The expert's tips to help you catch fish at Pebble Beach
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BY TREVOR PLANT
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I have been asked to do a quick screed on the fishing at Pebble Beach seeing I spend so much time there and people are under the impression that I’m the expert here. Well, I don’t know about that but I do consider Pebble Beach as part of my back yard. The dreaded black weed has been around but, with all the wild weather and cooling sea temperatures, it should be all but gone in the next few weeks. Hopefully, on the day of the competition, conditions will be ripe for a great day’s fishing!
Recommended Fishing Gear
To start with, spend a few moments to looking at the fishing gear you are likely to take. In short the go is as light as possible. I prefer to use 3kg line (no leader) on a light rod with a small spinning reel (mainly a Shimano 2500). Likewise a smallish sinker with just enough
to cast sufficiently. However the sinker weight you use will depend on the conditions. If there is a stiff southeaster, you will need to go heavier. However, if you have a northeaster, the wind will be behind you which makes casting a dream. As for hooks, I prefer No 4 to a No2, the smaller size if there are a few Whiting around.
Bait Suggestions
Now for the right bait. Yabbies are great but you will need to get them the day before or get up really, really early. If you are flush with cash, try live worms as any Whiting around will not be able to resist them. Failing that, peeled prawns are reasonably effective.
Likely Species to be Caught
The creatures you are likely to come across are whiting which I mentioned previously and some of the Whiting at Pebble Beach are monsters with several I have seen in excess of 40cm. Of course there are Bream, Tarwhine with the occasional Grunter, Flounder and Flathead. We will not mention Long Toms and their acrobatics when hooked. There is also a number of Stingrays, so keep your bait moving otherwise you will latch on to a freight train heading to Tangalooma.
Recommended Tactics for Success
Consider your tactics. As at around 6.am, the tide will be on its way in, meaning it may be
worthwhile having a wade out. I wade using a keeper bag & landing net (very important) tied to a bait belt. With the keeper bag, make sure you have a clip at the neck otherwise the fish swim out the top. I use a toggle clip like the ones you find on hats & sunglasses . As for a net, the small nets you get from Big W at $12 are ideal, but make sure you glue the fitting on otherwise all you will end up at the end of the trip is the fitting. Make sure you are wearing good sandshoes or wading boots in case you come across any nasties which can include broken glass & bits of old crab pots. I also take a fishing jacket to keep my fishing tackle, pliers etc. It is important to be as “hands free” as possible.
For those who are not fussed on wading and getting up close & personal with the sea life, there is always the beach as you walk in the direction of the fish trap. Pick a spot about half way down cast, your line, then put the rod in a rod holder and sit and wait. Cast out towards the weed bank and don’t be deterred by the lack of deep water. The Whiting like the first of the “flood tide” and schools move along the edge of the weed banks looking for a feed.
Anyway, that’s about it from me, so have a great fish and good luck.
Trevor Plant
I have been asked to do a quick screed on the fishing at Pebble Beach seeing I spend so much time there and people are under the impression that I’m the expert here. Well, I don’t know about that but I do consider Pebble Beach as part of my back yard. The dreaded black weed has been around but, with all the wild weather and cooling sea temperatures, it should be all but gone in the next few weeks. Hopefully, on the day of the competition, conditions will be ripe for a great day’s fishing!
Recommended Fishing Gear
To start with, spend a few moments to looking at the fishing gear you are likely to take. In short the go is as light as possible. I prefer to use 3kg line (no leader) on a light rod with a small spinning reel (mainly a Shimano 2500). Likewise a smallish sinker with just enough
to cast sufficiently. However the sinker weight you use will depend on the conditions. If there is a stiff southeaster, you will need to go heavier. However, if you have a northeaster, the wind will be behind you which makes casting a dream. As for hooks, I prefer No 4 to a No2, the smaller size if there are a few Whiting around.
Bait Suggestions
Now for the right bait. Yabbies are great but you will need to get them the day before or get up really, really early. If you are flush with cash, try live worms as any Whiting around will not be able to resist them. Failing that, peeled prawns are reasonably effective.
Likely Species to be Caught
The creatures you are likely to come across are whiting which I mentioned previously and some of the Whiting at Pebble Beach are monsters with several I have seen in excess of 40cm. Of course there are Bream, Tarwhine with the occasional Grunter, Flounder and Flathead. We will not mention Long Toms and their acrobatics when hooked. There is also a number of Stingrays, so keep your bait moving otherwise you will latch on to a freight train heading to Tangalooma.
Recommended Tactics for Success
Consider your tactics. As at around 6.am, the tide will be on its way in, meaning it may be
worthwhile having a wade out. I wade using a keeper bag & landing net (very important) tied to a bait belt. With the keeper bag, make sure you have a clip at the neck otherwise the fish swim out the top. I use a toggle clip like the ones you find on hats & sunglasses . As for a net, the small nets you get from Big W at $12 are ideal, but make sure you glue the fitting on otherwise all you will end up at the end of the trip is the fitting. Make sure you are wearing good sandshoes or wading boots in case you come across any nasties which can include broken glass & bits of old crab pots. I also take a fishing jacket to keep my fishing tackle, pliers etc. It is important to be as “hands free” as possible.
For those who are not fussed on wading and getting up close & personal with the sea life, there is always the beach as you walk in the direction of the fish trap. Pick a spot about half way down cast, your line, then put the rod in a rod holder and sit and wait. Cast out towards the weed bank and don’t be deterred by the lack of deep water. The Whiting like the first of the “flood tide” and schools move along the edge of the weed banks looking for a feed.
Anyway, that’s about it from me, so have a great fish and good luck.
Trevor Plant
