My wife and I are planning on surf fishing either San Onofre or Oceanside this coming Friday. Where does one buy bait in that part of the coast? In Oceanside, where is a good place to catch some"
Thanks for responses.
Stu

This time of year the best place to get your bait is on site and it's free. The best surf fishing bait for this time of year and my hands down favorite bait to use in the surf can be caught at most beaches. If they aren't present at the beach your fishing you may want to consider trying another stretch of coast. Beaches that hold lots crabs will generally hold lots of fish too. Now I'm talking about perch and corbina so if your after halibut or batrays then you'll need to plan on bringing some bait. For the crabs try to find the softest shcll crab you can possibly find and don't try to use any crabs bigger than your thumb. That's already too big in my opion. I have the most luck on multiple small crabs. You don't need throw them far out at all. About anymore than 40 feet from shore might be too far depending on conditions. You should be able to see corbina feeding on the crabs in literally a couple inches of water. Half there body will often be exposed out of the water as the dart around when the waves wash up. If you don't bit on your crab with a 5 minutes change and try another. Soft with eggs is the best. Use a Carolina rig and line no heavier than 6lb actually 4lb is what I use but 2lb is too light. Good luck. Oh yeah and keep moving work your way down the beach. If your getting bit and the bite stops just look for similar conditions that produced the bite as make your way along the beach. YOu should to good the surf fishing is fantastic right now.

Hey Papastu,

If You and your Wife deside to choose Oceanside, let me know if you want a fishin buddy. I can show you exactly what JerryG above is teaching and he knows his stuff. I would be happy to share some of my plastics with you as well. I know Oceanside like the back of my hand so name the beach and I'll try to be there.

Out of state tourist, " Hey Mister!, You can't catch fish in the surf! It's too shallow ! What are you! Nuts???"

Yep!!:7 :7

If you guys fish with Aztec you'll be in good hands. I know he fishes OS beach a lot and the guy knows his stuff. Although I have never met him, I've seen his posts help out many anglers new to surf fishing. He has shared his knowledge by providing excellent information to those who show interest. Hey Aztec you ever want to fish the corbs (now/ fall) or perch (winter/spring) in Ventura county, LA County or North OC let me know. Maybe I'll make it down to OS to go fish the surf one of these days. Corbina have been biting so good close to home that it's hard to justify leaving fish for fish. Good luck and I'll see you on the water.

JerryG

If you are going to fish San-O or other OC beaches, Get Reel in San Clemente has bloodworms, and they work- nobody else in OC south of Seal Beach has them, as far as I know- they aren't cheap, but they are shipped from Maine

>If you guys fish with Aztec you'll be in good hands. I know
>he fishes OS beach a lot and the guy knows his stuff. Although
>I have never met him, I've seen his posts help out many
>anglers new to surf fishing. He has shared his knowledge by
>providing excellent information to those who show interest.
>Hey Aztec you ever want to fish the corbs (now/ fall) or perch
>(winter/spring) in Ventura county, LA County or North OC let
>me know. Maybe I'll make it down to OS to go fish the surf one
>of these days. Corbina have been biting so good close to home
>that it's hard to justify leaving fish for fish. Good luck and
>I'll see you on the water.
>
>JerryG

Hey JerryG

Thanks for the kudos and thanks for the invite. Now that I have a good running truck I plan on making some trips up north soon. Maybe I could e-mail some times that I could be available in the not so distant future. I've only fished with two posters on the forum that being Amish Ed and Bay Dude. I would love to hookup with you guys up north like Yourself and Fongster.

Tight Lines!!