Brian convinced me to give East Goleta Beach a shot from the surf after work. Armed with light gear and 3 inch Sea Wolf colored Big Hammers we trudged our way through the slough as it was a very high tide.

At the spot it didn't take long for Brian to hook up and bring in his first halibut. A little while later, another one. Just as I was starting to wonder if his 1/4 oz. jig head was making a difference (I was using 3/16 oz.) I see a nice halibut roll on my lure just inches from my legs. Reminded me why I love fishing - for visions like that! After fumbling around with the thing in the surf like an idiot I finally got it in, measured it at 27 inches and 7.5 lbs., quickly snapped a picture and let it go.

Fished for a short while longer and Brian picked up another short halibut. Didn't see any seabass tonight.

Hey Pete, it sounds like you're going whenever you've got time, and not necessarily trying to time it to any particular tide. Is that correct, or are you trying to get out at a certain high/low/in-between tide?

** tight lines make all my troubles go away **

Actually, that particular beach I prefer to fish at a low tide but you are right - go whenever I can. It actually turned out pretty good - not too many floating weeds in the water (which is usually what I find at that beach on the rising or high tide).

Yeah, the pics of the seabass that you posted the other day seemed to be taken at low tide. The halibut seem to be really shallow now. Hope you don't mind if I move in on your spot, but I might try to head down there after work today myself.

** tight lines make all my troubles go away **

mmm only a 27" halibut, bummer :) Goleta Beach has been really good this year, especially from the surf. Now get back to work!
-Brian

What pound test line are you guys using for the surf fishing and do you have any problems with halibut breaking you off?

I use 6lb, usually don't have a problem with breaking fish off on the artificials. If you were fishing bait the fish might have a better chance of swallowing the hook and biting the line, but it's not an issue with the big hammers as long as you know when to set the hook. Just be fairly cautious whenever fishing light line like that and it shouldn't be a problem. 6lb P-Line CXX hasn't done me wrong.
-Brian

Im also fishing 6lb, ive had no problem so far. That seabass wasnt too bad, it took a bit but i was able to turn its head no problem. The other day however i hooked something big, my best guess is a hallibut but it might have been a snagged ray. I knew right away i wasnt going to land it it broke me off after taking about 50ft of line. Too bad, but fun to pull on. I dont even think 10 would have done it, maybe 20, maybe.

For the 3 inch Hammers I use 6 or 8 lb. and have never had a problem with halibut breaking off. My largest flattie from the surf is 16 lbs. Light line is not completely necessary but I believe it does give the small baits better action and it's also a lot of fun!

Pete and Brian your use of 6-8 lb line for flatties in the surf is very appealing and raises a question. I, and I suppose many others, use 12-15 lb line when drifting over the local reefs for calicos etc. I have been thinking of downsizing my line. How low would you say I could safely go when using 4-5" BHs for this purpose. Thanks.

(Smaller might be better.)

Bob

Well surf fishing with 3" baits on 3/16oz leadheads is much different than fishing 5" baits with 3/4oz leadheads in 60ft of water. I wouldn't drop below 12lb fishing 4 and 5" baits from a boat. 15 and 20 is much wiser. The bigger baits require a harder hookset because of the size of the lure, and you also have more line out so line stretch is a bigger factor, not to mention the fact that you can't chase fish that you catch, and half the time you're pulling them out of rocks and kelp. You don't have half of those problems surf fishing or float tubing so you can use lighter line. I use 10lb sometimes for 4 and 5" but I'm sure one day I'll get burned.
-Brian

Thanks Brian. You make a lot of sense, as usual.

Bob