I fish similar waters to your target areas. I'm an old time spin fisherman and a recent fly fisher and I enjoy fishing the beaches and bays of Southern California. I like fishing light equipment and am typically throwing 6lb test or at best 8lb test.

For the surf I use a 9' GLoomis Steelhead rod (rated for 6-12 lb line and 1/4-1/2 oz lures - model STR1082S) and a Shimano Symetre 2000 spinning reel loaded with 6 lb test. I'm usually throwing a 3" Big Hammer plastic bait on a 1/4 oz jig head or a small curly tailed grub rigged carolina-style (1/4 oz weight). I catch mostly barred surf perch which are fun on a light rig. Hopefully, if I ever do come across a legal halibut or a decent corbina, I'll be able to stop these with my 6lb test.

For fishing bays (Newport Harbor, Cabrillo Beach, Santa Barbara Harbor) I haul my Buck's Bag Bronco pontoon boat down to the water and shorten up my rod a bit. I use the same spinning reel and the same baits but toss them with a 7' GLoomis Popping Rod (rated for 6-12 lb line and 1/4-1/2 oz lures - model PR842-2S). Early this summer, I had a grand time catching halibut and white sea bass (to 20") at Cabrllo Beach with this gear. I don't know if I could have stopped a legal (28") WSB with this gear but I would have had fun trying if given the opportunity.

For fly fishing, I use a 9' 9-wt rod and throw a fast sinking (type 6) shooting head attached to a mono-type running line. In the surf I use a short (4-5') leader of 10lb test mono. I toss a variety of small weighted flies - anything with orange in it. I've had some success catching surf perch with my fly rod but have yet to find anything of great size with.

In summary - I believe that light is the way to go and have fun fishing my 6 lb test spinning gear in the surf and protected bays of Southern California.