[mightymouse9]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and have been doing some readings on the fantastic rock fishing success in the central coast by some of the seasoned anglers, can some one show me a good place to start and what the typical rigs are? I just moved here from Texas and aren't familiar with the area, type of rigs, or set ups and when I went out 2 weeks ago I was told that I can't fish at the place I was at, "Lover's Point" in Monterey. I went down to another place across from Pacific Grove Golf and was told the same thing so my daughter and I just packed up and left. Are most of the fishing in this area protected? Is there a family / children friendly fishing pier or spot in this area? Any advice and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm not asking for your hot spots or secret spots just a general vicinity where I can take my child to fish. Thank you in advance.

[fatwalletskip]

unfortunately you chose two locations that are designated as SMR (state marine reserve). Drive a little farther north or south and your good. Also DO NOT fish with your daughter off the rocks or let her get to close the surf. Best bet for family fishing are the piers south of monterey.

yessir


fws

[RobF]

Surf fishing on a calm day (swells < 4') is perfectly acceptable family activity, and it's super simple. It's necessary to maybe get knee deep in the water at most. When the kids get bored with fishing, they can play in the sand.

Simple carolina rig with #4 hook, up to 1.5 ounce weight, and some type of artificial grub is what you need. You can find surf perch on most of the beaches from south of monterey down to santa cruz.

Also if you go the DFG website and look for "MPA's", you will find a list of the protected areas.

The piers are terribly over fished, so about the only time you can catch something is when the bait fish (sardines, mackerel) are around (summer).

Rob

[seabass_seeker]

They also have maps online of the closed areas. Good luck out there!

[Fishmom1]

Welcome, mightymouse. The DFG pages can be kind of hard to navigate. You are looking for the MPA (Marine Protected Areas) information. You can find it by going to the home page of this site, clicking on "Links", and then scrolling down to the Miscellaneous section. Click on the Department of Fish and Game button. There is information on MPAs based on county, and also maps with co-ordinates. Here's a link:
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/mlpa/mpa_regs.asp

[keoki]

Welcome to the Forum, Mightymouse9. Look forward to your reports.