Category Archives: articles
Striped bass fishing in estuaries, bays and along the beach with Greg Silks

Striped Bass Fishing in Estuaries, Bays and Along the Beach By Bill Varney Jr. Over the last few decades there were so few stripers caught in the Southern California surf that catching one was almost considered a miracle. Yet, over the past several years stripped bass catches have increased dramatically for anglers fishing estuaries, back
Shore Fishing in the Bay
What is Light-Line Surf Fishing Anyway?

WHAT IS LIGHT-LINE SURF FISHING ANYWAY? By Bill Varney Jr. Every week my mailbox is flooded with questions about surf fishing. Surprisingly, a good number of folks often ask me the difference between light-line and the old fashioned style of surf fishing we once practiced. So I’ve put together a few of the questions anglers
Finding The Perfect Surf Rod

Finding The Perfect Surf Rod By, Bill Varney Over the years we’ve had some great on-the-beach surf fishing seminars and have seen thousands of different rod and reel combinations make they way to the sand. Some have been right on the money and others, well let’s just say, were a bit lacking. When it comes
Fall Fishing Road Trips
Clams and the MLPA
Candy Bait for Corbina

Candy Bait For Corbina When spring rolls around corbina have been hole-up in bays, harbors and estuaries. As the water warms they know it’s time to leave these safe confines and make their way to the beach. As they spread out along the shore corbina search for the fine odor of fertile sand crabs and
Finding Halibut at the Beach

Finding Halibut at the Beach I’m often asked: what is the best tasting fish from the surf? Well the truth is, I release all of my fish back into the water with one exception—the occasional legal halibut. And it seems like I’m not alone. California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (formerly Fish and Game) has
Bait Presentation at the Beach
Surf Fishing with Grubs

Surf Fishing with Grubs By Bill Varney, Jr. As the warm water of fall begins to cool sand crabs go into hibernation. Meanwhile, surf fish continue to scour the surf for any forage to carry them though the year. Because food becomes scarce in the winter months fish are always looking for an opportunity to