I carry a few more options in the form of spoons, jigs, etc. When the wind kicks up but I want to keep fishing I like throwing Kastmasters and bucktails, the latter also providing versatility in presenting plastics. But other than that it's interesting how you're basically forced to go light when your style of surf fishing is to cover lots of ground. Another thing I add is a small soft sided ice chest that hangs from velcro loops on the bottom of my pack in case I catch something for dinner. I think getting fish on ice keeps the meat firmer, especially when you're fishing long sessions.
Wow, that ice chest idea is a great idea, and I agree that getting em on ice fast is optimal. Always a good idea to have spoons and jigs available as options...I used to carry SO much stuff when chasing halibut but somewhere down the line I realized that 95% of the time, I'm throwing the LC. So I just simplified and tried to keep it real with myself lol!
On 95% LC for halibut, you nailed that one, brother, it's spot on correct. And my bag is noticeably lighter when I take that one spoon/jig box out. But what can I say? -- as an old trout fisherman I feel vulnerable to the skunk without at least a couple of Kastmasters in my kit. And my first legal halibut, my first halibut period, was on a bucktail, so that kind of obligates me, doesn't it? From a "don't anger the gods" standpoint? Actually, because I caught that hali I like throwing the bucktail. It gets pretty much the whole leftover 5% after the LC.
Another great video Benjie keep them coming. What brand braided line do you recommend? I am starting to put a couple rods together so my wife and I can hit the Oceanside/Carlsbad beaches for Halibut.😎
Hi Alan, I'm not picky when it comes braid...I typically just go with whatever the local shop uses. But Daiwa J braid is a good option. Oceanside/Carlsbad is a great place to hunt halibut for sure. Tight lines!
Same here. I'm pretty out of shape and it took me a good 15 minutes to get both my bare feet out of those same Compass 360 waders. Good lesson learned!
Thank you Jimmie!! How's the fishing been for ya brotha! I think its so cool that we were able to run into each other a few times. Hopefully not the last time!
For sure hope to see you on the sand soon!! Went out this morning same spot I saw you last just further south. Hit it two hours before low tide and fished till around noon. Condition were awesome minimal 🥗 clear clean water but no dice bud. Tried every color I got but the ol'skunk for me.
@@jimmielujan6325 ugh, thanks for the report bro. I stayed north today and skunked too. Water didn’t look right so I stopped fishing pretty quick. We’ll get em next time!
Thank you Benjie! My brother's name is Kenji! Biggest luxury for me is leaving my phone in the car while fishing , usually San Clemente......but I've spent half my 59 years connected to a pager/cellphone(and both for a few years for those who know).....somehow we survived and thrived in life and business before🙄😎
Thank you so much! Oceano was absolutely a blast but you didn't miss much when it came to the fishing. Hopefully the next one will have some better fishing along with the amazing community!
Nice. Really looking at it, you don’t take very much! I have a small tackle box with 3 or 4 LCs, some Kastmasters, and maybe 3 c rig setups. Tactical backpack, some water, protein bars, and a few plastic bags for my catch. 1 or 2 setups depending on the day! And the rinsekit has been a game changer! Have had mine for 4 months now, love the thing to death. So convenient and absolutely worth it for anyone who likes anything that has to do with the outdoors. Great vid Benjie!
Thanks for the comment Gabe! You've got yourself dialed in really nice! And YES!! I LOVE my rinsekit too. It's pricey considering its just something to spray our gear down but for me it was well worth the investment. Wishing you great weekend brotha!
Hi Joseph, man it's a bummer but I think they went out of business some time last year. They were sold on his website and on amazon and then at a certain point, there was no more stock. Been hoping there would be a restock but its been awhile now so I'm guessing its not longer available.
High quality contents as always, Ben san. The water pump is a great idea. Why didn't I think of that?? Thank you :) If I may, it'd be worth trying: 15lb braided line + 15lb-20lb monofilament or Fluorocarbon leader connected with FG or SC knot. It'd increase casting distance significantly on 3000 size reel especially. The leader length should be 2-5 feet. You might not feel much difference in the short range Minnow game but for long shots. Only occasion I use heavy duty braided line for the light surf game is when I need greater line buoyancy to give sinking lures slower falling action. For the surf games that I use 3000 size reel for, I use 8-10llb braided line unless rockfish game. For 4000-5000, 15lb - 20lb( Bass/Rockfish 20lb - 30lb) For 5000-6000 SW, 30-50lb
I agree with your assessment on lightening up for greater casting distance. I like to keep 20-30 lb on there because there are days where I like to go straight braid and I've been sawed off on rocks with some decent fish. Which is why when fishing rocks, I almost always use a fluoro leader now. Which I suppose negates my need to use heavier braid lol. So with all that said, I agree with your arsenal and it makes sense, thanks for sharing brotha!
Hi Mario, thanks for the comment. You can get away with as little as 2 to 3 feet but I do 3 arms length pulls...and as long as the connection doesn't enter the spool, I'm good to go.
Hey Benjie! Question, How long is the floral leader you use? Thanks buddy. love the videos, your the man!. I live in North County San Diego if your ever down here and wana go fishing.
Hey thanks for the positive vibes Casey, much appreciated! Generally speaking I pull 3 arm lengths from my leader spool (both arms spread out east to west) so I'm guessing around 9 to 10 ft? Hope that helps!!
Hey Andrew, I honestly release 95% of my catches (if not more) but I keep a trash bag in my back pack (forgot to include that in my video...) in case I catch a hali or white sea bass I want to keep. Probably the best way to keep em fresh (at least for halibut) is to bring a stringer and have it with you in the water as you're walking and casting (at least that's what a couple of my friends do). If you're keeping critters (corbina, YFC, perch, etc), I think some variation of the bag in backpack with maybe some ice might be the most mobile way. Otherwise, a bucket or ice chest may have to do. Not my cup of tea, but just my .02.
Hey bro, yes they are from Michaels. I believe I linked the product directly from Michaels website in the video description under all the items listed (I'm not affiliated with them or anything...). I hope that helps!
Benji, how bad is getting sand in my reels. I’ve looked around web n can’t get a direct answer. Just got my stradic and I dropped it in sand and it’s kinda seizing
Hey Rob, dang man that's a bummer. Other than taking the spool and bail off to clean and re grease, I'd recommend getting it serviced from Shimano (they're in Irvine, if you're in SoCal that'd be the way to go). I've actually dropped my stradic in the sand (as well as dunked) several times and was fortunate to not experience any seizing. Typically, nicer reels can handle a bit of abuse but you never know if even a tiny granule of sand gets into the gears, it'll be game over. One thing I do with all the reels that I fish the salt with, I generously grease inside the spool so that it will catch the sand instead of potentially getting in the gears. It may lose some of the smoothness but I trade that for potential safety as the surf can be brutal. Best of luck in getting that reel up and running!
Hey Dominic, with my 2 hands on the leader spool, I'll extend my arms out 3 times and that's how much I use. Sorry, I don't know if that makes sense, but hopefully you get what I'm trying to describe. I use the RP knot to connect braid to leader. I believe the same knot may also be called the modified Alberto but not 100% sure.
I've also read similar reviews on the flex issue but I've never experienced it personally. Not saying that its not an issue for some folks but its been fine on my end. I like the Fuego because of its combination of specs (20 lb drag) and weight (around 7 g), which are basically the same as the stradic for less than half the price. But if flex is a concern, maybe go with the BG (similar price point, a bit heavier), which seems to be widely used and loved reel in the surf?
As far as the water will let me, assuming I want to go out that far. I wish I could give you a more practical answer but it really does change drastically depending on the day and beach I'm fishing.
Hi Paul, I really appreciate that man. Yea, I'm not sure why it does that. When I check on my end, it seems to work just fine. But every once in awhile, someone comments a similar experience. It might be the browser? Either way, wishing you well and tight lines!
hahaha dude its one of those things where there's no excuse after the 1st time. But I let it happen 3 times, so that makes me a ....... Hopefully never again!
Make sure to pack your trash out with you. Been witnessing supposed fishermen discarding empty beer cans right where they were fishing. Bring a trash bag with you along with all the cool gear if you're the type that drinks and eats while fishing...
![EVERYTHING I Pack for Surf Fishing [Halibut Edition] in SoCal](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
