Over the years, I've heard lots of stories about the best tide to fish in the surf in So. California. What's the consensus out there as to the best tide and how long before and how long after that tide does one have the best luck surfishing? I'd appreciate your answers.
PapaStu

PapaStu,

Over the years I have found that when fishing North San Diego County Beaches, my best best results have occured while fishing around two hours or the incoming to an hour of the outgoing.

There have been exceptions however the above is the norm for me.

Tight Lines!!

Aztecwin

Capt.Carl Up here in Goleta the best fishing is in the rips fishing up current and swinging the fly into the hole and out into the river/rip. They seem to begin as the tide starts to go out.

I've had my best corbina bites on out going and right towards the bottom of low tide. While my best perch bites have come off incoming closer to the top of high tide. A lot of guys who fish halibut from shore prefer to fish during low tide.

What I have found is that if your going to be successful in the surf or just about anywhere else you fish that's inshore there needs to be current and the moving water will hold the fish . Weather it be incoming or out going the tide creates the current. When there's no current you can count on slow fishing. I've also found that depending on the geography of a beach most beaches will bite better on incoming tides with the time frame when the most water is being moved by the tide cycle being the best. Not all beaches are best on incoming tides. Some beaches will bite better on out going tides. Also as the post below mentioned the rips pushing water off the beach will ussually produce bites. They will hold Perch especially. Rips will hold corbina too but the corbina like to cruise up and down the along the trenches and holes in the water very close to shore in search of crabs.

JerryG

Thanks to those who responded. Good info provided.
PapaStu