A few days at Montana de Oro State Park
Posted by frozendog
on May-21-08 2:26pm
We wanted to beat the heat last week so we went camping at Montana de Oro State Park, just south of Morro Bay, Wed - Fri. 30 degrees cooler down there than at home - though it was still the warmest I have experienced right on the water for a long time. Primitive camping, but only 5 miles from stores and restaurants and walking distance from fishing. There are lots of rocky places to fish, but most require some climbing. Also an easy place to launch a kayak if you are into that. Lots of bluff trails for hiking and beautiful photo opportunities.
We stayed three days but I only got to fish two. Had to spend some time with the wife (plus the water was really rough one day). There are some nice reefs to fish from.
I was disappointed that a couple of the spots I used to fish are no longer accessible. Couldn't get down to the water - had to do a little more hiking. Fishing wasn't red hot, but I did catch a few nice fish. I only had four bites. One big greenling and three cabs from 17"- 22" - all nice fat healthy fish. Of course, only kept one because of the limit. Ended up keeping the last cab caught and that was the smallest one.
One reason I only fish this area when we go camping is that I can always seem to find cabs, but don't catch many rockfish there. The fish were caught on frozen squid and frozen smelt. All fish were caught casting out far - nothing would bite in close. The kelp is starting to grow back in the area, but there is enough room to move around to find a good place to fish. As is the case from Pt. Conception north, it's best to fish early before the wind starts blowing. The wind and water can make fishing difficult along this stretch of coast.
I didn't get blown off the rocks, but each day the water did pick up as the day went on and fishing became more challenging. So I did spend the afteroons scouting around and finding some great scenery.
I was surprised that we weren't visited by much wildlife in the campground. We have seen bats flying around on summer evenings, but not this time. Oh, also the place is a bargain - three nigts for $27(senion, off-season) - though the rates changed to summer rates the day we left.
A few more beautiful days on the Central Coast.
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A few days at Montana de Oro State Park
frozendog -
May-21-08 2:26pm
Re: A few days at Montana de Oro State Park
Sin_Coast -
May-21-08 2:51pm
forgot to say
Sin_Coast -
May-21-08 3:45pm
Re: A few days at Montana de Oro State Park
charro -
May-21-08 3:56pm
Re: A few days at Montana de Oro State Park
SOUNDGOOD -
May-21-08 4:31pm
Re: A few days at Montana de Oro State Park
pier roller -
May-22-08 2:15pm
Re: A few days at Montana de Oro State Park
Salty Nick -
May-23-08 10:26am
Re: A few days at Montana de Oro State Park
Salty Nick -
May-23-08 10:26am