[vin]

anyone have any suggestions. its been 7 years since ive fished in nor cal. i finally moved back and want to bring my son 9 and nephew 8 fishing for some perch. i was thinking pescadero but im hoping for a more protected area from the waves especially for the kids. any help would be greatly appreciated.

vin

[kaneohe]

You might find this interesting & informative. Click on the "about beaches" link on left hand side:
http://zenflyfishing.com/

You are right to be concerned about safety for kids.
The article talks about geography and sheltering from the predominant NW swells (which can change direction at times). Other factors are offshore weather (which can create large swells) even tho local weather is nice, tides, etc. Pescadero can create some impressive surf during incoming tides and I would not consider it esp kid-friendly. You might consider fishing from a pier at/near the surf zone to get the kids above the danger zone.......Pacifica/Capitola perhaps. Be sure to check the swell forecast before going. The SJ Merc does a terrible job of this but you can find online sources.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS56.KMTR.html
(I can never remember this link but you can go to
coastsidefishingclub.com and click on the NOAA forecast link on left hand side or perhaps googling something like "noaa swell forecast" might work

[illcatchanything2]

You could try the Santa Cruz Wharf or Capitola, no worries about waves there. Also the Jetty at Moss Landing is pretty protected. Good luck, let us know how you do wherever you end up!!

[charro]

Both Stinson and Limantour beach in Point Reyes are good protected beaches from NW swells. It is open ocean so common sense caution is the way to go. I like Stinson better as it is closer than Limantour, produces more perch, and has other diversion in case the kids get restless.

[halibutsnatcher]

but sc and capy is so slow

[pinfish]

didn't Limantour get MLPA'd??

[vin]

thank you all for the replies. the only reason i was looking at half moon bay is that it is the closest to me. i live in fremont. i was looking at carmel but i dont know carmel. so i wouldnt even begin to know where to go. im also taking my brother and my lil cousin. i just want the boys to catch something. even if its small just watching them reel in a small fish like its a whale is always fun. thanks again for al the replies and yes i will definitely post up a report. maybe even pics if i want to brave bringin my camera. maybe a ziploc bag would help with that. lol. fish on everyone.

[turtle]

Rockaway beach in Pacifica is pretty calm in comparrison to the other Pacifica beaches, a plus is the parking is 20-30 yards away, bathrooms, and few resteraunts including burgers, walking distance if the kids get hungry.........And if the fishing is slow, there are ussually surfers on the left side of the beach to watch, if your fishing stick to the right side, unless your very careful of your line....

[CRASS]

word to what turtle said. most beaches south of pacifica are great for fishing as well, less so for facilities, tho.

check out surf-perch.net for some good info if ya wanna show em what to look for and the like.

[vin]

thanx ill look into pacifica. does anyone have a place in monterey? my brother is in san jo. so it would be closer to him. thanx for all the info. what rig should i use for the kids remember they arent super surf casters and can only probly cast about 20 - 30 yards. i was thinking a single hook dropper setup.

[turtle]

yea, single hook off a dropper would work, maybe 4-5 oz pyramid or breakaway wieght, more if needed, would work if your just baitfishing....I personally use hi-lo so I can fish 2 different baits at once,generally pile worms for one and shrimp 4 the other......If i'm grubbing I go with a 12-16'' leader on a carolina rig with a slider above the swivel.....On the slider I put 1 oz torpedo.....I like the torpedo on slider better than egg sinker directly on mainline.... it digs in the sand a little ,making 4 a more controlled recieve....You really don't have to cast out far at all...I use size 6 - 1/0 hooks depending...I like just before the tide hits the absolute low myself but whenever the waters moving is good......

[illcatchanything2]

[vin]

thank you for all the replies and suggestions. i truly appreciate all the info. were gonna end up at the fremont forebay. brother is lazy to drive to the coast. so hopefully the boys hook into something worth while. again many thanks for all the replies and information.

vin