Another follow up:
RE: Stickballs/Jerkbaits
I've been pretty guilty of being solely focused on catching big Corbina and Spotfin over the past few years and have likely screwed myself out of some good halibut fishing, so I have been focused on using artificials more. Having grown up here, I used to fish my float tube a ton off PB point and in La Jolla and caught a ton of good halibut, a few legal WSB, big Calicos, etc. on the artificials just outside the surf and I used to spear all the above in the same areas. So, the fact that I lost focus or interest on targeting them with the artificials in the surf is weird to me. Just not enough time to do it all I guess. Anyhow, over the past year or so I have been trying to re-focus. In doing so, I have been acquiring/testing out stick baits and jerk baits in the surf. Obviously, the standard is the LC, but I have been impressed with some Rapalas recently. So, I am going to include some pics of the ones I carry and like. I'm interested in other people's experience with hard baits in the surf, though, as I am no expert. These are a few I like that have worked, or are in the box for testing. Also obviously, many of these have alternative uses, like in the bay for spotties, in the kelp for Calicos, or even on kelps off shore when the Dorado get lockjaw or the yellows are not eating the iron. Anyhow, here you go:
1. Lucky Craft Flash Minnow 110- the standard. No comments needed. Most colors are great. I like Metallic Sardine, Sexy Smelt (and the glowing one), Cherry Berry, Jack Smelt, etc. Hard to beat. I do change out rings and hooks due to failures, though. Everyone has their own way of doing it and why, so I'll not bother to explain my own. The only real issue with these is the fact that they are a bit light when it is windy and can get blown around in the surge. Pictures below. Hooks and rings SUCK so need replacing. Don't do what I did and lose a big halibut to straightened shitty hooks and rings. Change em.
2. Lucky Craft Slender Pointer 127MR - Maybe the best casting of the surf hard baits I use as it is 3/4oz and more aerodynamic than the other LC's. Suspending/sinks so good for maintaining contact with the sand in 4-5' of water. This one has been very good for halibut in the bay as well as a few spotties, but time in the surf has been limited. Probably my favorite as I love the action and cast ability. Sardine color.
3. Rapala X-Rap 4" - I have the albino and olive green colors. Perch love em. But, lighter so harder to cast deep. Good for working a hole tight to the beach. Got a spotfinon the albino, too. Also, no need to replace hooks or rings (Thanks, Rapala ... and take f-ing notice LC!!!!!!).
4. Rapala X-Rap Saltwater - I have the mackerel and sardine colors in the 4". Have not tested these a ton yet, but the action is great in the surf and I imagine these are going to be winners come the spring/summer due to size/color/action. Castability is ok as they are a tad light for me, but, again, great choice. No need to change hooks and I look forward to making these do double duty on kelps when the dorado won't cooperate.
5. Rapala X-Rap Long Cast 12 - I have chrome mackerel and the blue mackerel color. These come in 2 sizes, 4 3/4" at 1 1/4 oz, and 5.5" at 1 7/8 oz. They cast like a dream and are in the box for windy days or for options when the bait is in. Great action and I am really looking forward to using these more for bigger halibut, etc. in the surf. As mentioned above, these serve double duty as they are good inshore/offshore, too. Big singles on these as their intended use is not in the surf, but I am not complaining. Love em ... and part of the reason I just got a new rod-reel for bombing hard baits in the surf.
6. Rapala BX Swimmer 12 - This one is 4 3/4" and 3/4 oz. It is jointed and swims like a dream. Not a lot of test time in the surf, but the bay bass love em. Really looking forward to these ones in the surf. No need to change out hooks. This one might end up being the best of the bunch. Will update after season.
I stole a few Nomad STYX 115's from Ali a few years ago which are in the box, too. I call them the "wobbly boot" as they suspend with crazy thrashing action. Caught a few halibut on them at Torrey initially but then got away from them. Not sure if they still make them, but if they do, not a bad alternative. They are a bit light, but the profile is awesome. However, hard to imagine a need at this point.
Thats what I got, so feel free to learn me on what you guys are using and what you like.
RE: Stickballs/Jerkbaits
I've been pretty guilty of being solely focused on catching big Corbina and Spotfin over the past few years and have likely screwed myself out of some good halibut fishing, so I have been focused on using artificials more. Having grown up here, I used to fish my float tube a ton off PB point and in La Jolla and caught a ton of good halibut, a few legal WSB, big Calicos, etc. on the artificials just outside the surf and I used to spear all the above in the same areas. So, the fact that I lost focus or interest on targeting them with the artificials in the surf is weird to me. Just not enough time to do it all I guess. Anyhow, over the past year or so I have been trying to re-focus. In doing so, I have been acquiring/testing out stick baits and jerk baits in the surf. Obviously, the standard is the LC, but I have been impressed with some Rapalas recently. So, I am going to include some pics of the ones I carry and like. I'm interested in other people's experience with hard baits in the surf, though, as I am no expert. These are a few I like that have worked, or are in the box for testing. Also obviously, many of these have alternative uses, like in the bay for spotties, in the kelp for Calicos, or even on kelps off shore when the Dorado get lockjaw or the yellows are not eating the iron. Anyhow, here you go:
1. Lucky Craft Flash Minnow 110- the standard. No comments needed. Most colors are great. I like Metallic Sardine, Sexy Smelt (and the glowing one), Cherry Berry, Jack Smelt, etc. Hard to beat. I do change out rings and hooks due to failures, though. Everyone has their own way of doing it and why, so I'll not bother to explain my own. The only real issue with these is the fact that they are a bit light when it is windy and can get blown around in the surge. Pictures below. Hooks and rings SUCK so need replacing. Don't do what I did and lose a big halibut to straightened shitty hooks and rings. Change em.
2. Lucky Craft Slender Pointer 127MR - Maybe the best casting of the surf hard baits I use as it is 3/4oz and more aerodynamic than the other LC's. Suspending/sinks so good for maintaining contact with the sand in 4-5' of water. This one has been very good for halibut in the bay as well as a few spotties, but time in the surf has been limited. Probably my favorite as I love the action and cast ability. Sardine color.
3. Rapala X-Rap 4" - I have the albino and olive green colors. Perch love em. But, lighter so harder to cast deep. Good for working a hole tight to the beach. Got a spotfinon the albino, too. Also, no need to replace hooks or rings (Thanks, Rapala ... and take f-ing notice LC!!!!!!).
4. Rapala X-Rap Saltwater - I have the mackerel and sardine colors in the 4". Have not tested these a ton yet, but the action is great in the surf and I imagine these are going to be winners come the spring/summer due to size/color/action. Castability is ok as they are a tad light for me, but, again, great choice. No need to change hooks and I look forward to making these do double duty on kelps when the dorado won't cooperate.
5. Rapala X-Rap Long Cast 12 - I have chrome mackerel and the blue mackerel color. These come in 2 sizes, 4 3/4" at 1 1/4 oz, and 5.5" at 1 7/8 oz. They cast like a dream and are in the box for windy days or for options when the bait is in. Great action and I am really looking forward to using these more for bigger halibut, etc. in the surf. As mentioned above, these serve double duty as they are good inshore/offshore, too. Big singles on these as their intended use is not in the surf, but I am not complaining. Love em ... and part of the reason I just got a new rod-reel for bombing hard baits in the surf.
6. Rapala BX Swimmer 12 - This one is 4 3/4" and 3/4 oz. It is jointed and swims like a dream. Not a lot of test time in the surf, but the bay bass love em. Really looking forward to these ones in the surf. No need to change out hooks. This one might end up being the best of the bunch. Will update after season.
I stole a few Nomad STYX 115's from Ali a few years ago which are in the box, too. I call them the "wobbly boot" as they suspend with crazy thrashing action. Caught a few halibut on them at Torrey initially but then got away from them. Not sure if they still make them, but if they do, not a bad alternative. They are a bit light, but the profile is awesome. However, hard to imagine a need at this point.
Thats what I got, so feel free to learn me on what you guys are using and what you like.
Last edited:
