Hey guys i can really use your help. I promised to take my cousin fishing for his first time ever next week. The problem is i promised my aunt that i would not take him on a boat or on a pier. I guess that leaves us with surf fishing. I have no problem with surf fishing but i do have a problem in that i don't know of any good spots in Carpinteria seeing that i am from Santa Barbara. Can you guys please help me with this one, i want to make my cousins first fishing trip a succesess.
Charlie

Do you have to go to Carpinteria? I'd say you give West or East Beach a shot (near Stearn's Wharf). Use 3 inch Big Hammers on 1/8, 3/16, or 1/4 oz. Jig Heads on medium to light tackle (6-8 lb. test). Just walk up and down the beach and cast and reel (vary up the retrieve speed until you get bit). These beaches usually have a very small surf making it ideal for the first timer. And you can usually get a few halibut and quite possibly some legals.

hey charlie, the most reliable spot in carpinteria that i know of is La Conchita, which is just on the southern part of carpinteria. as you drive south on 101, go past carpinteria towards ventura. you'll see the oil pier up ahead and you can park along side the freeway on the right hand side.

its a good spot for perch and corbina, especially at high tide. i've had the most success on the opposite side of the beach from the oil pier (i.e. the northern side of the beach, towards the rocks). hope that helps, best of luck.

Hey guys, thanks a lot for the help, my cousin is 5 so you know how important it is to get him hooked on fishing by allowing him to catch something. I really appreciate the help!
Charlie

5? Definetely give West or East beach a try. You don't want a 5 year old to have to deal with waves.