Well after reading Nicolo's reports I decided to pick a time and charge the striper fishing around Pacifica. I'm planning on going next Monday 7/23 after work and try to hit the evening bite.
So my newbie questions are:
What line to use? Seems like 25 or 30 would be good but maybe lighter is better?
What lures to use?
I read Nicolo's article at
http://www.ichthy.com/article-pacifica.shtml
but I've never seen a Mickey before or know where to get one. Do they hit surface iron like a Tady A1 or 45? Or is that a waste of time.
Most importantly, does anyone want to hook up and show me the deal on Monday =) I know striper fishing is a big crap shoot but if I caught even one 15 pound fish I would be stoked.

-Rob

I'm thinking of going Sat or Sun. Could you adjust to that? Leave me a post and I'll answer tommorrow.
As for your other ?'s I like 15-20# line for the added distance.
Chrome or white "surface" iron will work but Kastmasters w/ bucktail are usually better. Fish them closer to the bottom and pay attention on the drop. Swimbaits will also work if you can get em out there. Bait works but why bother? Plugs can be good too but again how far can you cast 'em. If you can get to a place where you aren't bucking a hard wind and the fish are there a pencil popper can be a blast, just work it fast and erratic. If your arms feel like they'll fall off after 20 casts your going too SLOW. Lastly, If a lure has bucktail, put scent on it.

Tight lines,
Wade

PS. I've only caught 7 Stripers from the surf because I don't go much but I know a fair bit about how it's done.

Hey Wade,

I'll probably be out there Sat and/or Sun, too (have school Mon evening, so swimbait you're on your own). We should hook up.

Wade's right about 15-20lb being the best range. The best stuff is 15# P-Line CXX, but it's too expensive for the amount I burn through. I normally throw 15 or 20 lb Big Game. 15# casts better and doesn't get thrown about by the waves, but I feel more secure with 20# because I backlash so much.

The stripers will eat anything you put in their face. Mickeys are only popular because they cast so good. I'm sure whatever you have will work. Mickeys have good swimming action on a straight retrieve, but when the fishing isn't wide open they can respond better if you pop the jig up and down. They'll hit it on the flutter. You almost always are going to be throwing straight into a good headwind so whatever you got has to cast good.

Nico (off to some Los Banos night fishing :) )

thanks for the updated info
I think I get the feel for how this gig works
So call me a barni but I am going to bring my 10' Calstar T100 with my Newell spooled up with 30lb and chuck some surface iron and trout plugs. Maybe a Salas 6x too just for kicks if that wind is really howling. Let's do it!

Nicolo, Swimbait, or anyone else who wants to hit it, since I currently only have internet at work, call me at home at (831) 630-1262 and if I'm not home leave a message. I'll be at work until 4pm today and will check back here before I leave.

Tight lines,
Wade

Wade, thanks for the offer. I am actually going to be in Santa Barbara for the weekend, so Monday is the only day I can go. Put a post up though and let us know how you did.

It's 5 now and no ones posted so I'll expect a message when I get home from work or later from dinner. Just tell me where to meet you, how to get there and when. I'd prefer to go Sat as my wife has plans for Sun. As for time, I'm open to almost anything but was thinking the earlier the better, pre-dawn has been my best time for bigger Striper.

Tight lines,
Wade

Are you guys fishin' the Sharp Park/Pier area or down by Linda Mar?

Chris

The beaches around mussel rock most likely. I'm going to try to be up there this afternoon at mussel rock.

Nico

Your rod should work fine. Anywhere from 10-13 feet is good IMO. I'd put a Calcutta 400 on it instead of a Newell. I tried a friends Newell a few trips and it didn't cast as far as the Calcutta for this stuff. Maybe you're ok if you're really good with your thumb. A fast retrieve is a good thing. A lot of people like the Penns and Irons because they have 6:1 gears. Finally, I really think you want to go down to 20# line...

Today looked great. Stripers busting, birds diving and all. But they stayed out of casting range the whole evening. Oh well...

Nico

Out of casting range??? What does that mean??? Not with the T100!!! j/k LMAO.
-Brian