Fishing
Surf Fishing
There are many stretches of beach in the region where surf fishing can be done, although crowded ones tend to produce fewer fish. The Central Coast is frequently cited as having the best surf fishing in California. The species of surfperch most commonly caught on the Central Coast are Barred, Walleye, Shiner, Calico, Silver, Rainbow, and Striped.
Surf Fishing Beaches
Listed from north to south
Surf Fish by Season
Surf Fishing Tips
Fly Fishing The Surf
Rock Fishing
Have you ever observed a lone fisherman perched on a rocky crag, too far out into the surf, perilously close to the breaking waves? That’s Rock Fishing. The sport is hailed for its low-cost simplicity and high fish yield. But it is one of the most dangerous types of fishing, and generally yields small to mid-sized fish. The Morro Bay Region offers mile upon mile of rocky coastline where rock fishing can be done. The best locations are where rocky structures extend well out into the tidal zone, such as Montana de Oro, Estero Bluffs, and Hurst Memorial State Parks. Read the articles below to learn how to rig up for this challenging environment.
Pier Fishing
There are seven public fishing piers between San Simeon and Pismo Beach. None of them requires a fishing license. Piers are built on sandy substrate, so the fish most commonly caught are perch, White Croaker, sharks and rays, flatfish (sanddabs, starry flounder, sand sole, occasionally halibut), and schooling baitfish (Mackerel, Pacific Sardine, Jacksmelt). Where rocky structure is located nearby (e.g., Port San Luis Pier), rockfish can also be present. Ken Jones of Pierfishing.com has created a very thorough guide to pier fishing in California, so we provide links to his work below. Scroll to the “Tips” section near the bottom of each article to see Ken’s recommendations for bait, tackle, and technique.
Public Fishing Piers
Listed from north to south
Ocean Charters and Open Party Boats
There are two sportfishing marinas in the Morro Bay Region, at Morro Bay and Port San Luis, and several sportfishing operators. The primary target species is rockfish, but many Lingcod, California Halibut, Pacific Whitefish, and Cabezon are taken along with the rockfish. The Central Coast is frequently cited as having the best rockfish fishing in California, both in quality and quantity. More than 20 species of rockfish are taken inshore, most commonly Blue, Gopher, Brown, and Vermillion (“red snapper”). Shallow water trips are sometimes offered, where lighter gear is used to catch kelp-dwelling rockfish, Cabazon, and California Halibut. Some businesses offer overnight trips, which typically target larger rockfish and Lingcod along the less-fished Big Sur Coast. Other businesses target Chinook (King) Salmon, Albacore Tuna, White Sea Bass, and Barracuda – if and when they are present.