I like the natural bait colors. Try sardine ,chovie and smelt or grunion. It seems to me smaller is better if you are not getting that much action. The small taps from the squid are probably not halibut.
I like fishing on the pier or the rock point at the end of the parking lot. You want to fish parallel with the beach. Try going out on the pier about 1 to 2 pilings past the breaking surf, cast far out and bounce it or swim it pretty darn slow, following the surf line.
I believe that the deepest so-called pools are about ten to 20 feet directly out from the biggest breaking waves. I do not use scents anymore but I do believe they will increase your odds. And once you get bit, stay in that area for a while.

The best IMO is the rainbow trout pattern, then smelt.

Good luck, tell us how you did.