ve spoken directly with Craig Shuman, CDFW’s Marine Region Manager, watched the June 17 Commission hearing, reviewed...
On June 17, 2026, the California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to approve an emergency regulation banning wire leader and hooks over 1.5 inches for anyone fishing the ocean from Pigeon Point south within 1000 yards of the shore, essentially...
A surprisingly common question that I receive from many new anglers is the following: “Does wave height affect fishing in the surf?”. I think there’s a very simple way of thinking through this question, but to credit those anglers who have...
June is here, and if you’ve been out on the water lately, you already know the story — the surf has been rough. We’ve had rough conditions since the last week of May, and that pattern hasn’t let up heading into...
In this article, we’ll be covering the topic of sand crabs and how to use them for surf fishing bait. We’ll go over how to find sand crabs (including some tips on finding them in the spring and fall). We’ll cover...
May has delivered. After a mixed April, things are starting to come together in a big way here in Southern California. If the forecast holds, the best fishing of the season could be right around the corner. Let’s get into our...
Leopard shark fishing from shore is one of the most rewarding experiences surf fishing has to offer, and it’s a lot less complicated than most people think. If you’ve been targeting leopard sharks and coming up empty, the fix is usually...
